I have a bunch of information for you, so please forgive the following long posts. All my information is current and confirmed, although if you're interested in some of the options I present, you'll need to make some phone calls or send some emails soon to set things up. But I will try to make it very easy for you and give you the numbers/addresses/websites you'll need. Pick up an Anchorage map and an Alaska map as soon as you get in town. You can also check out this site for maps: http://www.anchorage.net/467.cfm

I have no idea if you'll be able to get away from Anchorage for a few days, but I HIGHLY suggest it. There's not very much to do in Anchorage and some of the most beautiful scenary in the state is not very far from there. You absolutely HAVE to drive south to Seward; it is the most gorgeous drive at any time of the year. I mean, it's STUNNING. Look at this map to see where Seward is in relation to Anchorage: http://www.anchorage.net/library/kenaipen.gif. They recently had some major flooding in the area, but I have confirmed from the state troopers that the road is open and passable. Just don't be surprised to see some flood damage near Seward. But things are still open and everyone says, "Come visit us!" :-)

The BEST surprise I have for you is a sled dog tour with the Mitch Seavey family!! Mitch Seavey is the 2004 Iditarod Champion. Three of his four sons have also raced in the Iditarod as has Mitch's father back in the 70's. The Seaveys operate their dog sled tour operation out of 2 locations. They're in Seward in the summer and in Sterling in the winter. (Look at the Seward map link I provided above to see where Sterling is.) They're in Sterling now, and if you look at the map you'll see a "Y", a split in the road where either you go south to Seward or west to Sterling. It's about 45 miles to Sterling from that "Y". The tour will be about 1.5 hours long and will be given by either Danny or Dallas Seavey (sons). You may meet Mitch depending on the time of day you're there. Because there's no snow yet, your ride will take place on what they call their "summer sled" (it's on wheels but it gives you almost the same experience since you go along the same trails). The tour is only available between Tuesday 10/24 and Friday 10/27. If you are interested in doing this tour, you need to contact Heather (she works for the Seaveys) by emailing info@ididaride.com ("Attn: Heather" in the subject line) or call her at 1-800-478-3139 as soon as possible. This sled dog tour was voted the best one in the state. You can read more about their operation here: http://www.ididaride.com. Just remember you're going to have to go to Sterling instead of Seward for the tour (the location page at their website shows the directions for Seward.)

Heather was SO nice she even called around on her own looking for the best rental car deal for you TJs! She found a mid-sized car (seats 5) from Thrifty Car Rental in Anchorage for $27.54/day (that price includes all taxes and fees; the base rate was $16). That's a very good deal, and a car would provide you a way out of Anchorage for a few days. You can get a reservation here: http://www.thrifty.com. If you don't have a credit card for a deposit, I'm not sure what to suggest. Let me know if you can't use a credit card and I'll see what I can find out about a car rental without one (it may be impossible). By the way, Heather also mentioned something about putting together some Iditarod memorabilia for you to take back home with you! Wow!

Something I quickly want to mention is that taking the Alaska State Railroad to Seward is not an option this time of year. It only runs to Seward in the summer, and even if it was running now it still wouldn't get you to Sterling.

I found some other cool things for you to do, but you're going to need a rental car for a few days to take advantage of all of them. Of course, you don't need to do everything I suggest, but you'll still need a car for anything outside of Anchorage.

Will begin a new post to break this up...

[10/29: EDITED TO REMOVE SOME INFO AS PROMISED AFTER THE TJS LEFT ANCHORAGE.]

If I was planning this trip for you, I would have you stay at the Arctic Adventure Hostel in Anchorage Saturday night. Then I would have you head out of Anchorage *early* Sunday morning in a rental car and have you return to Anchorage Tuesday evening when you could turn the car back in (in Anchorage you can rely on public transporation, Joseph, walking, etc.)

The reason being is that the Seaveys sled dog tour (which you can't do until Tuesday at the earliest), Seward and several other cool things are all down on the Kenai Peninsula (that area south of Anchorage) and you could do all these things over the course of 3 days before returning to Anchorage.

