Alaska’s Vacation & Road Trip – August 2021
Our two-week Alaskan journey started from Anchorage and we drove about 2,300 miles in a loop around reaching Fairbanks and Homer!
Follow our adventures in the upcoming posts @anastasias.true.living
Day 1 – arrive at 8 pm
Arrived in Anchorage at 8 pm and rented a car from turo.com (great app) – we found the best deal on that website. We stayed at the Aptel Studio Hotel in Anchorage very close to downtown area. We hit Costco which was right next to the hotel and loaded on fruits, veggies, peanut butter, granola bars and healthy snacks, as well as Bear spray. We were ready for our outdoor adventures.
It was great to have a little kitchenette at the hotel, so we utilized it.
Day 2 – full day in Anchorage
Once we woke up and had our fruit and coffee, we were on our way to explore the city.
The first place we visited was the Salmon viewing area called Ship Creek, where you can see the salmon climbing upstream. People were fishing and it was great place to start.
Then we drove through the Alaska train station and hot the Snow City (https://www.instagram.com/snowcitycafe/) for nice lattes, and some egg sandwiches, which were delicious.
Near the café there are two places to rent bikes and we chose the trek kiosk https://trekbikerentalsanchorage.com/?hl=en#testimonials– we got a deal for 5 hours and we rented bikes to explore Anchorage and more specifically The Tony Knowles Coaster Trail https://anchoragecoastaltrail.com/ . What an amazing experience riding 25 miles along the bike trail and the city.
Along the trail you can see…earthquake info
Get down to the beach – which beach
Captain Cook monument
Over 20 miles of bike trails
Have a picnic
Plenty of trails all around the city so it is very safe
Star reindeer pen
Anchorage Museum – great place to learn about the indigenous people https://www.instagram.com/anchoragemuseum/ https://www.anchoragemuseum.org/
We had a great dinner at F Street Station in Anchorage and walked around a bit more after dinner, as the weather was great.
Day 3 – Full day In Anchorage
We woke up early as usual had our fruit and coffee, made some peanut butter sandwiches, grabbed the
granola bars and plenty of water and were off to explore the mountains.
The views from Anchorage of the Chugach state park and the mountains are so inviting, that we could not wait to go climb them!
Do you know which is the most climbed mountain in Alaska?
It is the Flattop Mountain, 3,510 feet (1,070 m) high, located in Chugach State Park just east of urban Anchorage.
This beautiful hike offers 360-degree views of the Alaska Range, Chugach Range, Cook Inlet, and Anchorage. It is a popular berry picking area in the fall.
The trail becomes steep near the summit and requires some rock scrambling, and you could lose visibility, like we did. Summit is often cold and windy, so make sure to bring appropriate clothing.
The area is avalanche prone in the winter, so follow necessary precautions.
We hiked for about 3 hours, collected berries, and enjoyed the gorgeous views. One suggestion please wear many layers, as once we got to the top near the summit where the stones started, we started raining and became foggy. It was hard to see so we had to eat our sandwiches and wait to clear up a bit before we attempted our ascend. Once we got there it was totally worth it, however it was not an easy hike. We have a lot of experience and even the kids did great but be prepared to be on all 4 all the way the stone area. And do not forget your hats and even thin gloves.
Once we were done with the hike, we hit the road and started driving south on the Seward Highway. What an amazing drive and magnificent views. We visited the Beluga Point, from where the view of the Kenai Mountains and the Turnagain Arm waterway is just breathtaking. The Alaskan railroad, dating back 1903 passes along the whole way.
At Beluga point you can spot belugas between July and August when salmon are running in the Cook Inlet. We stayed for quite some time and climbed the cool rock (see pics) waiting for the belugas, but unfortunately, we did not see any. We were told that people had seen them several hours before us, but I guess we missed them.
This place is an archeological location and is only 110 miles south of Anchorage. It has been added to the National Register of Historic Places!
We reached that day to Alyeshka resort hotel area and enjoyed the views there.
Then we got back to Anchorage and were able to get a table at the Bear Tooth restaurant – https://beartooththeatre.net/menu/ https://www.instagram.com/beartooththeatre/ . The food was outstanding.
