33 days in Alaska Itinerary

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

Change things up with a short trip to Chena Hot Springs Resort in Chena Hot Springs (about 1h 20 min away). There's still lots to do: identify plant and animal life at Wildlife Areas, sample the fine beverages at Hoarfrost Distilling, fly down the slopes at Birch Hill Ski & Snowboard Area, and get a new perspective on nature at University of Alaska Museum of the North.

To see other places to visit, photos, more things to do, and more tourist information, you can read our Fairbanks journey website.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to Fairbanks is an approximately 22.5-hour flight. The time zone changes from Arabian Standard Time to Alaska Standard Time, which is usually a -12 hour difference. Prepare for colder weather when traveling from Riyadh in November: high temperatures in Fairbanks hover around -12°C and lows are around -21°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 30th (Wed) to allow time to fly 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 1st (Thu): admire the sheer force of Pioneer Falls, then tour the pleasant surroundings at Independence Mine State Historical Park, and then admire the verdant scenery at Hatcher Pass. On the 2nd (Fri), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: take a pleasant ride with a tour on horseback, get a dose of the wild on a nature and wildlife tour, and then indulge your thirst for a good beer at Bearpaw River Brewing Company.

For other places to visit, photos, where to stay, and other tourist information, you can read our Palmer trip itinerary planning website.

You can fly from Fairbanks to Palmer in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of train and taxi. Traveling from Fairbanks in November, things will get a bit warmer in Palmer: highs are around -1°C and lows about -9°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Fri) so you can fly to Homer.

Homer is a city located in Kenai Peninsula Borough in the U.S. state of Alaska. Start off your visit on the 3rd (Sat): examine the collection at Pratt Museum, stop by Jars Of Clay Pottery, then get all the information you need at Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center, then explore the world behind art at Bunnell Street Arts Center, and finally indulge your thirst for a good beer at Grace Ridge Brewery. On the 4th (Sun), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: grab your bike and head to Homer Spit and then get a dose of the wild on a nature and wildlife tour.

To find other places to visit, more things to do, reviews, and more tourist information, you can read our Homer trip itinerary planner.

Traveling by flight from Palmer to Homer takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and ferry. Expect somewhat warmer temperatures when traveling from Palmer in December; daily highs in Homer reach 1°C and lows reach -4°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 4th (Sun) to allow enough time to drive 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.

Spend the 7th (Wed) exploring nature at Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor Center. The adventure continues: add some adventure to your tour with a kayaking and canoeing tour, explore the activities along Seward Boat Harbor, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Resurrection Lutheran Church, and observe the fascinating underwater world at Alaska SeaLife Center.

To see traveler tips, ratings, and tourist information, you can read our Seward trip itinerary planner.

Getting from Homer to Seward by car takes about 4 hours. Other options: do a combination of ferry and bus. In December, daytime highs in Seward are 1°C, while nighttime lows are -4°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 7th (Wed) so you can 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.

Anchorage is known for wildlife, historic sites, and nature. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: appreciate the extensive heritage of Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, get engrossed in the history at Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum, capture your vacation like a pro with an inspiring photography tour, and learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at Alaska Zoo.

For photos, more things to do, ratings, and more tourist information, you can read our Anchorage road trip planner.

Traveling by car from Seward to Anchorage takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Traveling from Seward in December, expect Anchorage to be slightly colder, temps between -4°C and -11°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 14th (Wed) so you can catch the flight to Juneau.

Juneau is an unusual state capital in many respects.

Spend the 16th (Fri) exploring at Tracy Arm Fjord. Next up on the itinerary: hit the slopes at Alaska Powder Descents, admire the sheer force of Nugget Falls, brush up on your knowledge of spirits at Amalga Distillery, and look for gifts at Changing Tides.

For where to stay, reviews, and other tourist information, go to the Juneau trip itinerary app.

Fly from Anchorage to Juneau in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and ferry. Expect somewhat warmer temperatures when traveling from Anchorage in December; daily highs in Juneau reach 1°C and lows reach -4°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 18th (Sun) to allow enough time to travel to Haines.

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

Kick off your visit on the 19th (Mon): take an in-depth tour of Jilkaat Kwaan Heritage Center, look for all kinds of wild species at The Kroschel Wildlife Center, and then contemplate the long history of Fort William H. Seward National Historic Landmark. Here are some ideas for day two: see the interesting displays at American Bald Eagle Foundation, play a few rounds at Valley of the Eagles Golf Links & Driving Range, and then identify plant and animal life at Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve.

For other places to visit, traveler tips, maps, and tourist information, refer to the Haines trip planner.

Traveling by flight from Juneau to Haines takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can ride a ferry. In December, daily temperatures in Haines can reach -1°C, while at night they dip to -7°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Tue) so you can fly 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. Kick off your visit on the 21st (Wed): look for gifts at Alaska Pure Sea Salt, then get to know the fascinating history of Sitka National Historic Park/Totem Park, then look for all kinds of wild species at Alaska Raptor Center, and finally sample the tasty concoctions at Baranof Island Brewing Company. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: pause for some serene contemplation at Sitka Lutheran Church, see majestic marine mammals with a dolphin and whale watching tour, and then take an in-depth tour of Sitka Centennial Visitors Center.

For photos, maps, traveler tips, and other tourist information, use the Sitka trip planner.

Fly from Haines to Sitka in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can ride a ferry. Traveling from Haines in December, expect Sitka to be somewhat warmer, temps between 6°C and 1°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Thu) to allow enough time to travel to Ketchikan.

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: head outdoors with Outdoor Activities, appreciate the extensive heritage of Creek Street, contemplate the long history of Totem Heritage Center, and take an unforgettable tour with a helicopter tour.

To see more things to do, reviews, photos, and other tourist information, refer to the Ketchikan vacation planner.

You can do a combination of flight and ferry from Sitka to Ketchikan in 3.5 hours. Another option is to ride a ferry. Expect a daytime high around 5°C in December, and nighttime lows around 0°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 26th (Mon) to allow time to travel back home.