What to do all day in Anchorage before flight home at 8 pm?

[travelovingnurse]

Hello! My husband and I have booked a last minute Princess cruise from Vancouer to Whittier, Alaska. Our flight home from Anchorage leaves at 8 pm on the Saturday we get off the cruise ship in Whittier. We have rented a car in Whittier to be dropped off at the Anchorage airport before our flight. We are looking for suggestions of fun things to do in the Anchorage area for the day. Any scenic drives you could recommend? Thanks for the help. We really appreciate it!

[mytime53]

You'll be taking one of the most scenic drives as you drive from Whittier to Anchorage. If you do a Google you'll find several sites giving you descriptions, along with specific mileposts to look for sheep and beluga whales. You could stop at Portage Glacier, the Wildlife Conservation Center, Alyeska,...you could spend all day on this drive.

Once in Anchorage, you'll have to check your time and see if you want to do a quick scenic trip north to the Matanuska Valley or stay in Anchorage. If you stay in Anchorage, you could spend probably most if not all of the time you have left at the Native Heritage Center. Unless you just drive straight to Anchorage, I recommend you stay in Anchorage, because of time. And if you drive straight to Anchorage, skipping all the sites between Whittier and Anchorage, then I guess you should stay in Anchorage, too, as the drive north would not likely interest you.

 

You could also spend more time in Whittier before leaving by taking a PWS tour. But I think that with your flight at 8, the tours return to Whittier too late...you'll have to check and see.

[Budget Queen]

I just did the same thing last week. :) Driving Hatcher Pass, is also very scenic and a top area to also consider. I ended up having lunch in Talkeetna, then took the Wasilla Fish Hook Road short cut (not clearly marked). Also driving along the Glenn is also very scenic.

[travelovingnurse]

Thank you so much for the suggestions! Everything you have described sounds fantastic!

[Glaciers]

If scenic driving is the priority heading out the Glenn Hwy/Matanuska Valley, as mentioned, is a nice scenic drive. Matanuska Glacier is about 2 hours from Anchorage, depending on traffic and construction. We went out last weekend and there was only one short construction delay. The Chugach Mountains will be on the right with the Talkeetna Mountains on your left. The beauty of the immense valley rivals Denali, in my book.

[Budget Queen]

If scenic driving is the priority heading out the Glenn Hwy/Matanuska Valley, as mentioned, is a nice scenic drive. Matanuska Glacier is about 2 hours from Anchorage, depending on traffic and construction. We went out last weekend and there was only one short construction delay. The Chugach Mountains will be on the right with the Talkeetna Mountains on your left. The beauty of the immense valley rivals Denali, in my book.

 

I had a long construction waits, Thursday on the Parks. :) Just missed one escort and was close to 1/2 hour before we got going (were also moving trucks which added to the time).

[mapleleaves]

the drive from Whitttier to Anc is gorgeous if the weather cooperates. There is a lovely glacier viewing at Portage (near Williwaw Campground). Watch for belugas near Beluga Point. We were fortunate to see them about 3 miles south of the point. If you see several cars pulled over; that's probably what they're looking at.

If the weather is bad and you get to Anc by 3pm, go to the Alaska Native Heritage Center for a few hours. There's also the street market on Saturdays. Some people love it; I'm not a shopper so I was done in 20 minutes.