So, theoretically speaking, if you left in a rental car by 8:30 Sunday morning, I'd have you drive the 127 miles straight to Seward (without stopping). Why? So you can make it in time for the Resurrection Bay day cruise with Kenai Fjords Tours! They will allow you TJ's to go on a day cruise for $xx.xx/person and that includes lunch! You will see an abundance of wildlife on this cruise. This is definitely a must-do! Check out their website at http://www.kenaifjords.com. (Look under "Day Cruises" and then click on "2006 Fall Cruises" on the right side of the page.) They're in the winter season so they only do these cruises on Saturdays and Sundays; they're also the only company doing cruises at all this time of year. So if you can't go Sunday, you're out of luck. The tour leaves at noon (try to get there by 11:00 to check in) and is 2.5 hours long and like I said, it includes lunch. If you check out their website, you'll see what a great tour this is. To go on this tour, you need to call the Customer Service Manager ahead of time (before you get to Alaska). The number is 1-800-270-1238 (it's a free long-distance call).

The tour ends around 2:30 at which time I would suggest you walk over to the Alaska SeaLife Center. I never tire of visiting this place! It's open from 10-5, and you really only need an hour or two for it. It's $15/person, but if you call xxxxx ahead of time at xxx-xxx-xxxx he can set you up with a good tour guide and get you in free (if you're allowed to go into places for free). Their website addy is http://www.alaskasealife.org/New/visitors/index.php.

There's lots of little shops and places to eat in this small seaside town. Some may be closed right now though. But the view down there is incredible. After you're finished up in Seward for the day, you can head 5.5 miles back up the main road leading out of Seward and stay at Kate's Roadhouse Hostel. (There are hostels located directly in Seward and one in Sterling, but they're all closed for the year. Kate's Roadhouse is open year-around.) I would suggest you stay here 2 nights (Sunday night and Monday night). Kate is the NICEST lady and she and her husband will really try to help you guys. It costs $xx/person per night, but if you're running a little short on money, she will let you trade work for lodging. You can discuss that with her. She really wants you guys to visit and she's not into hosteling for the money, only for the experience and to meet people. You will love her! The hostel is a little more "rustic" than the Anchorage one, but it is also more "authentic Alaskan". There are 6 twin-size beds upstairs in the main house with a private TV room and shared baths. There are also 4 themed cabins (each has its own unique theme), but these don't have running water. (But there is a shared outhouse with electricity.) All bedding and towels, shampoo, conditioner and soap are provided. There is also free computer access. You can come and go as you please in the main house and you have your own fully-stocked kitchen. She provides a "help yourself" breakfast in the morning. There is also a front-loading washer and dryer for your use and she just asks for a small donation to use them. She and her husband can shuttle you short distances if half the group takes the rental car one place and the others need a ride somewhere else. If you want to stay here, email Kate at katesroadhouse@seward.net or better yet, call her at 1-907-224-5888. By the way, she mentioned she's willing to provide you with fresh salmon at breakfast one morning if you you'd like it! At the moment, they don't have a website.

On Monday you have several options, but one must-see is visiting Exit Glacier. Exit Glacier is a drive-up/walk-up glacier and it's much more stunning than Portage Glacier. This is my favorite place to visit on the Kenai Peninsula! From the turn-off on the main road 3.7 miles before Seward, it's 9 miles on Exit Glacier Road to the glacier. There was major flooding in this area recently, but the main park road is not damaged. However, there's a gate on the main park road that gets closed every October and after that the only way to get beyond that point to see Exit Glacier is by hiking or skiing or snowmobiles (when there's snow, which there isn't any yet). But I made some phone calls and I talked to xxxxxx xxxxx who is with the Alaska Department of Transportation and he told me that if they have enough advance notice (call him at xxx-xxx-xxxx by the 19th or 20th if you're going to visit there on the 24th) he can get permission and make sure the road is clear and they'll remove the gate and let you guys drive all the way into Exit Glacier!! How cool is that?! He said they could even clear a path for you with heavy equipment if it was needed (he said it doesn't take that long). Wow! Exit Glacier really is a walk-up glacier and I have stunning photos of it. If you do this, Bxxxxx said someone would accompany you guys. Once you park near the glacier, it's only a short walk. It doesn't take a whole lot of time, but it's something you should NOT miss. Bring gloves and something for your head; it gets cold by the glacier. Exit Glacier is truly in a class by itself. Exit Glacier website: http://www.nps.gov/kefj/planyourvisit/exit-glacier.htm

After that, there are a number of things that you could do on Monday afternoon. Kate was full of suggestions. There's lots of hiking in the area. I'll post some other suggestions later if it looks like you may be staying down there for a few days. You could also get some work in for Kate that day if you needed to save on funds, or you could just relax, or you could head back down to Seward for a few hours. In the evening, kick back and have a drink with the locals at the Yukon Bar in Seward. The Yukon is open every night until 2am. Just make sure someone in your group is a designated driver (not drinking); you don't want to get caught driving under the influence!

