SamAlaska is such an amazing state to explore and is perfect for anyone that love’s a stunning roadtrip. This 10 day Alaska itinerary is designed to help you focus on the best things to see with the limited time that you have. From glaciers and mountains, to whales and seals, there is so much to be seen in the last frontier! It should be noted that this itinerary starts and ends in Anchorage.
Alaska
10 Day Itinerary
Day 0: Travel Day
Catch a flight to Anchorage and pick up your rental care once you’ve landed.
Depending where you are coming from, there is a good chance that you will be landing in Anchorage quite late. And once you add jet lag into the equation, you won’t be wanting to do any more traveling once you hit ground.
Head to your accommodation for the night and try to get a good nights rest for a full day of adventure.
Day 1:
Before we jump on the road, spend some time exploring the city of Anchorage, or the beautiful outskirts. Potter Marsh is a beautiful conservation area with scenic boardwalks and the chance to see lots of wildlife. Additionally, Flattop Mountain is a beautiful hiking area that offers stunning views of the city of Anchorage.
This is also going to be where you want to pick up any supplies you may need for your trip. Anchorage is really the only place with all of your shopping needs.
Start heading north towards Talkeetna, where you will spend the next day.
Day 2:
Talkeetna is a great place to enjoy the beauty of Denali Mountain itself. Denali is the tallest mountain in North America, standing at 20,310 ft in elevation. However, once you get to the national park, you won’t have a chance of seeing the mountain in all of its glory.
The best experience that exists within Denali National Park starts right here in Talkeetna! While the mountain never disappoints in beauty regardless of where you are viewing it from, there is no better way to experience Denali than from a flight seeing tour. Seeing the mountian from that perspective is mind blowing, and the scenery of jagged peaks and blue galciers is one you will never forget. While it is a more expensive adventure, it is 100% worth the money.
Head over to K2 Aviation and prepare for the experience of a lifetime! They have multiple different flight paths you can choose from and they are all amazing. If you have the time and the funds, I highly suggest the Denali Summit Tour. Circling the summit of Denali and seeing all of the surroundings is an out of this world experience.
As you wind down after you amazing adventure, head into downtown Talkeetna to explore the quaint shops and vibrant life that fills the little town. And don’t forget to stop at Mountain High Pizza Pie for a bite to eat and a taste of some of the best pizza in all of Alaska! Make sure to head to the very end of the main street, as you can get a beautiful view of the Susitna River with Denali in the background.
At the end of the day, complete the final drive up to Healy, the gateway town to Denali National Park, and get ready for tomorrow’s adventures!
Day 3:
Time to explore Denali National Park!
Wake up to the beautiful scenery of Denali National Park. Start your day off early by heading to the downtown area and grabbing a coffee and bite to eat at The Black Bear Coffee House.
After this, head straight to the Denali Visitor Center to get started on your explorations. Definitely take some time to explore the center itself, as there is so much information on the wildlife and natural history of the area. But the visitor center here acts as the home base, so all your adventures will begin here.
Of course there is so much to do in the area, but my best recommendation is to purchase a ticket for the bus tours through the interior wilderness of the park.
There are two different tours available that range from 4-5 hours in length. These tours are all narrated by naturalists, so while you take in the beautiful sights, you will also be able to learn about the landscape, history, and wildlife of Denali National Park.
In the peak tourism season I highly suggest booking a reservation to ensure a spot. For more information on the bus tours and to purchase tickets, head over to NPS.gov.
Day 4:
Start your morning by heading to the Creekside Cafe for a cozy breakfast before starting your drive south. Once you pass through Anchorage you will begin your journey on the famous Seward Highway.
The Seward Highway is a scenic byway with views that seem too good to be real. There are many pull offs along the highways with informative signs and stunning views. This highway in and of itself is an adventure. I highly recommend stopping at Beluga Point, as you have a chance to spot real beluga whales! The Cook Inlet is home to beluga whales that can often be seen from shore. It is an incredible sight you won’t want to miss.
Head to Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, just south of Anchorage. This is one of the most incredible hotels in the state. With a nights stay you get a free gondola ride up the mountain, the main attraction of the hotel. The views are spectacular, and the resort has tons of fantastic restaurants. Soak in the luxury as you enjoy Alyeska for the night.
Day 5:
Right down the street from Alyeska is the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. AWCC is an animal sanctuary that focuses on conservation and education. The work they have done for Alaskan wildlife is phenomenal. Most notable is helping bring the Wood Bison back from extinction within the state of Alaska. The facility rescues and rehabilitates native wildlife, giving them a new home at the center where they help educate the public. This is the perfect place to go if you want to see more alaskan wildlife while also learning more about them. It is an incredible organization.
Continue your drive along the Seward Highway, admiring the views as you go. Once in Seward, settle in for the night at The Breeze Inn. This hotel is situated right near the Seward Harbor which offers beautiful views. Additionally, one of the best restaurants in town is right at the inn, with many more in walking distance.
