23 days in Alaska Itinerary

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

Ketchikan is known for wildlife, historic sites, and nightlife. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: take in the dramatic natural features at Misty Fjords National Monument, walk around Saxman Native Village, appreciate the history behind The Rock, and steep yourself in history at Totem Heritage Center.

To find other places to visit, more things to do, ratings, and more tourist information, read our Ketchikan online travel planner.

San Antonio to Ketchikan is an approximately 9.5-hour combination of flight and ferry. You can also do a combination of car and ferry; or do a combination of bus, train, and ferry. You'll gain 3 hours traveling from San Antonio to Ketchikan due to the time zone difference. While traveling from San Antonio, expect much colder days and little chillier nights in Ketchikan, ranging from highs of 42°F to lows of 35°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 30th (Mon) to allow time 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. state of Alaska. On the 31st (Tue), get up close to creatures of the deep with a dolphin and whale watching tour, get to know the fascinating history of Sitka National Historic Park/Totem Park, and then sample the tasty concoctions at Baranof Island Brewing Company. Here are some ideas for day two: admire the striking features of Russian Bishop's House, examine the collection at Sheldon Jackson Museum, identify plant and animal life at Alaska Raptor Center, view the masterpieces at Island Artists Gallery, then stop by Alaska Pure Sea Salt, and finally take an in-depth tour of Alaska Native Brotherhood Hall.

To find traveler tips, where to stay, reviews, and tourist information, refer to the Sitka online route planner.

Getting from Ketchikan to Sitka by combination of ferry and flight takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: ride a ferry. In January, daily temperatures in Sitka can reach 44°F, while at night they dip to 36°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 1st (Wed) early enough to travel to Juneau.

Juneau is an unusual state capital in many respects.

Spend the 3rd (Fri) exploring at Tracy Arm Fjord. And it doesn't end there: explore the striking landscape at Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, look for gifts at Celebrity Jewelers, take in the dramatic scenery at Nugget Falls, and fly down the slopes at Alaska Powder Descents.

To see maps, reviews, where to stay, and more tourist information, read Juneau trip maker tool.

Getting from Sitka to Juneau by flight takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: ride a ferry. Plan for little chillier temperatures traveling from Sitka in February, with highs in Juneau at 36°F and lows at 24°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 4th (Sat) so you can fly 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.

Anchorage is known for wildlife, historic sites, and nature. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: get to know the resident critters at Alaska Zoo, trek along Kincaid Park, examine the collection at Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center, and explore the landscape on two wheels at Tony Knowles Coastal Trail.

To find photos, ratings, more things to do, and other tourist information, read Anchorage trip itinerary maker site.

Traveling by flight from Juneau to Anchorage takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry and bus. Traveling from Juneau in February, things will get little chillier in Anchorage: highs are around 28°F and lows about 15°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 8th (Wed) early enough to go by car to Seward.

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.

On the 9th (Thu), take in the dramatic natural features at Bear Glacier, then explore the activities along Resurrection Bay, and then paddle through the water with a kayaking and canoeing tour. Here are some ideas for day two: stop by Moose Drop-In Trading Post, take an in-depth tour of Chugach Heritage Center, then meet the residents at Alaska SeaLife Center, and finally see the world from above with a helicopter tour.

To see photos, reviews, and tourist information, you can read our Seward trip itinerary planning app.

You can drive from Anchorage to Seward in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Traveling from Anchorage in February, expect Seward to be somewhat warmer, temps between 35°F and 25°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 10th (Fri) early enough to go by car to Homer.

Homer is a city located in Kenai Peninsula Borough in the U.S. state of Alaska. Start off your visit on the 11th (Sat): capture your vacation like a pro with an inspiring photography tour, learn more about the world around you at Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center, and then explore the landscape on two wheels at Homer Spit. Keep things going the next day: immerse yourself in nature at Kachemak Bay State Park.

To see traveler tips, reviews, ratings, and more tourist information, read Homer trip planner.

You can drive from Seward to Homer in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and ferry. In February, daytime highs in Homer are 36°F, while nighttime lows are 25°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 12th (Sun) early enough to catch the flight to Palmer.

Palmer is the borough seat of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough in the U.S. state of Alaska. Kick off your visit on the 13th (Mon): see Off-Road Tours and then take a pleasant ride with a tour on horseback.

To see other places to visit and other tourist information, read our Palmer online road trip planner.

Getting from Homer to Palmer by flight takes about 3 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of ferry and bus. Expect slightly colder temperatures when traveling from Homer in February; daily highs in Palmer reach 28°F and lows reach 15°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 13th (Mon) to allow time to fly to Fairbanks.

With its strip malls and fast-food restaurants, Fairbanks appears a bit functional on first glance.

Step out of Fairbanks to go to Chena Hot Springs and see Chena Hot Springs Resort, which is approximately 1h 20 min away. There's still lots to do: get a dose of the wild on a nature and wildlife tour, learn more about the world around you at University of Alaska Museum of the North, examine the collection at Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum, and brush up on your knowledge of spirits at Hoarfrost Distilling.

To find other places to visit, maps, ratings, and other tourist information, refer to the Fairbanks route site.

Fly from Palmer to Fairbanks in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of taxi and train. When traveling from Palmer in February, plan for little chillier days in Fairbanks, with highs around 11°F, while nights are much colder with lows around -9°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 18th (Sat) so you can catch the flight back home.