36 days in Alaska Itinerary

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

Totem Bight State Historical Park and Saxman Native Village will appeal to history buffs. Appreciate the collections at Alaska Galleries and Scanlon Gallery. There's much more to do: cast your line with a fishing tour, visit a coastal fixture at Guard Island Lighthouse, view the masterpieces at The Point, and get engrossed in the history at Tongass Historical Museum.

To see photos, where to stay, traveler tips, and more tourist information, go to the Ketchikan trip planner.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to Ketchikan is an approximately 27-hour combination of flight and ferry. The time zone changes from Arabian Standard Time (AST) to Alaska Standard Time (AKST), which is usually a -12 hour difference. Prepare for cooler weather when traveling from Riyadh in December: high temperatures in Ketchikan hover around 5°C and lows are around 0°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 14th (Wed) so you can 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. Start off your visit on the 15th (Thu): examine the collection at Sheldon Jackson Museum, appreciate the extensive heritage of Sitka National Historic Park/Totem Park, then identify plant and animal life at Alaska Raptor Center, and finally get engrossed in the history at Alaska Native Brotherhood Hall. Keep things going the next day: steep yourself in history at Sitka Lutheran Church, then see majestic marine mammals with a dolphin and whale watching tour, then view the masterpieces at Island Artists Gallery, and finally stop by Alaska Pure Sea Salt.

To find where to stay, traveler tips, ratings, and tourist information, use the Sitka road trip planning site.

Traveling by combination of ferry and flight from Ketchikan to Sitka takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can ride a ferry. December in Sitka sees daily highs of 6°C and lows of 1°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 16th (Fri) early enough to catch the flight to Haines.

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

On the 17th (Sat), play a few rounds at Valley of the Eagles Golf Links & Driving Range, then see the interesting displays at American Bald Eagle Foundation, then steep yourself in history at Fort William H. Seward National Historic Landmark, and finally take an in-depth tour of Jilkaat Kwaan Heritage Center. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 18th (Sun): identify plant and animal life at The Kroschel Wildlife Center and then identify plant and animal life at Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve.

To see reviews, more things to do, maps, and more tourist information, go to the Haines trip maker app.

Traveling by flight from Sitka to Haines takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can ride a ferry. In December, Haines is little chillier than Sitka - with highs of -1°C and lows of -7°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 18th (Sun) to allow time to travel to Juneau.

Juneau is an unusual state capital in many respects.

Let the collections at Juneau-Douglas City Museum and Juneau Artists Gallery capture your imagination. Family-friendly places like Glacier Salt Cave & Spa and Eaglecrest Ski Area will thrill your kids. Spend the 21st (Wed) exploring at Tracy Arm Fjord. The adventure continues: hit the slopes at Alaska Powder Descents, kick back and relax at Eagle Beach, appreciate the history behind Empty Chair Memorial, and don't miss a visit to Shrine of St Therese.

To find ratings, maps, more things to do, and tourist information, go to the Juneau trip itinerary planner.

Traveling by flight from Haines to Juneau takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can ride a ferry. December in Juneau sees daily highs of 1°C and lows of -4°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Fri) so you can travel to Homer.

Homer is a city located in Kenai Peninsula Borough in the U.S. state of Alaska. For shopping fun, head to Norman Lowell Gallery or Jars Of Clay Pottery. Let the collections at Pratt Museum and Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center capture your imagination. Fill the 25th (Sun) with the natural beauty at Kachemak Bay State Park. The adventure continues: grab your bike and head to Homer Spit, hit the best photo ops around with an inspiring photography tour, pause for some photo ops at Seafarer's Memorial, and take in the exciting artwork at Art Shop Gallery.

To see reviews, where to stay, maps, and other tourist information, read our Homer trip planner.

Traveling by combination of flight and car from Juneau to Homer takes 8 hours. In December in Homer, expect temperatures between 1°C during the day and -4°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 27th (Tue) so you can 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.

Bring the kids along to Kayaking & Canoeing and Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor Center. Change things up with a short trip to Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park (about 32 minutes away). And it doesn't end there: get up close and personal with brilliant marine life at Alaska SeaLife Center, take an in-depth tour of Chugach Heritage Center, contemplate the waterfront views at Resurrection Bay, and take an unforgettable tour with a helicopter tour.

Plan my trip to Seward with suggested itineraries provided by Inspirock.

Traveling by car from Homer to Seward takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry and bus. Expect a daytime high around 1°C in December, and nighttime lows around -4°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 30th (Fri) early enough 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.

Kids will enjoy Alaska Native Heritage Center and Kincaid Park. Appreciate the collections at Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center and Imaginarium Discovery Center. The adventure continues: get to know the resident critters at Alaska Zoo, explore the striking landscape at Portage Glacier, stop by Turnagain Gallery, and get engrossed in the history at Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum.

To see ratings, more things to do, maps, and other tourist information, read Anchorage trip itinerary planner.

Traveling by car from Seward to Anchorage takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In December, Anchorage is slightly colder than Seward - with highs of -4°C and lows of -11°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 7th (Sat) so you can fly to Fairbanks.

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

Museum-lovers will appreciate University of Alaska Museum of the North and Fairbanks Community Museum. You'll visit kid-friendly attractions like Nature & Wildlife Tours and Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum. Change things up with a short trip to Chena Hot Springs Resort in Chena Hot Springs (about 1h 20 min away). The adventure continues: stop by Santa Claus House, examine the collection at Tanana Valley Model Railroad Display, take in nature's colorful creations at Georgeson Botanical Garden, and identify plant and animal life at Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge.

To see ratings, other places to visit, photos, and more tourist information, read our Fairbanks online itinerary planner.

Getting from Anchorage to Fairbanks by flight takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. Plan for colder temperatures traveling from Anchorage in January, with highs in Fairbanks at -17°C and lows at -27°C. On the 13th (Fri), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can fly back home.