need help planning DIY land itinerary for 8 days and nights on the Kenai Peninsula

[allisons]

I underestimated the amount of time needed in Olympic National Park! It's huge and there's so much to see and do! We won't even get to all of it in 3 days and 2 nights! We could really use another day and night, but I don't think it's feasible!

 

ALASKA:

 

Day 1:

fly into Anchorage

rent RV or car

Dinner – Bear Tooth Theatrepub & Grill

 

Night 1 – Anchorage

 

Day 2:

drive from Anchorage to Homer

scenic viewing along the drive

 

Night 2 – Homer

 

Day 3:

sightseeing in Homer

Homer Spit

art scene in Homer

Dinner – The Homestead Restaurant

 

Night 3 – Homer

 

Day 4:

Wildlife Cruise of Katchemak Bay

Pratt Museum

Dinner - Lands End Resort

 

Night 4 – Homer

 

Day 5:

drive from Homer to Portage Glacier

Portage Glacier Cruise

drive from Portage Glacier to Girdwood

Alyeska Tram

Dinner – Alyeska Resort

 

Night 5 – Girdwood

 

Day 6:

drive from Girdwood to Anchorage

return RV or car

train from Anchoarge to Whittier

board Island Princess

 

 

SEATTLE:

 

Day 1:

disembark Island Princess

Amtrak from Vancouver to Seattle

rent car

sightseeing in Seattle

Pike Place Market

Space Needle

Experience Music Project

Science Center (if time)

Dinner - Elliott’s Oyster House

 

Night 1 – Seattle

 

Day 2:

ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island

drive from Bainbridge Island to Port Angeles

Olympic National Park Visitors Center

drive first third of counterclockwise loop around Olympic National Park

Hood Canal

Hurricane Ridge

Marymere Falls

Lake Crescent

Sol Duc Hot Springs

Sol Duc Salmon Cascades

Sol Duc Falls

 

Night 2 – Misty Valley Inn or Miller Tree Inn, Forks, WA

 

Day 3:

Drive second third of counterclockwise loop around Olympic National Park

Hoh Rain Forest

Rialto Beach

La Push

Ruby Beach

Kalaloch Beach

Dinner - Lake Quinault Lodge

 

Night 3 – Lake Quinault Lodge

 

Day 4:

9:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Quinault Rainforest Tour

Lake Quinault

Quinault Rainforest Loop

drive from Lake Quinault to Olympia

 

Night 4 - Olympia

 

Day 5:

sighteeing in Olympia

tour of capitol building

drive from Olympia to Seattle

return car

board HAL ms Amsterdam

[allisons]

My husband is not sold on the idea of the Wednesday cruise and spending time in Seattle/Washington state. He is still reconsidering the Saturday cruise and spending the full week in Alaska beforehand. He wants to see a fully flushed out itinerary for that option as well. I guess it's no surprise that I clenched my teeth and had TMJ/jaw pain for the first time in ages yesterday!

 

Day 1:

fly into Anchorage

rent RV or car

Dinner – Bear Tooth Theatrepub & Grill

 

Night 1 – Anchorage

 

Day 2:

drive from Anchorage to Homer

scenic viewing along the drive

 

Night 2 – Homer

 

Day 3:

sightseeing in Homer

Homer Spit

art scene in Homer

Dinner – The Homestead Restaurant

 

Night 3 – Homer

 

Day 4:

Homer Ocean Charters Wildlife Cruise of Katchemak Bay

Pratt Museum

Dinner - Lands End Resort

 

Night 4 – Homer

 

Day 5:

drive from Homer to Portage Glacier

Gray Line of Alaska Portage Glacier Cruise

drive from Portage Glacier to Girdwood

Alyeska Tram

Dinner – Alyeska Resort

 

Night 5 – Girdwood

 

Day 6 - ferry from Whittier to Valdez

 

Night 6 - Valdez

 

Day 7:

Stan Stephens Cruises Columbia Glacier Cruise

sightseeing in Valdez

 

Night 7 - Valdez

 

Day 8:

drive from Valdez to Anchorage

scenic viewing along the drive

 

Night 8 - Anchorage

 

Day 9:

return RV or car

train from Anchorage to Whittier

board Crown Princess

[Assateague Island Princes]

The only "glitch" I see if your drive from Valdez to Anchorage - it isn't as short as you might think because you have to go up the Richardson Highway to the Glenn Highway, then across and down to Anchorage - I'm thinking maybe 5-6 hours (without scenic stops, etc.)? Perhaps you should consider an overnight in between Valdez and Anchorage? Or just take the ferry back from Valdez instead of driving.

[allisons]

The only "glitch" I see if your drive from Valdez to Anchorage - it isn't as short as you might think because you have to go up the Richardson Highway to the Glenn Highway, then across and down to Anchorage - I'm thinking maybe 5-6 hours (without scenic stops, etc.)? Perhaps you should consider an overnight in between Valdez and Anchorage? Or just take the ferry back from Valdez instead of driving.