Day 6:
Start your day in Seward bright and early as you get ready for a wildlife and glacier tour of the Kenai Fjords National Park.
Kenai Fjords Tours offers unforgettable boat tours of the national park. Spend your morning seeing whales, orcas, puffins, and so much more wildlife that calls the Kenai Fjords home. And you will be able to take in the stunning views of Alaskan glaciers. A once in a lifetime scenic experience.
After the boat tour head to downtown Seward. The downtown area is full of eclectic shops and restaurants. This is a perfect place to pick up some unique souvenirs to bring home with you.
At the end of the main strip is the Alaska Sealife Center. This is a non-profit organization that focuses on marine research, wildlife response, and public outreach and education. The facility in Seward feels like a small aquarium full of native alaskan species that have all been rescued from the wild and now call the Sealife Center their home. This is a fantastic place for people of all ages. The animals are fascinating to see up close, and there is so much to learn. Additionally, they are simply an incredible organization to support, as they are the only rehabilitation facility in the state of Alaska for marine mammals.
Day 7:
Seward has some hidden gems when it comes to food. Enjoy a morning coffee from Nature’s Nectar situated nearly right outside the Breeze Inn. This is by far the best coffee shack in town. Then head across the street to grab a yummy breakfast from The Porthole. They offer delicious breakfast sandwiches and burritos. My favorite is the deckhand!
Take a drive to the outskirts of town to the Exit Glacier Area. This is actually the only part of the Kenai Fjords National Park that is accessible by road. The rest of the park is only accessible by boat or aircraft!
Enjoy this two mile out-and-back trail that will bring you to the base of Exit Glacier. Read more about this trail here.
Start the drive towards Homer, another small coastal town on the Kenai Peninsula. Homer is about a 3 hour drive from Seward.
When you get into town, check into your cabin at WestWind. Homer is a cozy seaside town, and theres no better way to experience it than in your own cabin with views overlooking the mountains and sea.
Head into town to the Islands and Oceans Visitor Center. This center is part of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. It is an amazing place to learn more about the coastal ecology of Alaska in a more hands on manner. And if you follow the boardwalk around the back of the building, you can walk down to Bishops Beach. You will be met with stunning views and
Finish your day off by enjoying a meal at AJ’s Oldtown Steakhouse before wandering the shops on Pioneer Ave. This is the main downtown area with a huge array of locally owned cafes, art shops, gift shops, and more!
Day 8:
Start your morning at one of the best creperies you will ever visit: Wild Honey Bistro! This quaint cafe has a cozy and rustic feel to it. All of the crepes, both savory and sweet, are crafted with locally sourced ingredients. They are truly spectacular.
After you have filled your stomach with yummy crepes, head to the famous Homer Spit. The Spit is a long, narrow peninsula of land that jets out into the bay. It is about 4.5 miles in length with business, walking trails, and beaches along the entirety of it. The Spit is one of the main tourist attractions in Homer, so there is plenty to do and see.
Be sure to stop by the iconic Salty Dawg Saloon. Now an eclectic bar, the Salty Dawg has a long standing history in Homer and is a must-visit destination.
Once you get hungry, there are loads of amazing restaurants to choose from. Being a fishing town, you should certainly try out one of the many seafood restaurants in town. I strongly recommend Captain Pattie’s Fish House and Boardwalk Fish and Chips for fantastic local seafood options. If you are looking for a great restaurant that is not seafood, then check out Finn’s Pizza. Their brick-oven pizza is so tasty, and the rustic coastal design makes it a cozy place to relax and unwind.
Day 9:
Finish your trip in Alaska with a bang and take a bear viewing tour out of Homer. Lake Clark & Katmai National Park is a quick flight from Homer, and there are a multitude of tours departing out of Homer. These parks have some of the highest densities of brown bears in the world. With their expertise of the area, these tours will take you to see these majestic bears in their natural habitat. Not to mention these parks have incredible landscapes full of lush rivers, wilderness, and many volcanoes. There is so much to see on these flight tours beyond just the bears. It is an experience you will not forget.
While there are many companies in the area that offer these tours, Alaska Bear Adventures is one of the best. They offer a range of tours all differing in length, destination, and focus.
These tours will take up a majority of the day, so when you get back enjoy a meal at Fat Olive’s before relaxing for the remainder of the night.
Day 10:
Enjoy the last moments of being in Alaska. In the morning, head to the Wynn Nature Center and soak in the beauty of nature as you talk a walk through the center. There are maps and a variety of trails, all of which are stunningly beautiful. It is the perfect way to end your time in Alaska.
After your walk, head to Twin Sister’s Bakery to grab a coffee and some delicious snacks before hopping on the road as you make your way back to Anchorage to head home.
Have a safe flight home and relish in the memories of the amazing experience!
