8 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.

On the 10th (Fri), get interesting insight from Tours and then meet the residents at Alaska SeaLife Center.

Before you visit Seward, use our trip planner to discover what you can do and see there.

Phoenix to Seward is an approximately 11.5-hour combination of flight and bus. You can also drive. The time zone changes from Mountain Standard Time to Alaska Standard Time, which is usually a -2 hour difference. Plan for much colder temperatures traveling from Phoenix in July, with highs in Seward at 64°F and lows at 52°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 10th (Fri) to allow enough 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.

On the 11th (Sat), stop by Cabin Fever, see the interesting displays at Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center, and then look for all kinds of wild species at Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.

For other places to visit, photos, where to stay, and more tourist information, go to the Anchorage trip maker site.

Getting from Seward to Anchorage by car takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 69°F in July, and nighttime lows around 55°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 11th (Sat) so you can travel to Juneau.

Juneau is an unusual state capital in many respects.

Start off your visit on the 12th (Sun): look for gifts at Alaskan Fudge Company and then explore the activities along Tracy Arm Fjord. On the 13th (Mon), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: observe the fascinating underwater world at DIPAC's Macaulay Salmon Hatchery, take in the dramatic natural features at Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, and then admire the sheer force of Nugget Falls.

For other places to visit, ratings, reviews, and tourist information, use the Juneau online trip itinerary maker.

Traveling by flight from Anchorage to Juneau takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and ferry. Traveling from Anchorage in July, you will find days in Juneau are little chillier (63°F), and nights are about the same (52°F). Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Mon) to allow enough 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. Kick off your visit on the 14th (Tue): identify plant and animal life at Alaska Raptor Center, examine the collection at Sheldon Jackson Museum, then get to know the fascinating history of Sitka National Historic Park/Totem Park, and finally admire the landmark architecture of Russian Bishop's House.

To find out how to plan a trip to Sitka, use our trip itinerary maker.

Fly from Juneau to Sitka in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can ride a ferry. July in Sitka sees daily highs of 62°F and lows of 54°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 14th (Tue) to allow enough time to travel to Ketchikan.

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

On the 15th (Wed), appreciate the extensive heritage of Creek Street, examine the collection at Dolly's House Museum, and then see what you can catch with a fishing tour. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: get interesting insight from Tours.

To see reviews, traveler tips, other places to visit, and more tourist information, refer to the Ketchikan road trip planning tool.

Traveling by combination of flight and ferry from Sitka to Ketchikan takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can ride a ferry. In July in Ketchikan, expect temperatures between 65°F during the day and 54°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 16th (Thu) to allow time for travel back home.