Best city for first visit to Alaska? (Anchorage, Metlakatla: live in, title)

[zeeky]

Fishing... small town life... beautiful scenery.... South East Alaska is ALL of that and MORE I think a cruise would be the way to go as well. One that goes all the way up and stops a night or two here & there.

I had some friends from Tampa come up on a cruise last month. They landed in Ketchikan, Juneau and all the other usual stops- she told me she LOVED it! But said there is NO WAY she could live up here because :

"I know why you love it so much, however, I could never live there, IT’s TOO COLD."

This was JULY in SE AK!! (they weer in Juneau on the 4th of July

LOL I got a kick out of that

[Will D]

I like Tressa's idea of Anchorage-Seward-Homer for a fast 1 week trip. 2 weeks would allow you to add the train from Anchorage to Fairbanks. The ideal would be to take 3 weeks and take the Alaska Marine Highway Ferry for one of the legs of your trip. Alaska is too scenic and large to do a "quickie" trip. Have a large card in your Digital Camera!
Will

[RN2travel2]

Originally Posted by Tressa

Due to budget cuts the marine highway will be canceling the passenger/cargo ferry to Bellingham at the end of this year, we were hoping to send our guns south on the ferry next year then was informed there won't be one.

Do you know for sure this is going to happen? Any idea when? Can we get out of here in December on the ferry? This could drasticaly cut short our ALaska working vacation! Tell me it isn't so!

[Metlakatla]

Well, I hope it isn't the truth, and I think it may be a misconception. I've looked for info about that and can't find any. You'd think something that would affect so many people would be in the news and if it is, I can't locate it.

[Xa'at]

Originally Posted by zeeky

This was JULY in SE AK!! (they weer in Juneau on the 4th of July

Admittedly, we had a lousy 4th this year. Last year was so cool, remember? It rained all through the fireworks and the next morning but right during the parade in Juneau the clouds sorta' parted and there was sunshine. It was all very biblical.
August is really a better time to see SE if you don't like rain. However- if you don't like rain SE probably isn't for you anyway!

[RN2travel2]

Originally Posted by trinity7774

Those of you who live there, or have in the past.. What is the best city for a first time visit to Alaska? Also, how long do you suggest the trip be? I would imagine 1 week is no where close to enough. 2 weeks good?

I would love to see the mountains. Big city is no big deal to me, however, would have to fly there of course. Would love to do some great fishing! Gosh, I don't know what else to ask to see. I'm very boring for my trips. I just love scenery. Example. I've been to Ireland. Dublin was a waste. But absolutely loved the west coast. Which was just all hills and winding roads and greenery, etc. Oh and I'm big on small town life!

Thanks in Advance!

I would have to say that everyone is right! Cruises are probably cheaper in the long run, The ferry is worth every penny, and Seward, Homer, Denali, and Valdez are all places you want to see! It sounds like you would do well with a trip to all these places, maybe rent a motor home and go for it 2 nights in Seward, 3 in Homer, drive up to Talketna for a night, spend a nite or 2 doing the Denali thing and then head down to Valdez. Don't forget to allow time to go on a Kenai Fiords tour and/or a tour out of Valdez. It really does not matter how long your trip is it will never be long enough to see all there is to see.

[JustT&Me]

Originally Posted by Tressa

A cruise really limits your viewing of Alaska, Southeast Alaska is beautiful indeed but it's not the real Alaska IMO, there is so much more to Alaska than the southeast islands.

I see this is an older post, but I was searching through for KTN entries, and this was on the list.

Funny - I have told others that SE AK is what I consider "true AK"! I guess it depends on how a person defines "true" AK.

Frankly, *all* of AK is... well, "true" AK, but culturally, when I was in ANC area, it didn't feel like "true" AK with everything I could find in the L48. But it had it's smatterings of culture in some of the shops and museums and when I was there - some things (e.g., moose) walking around that you wouldn't see in most L48 locations.

If tundra'd wilderness is one's "true" AK, then they'd be more liken to the central wilderness and drives between Alcan, ANC - F.B., etc.

If the frozen Arctic is one's "true" AK, then consider the North or West coastal areas.

If the Aleutians are one's "true" AK, then head SW.

And if the Inside passage full of waterways & fishing boats, tall Spruce & glaciers (also found in other places, but many folks visit them in the SE on tours), a high percentage of Native Alaskans and cultural icons like totem poles, community houses, cultural art in everyday living, & the like interest you... then tour the SE (although I'm guessing some will come back to post the "everyday art" found in their neck of the woods as well).

You can read my other (lengthy) posts on why I personally prefer the SE and all it has to offer, but as the poster noted above... "IM(H)O," SE AK is *my* "True AK".

And best of everything to you and your's!

[Rance]

Originally Posted by JustT&Me

I see this is an older post, but I was searching through for KTN entries, and this was on the list.

Funny - I have told others that SE AK is what I consider "true AK"! I guess it depends on how a person defines "true" AK.

Frankly, *all* of AK is... well, "true" AK, but culturally, when I was in ANC area, it didn't feel like "true" AK with everything I could find in the L48. But it had it's smatterings of culture in some of the shops and museums and when I was there - some things (e.g., moose) walking around that you wouldn't see in most L48 locations.

If tundra'd wilderness is one's "true" AK, then they'd be more liken to the central wilderness and drives between Alcan, ANC - F.B., etc.

If the frozen Arctic is one's "true" AK, then consider the North or West coastal areas.

If the Aleutians are one's "true" AK, then head SW.

And if the Inside passage full of waterways & fishing boats, tall Spruce & glaciers (also found in other places, but many folks visit them in the SE on tours), a high percentage of Native Alaskans and cultural icons like totem poles, community houses, cultural art in everyday living, & the like interest you... then tour the SE (although I'm guessing some will come back to post the "everyday art" found in their neck of the woods as well).

You can read my other (lengthy) posts on why I personally prefer the SE and all it has to offer, but as the poster noted above... "IM(H)O," SE AK is *my* "True AK".

And best of everything to you and your's!

SE is a part of Alaska...but if you think it's the true "Alaska" your dreamin! Spend a year or two here...all over the state. Then consider making a call.

[Xa'at]

Originally Posted by Rance

SE is a part of Alaska...but if you think it's the true "Alaska" your dreamin! Spend a year or two here...all over the state. Then consider making a call.

Can I make a call?
I think everywhere but Anchorage is the true Alaska.

[JustT&Me]

Originally Posted by Rance

SE is a part of Alaska...but if you think it's the true "Alaska" your dreamin! Spend a year or two here...all over the state. Then consider making a call.

Hello, Rance. To whom was this comment directed? It seems you have directed it towards me. Please clarify.