Alaska Itinerary: Places to Visit & Other Tips

Are you considering a trip to Alaska? Planning an Alaska itinerary can be difficult.

I had dozens of questions when I planned our itinerary for Alaska. How should we get there? Where should we visit in Alaska? How do we get around?

Luckily, our family has friends who have lived in Alaska. Their experience helped us have a successful trip. They answered our questions, but they also did more. They gave us advice we didn’t even know we needed. We couldn’t have done it without them.

That’s why I approached Sanne to write this post on Spend Life Traveling. Our friends’ experience helped us have an amazing Alaskan vacation. I want to help you have one, too.

Here’s what we’ll cover in this post:

• 10-day Alaska itinerary
• Itinerary options if you have more or less time
• How to plan your Alaska itinerary
• How to get around Alaska
• How much it costs to travel in Alaska
• What to pack for Alaska
• More Alaska travel tips

10-Day Alaska Itinerary

We’re going to use 10 days as the baseline for an Alaska itinerary, for two reasons.

First, Alaska is a huge place, and it takes a great deal of effort to get here. This isn’t the kind of place you travel to only to spend a weekend or even five days. You need some time in Alaska.

Second, ten days in Alaska lets you tack on a couple of days before and a couple of days after for last-minute preparations, transportation to and from Alaska, and rest afterward. That way, you’ll use up two weeks of vacation.

Will you have more time in Alaska or slightly less time? Don’t worry. We’ll have some suggestions for how to modify the trip later in this post.

Here’s a summary of the itinerary. We’ll go into more detail after the summary.

• Day 1: Arrive in Anchorage
• Day 2: Drive to Seward
• Days 3 and 4: Seward
• Day 5: Drive to Talkeetna
• Day 6: Flightseeing in Talkeetna
• Days 7 and 8: Denali National Park
• Day 9: Drive to Anchorage
• Day 10: Depart from Anchorage

Day 1: Arrive in Anchorage

One of my biggest questions when planning my family’s Alaska itinerary was, “How do we get to Alaska?”

I considered taking the Alaska Marine Highway, driving to Alaska through Canada, and flying to Alaska.

Taking the Alaska Marine Highway and driving through Canada are both great options – for people with huge amounts of time. Those are both huge adventures in and of themselves. If that’s something you have the time and spirit for, I say go for it!

But, we didn’t have the time for either of those options. We got to Alaska the way most people do: by flying into Anchorage. Chances are, that’s the best option for you, too.

Also Read: How to Find the Cheapest Flights

Once you get to Anchorage, you’ll need to prepare for the rest of your trip.

Anchorage has all the goods and services necessary for an Alaskan trip: vehicle rental, outdoor supplies, fishing goods, etc. If you’re renting an RV or campervan (the way I recommend touring Alaska), Anchorage has grocery stores and a Costco to stock up the vehicle’s pantry.

Also Read: Tips for Planning an RV Trip

One critical stop in Anchorage is the Alaska Visitor’s Center. Stop here before hitting the stores. The Visitor’s Center isn’t just a good place to pick up some maps and ideas for your visit. This is also a good spot to pick up a can of bear spray.

Being prepared for a bear encounter is a good idea if you will be spending any kind of time out in the wild. And, you should spend some time out in the wild.

One of the most important tools to be bear-prepared is bear spray. But, you are not allowed to transport bear spray on airplanes. So, people leave their cans of spray at the Visitor’s Center. It’s expensive, so save the money (and the waste) by picking up a can here.

Things to Do in Anchorage

You might breeze through your preparation quickly. In this case, here are a few suggestions of things to do in Anchorage before you set off for the rest of your Alaska road trip:

Anchorage Museum. A can’t-miss experience. More about the Anchorage Museum on “Day 2,” below.

Alaska Native Heritage Center. A center focused on the preservation and perpetuation of Alaska’s native cultures.

Fishing. Depending on the timing, you can fish for salmon right in downtown Anchorage! Our family bought inexpensive fishing gear at Walmart and used it here and in several other places in Alaska.

Places to Stay in Anchorage

Anchorage Ship Creek RV Park. If you’ve rented an RV or campervan for your trip, this is a good spot to camp in Anchorage. It’s very close to downtown! Even though it’s close to downtown, you still need to watch for wildlife. We saw a bear here on our first morning in Alaska.

Tip: if you are looking to rent an RV or travel trailer in Alaska then I recommend using RVshare. They have a large selection, both in Alaska and in the rest of the US, and they have a great reputation.

Hyatt Place Anchorage Midtown. This hotel is known for its cleanliness, nice amenities, and free breakfast. If you choose to stay in hotels and lodges during your Alaska trip, this may be the only chain hotel you stay in.

