Anchorage Sightseeing Suggestions

On my trip "up" there a few years ago on a group bp trip to Wrangell-St Elias NP, one guy had a extra day than the rest of us. He took the train to the north to the coast and took a charter boat excursion. He was able to get some shots of whales and glacier calving. Check with a travel agent up there. There are a couple downtown. He had the money, so it was no big deal to him. We stayed at the hostel close to the RR station, so since we had the rental truck, he just walked the couple blocks there. You could also rent a vehicle to get out of town a short distance to see what the country looks like. The only moose we saw on our trip was in the "burbs". :)
Duane

1) What days, exactly? (there's a reason I ask)

2) >"He took the train to the north to the coast and took a charter boat excursion." SOUTH to the coastal town of Seward, the tour boats headed out of Resurrection Bay to Kenai Fjords National Park. Whales, porpoises, puffins, glaciers, mountain goats, eagles but check and call for who is still operating this late, if any one (there are a dozen ships a day in summer). Seward is 2 hours from Anchorage – a spectacular route along Turnagin Arm and through the mountains. There is a bus (van) to Homer http://stagelineinhomer.com and the train does go to Seward, but infrequently in winter. Portage Glacier is on the way as is the wildlife rescue center in Portage.

3) there are hostels in Anchorage, Seward, Homer and numerous other places. $20-30/ night versus $50 for seedy hotels and $75+ for decent hotels.

In Anchorage itself the Museum of Art of History is good, the Native Cultural Center (NE of town) is quite nice, the UAA has various exhibits but not the art / cultural museum that UAF (Fairbanks) does. I recommended the zoo (open all year) for the end of your trip. Whatever critters you didn't see in the wild (or crossing the street in front of you) are at the zoo – from mink and wolverine through moose and musk ox. Polar, black, brown bears, caribou, etc.

Beyond that, it depends on what gear you bring or can borrow – cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing, etc. Driving north, especially after sunset (about 4:30 pm) increases your chances of seeing the Northern Lights. Better yet, watch the forecasts a few days in advance:

http://www.gi.alaska.edu/AuroraForecast

http://spaceweather.com

and go for a drive when the forecast looks good.

Thanks for the tips fellas. I’ll be going Thanksgiving through the following weekend and will have already have housing and perhaps a car to cruise in. I’ve heard good things about Seward, but have also heard that there may not be a lot open this time of year. I suppose I’ll have to do my own research on companies as I’d really like to hit a tour boat.

I’ve also heard the sun is going to be a big dictator of what I do or don’t get to see so I’ll keep my fingers crossed. We’re only going to be bringing checked bags so unfortunately my personal gear selection will be low :(