Day 4 – on the way to Denali National Park & Denali NP
Stayed 2 nights at Cabins at Denali https://www.cabinsatdenali.com/
On the way to Denali, we tried to see the Dr. Suess house or also called Goose
Creek tower, but the road was blocked unfortunately we could not see it
We stopped at the Denali Viewpoint South which was great – bathrooms and some history about a plane crash … in the area
We also saw the strange Igloo Hotel
We tried checking the Husky Homestead however it had just closed so we decided to visit the sled dogs at Denali NP
When we arrived at our cabin, we walked around the area and made our decision on what trail to hike the next day.
Walked around the shops and the restaurants – we had a nice dinner at the https://www.instagram.com/prospectorspizzadenali/
Day 5 – Denali
We could not get tickets for the bus, so we were happy to save some $$ and hike on our own.
Denali, once called Mount McKinley, is the tallest mountain in North America – 20,310 feet (6,190 meters)!
Denali is a true wilderness with only one road bisecting the park.
Private vehicles are only allowed up to the first 15 miles and you can either hike on your own, or take a bus tour. The bus tours are at least for 6 hours and need to be booked several months in advance (check the @denalinps for details).
We hiked the Savage Alpine trail which was 4 miles and hard terrain. It was a lot of fun, but I must admit a bit scary as you can encounter grizzlies. We had 2 bear sprays, sang the whole time, and made noises and used our backup whistles. After you pass the wooded area it becomes less scary. The hike is totally rewarding as we were able to see Denali peak and enjoy gorgeous views of the park. Be dressed appropriate as that morning got to 28 degrees and it was August 20th. During the hike it got to 65 and it was sunny and pleasant.
After the hike we drove to the next town over Healy only 15 mins away and had a great dinner and lots of fun at the 49the State Brewing https://www.instagram.com/49thstatebrewing/
Tips for visiting & explore Denali National Park – a park that is on many people’s bucket list, offering beautiful scenery and all kinds of wildlife – from bears and moose to arctic ground squirrels and all-white snowshoe hares.
You need at least 3 days, 2 nights in Denali – if you want to explore one of the days with the bus tour (https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/bus-tours.htm) and one day of hiking on your own
The best time to visit is from May to Mid-September
Start hiking early as some of the trails can take you most of the day
Dress with layers
Bring a bear spray – remember the wildlife is unpredictable
Grab a map from the visitor center or Download the NPS app
Stay near the park or in the Cabins in the park – we stayed at Cabins at Denali which is also the Nenana Raft adventure property – we were 5 mins away from the park entrance and half a mile from all the restaurants and shops.
Plan and be flexible – If you are driving you can only get to Mile 15 with the car, then you need a bus/shuttle or you can just hike
Make your dinner reservation ahead of time, as the restaurants in the area get really busy – we loved https://www.instagram.com/prospectorspizzadenali/
Day -6 – 7 – Fairbanks
Drive to Fairbanks we stayed at Bear lodge at Wedgewood resort https://www.fountainheadhotels.com/bear-lodge
https://www.instagram.com/bearlodgefbx/
The location of the hotel was great as it was right near Cramer’s Field, the best place to view the Aurora lights.
Creamers Field
North Pole and Santa’s house & the Reindeer pen https://www.santaclaushouse.com/shopcustcontact.asp
Alaskan Pipeline overlook
Chena Hot Springs & State park https://www.instagram.com/chenahotsprings/
Pioneer Park – https://www.instagram.com/alaskatravel/
https://www.instagram.com/explorefairbanks/
Eat at Salmon Bake https://www.instagram.com/alaskasalmonbake/
Walk around the Wedgewood Sanctuary https://www.alaska.org/detail/fountainhead-wedgewood-wildlife-sanctuary
Drive down Dalton Highway – https://www.alaska.org/guide/dalton-highwayice famous ice road trucker show & don’t forget to stop by at the famous pie Hilltop Truck Stop
Check out University of Alaska campus if you have time Aminam research center (we did not have time to do that)
Day 8 – On the way to Copper Center – Stayed at the Sawing Logzz Bed & Breakfast
Wrangell St. Elias National park – hike and walk; check out the visitor center
We had dinner at the Old Town Copper Center restaurant – do not get discouraged if the outside looks a bit sketchy – the restaurant was nice https://www.oldtowncoppercenter.com/gallery/
Day 9 – on the way to Valdez – stayed at the Best western Valdez Harbor Inn
Valdez is a beautiful coaster Alaska city a mix of tidewater glaciers, forests & mountains. It is settled on the shores of Prince William Sound and is famous for being the depot of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline.
Only a few miles outside Valdez the Richardson Highway passes through nearby Keystone Canyon and Worthington Glacier. Two natural wonders that make the drive to Valdez a spectacular road trip.
Keystone Canyon has a number of very tall waterfalls that cascade down the sheer walls – the most impressive of which are Bridal Veil falls and Horsetail Falls!
- Check out Worthington Glacier – great place and park to do a small hike
- On the way check out Horsetail Falls, Bridal Veil falls and the beautiful Keystone Canyon. Amazing drive through Thomson Pass
- Valdez glacier lake
- Solomon Gulch hatchery – checked it out 2 times that day – if you want to see the bears though go after supper 7-7:30 and you will not miss the bear show. This was so amazing – watching the 6 bears we encounter eating their salmon was incredible
- Dock Point Park & Trail – very east 2-mile trail
- Civic center overlook trail – easy fast trail with great views of Valdez
Check out Nat Shack & The Potato https://www.instagram.com/thepotatoak/ https://www.instagram.com/thenatshack/
Day 10 – on to Seward – two nights at the Seward Gateway Hotel, breakfast is included
When you book this hotel, you are offered a 20% discount on the Kenai NP boat tour with Major Marine. This was a truly unforgettable experience. https://www.instagram.com/majormarinetours/
I highly recommend it – we did the 6 hour one and it was perfect for us and the kids. Lunch is served and the views are totally amazing.
On the way to Seward from Valdez is a long drive but so beautiful. Here is where we stopped and what we saw on the way there:
Matanuska Glacier overlook – we were planning to do the tour on the glacier that morning however it was getting cold, and it started pouring so we cancelled it. Otherwise, it looked like an amazing experience.
Next stop was Portage Glacier Lake though Witter Tunnel portage pass to see the Glacier. You can take a boat tour from the lake Portage Glacier Cruises if you have the time- https://portageglaciercruises.com/
- Arrive at the hotel and walk around the area and Seward Marina – it was just stunning, surrounded by mountains.
- Had dinner at —-
Day 11 – Seward – all day
- Had breakfast at the hotel and walked around the Marina and check out the Kenai NP visitor center
- Boarding our boat tour – 6 hours from 11- 5 pm exploring wildlife and glaciers
- Walk around have dinner at https://www.rayswaterfrontak.com/
Day 12 – Driving to Homer – staying two nights at the Land’s End resort
- Drove to Exit Glacier and hiked the 2-mile hike to the beginning of the glacier
- Great stops on the way like – Kasilof River Sockeye Sonar site
- Coopers landing area – looked like you can take so many fishing boat tours if you are staying at the town
Ones we arrived in Homer
- Stopped at the Homer Overlook point. What a gorgeous town, the views from this spot are magnificent
- Walked around the Homer Spit and checked out the beach and all the cute shops and the Marina
- Dined at Captain Pattie’s Fish house https://www.facebook.com/Capt.Patties
Homer is at the end of the Sterling highway, 200 miles south of Anchorage surrounded by wilderness and ocean. Known as the Halibut Fishing Capital of the world and the City of Peonies.
Day 13 – Land’s End Resort
- Breakfast and coffee at the resort
- Enjoying the views and walking on the beach at the resort
- After a jump in the water, we enjoyed the pool and the hot tub at the resort
On the way back to Anchorage to catch our plane at 8 pm
- We stopped at many of the beautiful overlooks where you can see the volcanos on the other side of the water
- Had a nice lunch at Rocky’s café in Kasilof Alaska
- And finally visited the Indian Valley Mine located on Seward Highway and we panned for gold! Check this place it is a lot of fun https://www.facebook.com/Indian-Valley-Mine-Gifts-86778674383/ http://indianvalleymine.com/
What a fun spot for the kids and views of the mountains was a great way to end this unforgettable road trip.