Places to Eat in Anchorage

Kincaid Grill. Kincaid Grill offers what they call “Alaskan Regional Cuisine” in a fine dining experience. You’ll find fresh seafood, steaks, and a few surprises on the menu.

Moose’s Tooth Pub and Pizzeria. This is the place to go for American pub grub in Anchorage.

Snow City Café. Come to Snow City Café for breakfast or lunch. Eggs, sandwiches, wraps, and soup round out the menu.

Day 2: Anchorage Museum and Drive to Seward

Now the fun starts after a day of preparation.

One of the best ways to gain some bearings on what you are about to experience in Alaska is by visiting the Anchorage Museum. This is a world-class museum that will give you a good overview of the Alaskan story from many perspectives: scientific and artistic, native and newcomer, social-historical, and natural-historical. Their display of native attire especially struck me.

Spend the morning at the Anchorage Museum, and then take off for Seward in the afternoon.

Why Seward?

Seward is one of two cities on the Kenai Peninsula, south of Anchorage. The other city is Homer. The Kenai Peninsula is where Alaskans go on vacation. Following their example is a good bet!

It’s hard to recommend either Seward or Homer above the other. They are both great! And, if you have a little more time, I recommend that you add Homer to your itinerary for Alaska.

But, one thing puts Seward a little above Homer. This is where you go to encounter Kenai Fjords National Park.

If you are driving without any stops or slowdowns, the drive from Anchorage to Seward is about 2.5 hours. But, you should plan on some stops and slow-downs.

This drive will take you through some of the most gorgeous scenery you’ve ever seen.

Sometimes the sea will be on one side of the road and rugged mountains on the other side. Make sure to leave time to pull off and take it all in.

Days 3 and 4: Seward

Plan to spend two days in Seward. After all the travel and prep in Anchorage, it will be good to hunker down for a couple of nights.

Plus, Seward is beautiful, a place where you can take in mountains and sea all at once.

Kenai Fjords National Park

Plan to spend your first day in Seward experiencing Kenai Fjords National Park, a place where mountains, glaciers, and the sea collide to make one of the most beautiful and biodiverse places in the world.

You have several options to explore Kenai Fjords National Park, including kayaking, hiking, or boat tours.

One popular thing to do is drive out to Exit Glacier. This is the only part of Kenai Fjords National Park that is accessible by road. The National Park Service maintains trails, ranger-led programs, and a nature center here. Glaciers are some of the world’s most endangered natural phenomena. This is a good place to experience one up close while you still can.

And, for the dare-devils, you could even go hiking or ice climbing here!

When we were in Seward, we opted for a boat tour instead. A couple of operators run boat tours of Kenai Fjords National Park. The tour we went on took us to see a glacier calving into the sea and included a lunch stop at an island lodge, along with a National Park Ranger program.

On one of these tours, you’re likely to see not only gorgeous scenery but also amazing wildlife. One of the highlights of our tours was seeing a pod of Orcas hunting. One even swam directly under our boat!

Checking out Kenai Fjords National Park will likely take up most of the day, but you’ll have an opportunity to explore Seward a little bit that evening.

More Things to Do in Seward

Day 4 is your chance to check out Seward a little bit more or to just take it easy.

Here are a few options for things to do in Seward:

Hiking. Seward has several good hiking options, besides the ones around Exit Glacier. If you took a boat tour the day before, you might want to stretch your legs out.

Alaska Sea Life Center. The Alaska Sea Life Center allows visitors to view and learn about the creatures that live in the waters around Alaska. You’ll be able to learn about seals, fish, birds, and many other kinds of animals.

Fishing. Several charter fishing outfits operate out of Seward. Salmon and halibut are what most people go for.

Charter fishing is expensive, but it can pay for itself, especially if you go out for halibut. The charter fishermen can even help you ship your catch back home to stock your freezer.

Places to Stay in Seward

Miller’s Landing. If you have an RV or campervan, Miller’s Landing is a great place to set up camp. This is where we stayed when we visited Seward.

You can get a campsite right on the ocean here! Another advantage of Miller’s Landing is that you can make reservations. You can’t do that at every campground in the Seward area.

One downside to Miller’s Landing is that it’s outside of Seward proper. To explore Seward, you’ll have to drive into town.

Harbor 360 Hotel. If you’re planning on staying in hotels instead of camping, Harbor 360 Hotel is a good option in Seward. It’s right on the waterfront, overlooking Seward’s impressive fleet. Plus, it’s within walking distance of many of Seward’s restaurants and other attractions.