Tuesday you would pack up and leave for the Seaveys sled dog tour in Sterling. It's 38 miles from Kate's Roadhouse to the "Y" split and another 45 miles from the "Y" to Sterling. The earlier you get there the better, so you can have time to make some additional stops on your way back to Arctic Adventure Hostel in Anchorage. There'll be several things you'll have to miss on your drive down to Seward on Sunday, but you could hit those things on your return to Anchorage if you got an early enough start on Tuesday. I will post those suggestions later. (I'm trying to get work done at the same time I'm working on this. LOL) I just mainly wanted you to know about the sled dog tour and day cruise first. Even if you don't take up my suggestion to go down to the Kenai Peninsula for 3 days, at least try to go down there for the sled dog tour in Sterling. If you go to Sterling just for the day, it will be a long day but very worth it!! But I promise if you go down for just one day, you'll wish you had made plans to stay down in that area longer. Anchorage is nice, but there's just not enough to do there. And you just have to enjoy the drive to Seward. The drive to Seward is considered one of the most scenic drives in America!

Okay, that's enough for now, but I'll have more...

[10/29: EDITED TO REMOVE SOME NAMES/NUMBERS/ETC AS PROMISED AFTER THE TJS LEFT ANCHORAGE.]

Sorry about these long posts. I hope you can use some information out of them.

The following are suggestions for things to do on your return to Anchorage from Sterling. I'll also provide some information on things that are not available to do right now (due to time of year), so you don't waste your time trying to visit them. And even if you don't do the 3-day trip out of Anchorage I suggested, you can still do the following suggestions since they're within an hour's drive of Anchorage. But of course, you'd still need a rental car.

Presuming you're leaving Sterling at this point, get back on Seward Highway #1 heading north to Anchorage and you'll come to the turn-off for Portage Glacier. The scenic 5-mile drive down Portage Valley Road to the Begich Boggs Visitor Center is worth the drive in itself. The visitor center is only open on weekends (from 10-5) but you can visit the area at any time. Unfortunately, Portage Glacier has retreated many miles over the past 30 years and it is no longer viewable from the visitor center. In the summer months you can view the glacier by taking a boat ride, but the boat ride is shut down for the year. The one glacier you can see from the visitor center is actually Burns Glacier (a "hanging glacier"). Be sure to check out all the floating ice in the lake. You can see a small part of Portage Glacier by taking a left just before the visitor center and stopping at a pull-out on the road on the way to Whittier Tunnel. If you want an even better view of Portage Glacier, you can drive through the tunnel to Whittier. Immediately after going through the tunnel, make a right turn onto a gravel road and look for a sign that says: "Portage Pass Trailhead". It's a one-mile hike to the top of the pass. Looking one way you'll see Prince William Sound, looking the other way you'll see Portage Glacier. Be aware it costs $12 round-trip per car to go through the tunnel. This tunnel is a one-way tunnel meaning it can only handle cars going in the same direction at any given time. It is open for traffic going to Whittier for 15 minutes every hour on the half-hour. (Starts at 8:30-8:45 am, then again at 9:30-9:45, etc.) The tunnel is open for traffic leading out of Whittier for 15 minutes every hour on the hour. (IMPORTANT: The last tunnel of the day out of Whittier opens from 5:00-5:15 pm. If you miss it, you'll be stuck in Whittier until the next day! Not a good thing.) Even if you don't go to Whittier, at least take the short drive down the road to Begich Boggs visitor center. It won't take long and will definitely be worth your time. If you happen to change things around and you're there on the weekend, you can go inside the visitor center and view a short 20-minute film "Voices From the Ice" for free. Website: http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/chugach/chugach_pages/bbvc.html

