Day trip to Kenai Peninsula

[PennyB]

Going soon on a land/cruise tour of Alaska. We will be in Anchorage for a couple of days. We are thinking about renting a car and driving down to the Kenai Peninsula. Worth the trip? Staying at Captain Cook. Is there a place to rent a car close by?

[cntrymum]

Hi Penny - the Kenai is most definitely worth the trip. Just a couple of questions for logistics though:

Where does your cruise leave from?

Will you only be doing a day trip or do you plan to overnight somewhere?

 

The Kenai offers, IMHO, some of the most spectacular scenery in Alaska - we spent a total of 5 days on the Kenai and only skimmed over what it has to offer but there are some great things that can be done in a day out of Anchorage.

[mapleleaves]

Very worthwhile!! Where to go will depend on your interests and how far you want to travel.

I wouldn't worry too much about proximity of the car rental to your hotel. Prices vary wildly. If you have to pay $15 for a cab ride to save $150 on the rental it's well worth the cab fare.

The Kenai Peninsula is large. For instance it's a 5 hr drive to Homer. Perhaps consider overnighting somewhere instead of coming back to Anchorage ???? Otherwise Whittier would make a nice day trip. It's about 45 miles but it can take a full day to explore. The drive itself along the Turnagain Arm is very scenic and there is lots to see and do along the way.... pan for gold, birdwatching at Potters Marsh boardwalk, Wildlife Conservation Center. Look at the link for suggested stops. Or go thru the tunnel into Whittier and catch one of the glacier cruises into Prince William Sound. They leave around noon-ish.

http://alaska.org/driving/portage-valley-whittier-spur-drive.htm

 

Seward is a 2 1/2 hr drive, not including stops. You would travel along the Turnagain Arm again, but continue on for another 80 miles. Lots to see and do in Seward as well. Exit Glacier is 15 miles outside of town. Or visit the Sealife Center or take a Kenai Fjords cruise for wildlife and glacier viewing. Or just enjoy the views and walk around the harbor. Watch for bald eagles or otters playing off shore.