DIY Network

Advice for Do-It-Yourself Family Vacation in Alaska

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Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune

Having ruled out cruise-ship tours of Alaska as too expensive and restrictive for a family vacation, we turned to the Internet and guidebooks. The tourist season is short -- roughly May 15 to September 15 -- so many places fill early.

• Guide to get: Alaska: With Cruises and Wilderness Trips (Frommer's, $19.99). Lively writing, on-target personal observations, excellent history, reliable information on food, lodging, excursions.

• Where to stay -- a roundup of our favorites:
  1. Oscar Gill House Bed and Breakfast, 1344 W. 10th Av., P.O. Box 200047, Anchorage, AK 99520-0047 (1-907-258-1717). This simple 1913 farm-style house overlooks the seven-block strip of dried grass that passes for Central Park in downtown Anchorage. Unfussily restored by self-described "recovering hippies," it's a welcoming, homey place with excellent, hearty breakfasts. $85-$125 per night.

  2. Sourdough Cabins, mile 238.5 Parks Hwy., P.O. Box 118, Denali, AK 99755 (1-907-683-2773). Rustic-design tourist cabins with modern amenities near the entrance to Denali National Park. About $150 per night.

  3. Cordova Lighthouse Inn, P.O. Box 1495, Cordova, AK 99574 (1-907-424-7080). Smallish rooms are above new harbor-front cafe and bakery.

  4. Eagle Heights Bed & Breakfast, P.O. Box 9597, 1626 Water St., Ketchikan, AK 99901 (1-907-225-1760). Fabulous spacious apartment with cathedral windows overlooking harbor. $125 per night.

• Where to eat:

  1. Simon and Seafort's Saloon and Grill, 420 L St., Anchorage. (1-907-274-3502) Lively 1890s-style saloon with fabulous seafood and terrific fast-action chefs' show at the open kitchen. Dinner $35 to $50.

  2. New Sagaya City Market, 900 W. 13th, Anchorage. California-style grocery, deli and coffee bar stocked with international delicacies for high-class picnics - fresh sushi, salad bar, 19 balsamic vinegars from Modena, Italy; racks of Scandinavian soup mixes; wines and French candies.

• Excursions:
  1. Denali National Park and Preserve, P.O. Box 9, Denali Park, AK 99755-0009 (1-907-683-2294). http://www.nps.gov/dena. Reservations required for camping, driving, touring the park. Alaska Railroad Corp., Passenger Services, P.O. Box 107500, Anchorage, AK 99510-7500 (1-800-544-0552).
  2. Alaska Marine Highway ferry system. (1-800-642-0066, 1-907-272-7116 or fax 1-907-277-4829)

(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.shns.com"target=0>)

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