Back on Seward Highway, just past the the turn-off you just came from, is the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. (Look for the sign.) It will be on your left-hand side if you're headed north on Seward Highway. This is where injured animals are taken to be rehabilitated. These animals can't be returned to the wild, so they will live out their lives here. You can see all kinds of animals here, including 8 bears. This may be your only chance to see some bears in Alaska. They're open daily from 10-5. It costs $7.50/person (or $25 maximum per car). Website: http://www.alaskawildlife.org/index.html

Back on the road headed toward Anchorage, you'll come to the Alyeska Ski Resort in Girdwood. The ski lifts don't open until around Thanksgiving in November. The Mt. Alyeska tram recently closed for maintenance and won't reopen until the ski lifts open up. Crow Creek Mine is also in this area, but it is closed for the year. So there's really no reason to visit Alyeska.

My next post will be about what to do in Anchorage...

[10/29: EDITED TO REMOVE NAMES/NUMBERS AS PROMISED AFTER THE TJS LEFT ANCHORAGE.]

Leinani75 is the sweetest! I'm sure the TJ's are gonna have a blast in Alaska with your help ^^ Now to figure out if everything fits in the budget

Wow. I have NO DOUBT we'll have a blast in Alaska. I'm currently in San Francisco waiting for my flight to Vegas, and it's already relatively chilly for me. I'm about to hit the shower without a heater, so consider this practice. Leilani75, THANK YOU. You rock.

You guys should go to chugach state park. I've never been there but i heard it is beautiful. It is 26 miles east of anchorage on glenn highway and in a book i am holding it says there are several dozen glaciers, 70 mountain peaks that extend 300 miles long,and it says that if you have a mountain bike, you should take a 12.7 mile-long trail called the Eklutna lakeisde trail. The trail follows the lake, then follows vast gravel bars, to a final mile long walk over glacieral detritus to the foot of blue ice colored river and at the end,you come face to face meeting the alaskan wilds, as they say. The book was written in 2004, so I think that it is accurate. Also, there are A LOT of trails in the park, according to their website.Also, If you take the Anchorage overlook trail, you will end up at a sitting area and a viewing deck that overlooks anchorage. The trail is only 1/4 of a mile and it says it is easy.

leilani75 you have been a real doll!!! i've got the accomodation at arctic adventures hostel thanks to your help. am definitely up for the sled dog tour, you are a powerhouse travel planner! we must definitely meet up for a drink when we're there. we're planning what we want to do now and will definitely make use of the contacts and info you've posted.

remember that we do read all your posts for suggested activities

thanks everyone and watch the show on 28 oct

quote:

Originally posted by leinani75:
Sorry about these long posts. I hope you can use some information out of them.

The following are suggestions for things to do on your return to Anchorage from Sterling. I'll also provide some information on things that are not available to do right now (due to time of year), so you don't waste your time trying to visit them. And even if you don't do the 3-day trip out of Anchorage I suggested, you can still do the following suggestions since they're within an hour's drive of Anchorage. But of course, you'd still need a rental car.

Presuming you're leaving Sterling at this point, get back on Seward Highway #1 heading north to Anchorage and you'll come to the turn-off for Portage Glacier. The scenic 5-mile drive down Portage Valley Road to the Begich Boggs Visitor Center is worth the drive in itself. The visitor center is only open on weekends (from 10-5) but you can visit the area at any time. Unfortunately, Portage Glacier has retreated many miles over the past 30 years and it is no longer viewable from the visitor center. In the summer months you can view the glacier by taking a boat ride, but the boat ride is shut down for the year. The one glacier you can see from the visitor center is actually Burns Glacier (a "hanging glacier"). Be sure to check out all the floating ice in the lake. You can see a small part of Portage Glacier by taking a left just before the visitor center and stopping at a pull-out on the road on the way to Whittier Tunnel. If you want an even better view of Portage Glacier, you can drive through the tunnel to Whittier. Immediately after going through the tunnel, make a right turn onto a gravel road and look for a sign that says: "Portage Pass Trailhead". It's a one-mile hike to the top of the pass. Looking one way you'll see Prince William Sound, looking the other way you'll see Portage Glacier. Be aware it costs $12 round-trip per car to go through the tunnel. This tunnel is a one-way tunnel meaning it can only handle cars going in the same direction at any given time. It is open for traffic going to Whittier for 15 minutes every hour on the half-hour. (Starts at 8:30-8:45 am, then again at 9:30-9:45, etc.) The tunnel is open for traffic leading out of Whittier for 15 minutes every hour on the hour. (IMPORTANT: The last tunnel of the day out of Whittier opens from 5:00-5:15 pm. If you miss it, you'll be stuck in Whittier until the next day! Not a good thing.) Even if you don't go to Whittier, at least take the short drive down the road to Begich Boggs visitor center. It won't take long and will definitely be worth your time. If you happen to change things around and you're there on the weekend, you can go inside the visitor center and view a short 20-minute film "Voices From the Ice" for free. Website: http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/chugach/chugach_pages/bbvc.html