Places to Eat in Seward

The Cookery. This is the best restaurant in Seward, hands down. The Cookery’s mainstay is seafood, especially its fresh oysters. But, no matter what you choose, expect artisanally prepared food with an emphasis on local ingredients.

Seward Brewing Company. Seward Brewing Company is the place for on-site brewed beer and elevated pub grub in Seward. Beer and pizza here is a great way to recharge after a hike.

Day 5: Drive to Talkeetna

Day 5 of this itinerary is another driving day.

You’ll drive through Anchorage again, so this is a good chance to stock up on food and supplies for the second half of your trip. You won’t find many stores north of Anchorage.

This is about a 4.5-hour drive, but plan for more time for stops and scenery.

Day 6: Flightseeing in Talkeetna

Talkeetna is a blast.

First, it’s a funky town with tons of character and buildings right out of the Gold Rush days. Interesting businesses and people are all around Talkeetna.

Second, Talkeetna is the flightseeing capital of Alaska, where you can hire bush pilots to fly you through the peaks of Denali.

Our pilot landed us on the glacier where the Denali base camp is located. This is where climbers prepare to climb to the peak. There weren’t any climbers there, since it wasn’t climbing season.

But, we did meet extreme adventure and extreme beauty. Flying in the mountains in a small plane is exhilarating, and Denali is one of the most beautiful places I’ve been in my life.

Pro-tip: We didn’t book our flightseeing tour until a couple of days before when it was clear that we would have clear weather. I recommend that you do the same. Flightseeing doesn’t make much sense unless you can see things. And, given Alaskan weather, there’s a good chance you might not be able to see.

You might want to personalize your Alaskan itinerary to leave some flexibility for flightseeing on different days.

After your flightseeing in Talkeetna, drive to Denali National Park. The visitor’s center at Denali National Park is about a 2.5-hour drive from Talkeetna.

More Things to Do in Talkeetna

Nagley’s Store. And old-school general store, where goods of all kinds line the walls. Want groceries? They have it at Nagley’s. Snowshoes? You can get them here, too.

Talkeetna Lake Trail. An easy trail around Talkeetna’s three lakes. This is a good place for a leisurely hike. Lots of wildlife viewing opportunities here.

Places to Stay in Talkeetna

Talkeetna Camper Park. This is a full-service RV park, and a good spot if you are traveling by RV or campervan.

Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge. This place is simply gorgeous. It combines the best of both a rustic, rugged feel and modern amenities. The lobby and lounge is an impressive, timber-framed structure with a huge fireplace. And, you can catch some beautiful views of Denali from here.

Places to Eat in Talkeetna

Denali Brewpub. A casual spot to grab some locally brewed, craft beers and to eat pub grub.

My Mom’s Thai Cuisine. You won’t have many other opportunities for Asian cuisine in Alaska. This is a good place to get your fix.

Days 7 and 8: Denali National Park

You’ll want two full days and three nights to soak in Denali National Park and the other attractions in the area.

Denali National Park

Denali National Park is one of the most wild places you will ever visit.

If you took a flightseeing tour, you were already in Denali National Park at its highest elevations. But, Denali is so much more than the mountain.

Denali is a place where humans are truly visitors. The landscape is undisturbed except for the ribbon road that bisects it and the few park developments. The plants and animals live on as they have for eons.

Our family has been in some wild places in the Lower 48, but nothing like this. We had tried to see moose and grizzly bears in Wyoming and Montana with no luck. We saw both in Denali.

Things to Do in and around Denali National Park

Bus Tour. A bus tour is the most common way to explore deep into Denali National Park.

These tours can range anywhere from 3 hours to 12 hours. Some are formal tours with a naturalist guide on board. Others are simply transit buses, with a driver who will point out wildlife and important sites. The National Park website has descriptions of all your options to help you choose the right tour for you.

Hiking. Your hiking options in Denali National Park are unlimited. Literally.

There are few developed trails in the National Park, and that’s by design. The park has taken the philosophy that visitors should encounter the landscape on its terms. Whereas most National Parks insist that you stay on trails, Denali wants you to go off-trail. However, there are a few developed trails around the Denali Visitors Center you can explore if you’re not sure about hiking off-trail.

Husky Homestead. Husky Homestead is one of our family’s favorite memories from Alaska. This is a working sled dog company that offers programs to introduce you to the sport, both its history and its present form. When you arrive at Husky Homestead, you’ll be handed a husky puppy to play with as you wait for the program to begin! So fun.

