10 days in Alaska Itinerary

For most visitors to this part of the world, the wild part of Alaska starts at Seward, a small port city that takes advantage of the region's natural beauty.

Kick off your visit on the 28th (Fri): get up close to creatures of the deep with a dolphin and whale watching tour. On the next day, meet the residents at Alaska SeaLife Center, then explore the activities along Resurrection Bay, and then trek along Exit Glacier.

To find where to stay, traveler tips, other places to visit, and tourist information, you can read our Seward planning website.

New York City to Seward is an approximately 11.5-hour combination of flight and bus. You can also drive. The time zone changes from Eastern Standard Time to Alaska Standard Time, which is usually a -4 hour difference. Expect a bit cooler temperatures when traveling from New York City in May; daily highs in Seward reach 55°F and lows reach 40°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Sat) to allow time to drive to Anchorage.

Home to nearly half of Alaska's population, the port city of Anchorage covers a staggering area of over 4,900 sq km (1,900 sq mi) surrounded by mountains.

Start off your visit on the 30th (Sun): identify plant and animal life at Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, then admire nature's wide array of creatures at Alaska Zoo, and then explore the striking landscape at Beluga Point. On the 31st (Mon), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: examine the collection at Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center, then steep yourself in history at Alaska Native Heritage Center, and then stop by Cabin Fever.

Start your trip to Anchorage by creating a personalized itinerary on Inspirock.

Drive from Seward to Anchorage in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In May in Anchorage, expect temperatures between 59°F during the day and 42°F at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 31st (Mon) early enough to travel to Juneau.

Juneau is an unusual state capital in many respects.

Start off your visit on the 1st (Tue): take in the dramatic natural features at Mendenhall Glacier, take in the dramatic natural features at Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, and then take in the dramatic scenery at Nugget Falls. Here are some ideas for day two: take an unforgettable tour with a helicopter tour and then get up close to creatures of the deep with a dolphin and whale watching tour.

To see more things to do, other places to visit, reviews, and other tourist information, go to the Juneau vacation planner.

You can fly from Anchorage to Juneau in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and ferry. In May, plan for daily highs up to 60°F, and evening lows to 42°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 2nd (Wed) early enough to travel to Sitka.

The City and Borough of Sitka, formerly Novo-Arkhangelsk, or New Archangel under Russian rule, is a unified city-borough located on Baranof Island and the southern half of Chichagof Island in the Alexander Archipelago of the Pacific Ocean (part of the Alaska Panhandle), in the U.S. On the 3rd (Thu), examine the collection at Sheldon Jackson Museum, then look for all kinds of wild species at Alaska Raptor Center, then admire the majestic nature at Sitka National Historic Park/Totem Park, and finally admire the landmark architecture of Russian Bishop's House.

To see reviews, maps, more things to do, and more tourist information, refer to the Sitka online itinerary planner.

Traveling by flight from Juneau to Sitka takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can ride a ferry. In June in Sitka, expect temperatures between 59°F during the day and 50°F at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Thu) so you can travel to Ketchikan.

The narrow city of Ketchikan clings to the bluffs that form Revillagigedo Island's southwestern shore.

On the 4th (Fri), explore the striking landscape at Misty Fjords National Monument, contemplate the long history of Totem Heritage Center, and then appreciate the extensive heritage of Creek Street. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 5th (Sat): cast your line with a fishing tour, then steep yourself in history at Totem Bight State Historical Park, and then stroll through Saxman Native Village.

For traveler tips, maps, where to stay, and more tourist information, refer to the Ketchikan online road trip planner.

You can do a combination of flight and ferry from Sitka to Ketchikan in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can ride a ferry. In June in Ketchikan, expect temperatures between 62°F during the day and 50°F at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 6th (Sun) so you can travel back home.