Back on Seward Highway, just past the the turn-off you just came from, is the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. (Look for the sign.) It will be on your left-hand side if you're headed north on Seward Highway. This is where injured animals are taken to be rehabilitated. These animals can't be returned to the wild, so they will live out their lives here. You can see all kinds of animals here, including 8 bears. This may be your only chance to see some bears in Alaska. They're open daily from 10-5. It costs $7.50/person (or $25 maximum per car), but if you call Kelly at 1-907-783-2025 in advance, she'll "comp" you guys. Website: http://www.alaskawildlife.org/index.html

Back on the road headed toward Anchorage, you'll come to the Alyeska Ski Resort in Girdwood. The ski lifts don't open until around Thanksgiving in November. The Mt. Alyeska tram recently closed for maintenance and won't reopen until the ski lifts open up. Crow Creek Mine is also in this area, but it is closed for the year. So there's really no reason to visit Alyeska.

My next post will be about what to do in Anchorage...

I visited Alaska about 3 years ago and went salmon fishing, If you can do it, weather permitting, DEFINATELY go. I will never eat farm raised salmon ever again! They put up a good fight! The best beer I've also had EVER.. is called kokanee (I think that's how you spell it) They should have it around there, as it's from British Colombia, Canada. Which is very close by. It's a glacier brew, super chill, and super yummy! Also... Since I'm not from there I'm not 100% sure how close by the forest is, this site should help shed some light...

http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/tongass/forest_facts/forest_facts.shtml

Try to hike around the Rain Forest. It's uber gorgeous. As is the whale watching, and northern lights! You can visit www.spaceweather.com to check out the best viewing locales and times to see them. (which shouldn't be a problem in Alaska!) It's great free fun! Listen for the "buzzing" that the particles make. It's creepy!
I'll probably make more posts, cause I travel around a bunch as well. So until then, take care! xoxo

quote:

Originally posted by mod_ben:
Let us know where the TJs should go...

TJs Alaska is a place that will absolutely take your breath away!!! I visited back in the summer of 2003 and there is no other vacation on earth.I havent been to anchorage but I have been to ketchikan, juneau, and skagway. Dog sledding is an absolute must!!! Glacier hiking and whalewatching is phenomenal!!! I hope you enjoy your trip you'll have salmon coming out of your ears. There is also alot to learn about the klinquet indians and their life stories on their larger than life totem poles You also might want to check out a lumberjack show. these are pretty popular.

leilani75 has definitely done her research. Just to say, as far as I know, Northern Exposure was a tv show not a movie but I might be wrong it could have been a movie too. I know for a fact that it was a tv show. Also it seems you are going to be in Alaska on my birthday, Oct 25, you could say happy 18th birthday to Kelsie in GA if you think about it. I'm totally kidding I just wanted to put that. This is what i get for staying home from school.

I'm sorry I haven't posted again sooner. I have been SO busy!!!

Thanks lovebunnii, zach and jaime for the kind words. I just want you guys to see some of the things I love about Alaska!

One thing I'm sort of confused about is whether or not you're allowed to get into places for free. I know you have a $50/day budget, but if someone works it out for you to get in somewhere free, is that allowed?