Whitewater Rafting. You can book a whitewater rafting trip along the boundary of the Denali National Park. It’s not the most extreme whitewater rafting you’ll encounter, but it’s a great way to have some splashy fun and see the wilderness from another angle.

Places to Stay in and around Denali National Park

There are lots of options for lodging around Denali National Park, from primitive camping to luxury resorts.

Here are a few recommendations:

Teklanika River Campground. This campground is the furthest point you are allowed to drive a private vehicle inside Denali National Park, and this is where we stayed in Denali. Staying here requires a great deal of planning and preparation, so make sure to research this option thoroughly and book your reservation early.

Note: the campground is only open from late May until mid-September.

Lodges Inside Denali National Park. Several lodges operate inside Denali National Park.

Denali Bluffs Hotel. This hotel is just a few miles away from the entrance to Denali National Park. It’s a good option for a place to stay if you want to experience attractions both inside the park proper and around it.

Places to Eat Around Denali National Park

Moose-AKa’s. What a unique experience! Moose-AKa’s is a Serbian restaurant right by Denali National Park. It’s known for its Eastern European dishes and excellent hospitality.

Creekside Café and Bakery. A good spot for breakfast. Eat here to power up for your Denali National Park adventure.

The Overlook Restaurant. The Overlook Restaurant is where you want to go in the Denali area for seafood and American fare. The food is well-prepared, and the views of the restaurant are hard to beat.

Day 9: Drive to Anchorage

The drive from Denali National Park Visitors Center to Anchorage is only about 4.5 hours. But, this is Alaska, and you should play it safe. The unexpected is always just around the corner.

When we drove from Denali to Anchorage, we were delayed for about four hours due to forest fires. This was no problem – we were in an RV and had given ourselves plenty of time. We relaxed, cooked some dinner, and were ready to go when the traffic started moving again.

I would have hated to have a flight on the same day. Give yourself a day to drive from Denali to Anchorage.

Day 10: Depart from Anchorage

This is the end of your Alaska itinerary. Time to head home or on your next adventure.

Take that unused can of bear spray down to the visitor’s center for the next traveler to use. Hit a few tourist shops downtown to commemorate your adventure. And, off you go.

11-Day or 12-Day Alaska Itinerary

If you have eleven days or twelve days to spend in Alaska, add some time in the Kenai Peninsula south of Anchorage. Add Homer as a destination. Our family had a great time in Homer.

One of our most memorable experiences in Alaska was out of Homer – a wilderness horse ride that took us through wild country and even a settlement of Russian Old Believers.

We also went sea kayaking in Homer and saw some gorgeous scenery and cool animals.

9-Day Alaska Itinerary

To create a nine-day Alaska itinerary, take a day off of your adventure north of Anchorage.

You can omit Talkeetna or one of your days at Denali National Park.

8-Day Alaska Itinerary

If you have eight days or fewer to spend in Alaska, you will need to choose between either a trip north to Denali or a trip south to the Kenai Peninsula.

All things being equal, I would opt for the Kenai Peninsula.

How to Plan Your Alaska Itinerary

Planning an Alaska itinerary isn’t easy. There’s so much to think about! Here are some tips for planning one.

1. Determine Your Budget

As you plan your budget, make sure to account for the higher prices you’ll encounter in Alaska. Everything is expensive in Alaska, especially the food and lodging.

Our Alaska vacation cost us about 2.5 times what a vacation costs us in the Lower 48 (including our flights).

2. Decide How You’ll Get Around

This is a big one because it will determine many of the other choices you make.

We opted to rent an RV. Even though we had no experience with RVs in the past, this seemed like the best option for us. If you rent an RV or campervan, most of the places you’ll stay will be campgrounds.

If you are looking to rent an RV or travel trailer in Alaska then I recommend using RVshare. They have a large selection, both in Alaska and in the rest of the US, and they have a great reputation.

3. Order Your Priorities

It’s sad, but the reality: We can’t do everything. What are your can’t-miss experiences in Alaska? Flightseeing in Denali? A boat tour in Kenai Fjords?

Build your itinerary around those priorities.

Best Months to Visit Alaska

Most people will visit Alaska during the summer months of June, July, and August.

1. Visiting Alaska in June

Alaska is coming alive in June, with lots of wildflowers and a flurry of animal activity. Early in June, many of the tourist-oriented businesses are still getting into the swing of things.

There will still be a chill in the air on many days in June. Things may be quite wet in June, and the bugs could be quite bad.

2. Visiting Alaska in July

The weather has warmed up by July. Tourist-oriented businesses are operating well at this point. The bugs won’t be quite as bad, and you’ll have some sunnier days.

