16 days in Alaska Itinerary

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.

Explore hidden gems such as Seward Hwy and Lake Hood Harbor. Your inner history buff will appreciate Tony Knowles Coastal Trail and Alaska Native Heritage Center. Step out of Anchorage with an excursion to Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel in Whittier--about 1h 25 min away. Next up on the itinerary: look for all kinds of wild species at Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, explore the activities along Cook Inlet, trek along Friends of Eagle River Nature, and examine the collection at Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center.

To see where to stay, reviews, and tourist information, use the Anchorage online trip maker.

Newark to Anchorage is an approximately 9-hour flight. You can also drive. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 4 hours traveling from Newark to Anchorage. Prepare for a bit cooler weather when traveling from Newark in May: high temperatures in Anchorage hover around 59°F and lows are around 42°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 15th (Mon) to allow enough time to fly to Juneau.

Juneau is an unusual state capital in many respects.

On the 16th (Tue), explore the striking landscape at Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, see majestic marine mammals with a dolphin and whale watching tour, then admire the natural beauty at Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure, and finally sample the tasty concoctions at Alaskan Brewery and Bottling Company. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 17th (Wed): trek along Mount Roberts Trail, tour the pleasant surroundings at Perseverance National Recreation Trail, and then capture your vacation like a pro with an inspiring photography tour.

For photos, traveler tips, reviews, and tourist information, read our Juneau itinerary app.

Getting from Anchorage to Juneau by flight takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of bus and ferry. In May in Juneau, expect temperatures between 60°F during the day and 42°F at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 17th (Wed) so you can catch the flight to Skagway.

The Municipality and Borough of Skagway is a first-class borough in Alaska on the Alaska Panhandle. You'll discover tucked-away gems like Glacier Point Wilderness Safari and Lower Dewey Lake Hiking Trail. Visit State Street and Broadway Street and Gold Rush Cemetery for their historical value. There's much more to do: hike along Yakutania Point, contemplate the long history of Moore Cabin, look for gifts at Skagway Alaska Downtown, and sample the tasty concoctions at Klondike Brewing Company.

For other places to visit, maps, traveler tips, and tourist information, go to the Skagway visit planning website.

Getting from Juneau to Skagway by flight takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: ride a ferry. May in Skagway sees daily highs of 61°F and lows of 45°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 20th (Sat) to allow time to ride a ferry to Haines.

Sitting on the shores of Alaska's longest fjord and surrounded by mountains, the port city of Haines boasts spectacular scenery.

Start off your visit on the 21st (Sun): get outside with Outdoor Activities and then see Off-Road Tours. On your second day here, explore the activities along Chilkoot River, identify plant and animal life at The Kroschel Wildlife Center, and then look for all kinds of wild species at Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve.

To see ratings, other places to visit, photos, and more tourist information, go to the Haines trip planning tool.

Ride a ferry from Skagway to Haines in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly. In May, daytime highs in Haines are 61°F, while nighttime lows are 44°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 22nd (Mon) early enough to catch the flight 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. state of Alaska. On the 23rd (Tue), examine the collection at Sheldon Jackson Museum, steep yourself in history at Russian Bishop's House, then see Off-Road Tours, then stop by Alaska Pure Sea Salt, and finally contemplate in the serene atmosphere at St. Michael's Russian Orthodox Cathedral. On the 24th (Wed), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: identify plant and animal life at Alaska Raptor Center, cast your line with a fishing tour, then step into the grandiose world of Baranof Castle State Historical Site, and finally stroll through Sitka National Historic Park/Totem Park.

Discover how to plan a Sitka trip in just a few steps with Inspirock's itinerary builder.

Getting from Haines to Sitka by flight takes about 5 hours. Other options: ride a ferry. When traveling from Haines in May, plan for a bit cooler days in Sitka, with highs around 56°F, while nights are about the same with lows around 45°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 24th (Wed) so you can travel to Ketchikan.

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

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Totem Heritage Center and Ketchikan Rainbird Trail. Get some historical perspective at Creek Street and Totem Bight State Historical Park. There's lots more to do: cast your line with a fishing tour, learn more about the world around you at Southeast Alaska Discovery Center, contemplate the long history of Saxman Native Village, and trek along Deer Mountain Trail.

For more things to do, photos, maps, and more tourist information, refer to the Ketchikan planning app.

Traveling by combination of flight and ferry from Sitka to Ketchikan takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can ride a ferry. In May, daytime highs in Ketchikan are 59°F, while nighttime lows are 46°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 28th (Sun) to allow enough time to travel back home.