1st time Alaska

Question

Hi everyone, my husband and I (in our 70’s) will be traveling to Seattle sometime the end if June into July to visit family. We were thinking of doing a cruise but on a small ship or to fly into Anchorage or whatever, rent a car and see the sights ourselves. We have done this many times in Canada so don’t mind driving. We have no time line. My question is-should we fly into Fairbanks or Anchorage? From either one see as much as we can. Any suggestions would be helpful. We are not much into strenuous hiking, but want to see fijords and animals. Thank you

Answer

For first-time visitors to Alaska, deciding between flying into Anchorage or Fairbanks depends largely on what kind of scenery and wildlife you want to experience, as well as how much driving you’re comfortable with. Since you’re in your 70s and prefer sightseeing without strenuous hiking, both options have pros and cons.

Flying into Anchorage: Anchorage is the most common entry point and provides easier access to coastal fjords, wildlife, and popular national parks. From Anchorage, you can easily do day trips or short drives to:

Kenai Fjords National Park: Ideal for boat tours to see glaciers, fjords, and marine wildlife like whales, sea otters, and puffins. Small ship or wildlife-focused cruises are available for a more intimate experience.
Denali National Park: About a 4–5 hour drive north, Denali offers bus tours into the park where you can see wildlife including bears, moose, caribou, and Dall sheep without needing to hike extensively.
Chugach Mountains and Turnagain Arm: Scenic drives just outside Anchorage with wildlife spotting and easy, short walks or viewpoints.
Wildlife Viewing: Close proximity to areas with bald eagles, moose, and salmon rivers.

Flying into Fairbanks: Fairbanks puts you closer to interior Alaska and offers a more northern experience. It’s ideal for those interested in:

Denali National Park access: Shorter drive to the park’s interior. Bus tours are available into the park.
Wildlife and river cruises along the Chena River or smaller local excursions.
Experiencing Alaska’s interior landscapes, gold rush history, and small-town charm.

However, flying into Fairbanks makes it harder to see coastal fjords, glaciers, or marine wildlife without additional flights or a long drive south. Most visitors seeking fjords, glaciers, and coastal wildlife prefer starting from Anchorage or including a small cruise along the Kenai Peninsula.

Given your interest in fjords and wildlife with minimal strenuous hiking, a recommended itinerary might be:

Fly into Anchorage and spend a couple of days exploring Anchorage and nearby areas.
Take a small ship or wildlife cruise from Seward or Whittier to see Kenai Fjords.
Drive north to Denali National Park, staying in a lodge or nearby town, and take a bus tour into the park for wildlife viewing.
Optional: If time allows, continue north to Fairbanks for a night or two to experience interior Alaska before flying home.

Other tips:

Small ship cruises for fjords and wildlife in Kenai Fjords are highly recommended for an intimate experience.
Book Denali bus tours in advance; you can see most wildlife without hiking.
June–July offers long daylight hours, which is perfect for sightseeing and photography.
Consider staying in lodges or small hotels with good amenities, as you prefer a comfortable experience over camping.

In summary, Anchorage is generally the better starting point for first-time visitors interested in fjords and wildlife without strenuous hiking. Fairbanks is worth visiting if you want the interior Alaska experience, but it’s less convenient for coastal fjords and marine wildlife.

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