No matter the answer, I still think you must get down to Seward and the Kenai Peninsula. If you decided NOT to do the cruise on Sunday, or if you're only allowed to be out of Anchorage for one night, then you could drive down to Seward early Monday (as opposed to Sunday) and visit Exit Glacier, the SeaLife Center (see updated info in previous post) and Seward. Then you could hit the sled dog tour, Portage Glacier and a few of those other places on Tuesday. But if you can be gone 2 nights, that would really be best. (Actually, I'm hoping you can stay outside of Anchorage even longer!) By the way, the guy who you need to call about Exit Glacier said he has opened the gate to others many times in the past and it's no big deal, so don't hesitate to call him. There is no better glacier to hike up to within that distance from Anchorage. You can do the short stroll to the bottom of the glacier or hike a ways up the side of the glacier. Both are awesome.

There's a joke in Alaska that Anchorage is just an airport for Seward, Homer and Valdez, and if you've seen an airport then you've seen Anchorage. LOL! It's not THAT bad, but anyone in Alaska would tell you you really only need maybe 2 days to see Anchorage. As beautiful as you may think Anchorage is, NOTHING compares to what you can see within a couple hours' drive of there.

Anchorage post coming up...

never say no to free stuff! i'm sure the TJs will welcome the kind offer

THINGS TO DO IN ANCHORAGE

Things to do in Downtown...

Before I get started with suggestions, I want to provide you with the website for the public transportation: http://www.muni.org/transit1/index.cfm. It doesn't measure up to what you'll find in New York or DC, but it's better than nothing.

The one place no visitor to Anchorage should miss is the Alaska Native Heritage Center. However, it is closed for a short time and won't reopen until next month. You can still check out their website: http://www.alaskanative.net/2.asp. So, where should you go and what should you do to experience and learn about Native American culture? I have 2 suggestions:

It just so happens that the Alaska Federation of Natives is holding their annual convention the week you're in Anchorage!! The convention provides Alaska Natives the opportunity to gather together every year and discuss ways they can improve their lives and work better with the federal government. In the evenings they'll enjoy traditional dance shows highlighting the different Native Alaskan cultures/dances. These 3 shows are called Quyana 1, 2 and 3 and take place at the Egan Center (in downtown Anchorage at 5th Ave & E Street) on Wednesday 10/25, Thursday 10/26 and Friday 10/27. (Interesting tidbit: "Quyana" is the Yupik word for "thank you".) And guess what?! They reserve some seats to each show for the general public! I think you TJs would really enjoy this. Each show is from 7-11 pm and seats are $15/person. The public can only obtain these tickets the day before each show, meaning you can't pick up tickets on the same day of the show you want to attend; you must get your tickets the day before. To pick up your tickets, go to the Egan Center and look for the "AFN Information" table manned by Nicole. Nicole gave me some times the table should be open: You can pick up tickets between 8 am and 4:30 pm the day before the show. There is also an Alaska Native Arts & Crafts Fair going on at the Egan Center on Thursday and Friday from 8:30am to 5pm and Saturday from 8am to 3:30pm. It will feature crafts (for purchase) made by Native Americans and Canadians, including American Indian artists from the Lower 48 states. There goes your $50 for the day! LOL Website: http://www.nativefederation.org/convention/quyana.php

My 2nd suggestion for learning about the Alaska Native culture (and Alaska in general) would be to visit the Anchorage Museum of History and Art in downtown Anchorage at the corner of 7th Ave & C Street (within easy walking distance of the Egan Center). It costs $6.50/person and it's open from 10-6 Tuesday-Saturday, 12-5 on Sunday, and is closed on Monday. Even just a couple of hours here is definitely worth your time. Website: http://www.anchoragemuseum.org/

As I mentioned, the Egan Center and the museum are in close walking proximity to each other. Another thing that is very close to those two places is the Alaska Experience Center located at 6th Ave and G Street right across the street from the bus transit center. Since you won't be able to see all of Alaska, this is a must-do! There are 2 films: "Alaska-The Great Land" (40 minutes) and the "1964 Earthquake" movie (about 15-20 minutes). If you only have time/money to see one movie, see the Alaska one. The films are shown on a 180-degree half-dome screen. The Alaska movie is shown every hour starting at 12 noon with the last one starting at 6pm. The earthquake movie, featuring shaker seating, is shown every 20 minutes. There is also a walk-through earthquake exhibit. This place is open Tues-Sat and is closed on Sunday and Monday. Tickets for the Alaska movie are $7.99 and the earthquake one is $5.99. You can see both for only $9.99. As I said, the Alaska one is a must. 24-Hour Info Line: 907-276-3730

While you're in downtown Anchorage be sure to just check out the whole area by walking around. There's many old buildings, historic homes, several cheesy tourist shops and there's even a downtown mall! 4th Avenue is the location for the ceremonial start of the Iditarod each year. The main location of the Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau is located inside a log cabin at 524 W. 4th Ave (4th and F Street). They can give you a map for a walking tour of downtown. There's the Alaska State Troopers Museum at 245 W. 5th Ave which is free, and while definitely NOT worth going out of your way for, if you happen to be walking by it take a quick peek. The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail is accessible from downtown. To access it, go to Elderberry Park at the western end of 5th Ave. It follows the shore for 10 miles to Kincaid Park. Even a short walk on this trail is great! Better yet, rent a bike!

Things to do away from downtown...

The Alaska Zoo is worth a visit, especially if you're unable to visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center down on the Keani Peninsula. The zoo doesn't have as many bears as the Conservation Center though. Also, don't expect a "big city" zoo or you will be very disappointed! It's a nice, small zoo that's located in south Anchorage, about 15-20 minutes from downtown (it's closer from your hostel). It's open 7 days a week from 10 to 5. $10/person. The address is 4731 O'Malley Road, 2 miles east of New Seward Highway. Website: http://www.alaskazoo.org/index.htm

I guess this is as good a time as any to suggest you visit world-famous Chilkoot Charlies! To visit Anchorage without paying a visit to "Koot's" would be blasphemy. LOL!! It's an awesome bar (really many bars within a bar) and the best part about it is it's less than a mile from your hostel! They're open every night until 3 in the morning. They're located at the corner of Spenard Rd and Fireweed Lane. Website: http://www.koots.com/ Phone: 907-279-1692

You need to get a burger and a milkshake at Arctic Roadrunner. They have 2 locations, but the location closest to the hostel is at 2477 Arctic Blvd (a little less than a mile from the hostel). They're open every day, EXCEPT Sunday. Hours are from 10:30am to 8pm Monday through Friday and from 11-7pm on Saturday. Phone: 907-279-7311

mr2zo mentioned Chugach State Park. As anyone in Alaska will tell you, it's no match for the Kenai Peninsula, but if you're not allowed to go far from Anchorage I would visit here as it's just a very short drive from Anchorage. On the western edge of the park is the Glen Alps Trailhead where you can take the popular Flattop Mountain hike. If no one is up for hiking, there's a great overlook that's not far from the parking lot. But again, please don't think this is a good replacement for the Kenai Peninsula (especially the Seward area and Exit Glacier); I promise you it's not. To get to the trailhead (and assuming you have a car), take Seward Highway to O'Malley road, head east toward the mountains, then turn right on Hillside Drive and left onto Upper Huffman Road. Turn right on the narrow, twisting Toilsome Hill Drive.

I'm going to suggest something a little different here. Halloween is a popular holiday in all of America. Before Halloween we often visit haunted houses (not real ones, but places where we go to get scared; these are only open for a short time before Halloween). Anchorage has the "13 Rooms of Doom" Haunted House, located on the 2nd floor of the Dimond Center (shopping mall) at 800 E. Dimond Blvd. There are also 200 stores to check out. The haunted house is open Oct. 25th and 26th from 6pm to 10pm and on Oct. 27th from 6pm to 12 midnight. (The stores are open from 10-9.) ***You can get a $2 off coupon at the Halloween Express store in the Dimond Center and at participating Burger Kings. Unfortunately, I am not sure how much tickets cost. If I find out, I'll update this post.

