Anchorage Area Suggestions

[J. Kris Leppien-Christensen]

I'll be traveling to Anchorage, Alaska the first weekend in November for
work - a preview to Alaska for my upcoming cruise to Alaska from San Diego
aboard the Mercury in April/May 2001. I was hoping that some of you more
seasoned travelers could offer some suggestions. I have two full days, and
another half day to play with. Although I have been doing some research
through my TA and through the internet, I have noticed that most of the
"excursions/tours" are May to October only. For example, the 26 glacier
cruise does not operate from November through April. I was interested in
Portage Glacier, but would take any recommendations for tour cruises (e.g.,
Prince William Sound). Also, would you recommend a trip to Denali in
November.

Thanks in advance,

J. Kris Leppien-Christensen
San Diego, CA

[Chuck & Barb Werness]

Anchorage Museum Of History & Art 121 w 7th ave., Alaska Aviation
Heritage Museum (south shore of the lake hood seaplane base) 25 rare
bush planes. Kinai Fjords Tours 1-800-478-8068 Departures from Seward,
March - November?. Alyeska Aerial Tramway. Check Grey Line
www.greylineofalaska.com for Portage Glacier and other trips.

Have Fun
Chuck

[Susan Tomasek]

Well some of the things you just won't be able to do because they close
down for the winter. Denali will not be open. They even close the road down.
They don't plow during the winter so nothing runs plus most of the hotels in
that area close to Spring. There is one I think on the Talkeetna side. Try
www.inalaska.com/ - I tried this both for Talkeetna and the Kenai Fjords but
they weren't opening, but give it a try. I know someone is running like 3 hour
Kenai Fjord trips out of Seward in the winter but I can't find the ad (I've
looked in all the newspapers I currently have) so if it shows up again I'll
email it to you. Seward does have the http://www.alaskasealife.org/

More than likely Begich/Boggs visitor center at Portage has gone into their
winter hours and I'm not sure if they will be open every day plus I know that
Gray line has quite running the M/V Ptarmigan, the boat that goes to the front
of the glacier, for the season.

More than likely to do all of this too you'll need to rent a car and be
careful because last year it was reported that the rental car companies were
not putting snow tires or studs on their rental cars and there was at least 2
deaths (one accident) involved with tourists and snowy driving.

Not sure where you are staying in town but the Alyeska Resort is having an
Internet Special $99 a night www.alyeskaresort.com until November 20th. Its
a beautiful hotel in Girdwood about 35 miles from Anchorage. My Mom is coming
up to go the various bazaars/craft shows (couldn't pass up a $275 fare from St.
Louis) so I'm treating her and we are going down there for a night.

Another very nice place is the Kenai Princess. It's about 130-150 miles
south of Anchorage, in Cooper Landing. They have wood burning stoves in each
room. Just another really nice place, sister coming up and we're going to
spend one night there soon. They have a $79 Sun-Thurs. and a $99 Fri-Sat.

I know in town the museum is open but the Alaska Native Heritage Center is
not going to be open in November. Sorry to be the bearer of the news that a
lot of things aren't open but with not a large winter tourist base the
companies just close down until Spring. Any other questions, just email.

Susan in Anchorage