3. Visiting Alaska in August

This is when we visited Alaska. It was quite warm, although we needed warmer clothes in Denali. Sunny days were the norm. We had no problem with bugs.

On the downside, this was the dry season in Alaska. This contributed to forest fires, and these impacted our trip.

How to Get Around Alaska

You have three options for getting around on your Alaska itinerary: passenger vehicle, RV or campervan, and a tour group.

1. Passenger Vehicle

If you don’t rent an RV or campervan, and you also don’t want to go as part of a tour group, you will need to rent a passenger vehicle to get around Alaska.

Just about any passenger vehicle will get the job done in the summer in Alaska. You don’t need a four-wheel drive, big tires, or anything special.

2. RV or Campervan

This is how we toured Alaska, and I recommend it to anybody, even those with no RV experience. Several rental outfits operate in Anchorage, and they are full-service. They will even pick you up and drop you off at the airport.

Alaska is very RV-friendly. You won’t ever have trouble finding a place to park or stay.

One big advantage to renting an RV or campervan is that you can cook. This is a major plus because food is so expensive in Alaska.

3. Private Tour

If you want to leave the driving and planning to someone else, several private tour companies will take you to the highlights of Alaska.

For example, you can book this 5-day tour from Anchorage or this 9-day tour.

How Much Does it Cost to Travel in Alaska?

Alaska is expensive to visit. Our vacation to Alaska cost about 2.5 times what a typical vacation costs us in the US.

Here are some costs of items in Anchorage as of 2024:

• 3-star hotel: $250
• 31-foot RV rental (daily): $365
• Mid-size car rental (daily): $200
• Gallon of gas: $4.00
• Large pizza: $25
• Beer pint: $7
• Cheeseburger: $16.50
• Pound of fresh halibut: $21.95
• Gallon of milk: $4.27
• Loaf of sandwich bread: $5.68
• Slicing tomato: $2.43

For a trip to Alaska, you’ll have to pay for many typical vacation items like lodging and entertainment. But, you’ll also have to pay for additional gear that you might not have on hand like bear spray and hiking gaiters.

What to Pack for Alaska

Alaska is a demanding place, even in the summer. Being ill-prepared sometimes can mean the difference between life and death. Don’t take your packing for an Alaska road trip lightly. Here are some things that you should take to Alaska:

Rain gear – Alaska is wet. Good rain gear is non-negotiable, including good rain pants. Make sure that the pants are quite durable, as you may be wearing them through thick brush in places like Denali.

Leg gaiters – These are one thing we didn’t bring that I wish we had. These are good, especially for walking through thick, wet brush.

Sturdy boots – The hiking boots you take should be far more sturdy and higher than the boots many people wear on trails in the Lower 48.

Binoculars – For peeping at wildlife and scenery.

Fishing gear – We bought inexpensive gear at the Anchorage Wal-Mart. We used it several times in our trip.

Warm clothes – Alaska can get cold even in the middle of the summer. Make sure to bring thermal bottom layers, jackets, fleeces, and similar items to layer and stay warm.

Bear spray – You have to pick this up in Alaska since you can’t fly with it.

Eye mask – Depending on when and where you are, you may have up to 20 hours of sunlight throughout the day. Take an eyemask to help get a good night’s sleep.

Sunglasses – Alaska can be bright, especially when you are high in the mountains on a glacier. Bring some sunglasses.

More Alaska Travel Tips

1. Book your lodging early. Lodging in Alaska fills up quickly. Don’t get left out of the place you want to stay!

2. Plan and prepare for bear encounters. We practiced as a family what we would do if a bear were threatening us. We didn’t have to use our practice, but it made us more confident as we were out in nature.

3. Be ready to see guns. Guns are everywhere in Alaska, and they are often openly carried. This might be scary if you’ve never seen this, but you shouldn’t worry. This is a last-ditch means of bear protection that some people deploy.

4. Eat the seafood! Even if you’re doing most of your cooking, you will rarely get seafood this fresh. One of our best meals in Alaska was some halibut we picked up from the fish market and cooked in our RV.

5. Give yourself time. Alaska can be unpredictable. Make sure you leave yourself plenty of time between activities and destinations.

Conclusion – The Perfect Alaska Itinerary

Preparing for a trip to Alaska is demanding. But with the great effort comes great reward.

You will be changed by your visit to Alaska. I certainly was. You won’t regret visiting the adventures that will meet you there.

And I hope this article has made creating your perfect Alaska itinerary a bit easier!

Also Read:

• Travel Planning – How to Plan Your Perfect Trip
• What to Look For in Travel Insurance
• Things to Do Before Going on Vacation (Besides Packing)

 

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