 

That shouldn't be a problem for us! We drove from Fairbanks to Anchorage this summer. We made plenty of scenic stops and still got in plenty early. We left Fairbanks at 8:00 a.m. We got to Anchorage by 6:00 p.m. It was a great drive and a great day! We had a hearty breakfast at the Cookie Jar before departing Fairbanks, had plenty of granola bars and water for the drive, and then went straight to a hearty dinner at Moose's Tooth Pub and Pizzeria as soon as we got into Anchorage. Then we headed straight to the hotel, repacked the suitcases for the flight home, and went to bed early.

[allisons]

We had met people who told us about taking a dinner cruise to Gull Island and eating at the restaurant there. I hadn't been able to find what they were talking about. I just realized it was the ferry to Halibut Cove and dinner at The Saltry Restaurant! Yum! We're definitely doing that! I've also flushed out a lot more info about meals, lodging, timing of tours, sightseeing, etc. This is really coming along! My husband wasn't wrong! I think I'm leaning towards this also! The following summer, we can plan an entire proper week in Washington state! Or maybe we should drop the second cruise and do it instead!

 

Day 1:

fly into Anchorage

rent RV or car

Dinner – Bear Tooth Theatrepub & Grill

 

Night 1 – Anchorage (RV, Comfort Inn Ship Creek, or Hotel Captain Cook)

 

Day 2:

Breakfast - Snow City Cafe

drive from Anchorage to Homer

scenic viewing along the drive

Lunch - St. Elias Brewing Company, Soldotna

Dinner - The Chart Room Restaurant

 

Night 2 – Homer (RV, Lands End Resort, Good Karma Inn, or Walkabout Cottage)

 

Day 3:

Breakfast - ?????

sightseeing in Homer

Homer Spit

art scene in Homer

Lunch - ?????

5:00 p.m. ferry from Homer to Halibut Cove

Dinner – The Saltry Restaurant

9:00 p.m. ferry from Halibut Cove to Homer

 

Night 3 – Homer (RV, Lands End Resort, Good Karma Inn, or Walkabout Cottage)

 

Day 4:

Breakfast - ?????

Pratt Museum

Lunch - ?????

1:00-3:30 p.m. Homer Ocean Charters Wildlife Cruise of Katchemak Bay

sightseeing in Homer

Homer Spit

art scene in Homer

Dinner - The Homestead Restaurant

 

Night 4 – Homer (RV, Lands End Resort, Good Karma Inn, or Walkabout Cottage)

 

Day 5:

Breakfast - ?????

drive from Homer to Portage Glacier

Lunch - ?????

1:30-2:30 p.m. Gray Line of Alaska Portage Glacier Cruise

drive from Portage Glacier to Girdwood

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

Alyeska Tram

Dinner – Seven Glaciers Restaurant

 

Night 5 – Girdwood (RV, Alyeska Resort, or Hidden Creek Bed & Breakfast)

 

Day 6:

Breakfast - ?????

sightseeing in Girdwood

Lunch - ?????

12:45 p.m. - check in for ferry

1:45-7:30 p.m. ferry from Whittier to Valdez

Dinner - ?????

 

Night 6 - Valdez (RV or Best Western Valdez Harbor Inn)

 

Day 7:

Breakfast - ?????

sightseeing in Valdez

pipeline terminal

12:00-7:00 p.m. Stan Stephens Cruises Columbia Glacier Cruise

Lunch - Stan Stephens

Dinner - ?????

 

Night 7 - Valdez (RV or Best Western Valdez Harbor Inn)

 

Day 8:

Breakfast - ?????

drive from Valdez to Anchorage

scenic viewing along the drive

Lunch - somewhere along the drive

Dinner - Snow Goose Restaurant & Sleeping Lady Brewing Company

 

Night 8 - Anchorage (RV, Comfort Inn Ship Creek, or Hotel Captain Cook)

 

Day 9:

Breakfast - Snow City Cafe

return RV or car

train from Anchorage to Whittier

board Crown Princess

[allisons]

Whoa! We did not realize that the ferry will cost us $360 if we have a 22’ RV or $283 if we have a car up to 15’! Wow! That’s expensive! Is it worth it?! Is going to Valdez really worth it?!

[allisons]

Never mind! My husband how now changed his mind back and decided on the Wednesday cruise and Seattle/Washington state. I just received the following e-mail, "Looks like the matter is decided. Homer and then Washington."

[allisons]

Would the RV option be more feasible if we rent bikes? Could we get around Homer on bikes? Could we get around Valdez on bikes? I know that we could get around Seward on bikes.

[allisons]

This is our FINAL itinerary! I put my foot down with my husband last night! I can't take this back and forth anymore! I'm not his personal travel agent and concierge! He wants everything! It's simply not possible in one trip! We'll have to return to Alaska, Seattle, and the Pacific Northwest in the summer of 2015!

 

ALASKA:

 

Day 1:

fly into Anchorage

rent RV or car

Dinner – Snow Goose Restaurant & Sleeping Lady Brewing Company

 

Night 1 – Anchorage (RV, Comfort Inn Ship Creek, or Hotel Captain Cook)

 

Day 2:

Breakfast - Snow City Cafe

drive from Anchorage to Homer

scenic viewing along the drive

Lunch - St. Elias Brewing Company, Soldotna

Dinner - The Chart Room Restaurant

 

Night 2 – Homer (RV, Lands End Resort, Good Karma Inn, or Walkabout Cottage)

 

Day 3:

Breakfast - ?????

sightseeing in Homer

Homer Spit

art scene in Homer

Lunch - ?????

5:00 p.m. ferry from Homer to Halibut Cove

Dinner – The Saltry Restaurant

9:00 p.m. ferry from Halibut Cove to Homer

 

Night 3 – Homer (RV, Lands End Resort, Good Karma Inn, or Walkabout Cottage)

 

Day 4:

Breakfast - ?????

Pratt Museum

Lunch - ?????

1:00-3:30 p.m. Homer Ocean Charters Wildlife Cruise of Katchemak Bay

sightseeing in Homer

Homer Spit

art scene in Homer

Dinner - The Homestead Restaurant

 

Night 4 – Homer (RV, Lands End Resort, Good Karma Inn, or Walkabout Cottage)

 

Day 5:

Breakfast - ?????

drive from Homer to Portage Glacier

Lunch - ?????

1:30-2:30 p.m. Gray Line of Alaska Portage Glacier Cruise

drive from Portage Glacier to Girdwood

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

Alyeska Tram

Dinner – Seven Glaciers Restaurant

 

Night 5 – Girdwood (RV, Alyeska Resort, or Hidden Creek Bed & Breakfast)

 

Day 6:

Breakfast - ?????

return RV or car

train from Anchorage to Whittier

board Crown Princess

 

SEATTLE:

 

Day 1:

disembark Island Princess

Amtrak from Vancouver to Seattle

rent car

check in at hotel, dump bags at hotel

sightseeing in Seattle

Pike Place Market

Lunch - Pike Place Market

Space Needle

Experience Music Project

Science Center (if time)

Dinner - Elliott's Oyster House

 

Night 1 – Seattle (hotel, downtown, will use Hotwire)

 

Day 2:

Breakfast - Starbucks

check out of hotel, load bags into car

ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island

sightseeing in Bainbridge Island

Lunch - Bainbridge Island

drive from Bainbridge Island to Port Angeles

check in at B&B, dump bags at B&B

Olympic National Park Visitors Center

Hurricane Ridge

Dinner - Port Angeles

 

Night 2 – Port Angeles (Colette's B&B, Sea Cliff Gardens B&B, Eden by the Sea B&B, Domaine Madeleine B&B, or George Washington Inn)

 

Day 3:

Breakfast - B&B

check out of B&B, load bags into car

drive first half of counterclockwise loop around Olympic National Park

Lake Crescent

Marymere Falls

Hoh Rain Forest

check in at B&B, dump bags at B&B

Rialto Beach

La Push

Dinner - Forks

 

Night 3 – Forks (Misty Valley Inn B&B or Miller Tree Inn B&B)

 

Day 4:

Breakfast - B&B

check out of B&B, load bags into car

Drive second half of counterclockwise loop around Olympic National Park

Ruby Beach

Kaloloch Beach

Lake Quinault

Quinault Rainforest Loop

drive from Lake Quinault to Olympia

check in at B&B, dump bags at B&B

Dinner - Olympia

 

Night 4 - Olympia (Swantown Inn B&B or The Inn at Mallard Cove)

 

Day 5:

Breakfast - B&B

check out of B&B, load bags into car

sighteeing in Olympia

tour of capitol building

drive from Olympia to Seattle

return car

board HAL ms Amsterdam

[allisons]

Hidden Creek Bed & Breakfast has a 2-night minimum! Bummer! She gave me recommendations of The Carriage House B&B and Glacier View B&B. I will check those out. I will also check out other B&Bs in Girdwood listed on TripAdvisor. :(

 

Good Karma Inn and Walkabout Cottage are about ~15 miles outside of Homer! Yikes! We don't want to stay outside of Homer. I found B&Bs in Homer listed on TripAdvisor. However, they're even more expensive than Lands End Resort! Ugh! :(

 

Comfort Inn Ship Creek and Hotel Captain Cook are very expensive! In fact, every hotel in downtown Anchorage is very expensive except for the Ramada! We might just have to suck it up and stay there again. It is just for 1 night. Or perhaps the RV is our best bet after all. Especially given the challenges finding lodging everywhere we're going. :(

 

I'm having a much easier time with the lodging for the Washington state portion! Whew! I've decided on Colette's Bed & Breakfast for Port Angeles, Misty Valley Inn B&B for Forks, and Swantown Inn B&B for Olympia. Yay! :)

[allisons]

We'll just stay in Anchorage the last night in Alaska, instead of Girdwood! That will make it easier to return the car or RV very early in the morning anyway!

 

ALASKA:

 

Day 1:

fly into Anchorage

rent RV or car

Dinner – Snow Goose Restaurant & Sleeping Lady Brewing Company

 

Night 1 – Anchorage (RV or Ramada Downtown)

 

Day 2:

Breakfast - Snow City Cafe

drive from Anchorage to Homer

scenic viewing along the drive

Lunch - St. Elias Brewing Company, Soldotna

Dinner - The Chart Room Restaurant

 

Night 2 – Homer (RV or Lands End Resort)

 

Day 3:

Breakfast - ?????

sightseeing in Homer

Homer Spit

art scene in Homer

Lunch - ?????

5:00 p.m. ferry from Homer to Halibut Cove

Dinner – The Saltry Restaurant

9:00 p.m. ferry from Halibut Cove to Homer

 

Night 3 – Homer (RV or Lands End Resort)

 

Day 4:

Breakfast - ?????

Pratt Museum

Lunch - ?????

1:00-3:30 p.m. Homer Ocean Charters Wildlife Cruise of Katchemak Bay

sightseeing in Homer

Homer Spit

art scene in Homer

Dinner - The Homestead Restaurant

 

Night 4 – Homer (RV or Lands End Resort)

 

Day 5:

Breakfast - ?????

drive from Homer to Portage Glacier

12:00-1:00 p.m. Gray Line of Alaska Portage Glacier Cruise

drive from Portage Glacier to Girdwood

Alyeska Tram

Lunch - Alyeska Resort

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

drive from Girdwood to Anchorage

Dinner - Bear Tooth Theatrepub & Grill

 

Night 5 – Anchorage (RV or Ramada Downtown)

 

Day 6:

Breakfast - ?????

return RV or car

train from Anchorage to Whittier

board Crown Princess

 

SEATTLE:

 

Day 1:

disembark Island Princess

Amtrak from Vancouver to Seattle

rent car

check in at hotel, dump bags at hotel

sightseeing in Seattle

Pike Place Market

Lunch - Pike Place Market

Space Needle

Experience Music Project

Science Center (if time)

Dinner - Elliott's Oyster House

 

Night 1 – Seattle (hotel, downtown, will use Hotwire)

 

Day 2:

Breakfast - Starbucks

check out of hotel, load bags into car

ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island

sightseeing in Bainbridge Island

Lunch - Bainbridge Island

drive from Bainbridge Island to Port Angeles

check in at B&B, dump bags at B&B

Olympic National Park Visitors Center

Hurricane Ridge

Dinner - Port Angeles

 

Night 2 – Colette's B&B, Port Angeles

 

Day 3:

Breakfast - B&B

check out of B&B, load bags into car

drive first half of counterclockwise loop around Olympic National Park

Lake Crescent

Marymere Falls

Hoh Rain Forest

check in at B&B, dump bags at B&B

Rialto Beach

La Push

Dinner - Forks

 

Night 3 – Misty Valley Inn B&B, Forks

 

Day 4:

Breakfast - B&B

check out of B&B, load bags into car

Drive second half of counterclockwise loop around Olympic National Park

Ruby Beach

Kaloloch Beach

Lake Quinault

Quinault Rainforest Loop

drive from Lake Quinault to Olympia

check in at B&B, dump bags at B&B

Dinner - Olympia

 

Night 4 - Swantown Inn B&B, Olympia

 

Day 5:

Breakfast - B&B

check out of B&B, load bags into car

sighteeing in Olympia

tour of capitol building

drive from Olympia to Seattle

return car

board HAL ms Amsterdam

[PennyAgain]

The Comfort Inn Ship Creek offers advantage for the train.

 

That Ramada Inn is nasty.

[allisons]

The Comfort Inn Ship Creek offers advantage for the train.

 

That Ramada Inn is nasty.

 

Yeah, but it's cheap! And clean! We managed there for 3 nights this summer! Tough call!

[Assateague Island Princes]

Very surprised that Hidden Creek has a 2 night minimum. Must be the time of year you are going, because we only stayed one night (early June this year), and they didn't say a word about us only staying there one night.

[allisons]

Very surprised that Hidden Creek has a 2 night minimum. Must be the time of year you are going, because we only stayed one night (early June this year), and they didn't say a word about us only staying there one night.

 

You were so lucky! I begged the innkeeper! I even asked if we could stay July 4th and July 8th, but she said no, that it has to be 2 consecutive nights! I was so disappointed!

[Assateague Island Princes]

Oh, I'm so sorry that didn't work out for you, I think you really would have liked the place. But now that I see you are going over July 4th, a big holiday and obviously prime vacation season, they probably institute the 2 night minimum for those time periods. Oh well, back to the drawing board, hope you find something nice elsewhere.

[allisons]

Oh, I'm so sorry that didn't work out for you, I think you really would have liked the place. But now that I see you are going over July 4th, a big holiday and obviously prime vacation season, they probably institute the 2 night minimum for those time periods. Oh well, back to the drawing board, hope you find something nice elsewhere.

 

Absolutely! You're totally right! We're just going to not stay in Girdwood. We're just going to stay in Anchorage instead.

[allisons]

Okay! I booked the Comfort Inn Ship Creek in Anchorage and the Lands End Resort in Homer. My husband rented bikes in Homer in case we do the RV. I think now we're good to sit on this for a while until we finally decide between the RV and car/hotel.

 

ALASKA:

 

Day 1:

fly into Anchorage

rent RV or car

if RV, go to grocery store to buy groceries for breakfasts and lunches

Dinner – Snow Goose Restaurant & Sleeping Lady Brewing Company

 

Night 1 – RV or Comfort Inn Ship Creek, Anchorage

 

Day 2:

Breakfast - RV or Comfort Inn Ship Creek

drive from Anchorage to Homer

scenic viewing along the drive

Lunch - St. Elias Brewing Company, Soldotna

if RV, pick up rental bikes

if car, go to grocery store to buy groceries for breakfasts and lunches

Dinner - The Chart Room Restaurant

 

Night 2 – RV or Lands End Resort, Homer

 

Day 3:

Breakfast - RV or hotel room

sightseeing in Homer

Homer Spit

art scene in Homer

Lunch - RV or hotel room

5:00 p.m. ferry from Homer to Halibut Cove

Dinner – The Saltry Restaurant

9:00 p.m. ferry from Halibut Cove to Homer

 

Night 3 – RV or Lands End Resort, Homer

 

Day 4:

Breakfast - RV or hotel room

Pratt Museum

Lunch - RV or hotel room

1:00-3:30 p.m. Homer Ocean Charters Wildlife Cruise of Katchemak Bay

sightseeing in Homer

Homer Spit

art scene in Homer

Dinner - The Homestead Restaurant

 

Night 4 – RV or Lands End Resort, Homer

 

Day 5:

Breakfast - RV or hotel room

if RV, return rental bikes

drive from Homer to Portage Glacier

12:00-1:00 p.m. Gray Line of Alaska Portage Glacier Cruise

drive from Portage Glacier to Girdwood

Alyeska Tram

Lunch - Alyeska Resort

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

drive from Girdwood to Anchorage

Dinner - Bear Tooth Theatrepub & Grill

 

Night 5 – RV or Comfort Inn Ship Creek, Anchorage

 

Day 6:

Breakfast - RV or Comfort Inn Ship Creek

return RV or car

train from Anchorage to Whittier

board Crown Princess

 

SEATTLE:

 

Day 1:

disembark Island Princess

Amtrak from Vancouver to Seattle

rent car

check in at hotel, dump bags at hotel

sightseeing in Seattle

Pike Place Market

Lunch - Pike Place Market

Space Needle

Experience Music Project

Science Center (if time)

Dinner - Elliott's Oyster House

 

Night 1 – Seattle (hotel, downtown, will use Hotwire)

 

Day 2:

Breakfast - Starbucks

check out of hotel, load bags into car

ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island

sightseeing in Bainbridge Island

Lunch - Bainbridge Island

drive from Bainbridge Island to Port Angeles

check in at B&B, dump bags at B&B

Olympic National Park Visitors Center

Hurricane Ridge

Dinner - Port Angeles

 

Night 2 – Colette's B&B, Port Angeles

 

Day 3:

Breakfast - B&B

check out of B&B, load bags into car

drive first half of counterclockwise loop around Olympic National Park

Lake Crescent

Marymere Falls

Hoh Rain Forest

check in at B&B, dump bags at B&B

Rialto Beach

La Push

Dinner - Forks

 

Night 3 – Misty Valley Inn B&B, Forks

 

Day 4:

Breakfast - B&B

check out of B&B, load bags into car

Drive second half of counterclockwise loop around Olympic National Park

Ruby Beach

Kaloloch Beach

Lake Quinault

Quinault Rainforest Loop

drive from Lake Quinault to Olympia

check in at B&B, dump bags at B&B

Dinner - Olympia

 

Night 4 - Swantown Inn B&B, Olympia

 

Day 5:

Breakfast - B&B

check out of B&B, load bags into car

sighteeing in Olympia

tour of capitol building

drive from Olympia to Seattle

return car

board HAL ms Amsterdam

[allisons]

I don't think we should pick up the car the day we're in Seattle. We won't need it. We'll just have to find and pay for parking. I think we should pick it up the next morning. I'm changing the reservation.

 

ALASKA:

 

Day 1:

fly into Anchorage

pick up RV at Great Alaskan Holidays or pick up car at Enterprise downtown

if RV, go to grocery store to buy groceries for breakfasts and lunches

Dinner – Snow Goose Restaurant & Sleeping Lady Brewing Company

 

Night 1 – RV or Comfort Inn Ship Creek, Anchorage

 

Day 2:

Breakfast - RV or Comfort Inn Ship Creek

drive from Anchorage to Homer

scenic viewing along the drive

Lunch - St. Elias Brewing Company, Soldotna

if RV, pick up rental bikes at Cycle Logical or Lands End Resort

if car, go to grocery store to buy groceries for breakfasts and lunches

Dinner - The Chart Room Restaurant

 

Night 2 – RV or Lands End Resort, Homer

 

Day 3:

Breakfast - RV or hotel room

sightseeing in Homer

Homer Spit

art scene in Homer

Lunch - RV or hotel room

5:00-6:00 p.m. ferry from Homer to Halibut Cove

Dinner – The Saltry Restaurant (6:00-7:30 p.m. or 7:30-9:00 p.m.)

9:00-10:00 p.m. ferry from Halibut Cove to Homer

 

Night 3 – RV or Lands End Resort, Homer

 

Day 4:

Breakfast - RV or hotel room

Pratt Museum

Lunch - RV or hotel room

1:00-3:30 p.m. Homer Ocean Charters Wildlife Cruise of Katchemak Bay

sightseeing in Homer

Homer Spit

art scene in Homer

Dinner - The Homestead Restaurant

 

Night 4 – RV or Lands End Resort, Homer

 

Day 5:

Breakfast - RV or hotel room

if RV, return rental bikes to Cycle Logical or Lands End Resort

drive from Homer to Portage Glacier

12:00-1:00 p.m. Gray Line of Alaska Portage Glacier Cruise

drive from Portage Glacier to Girdwood

Alyeska Tram

Lunch - Alyeska Resort

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

drive from Girdwood to Anchorage

Dinner - Bear Tooth Theatrepub & Grill

 

Night 5 – RV or Comfort Inn Ship Creek, Anchorage

 

Day 6:

Breakfast - RV or Comfort Inn Ship Creek

return RV to Great Alaskan Holidays or return car to Enterprise downtown

8:45 a.m. check in at train station

9:45 a.m.-12:05 p.m. Glacier Discovery train from Anchorage to Whittier

board Crown Princess

 

SEATTLE:

 

Day 1:

disembark Island Princess

9:00 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Amtrak motorcoach from Vancouver to Seattle

check in at hotel, dump bags at hotel

sightseeing in Seattle

Pike Place Market

Lunch - Pike Place Market

Space Needle

Experience Music Project

Science Center (if time)

Dinner - Elliott's Oyster House

 

Night 1 – Seattle (hotel, downtown, will use Hotwire)

 

Day 2:

Breakfast - hotel or Starbucks

check out of hotel

7:30 a.m. pick up rental car at Budget downtown

8:45-9:20 a.m. ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island

sightseeing in Bainbridge Island

Lunch - whatever restaurant the hotel recommends in Bainbridge Island

drive from Bainbridge Island to Port Angeles

check in at B&B, dump bags at B&B

Olympic National Park Visitors Center

Hurricane Ridge

Dinner - whatever restaurant the B&B recommends in Port Angeles

 

Night 2 – Colette's Bed & Breakfast, Port Angeles

 

Day 3:

Breakfast - Colette's Bed & Breakfast

check out of B&B, load bags into car

drive first half of counterclockwise loop around Olympic National Park

Lake Crescent

Marymere Falls

Hoh Rain Forest

check in at B&B, dump bags at B&B

Rialto Beach

La Push

Dinner - whatever restaurant the B&B recommends in Forks

 

Night 3 – Misty Valley Inn Bed & Breakfast, Forks

 

Day 4:

Breakfast - Misty Valley Inn Bed & Breakfast

check out of B&B, load bags into car

Drive second half of counterclockwise loop around Olympic National Park

Ruby Beach

Kaloloch Beach

Lake Quinault

Quinault Rainforest Loop

drive from Lake Quinault to Olympia

check in at B&B, dump bags at B&B

Dinner - whatever restaurant the B&B recommends in Olympia

 

Night 4 - Swantown Inn Bed & Breakfast, Olympia

 

Day 5:

Breakfast - Swantown Inn Bed & Breakfast

check out of B&B, load bags into car

sighteeing in Olympia

10:00-11:00 a.m. tour of capitol building

drive from Olympia to Seattle

return car to Budget downtown

board HAL ms Amsterdam

[geekypenguin]

 

Good Karma Inn and Walkabout Cottage are about ~15 miles outside of Homer! Yikes! We don't want to stay outside of Homer. I found B&Bs in Homer listed on TripAdvisor. However, they're even more expensive than Lands End Resort! Ugh! :(

 

The Good Karma Inn is 6 miles from downtown Homer, 12 miles from the tip of the spit, where Lands End is. You didn't mention that you were wanting to stay on the spit. If you are focused on doing things on the spit only, that would make sense. We were in Homer to relax, enjoy the scenery, and fish, and the Good Karma was perfect for that.

[allisons]

The Good Karma Inn is 6 miles from downtown Homer, 12 miles from the tip of the spit, where Lands End is. You didn't mention that you were wanting to stay on the spit. If you are focused on doing things on the spit only, that would make sense. We were in Homer to relax, enjoy the scenery, and fish, and the Good Karma was perfect for that.

 

We're not specifically focused on the spit. Downtown also. We're doing a wildlife cruise, dinner cruise to Halibut Cove, the Pratt Museum, art galleries, and the art scene in general. Any lodging recommendations? Thanks!

[greatam]

Day 2:

Breakfast - RV or Comfort Inn Ship Creek

drive from Anchorage to Homer

scenic viewing along the drive

Lunch - St. Elias Brewing Company, Soldotna

if RV, pick up rental bikes at Cycle Logical or Lands End Resort

if car, go to grocery store to buy groceries for breakfasts and lunches

Dinner - The Chart Room Restaurant

 

Night 2 – RV or Lands End Resort, Homer

 

Day 3:

Breakfast - RV or hotel room

sightseeing in Homer

Homer Spit

art scene in Homer

Lunch - RV or hotel room

5:00-6:00 p.m. ferry from Homer to Halibut Cove

Dinner – The Saltry Restaurant (6:00-7:30 p.m. or 7:30-9:00 p.m.)

9:00-10:00 p.m. ferry from Halibut Cove to Homer

 

Night 3 – RV or Lands End Resort, Homer

 

Day 4:

Breakfast - RV or hotel room

Pratt Museum

Lunch - RV or hotel room

1:00-3:30 p.m. Homer Ocean Charters Wildlife Cruise of Katchemak Bay

sightseeing in Homer

Homer Spit

art scene in Homer

Dinner - The Homestead Restaurant

 

Night 4 – RV or Lands End Resort, Homer

 

Day 5:

Breakfast - RV or hotel room

if RV, return rental bikes to Cycle Logical or Lands End Resort

drive from Homer to Portage Glacier

12:00-1:00 p.m. Gray Line of Alaska Portage Glacier Cruise

drive from Portage Glacier to Girdwood

Alyeska Tram

Lunch - Alyeska Resort

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

 

PLEASE FORGET THE RV

 

With this schedule, where in the heck are you going to park that RV??? As I posted previously, there is VERY limited parking on the Spit. And on the 4th of July??? Just to drive from one end of the Spit to the other could very easily take you 1/2 hour (it is only 5 miles but the traffic gets that heavy).

 

You will have a heck of a time finding parking at Land's End for an RV. The parking lot is relatively small when you take into consideration that the parking lot is not only for the hotel but for some of the condos AND the restaurant. Same thing with the Homestead on a busy week. NO PARKING for an RV on a crowded weekend.

 

In addition, since you don't want to just pull over someplace and camp, if you insist on the RV, you better make reservations for one of the RV parks NOW. The one by the Fishing Hole fills up far in advance. The rest of the RV's are just camping-no water hookup, no electric or sewer. And I would guess the one further down the Spit fills up even faster. The RV park by the Fishing Hole sometimes REALLY stinks if the fish are spawned out and there are a lot of dead ones laying around. I have refused to get out of the car when I have gone to pickup DH from fishing (he usually catches a ride from our condo at Land's End but if he has fish, he wants a ride back).

 

Renting bikes works for some things but on a heavy week like 4th of July, you are truly taking your life in your own hands and it could be very dangerous. LOTS of people with their rented RV's going fishing at the Fishing Hole and a lot of them don't drive well in those RV's. I don't know how many times I have been almost creamed by someone in their rented RV backing out onto the Spit Road from the RV park at the Fishing Hole. They just start backing out and don't pay much attention. Lots of people with too much to drink and floundering around in Homer. I wouldn't even get on a motorcycle during 4th of July week, let alone a bicycle.

 

From Land's End to town (Pratt Museum), it is about 8 miles.