Someone else already mentioned the Alaska Wildberry Products store. The main store has a cool chocolate waterfall and you can watch them make chocolate candy. It's not a must-see, but it is a quick, fun stop and is only 2 miles from the hostel. It's physical address is 5225 Juneau Street and it's located off of International Airport Rd between the Old and New Seward Highways. Phone: 907-562-8858

That's pretty much it for the Anchorage area. Can you see why I'm really trying to encourage you to get out of town and drive south? LOL

I also wanted to mention that if anyone is looking for some cold weather gear/clothing they should check out REI, which is located just under a mile from the hostel at 1200 W. Northern Lights Blvd. Phone: 907-272-4565

If the stuff at REI is too expensive, there's always Walmart. There's one close to you at 3101 A Street. Phone: 907-563-5900

For groceries, check out the 24-hour Carr's at 600 E. Northern Lights Blvd, located about 1.3 miles from the hostel. Phone: 907-297-0660 The above-mentioned Walmart also sells groceries, but this particular Walmart does not sell things like produce (vegetables, etc) and fresh fruit. For that you need to go to Carr's.

For some great coffee and soup, check out Kaladi Brothers in the Northern Lights Center next to REI. They're located right next to Titlewave Books and have free wi-fi. Hours: Mon-Thurs 6am-9pm; Fri 6am-10pm; Sat 7am-10pm; Sun 7am-7pm. Website: http://www.kaladi.com/cafe_locations_tit.cfm. (Note: The hours listed on their website for Sunday are incorrect; they close at 7 on Sunday.) Phone: 907-277-5127

That's it for Anchorage!

NORTH OF ANCHORAGE & DENALI NATIONAL PARK

There's not much reason to head north from Anchorage in October as so many things are closed or limited in some capacity. In Wasilla, you have the Iditarod Headquarters which is not worth going out of your way for, but if you're passing by it's worth a stop. Website: http://www.iditarod.com/7-9.html

In winter, the Alaska State Railroad only operates on the weekends, and even then it only goes north from Anchorage on Saturday and south from Fairbanks on Sunday. Your schedule doesn't appear to allow time for it unfortunately. Website: http://www.akrr.com/

And then there's Denali National Park which is about a 4-4.5 hour drive from Anchorage. The entrance fee is $20/family or $10/individual. (But you're all part of the 5 Takes "family", right? LOL) The "big mountain" is officially called Mt. McKinley, but Alaskans usually refer to it as Denali. It is a fantastic place to go in the summer, not so much in the winter unless you have skis (for cross-country, not downhill), snowshoes and a snowmobile. (October is more a transitional time between summer and winter. ) Also, the lone Denali hostel is closed for the year. To really have a shot at seeing the mountain you need to take a shuttle bus about 85 miles into the park, but the shuttles only run in the summer. (Even then, many days the mountain is covered up by clouds.) Cars are never allowed to go past mile 30 (Teklanika River) at any time of the year. When the weather's bad, they're only allowed to go about 3 miles in. The main visitor center is closed right now, but there's a winter visitor center that's open daily from 9-4. Website: http://www.nps.gov/dena/

I know some of you are really hoping to see snow; you really need to come back in another month. Denali had a decent snowfall last week, but then it got warm and it all melted. You'll see snow on the mountain peaks, but there's none on the ground right now unless you wanted to drive the entire 30 miles in at Denali and then you'd still have to walk for a half-hour or so to get to where there's snow on the ground. They're expecting some more snow to fall over the next few days, but if the temperatures warm up again, well, it will quickly disappear. See my following note to the "Big Cheese" for a much better option for seeing Denali and lots and lots and lots of snow!

To the Big Cheese: If you really want to spoil the TJs, give them a flightseeing trip over Denali National Park. They will remember it for the rest of their lives. Not to mention it makes for good TV! I've done it a few times and it takes my breath away each time. Although many days the mountain can't be seen from the ground because of cloud coverage, that's not as often a problem on a flightseeing trip. These can be done year-around, depending on the day's weather, of course. Rust's Flying Service is one operator that does these out of Anchorage. Website: http://www.flyrusts.com/

If you're interested in seeing the Northern Lights you need to go north to Fairbanks and beyond. You can see where the activity is by checking out this website: http://www.gedds.alaska.edu/AuroraForecast/. This is probably too far away from Anchorage for you to go though.

If I had a choice to spend a few days on the Kenai Peninsula or head north out of Anchorage (in October), Kenai again wins hands-down. But it would be so awesome if the Big Cheese arranged a flightseeing trip for you guys to see Denali without having to drive up there!

That's it for now...

Leinani75,
You are amazing! Thank you for being so helpful to the TJs! Although cold, they will have a great time.