Posted: 6/5/2009 8:55:29 PM EDT
Hello everyone! As you can probably see by the subject line, I am not from Alaska - I am from Arkansas, but I will be visiting there soon! My husband's work is taking him to Anchorage and I was lucky enough to tag along. We are going to stay a few days beyond his work schedule for a little vacation (total of the 15th - 20th). The problem we are running into is that everything is so expensive! I am looking for a rental car and I'm finding that there isn't anything available for less than $75 per day - and that's for the smallest car possible! 
If I could get some info from a local it would be great. How is the public transportation there? Would it be easier and cheaper than renting a car? Would we be able to have transportation to local areas of interest? This basically leads me into my next question. Neither of us have been to the area before and we would like to see the area and have things to do, but we don't have a lot of extra cash to spend. What are some fun things to do around there? We both really appreciate nature so any amazing sight seeing or photo areas would be wonderful. We wouldn't mind if things were a little ways outside of town, so long as we have a way to get there and back. Thanks for any help!!! 
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You will want a car
Welcome to Summer in Alaska, everything is more expensive. I would try something like pricelines name your own price and see what you can do Not sure if you are going to Fairbanks or Anchorage, but you really will want to be able to go places that are not covered by mass transit. |
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Quoted:
You will want a car Welcome to Summer in Alaska, everything is more expensive. I would try something like pricelines name your own price and see what you can do Not sure if you are going to Fairbanks or Anchorage, but you really will want to be able to go places that are not covered by mass transit. Thanks for the info. We'll be in Anchorage for our stay. Any suggestions on the areas we'll want to see that aren't covered by mass transit? 
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Quoted:
Quoted:
You will want a car Welcome to Summer in Alaska, everything is more expensive. I would try something like pricelines name your own price and see what you can do Not sure if you are going to Fairbanks or Anchorage, but you really will want to be able to go places that are not covered by mass transit. Thanks for the info. We'll be in Anchorage for our stay. Any suggestions on the areas we'll want to see that aren't covered by mass transit? Honestly there is tons that just isnt inside the transit system. Like another post said the sea life center and a few other things. As a heads up, if you go to the ocean front DO NOT walk on the silty looking beach. Lots of people do that and a few die each year because it suctions around your feet. If the police cant get you out before high tide you are screwed. Moving on. For mass transit in anchorage you can get day passes for around $4 i think. Unlimited rides a day. Not to mention some of the routes are pretty scenic. Its been a few years since ive lived that far south so ill let the anchorage guys take over lol |
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Do Not rent from the Airport. You will pay a 20% charge for airport rental. My friends on the Slope talk well about this company. Give them a call. Cheap Wheels Rent-A-Car<cite>www.cheapwheelsrentacar.com</cite> 3811 Spenard Rd Anchorage, AK 99517 (907) 561-8627 Get directions 1 review and more » |
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Things to do outside of Anchorage
A short 15 min drive will likely allow you to see the resident Dall sheep that are just off the highway. Close enough you can almost touch them Seward is a couple of hours drive, The Sea Life center is cool Kenai is probably 3 hours drive, but to see the Kenai river is well worth it If you go to Kenai, spend the extra hour and go to Homer. The Salty Dog on the Spit is a must. Lots of eagles typically Going north... Talketna is kind of a hippie artsy town also a base for many of the expeditions to Denali Denali is about 4 hours or so north Wasilla is about 45 minutes from Anchorage, its home to Sarah Palin if you care. She is in Wasilla on a regular basis, reasonable chance that you might run into her. |
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Quoted:
Do Not rent from the Airport. You will pay a 20% charge for airport rental.
My friends on the Slope talk well about this company. Give them a call. Cheap Wheels Rent-A-Car<cite>www.cheapwheelsrentacar.com</cite>
3811 Spenard Rd Anchorage, AK 99517 (907) 561-8627 Get directions 1 review and more » Cheap Wheels is a good company run by good people. i recomend them strongly. |
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Quoted:
we would like to see the area and have things to do, We both really appreciate nature
You will need a Car. Visit the EAGLE RIVER NATURE CENTER 40 minute drive from Anchorage. 32750 Eagle River Rd. Eagle River, AK 99577-8252. Phone 1: (907) 694-2108. Fax: (907) 694-2119. ~R |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Do Not rent from the Airport. You will pay a 20% charge for airport rental.
My friends on the Slope talk well about this company. Give them a call. Cheap Wheels Rent-A-Car<cite>www.cheapwheelsrentacar.com</cite>
3811 Spenard Rd Anchorage, AK 99517 (907) 561-8627 Get directions 1 review and more » Cheap Wheels is a good company run by good people. i recomend them strongly. Thanks! Their rates are much lower than anyone else I found and they seemed very nice on the phone. I have my car rented and a B&B reserved! Now on to looking into all these great suggestions for sight seeing!
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RIPAK is on the money as usual. It is a great drive to the ERNC and the hike is as far as your legs take you. Frequently I see moose on the lake within 1/2 mile of the nature center. Last summer a bear ran a crossed our path at the same location. Recommend you also check the Concealed Carry law link maintained by UAFgrad and RIPAK in the AK/HI hometown section. Quoted: Quoted: we would like to see the area and have things to do, We both really appreciate nature You will need a Car. Visit the EAGLE RIVER NATURE CENTER 40 minute drive from Anchorage. 32750 Eagle River Rd. Eagle River, AK 99577-8252. Phone 1: (907) 694-2108. Fax: (907) 694-2119. ~R |
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So my wife and I are in Alaska and enjoying it so far. We decided to do a little bit gun shopping, specifically the Ruger P380.
What is the best gun store(s) in Anchorage area that has the best deal? Please email me if anyone has a suggestion. It goes straight To my Black Berry ;-) Oh, yes we will have to ship handgun(s) to our local FFL. :) |
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Quoted:
So my wife and I are in Alaska and enjoying it so far. We decided to do a little bit gun shopping, specifically the Ruger P380. What is the best gun store(s) in Anchorage area that has the best deal? Please email me if anyone has a suggestion. It goes straight To my Black Berry ;-) Oh, yes we will have to ship handgun(s) to our local FFL. :) good luck finding one Why buy in Alaska? |
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I would probably catch Girdwood, Portage Glacier, Whittier, Seward head back and drop into Soldotna take the Spur Highway to Kenai and catch Bridge access to K Beach and follow the coast highway to Kasiloff, Ninilchik to Anchor Point and into Homer. Take the water taxi across the bay to Halibut Cove and from there to Seldovia. If you like the outdoors Homer, Seldovia and the surrounding area will probably be the highlight of your trip. Thats a lot of ground to cover in a very short time. Don't stop moving and bring your coats. .
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