[allisons]

PLEASE FORGET THE RV

 

With this schedule, where in the heck are you going to park that RV??? As I posted previously, there is VERY limited parking on the Spit. And on the 4th of July??? Just to drive from one end of the Spit to the other could very easily take you 1/2 hour (it is only 5 miles but the traffic gets that heavy).

 

You will have a heck of a time finding parking at Land's End for an RV. The parking lot is relatively small when you take into consideration that the parking lot is not only for the hotel but for some of the condos AND the restaurant. Same thing with the Homestead on a busy week. NO PARKING for an RV on a crowded weekend.

 

In addition, since you don't want to just pull over someplace and camp, if you insist on the RV, you better make reservations for one of the RV parks NOW. The one by the Fishing Hole fills up far in advance. The rest of the RV's are just camping-no water hookup, no electric or sewer. And I would guess the one further down the Spit fills up even faster. The RV park by the Fishing Hole sometimes REALLY stinks if the fish are spawned out and there are a lot of dead ones laying around. I have refused to get out of the car when I have gone to pickup DH from fishing (he usually catches a ride from our condo at Land's End but if he has fish, he wants a ride back).

 

Renting bikes works for some things but on a heavy week like 4th of July, you are truly taking your life in your own hands and it could be very dangerous. LOTS of people with their rented RV's going fishing at the Fishing Hole and a lot of them don't drive well in those RV's. I don't know how many times I have been almost creamed by someone in their rented RV backing out onto the Spit Road from the RV park at the Fishing Hole. They just start backing out and don't pay much attention. Lots of people with too much to drink and floundering around in Homer. I wouldn't even get on a motorcycle during 4th of July week, let alone a bicycle.

 

From Land's End to town (Pratt Museum), it is about 8 miles.

 

In my mind, the RV is definitely out. My husband it not willing to say that definitively yet. But I think it will definitely go that way. Do you have any lodging recommendations?

 

We were in Seward this summer July 5-6. We didn't notice any congestion or traffic. We were under the impression that Seward is a real hot spot for July 4th due to the Mount Marathon, etc. Will it be any worse in Homer July 5-8 than what we experienced in Seward?

[greatam]

In my mind, the RV is definitely out. My husband it not willing to say that definitively yet. But I think it will definitely go that way. Do you have any lodging recommendations?

 

We were in Seward this summer July 5-6. We didn't notice any congestion or traffic. We were under the impression that Seward is a real hot spot for July 4th due to the Mount Marathon, etc. Will it be any worse in Homer July 5-8 than what we experienced in Seward?

 

Seward is close enough to Anchorage that people drive home. So you don't have the congestion that you do in Homer. There is a yearly halibut fishing derby plus the Fishing Hole which is stocked by Alaska Fish and Game. LOTS of people go to Homer and stay 3 days to a week.

 

It is usually VERY crowded on 4th of July week. And since the 4th is on Friday in 2014, it will be really crowded. Our condo is already rented for the entire week of 4th of July, 2014.

 

As far as lodging, what do you want? Of course, there is Land's End and the Land's End condos (which are privately owned but under a rental/management agreement with Land's End).

 

There are numerous B & B's. My favorite place if we don't stay in our condo (sometimes it is rented when we want to go to Homer) is Sea Lion on the Spit. NOT fancy like some of the condo's (ours is one of the first built and rather plain). But oh, the views from Sea Lion (I think they are better than Land's End). And the landlords are artists which own a gallery on the first floor. There are only two spaces and they might be booked already. But if this is your kind of place, book EARLY. Don't wait. The price is right and it is right on the Spit.

http://www.sealiongallery.com/cove/index.html

[allisons]

Seward is close enough to Anchorage that people drive home. So you don't have the congestion that you do in Homer. There is a yearly halibut fishing derby plus the Fishing Hole which is stocked by Alaska Fish and Game. LOTS of people go to Homer and stay 3 days to a week.

 

It is usually VERY crowded on 4th of July week. And since the 4th is on Friday in 2014, it will be really crowded. Our condo is already rented for the entire week of 4th of July, 2014.

 

As far as lodging, what do you want? Of course, there is Land's End and the Land's End condos (which are privately owned but under a rental/management agreement with Land's End).

 

There are numerous B & B's. My favorite place if we don't stay in our condo (sometimes it is rented when we want to go to Homer) is Sea Lion on the Spit. NOT fancy like some of the condo's (ours is one of the first built and rather plain). But oh, the views from Sea Lion (I think they are better than Land's End). And the landlords are artists which own a gallery on the first floor. There are only two spaces and they might be booked already. But if this is your kind of place, book EARLY. Don't wait. The price is right and it is right on the Spit.

http://www.sealiongallery.com/cove/index.html

 

Oh no! Should we try to rebook our trip for a different time period? How bad will it be? Will everything be overly crowded? Will we not be able to get into restaurants? Will museums and galleries be crowded? What kind of congestion exactly are we talking about? Now I'm very concerned!