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The Kitchen Table

Alaska going people - question for you

16 years ago

We going to Alaska for 1.5 weeks and I want some input from you all.

We'll be in a car and driving along the road between Seward - Anchorage - Denali NP - Fairbanks.

Given the opportunity: what would you see and where will you go?

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Comments (11)

chessey24
16 years ago
Do not miss Denali - The national park is fantastic but you can only enter on their buses but worth it. The state park is where the the mountain is and it is a sight not to be missed, esp. if you are lucky enough to see it emerge from the clouds. We spent two days there, primarily waiting for the mountain and it was marvelous. It's prime tourist season there now, so be aware of that.
cate52
16 years ago
Get ahold of the current edition of 'Milepost'.. Lots of good information! Don't know if if's online - it's been 15 years since we needed to use it!
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glenda_al
16 years ago
Take mosquito repellant
nanny98
16 years ago
The most memorable of our 47 days in Alaska was the visit to Jeff King's Husky Homestead in Denali Park. We took a bus, provided by the family business to his training facility/home. There were numerous fires in the area, so our visit to the park was disappointing. Every museum and tourist attraction that we did see was SO very well done. Lucky You!
And don't forget the fish dinners....SOO wonderful!
dolphindm04
16 years ago
I currently live in Fairbanks. As someone mentioned above, you must see Denali and the best way to see it is on the bus, because personal vehicles are only allowed up to the 9mile mark and you can't go any further unless you're on a bus. The trip itself is about 5-6 hours long through the park, so you should get there early.

http://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/index.htm

As for Fairbanks, Pioneer Park is a little park full of museums and such to see. One of the places is the -40*F room to experience how cold it is in the winter. Yes, that sounds crazy, and it is. lol However, my fiance had me go in that room as my 'thing I had to do' before he would propose (he had to learn to drive a standard, who had the better end of the deal? lol).

http://www.co.fairbanks.ak.us/pioneerpark/

If you have the time, go to the El Dorado Gold Mine. You'll be taken on a train ride tour of the gold mine and at the end you'll pan for gold.

http://www.eldoradogoldmine.com/

Also, if you have the time - go to Chena Hot Springs. It's a beautiful place to go and see. Water feels amazing and helps you relax. There's an Ice Museum to see (open year-round).

Any other questions, let me know!

Cindy

http://www.chenahotsprings.com/

Here is a link that might be useful: Denali National Park
dolphindm04
16 years ago
And one other thing about Pioneer Park - Friday nights they have what they call the "Salmon Bake" outdoor cooking night where they have Salmon, Cod, Halibut, Prime Rib, and usually Crab legs along with salad bar, rolls, drinks, etc. All you can eat, and it's a wonderful experience - outdoors and as I said, it's just a fun experience. It's about $30? per person, but worth it.

Oh, thought of something else. lol Up the road in North Pole (yes, we have a North Pole, Alaska) there is Santa's House that's always open and reindeer behind the house in a fenced in area.

If I think of anything else, I'll post it too. lol

Cindy
cate52
16 years ago
I found the Milepost linke

Here is a link that might be useful: Milepost
joan_mn
16 years ago
I agree, take the longest bus tour into Denali...and be prepared for a wonderful day! Take a lunch and a camera. WE saw grizzlies right next to the bus! Saw so many animals and fabulous scenery.
vetaal
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for the info everyone, I'll be reading
better2boutside
16 years ago
I'd second the ElDorado gold mine. Sounded corny to me, but the information and experience is fun.

The Fairbanks University Muesum was excellent. It is small, but very diversified and the displays are first rate. The local history displays were wonderful.

There is also a museum in Ketichkan that I did not have time for, but looked wonderful as well.

Speak to as many locals during your trip and be fluid on your plans. That way you can see the real alaska and not just the touristy stuff. We took a river raft trip from Talkeetna, in Denali. Our guide, Spencer, was local born and a wealth of knowledge.

Also look into the water ferries that run up the coast. I understand that it is a good way to get around.

~Candace
nanny98
16 years ago
Just a PS...That Pioneer Park and Salmon bake is great, also the theater show. I would also add Palmer.. find out the history of that beautiful little town. (Lunch there was great too) Friendly people that really love who they are and how they got there. Nanny

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