First timers and need advice!

When I first read it I thought you were saying you were traveling to Alaska in an RV.... Was going to say the first leg of the trip might be a little damp.

Have a great trip!

Joe

Just a short distance from Anchorage on your way to Fairbanks is the Iditarod Headquarters/Museum/Sled Dogs. It's excellent and you can even get a ride by the dogs - a sled w/wheels in the summer :).

Sled Dog Headquarters in Wasilla, Alaska

Also on your way to Fairbanks, be sure to go into Denali National Park for a couple nights and take the shuttle bus ride. There's also a sled dog demonstration at the Visitor Center in Denali but I'm not sure of the days. You'll see lots of critters and if you're lucky, THE mountain itself! Have a great trip.

You can do kayaking tours from Seward and Valdez....almost any degree of guiding, outfitting, and support is offered. I can't recall the names right now, but a quick web search will reveal them.

When driving to Fairbanks from Los Anchorage, swing by Hatcher Pass if you have time: Neat part of Southcentral and a fun drive through the pass if you have a passenger vehicle (not RV suitable)

Tangle Lakes...part of the most beautiful drive in Alaska (IMNSHO: Los Anchorage - Glenallen-Paxson-Cantwell- back to Paxson-Glenallen-Los Anchorage). Be sure to access from the Paxson side, more pavement and less restrictions in a rented vehicle.

I would recommend planning on taking the fast ferry from Valdez to Whittier (close to Anchorage) on the return leg as it saves 6-8 hours of return driving from Valdez to Anchorage.

There are several spots on the Parks Highway to see the Alaska range: Weather is often iffy, but don't miss the pullouts. The vistas are impressive even if shrouded in cloud.

I recommend a stop in Talkeetna. Kind of a neat little town. Riverboat tours and airplane tours of McKinley are available from Talkeetna. I think there's dog mushing tours and rides in dogsleds, but not sure.

The part of the Parks Highway from circa 75 miles south of Cantwell to Healy is, or at least can be, incredibly scenic and winds through some fantastic country at a very close level.

IMNSHO, Glitter Gulch (around and near the entrance to McKinley)is disgusting and an abomination in what used to be a special part of Alaska.

When driving from Fairbanks to Valdez, you're closer to "Real Alaska" (whatever the heck that is :)) than anywhere on the western side of the loop.

Drive in to Copper Center....neat little Alaska town, even if the Lodge burned down a couple of years ago.

Don't miss the view/scenery at Thompson Pass on the way into Valdez and don't miss the waterfalls (Horsetail, Bridal Veil) on the way into Valdez.


A tour of the Sound (or Fjord) from Valdez is a wonderful way to spend a day.

In Los Anchorage, depending on time and taste, I'd recommend the Crows Nest and Seven Glaciers (actually in Girdwood) for eating on the high-end. F Street station is fading, but still a great place for a burger. Lucky Wishbone is a local institution and has pretty good fried chicken.

What I have on Alaska.

:C Clicky :C for a few photos.

We enjoyed a day cruise on the Prince William Sound (really a Fjord) from the port of Whittier. The food was great. Saw a lot of wild life (sea otters, sea birds, seals, an eagle or two, even a grey whale) & they pulled up close to one glacier & passed many. Saw a few people in kayaks as well. Our son & family have also gone on one from Seward. Longer, more animals, I believe.

My son drove us from Palmer to Glennallen (very nice drive, neat scenery, even glaciers), even when over to Chitina & Copper River. We haven't been to Valdez.

There are often just pull outs along the Alaska highways in which people can overnight. We did an overnight at one (off the road a bit & up a hill with a parking area for viewing the vistas) not too far down from the Glennallen area towards Valdez on our way out from Chitina.

These might help: Free or Almost Free Campgrounds in AK and Free and low cost camping in Alaska

Never done any slid dog viewing or rides, but I found this: Sled Dog Rides and Demonstrations year round.

Haven't eaten at it, but there is neat place next to the Pioneer Park in Fairbanks (offer caribou & moose & salmon) which my son & wife liked. Also $15 RV overnighting by the park. Not Remembering Correctly about the Menu, No Caribou or Moose it seems, The Alaska Salmon Bake is the place.

In trying to find a name for the food place, I found this Cafe offering a vast selection of unique Alaskan meals and wild game products. Might be good.

My son grills & cooks very tasty Caribou, Moose & Salmon. Moose is extremely good.

Halibut is very good as well, if you can find a place serving it. Grilled was excellent.

Not on your agenda, at Homer, wanting seafood on the Split we had seafood samplers and they were just great. Grilled Halibut, Salmon, Scallops and Shrimp......each was really good. I liked the shrimp the best, but all was great. Good Salad & Baked Potato as well. Captain Pattie's Fish House

At North Pole (south of Fairbanks towards Delta Junction) there's a good Asian Food Restaurant .

Before getting into Palmer on the way from Glennallen, there is a Musk Ox Farm. Might be neat, we didn't stop.

Sea Kayak Rental Valdez is one of many, it seems. Valdez Kayak rentals

Moose Steaks on the Grill @ Russian River Campground:


At a small campground by neat waterfall on road to Chitina:


Overnight Site below Glennallen on Valdez Hwy: