8 days in Alaska Itinerary

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

Kick off your visit on the 7th (Sat): contemplate the long history of Totem Heritage Center and then see the interesting displays at Dolly's House Museum. On the 8th (Sun), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: take in the exciting artwork at Caribou Creek Company, get a new perspective on nature at Southeast Alaska Discovery Center, look for gifts at Tongass Trading Company, then tour the pleasant surroundings at Totem Bight State Historical Park, and finally stroll around Potlatch Totem Park.

To find more things to do, photos, maps, and other tourist information, read Ketchikan road trip site.

Chicago to Ketchikan is an approximately 10.5-hour combination of flight and ferry. You can also do a combination of train and ferry. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 3 hours traveling from Chicago to Ketchikan. Prepare for slightly colder weather when traveling from Chicago in July: high temperatures in Ketchikan hover around 65°F and lows are around 54°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 10th (Tue) to allow time for travel to Juneau.

Juneau is an unusual state capital in many respects.

Start off your visit on the 10th (Tue): sample the tasty concoctions at Alaskan Brewery and Bottling Company and then trek along Mount Roberts Trail. On your second day here, admire the natural beauty at Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure, admire nature's wide array of creatures at DIPAC's Macaulay Salmon Hatchery, then take in the exciting artwork at Juneau Arts & Humanities, then identify plant and animal life at Savage River Loop Trail, and finally don't miss a visit to St. Nicholas.

To find ratings, photos, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read Juneau itinerary planning site.

Traveling by combination of ferry and flight from Ketchikan to Juneau takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can ride a ferry. In July, daytime highs in Juneau are 63°F, while nighttime lows are 52°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 12th (Thu) so you can travel to Homer.

Homer is a city located in Kenai Peninsula Borough in the U.S. Kick off your visit on the 12th (Thu): see what you can catch with a fishing tour. On the 13th (Fri), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: see the interesting displays at Pratt Museum, then take an in-depth tour of Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies, then admire the masterpieces at Bunnell Street Arts Center, and finally walk around Bishop's Beach Park.

To see where to stay, traveler tips, photos, and other tourist information, go to the Homer attractions planner.

Do a combination of flight and car from Juneau to Homer in 8 hours. In July, daytime highs in Homer are 64°F, while nighttime lows are 51°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Fri) so you can travel back home.