8 days in Alaska Itinerary

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 30th (Thu): take in the exciting artwork at Island Artists Gallery and then see what you can catch with a fishing tour. On the 31st (Fri), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: admire the striking features of Russian Bishop's House, then examine the collection at Sheldon Jackson Museum, then look for all kinds of wild species at Alaska Raptor Center, and finally contemplate in the serene atmosphere at St. Michael's Russian Orthodox Cathedral.

To see photos, ratings, other places to visit, and more tourist information, use the Sitka travel route builder site.

Chicago to Sitka is an approximately 9.5-hour flight. 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 Sitka. Traveling from Chicago in May, things will get a bit cooler in Sitka: highs are around 56°F and lows about 45°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 31st (Fri) to allow enough time to fly to Skagway.

The Municipality and Borough of Skagway is a first-class borough in Alaska on the Alaska Panhandle. On the 1st (Sat), get a dose of the wild on a nature and wildlife tour, explore the different monuments and memorials at Gold Rush Cemetery, and then sample the tasty concoctions at Klondike Brewing Company. Here are some ideas for day two: hike along Lower Dewey Lake Hiking Trail, steep yourself in history at State Street and Broadway Street, then shop like a local with BearHead Photography Gallery, then take an in-depth tour of Skagway Museum and Archives, and finally hike along Upper Dewey Lake.

To see other places to visit, maps, reviews, and other tourist information, refer to the Skagway attractions planning site.

You can fly from Sitka to Skagway in 5.5 hours. Another option is to ride a ferry. May in Skagway sees daily highs of 61°F and lows of 45°F at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 2nd (Sun) early enough to catch the flight to Juneau.

Juneau is an unusual state capital in many respects.

Kick off your visit on the 3rd (Mon): stroll through Perseverance National Recreation Trail, then tour the pleasant surroundings at Mount Roberts Trail, then stop by Glacier Smoothie Soaps LLC, and finally indulge your thirst for a good beer at Alaskan Brewery and Bottling Company.

To find maps, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read Juneau tour itinerary planning site.

You can fly from Skagway to Juneau in 2.5 hours. Another option is to ride a ferry. In June, daytime highs in Juneau are 63°F, while nighttime lows are 48°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 3rd (Mon) early enough to travel to Ketchikan.

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

Kick off your visit on the 4th (Tue): look for all kinds of wild species at Wildlife Areas, hike along Deer Mountain Trail, then contemplate the long history of Totem Heritage Center, then see the interesting displays at Dolly's House Museum, and finally appreciate the extensive heritage of Creek Street. On the 5th (Wed), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: admire the majestic nature at Totem Bight State Historical Park, race across the water with a speed boat tour, then tour the pleasant surroundings at Ketchikan Rainbird Trail, then get engrossed in the history at Tongass Historical Museum, and finally take in the exciting artwork at Caribou Creek Company.

To see traveler tips, other places to visit, and other tourist information, refer to the Ketchikan online trip itinerary maker.

Traveling by combination of flight and ferry from Juneau to Ketchikan takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can ride a ferry. In June, daytime highs in Ketchikan are 62°F, while nighttime lows are 50°F. On the 6th (Thu), you'll travel back home.