Day on our own in Anchorage?

[Moparop]

Our HAL cruise tour is done at 10am in Anchorage. Our flight out does not leave until 12am the following morning. Any suggestions for what we should be thinking of doing with our day there? At this point, we do not have a car but would not be opposed to getting one. If we get a car, where would you suggest getting one from. I also wondered about picking up a Groupon to use for that day. Anyone had experience with Groupon tours? We are a family of 5, kids between 8-13. We like to be active, but it's not a requirement.

[5waldos]

You probably docking Seward which is several hours outside of Anchorage so your time begins to dwindle.

 

We did two things- the downtown area which has an interesting museum with an amazing video about the massive earth quake and tsunami. We also went out to the Alaska Culture Center http://www.alaska.org/advice/alaska-culture which we thought was well worth doing. Those two things would make a day and the kids enjoyed both. No need for a guide for either and although a car would be helpful (there were also 5 of us about the same age it sounds like your gang) both the downtown and the Center are contained areas so you could taxi between them. Don't remember about hiring a car in Anchorage- they do tend to be expensive.

[Moparop]

You probably docking Seward which is several hours outside of Anchorage so your time begins to dwindle.

 

We did two things- the downtown area which has an interesting museum with an amazing video about the massive earth quake and tsunami. We also went out to the Alaska Culture Center http://www.alaska.org/advice/alaska-culture which we thought was well worth doing. Those two things would make a day and the kids enjoyed both. No need for a guide for either and although a car would be helpful (there were also 5 of us about the same age it sounds like your gang) both the downtown and the Center are contained areas so you could taxi between them. Don't remember about hiring a car in Anchorage- they do tend to be expensive.

 

We get off the boat in Seward, but are also doing Denali. The night before the tour ends we will be put up in a hotel where ever HAL puts their guests in Anchorage. Both of those sound like interesting options. Thanks!

[5waldos]

Ah-makes sense. Will say I was happy to learn all about the earthquake and tsunami after my cruise- utterly astonishing how huge it was!

[AKStafford]

If it was me: definitely rent a car. This late in the game, it'll be expensive, but worth it. You have a lot of options, but I think I would head to the Matanuska Glacier for a guided hike. You could go up into Hatcher Pass, visit a reindeer farm and/or musk ox farm. This would be north of Anchorage.

If you are up for some hiking, you could go south to Whittier and do the Portage Pass trail. http://akstafford.blogspot.com/2016/07/portage-pass-trail-to-portage-glacier.html

[mapleleaves]

Since there are 3 kids, you might want to limit your driving time to the area just south of Anchorage. So much to see and do along the Turnagain Arm and within an hours drive .... pan for gold, visit the Wildlife Conservation Center, hike to Byron Glacier, look for sheep along the ridges, Alyeska Resort tram and Winner Creek trail, salmon viewing platforms at Williwaw, Portage Lake and Glacier Visitor Center, boardwalk at Potters Marsh is for bird viewing but sometimes moose are spotted.

Suggested stopping points in this link:

http://www.alaska.org/guide/turnagain-arm-drive

 

 

If you prefer to do an ice trek on Matanuska Glacier, suggested stopping points along the way:

http://www.alaska.org/guide/matanuska-glacier-scenic-drive

 

Or look at the city web site for ideas. https://www.anchorage.net/

Edited April 18, 2017 by mapleleaves
matanuska

[Moparop]

If it was me: definitely rent a car. This late in the game, it'll be expensive, but worth it. You have a lot of options, but I think I would head to the Matanuska Glacier for a guided hike. You could go up into Hatcher Pass, visit a reindeer farm and/or musk ox farm. This would be north of Anchorage.

 

If you are up for some hiking, you could go south to Whittier and do the Portage Pass trail. http://akstafford.blogspot.com/2016/07/portage-pass-trail-to-portage-glacier.html

 

 

 

Suggestions for rental car places?

[nparmelee]

We reserved with Midnight Sun Car rental in Anchorage. Reasonable prices, off airport so less fees.

[mapleleaves]

all the national vendors are in Anchorage. At this late date, book the cheapest deal you can find ! See if there's an extra fee for picking up downtown and dropping off at the airport.

Most vendors don't have cancel fees. Since prices change frequently, keep checking the various sites in case you find a better deal.

I reserve a yr in ahead and get a great deal at the Enterprise office at Intn'l Airport Dr. It's very close to the airport so a cheap cab fare. I'm also ok with leaving a car after hrs when the office is closed.

[rkacruiser]

You probably docking Seward which is several hours outside of Anchorage so your time begins to dwindle.

 

We did two things- the downtown area which has an interesting museum with an amazing video about the massive earth quake and tsunami. We also went out to the Alaska Culture Center http://www.alaska.org/advice/alaska-culture which we thought was well worth doing. Those two things would make a day and the kids enjoyed both. No need for a guide for either and although a car would be helpful (there were also 5 of us about the same age it sounds like your gang) both the downtown and the Center are contained areas so you could taxi between them. Don't remember about hiring a car in Anchorage- they do tend to be expensive.

 

In addition to the sites the above poster suggests with which I agree, I would add a visit to the site near downtown Anchorage that built to recognize the admission of Alaska as our 49th State. If interested, there is an Alaskan aviation museum very near the airport which I enjoyed. Several nice restaurants are also located in downtown Alaska for lunch and/or dinner.