Alaska
3
Day Itinerary •
USA
Three days in Alaska gives you the essential Last Frontier experience, from the extraordinary Kenai Fjords glaciers calving into the sea at Resurrection Bay to the magnificent Denali, the highest peak in North America at 20,310 feet, and the extraordinary brown bear salmon fishing at Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park. This route covers the heart of southcentral Alaska. The extraordinary Exit Glacier and Harding Icefield of Kenai Fjords National Park, the finest whale watching in America at Seward, the extraordinary wildlife of Denali National Park with its grizzly bears, wolves and caribou herds, and the vibrant city of Anchorage with its extraordinary seafood scene.
Best Time To Visit
June to September, with July best for bears and salmon
Getting There
Fly into Ted Stevens Anchorage International (ANC)
Getting Around
Rental car for Kenai Peninsula, Alaska Railroad for Denali
Budget Per Day
Approx $180 to $280 per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate, some glacier and wildlife tours
DAY 1
ANCHORAGE AND THE SEWARD HIGHWAY
MORNING
ANCHORAGE, THE GATEWAY TO THE LAST FRONTIER
Anchorage is the most extraordinary gateway city in America, its extraordinary setting between Cook Inlet and the Chugach Mountains giving views of 6,000-foot peaks from downtown street corners. The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail along Cook Inlet is the finest urban trail in Alaska, its extraordinary 11-mile path past Earthquake Park, Westchester Lagoon and Point Woronzof giving views of Denali on clear days, 130 miles distant. Beluga whales feed in Cook Inlet in summer. Free. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
ANCHORAGE MUSEUM AND THE ALASKA NATIVE HERITAGE CENTER
The Anchorage Museum is the finest museum in Alaska, its extraordinary collection of Alaska Native art, natural history and cultural exhibits giving the most comprehensive introduction to the state. The Alaska Native Heritage Center on the outskirts of Anchorage is the finest living museum of Alaska Native cultures in the state, its extraordinary demonstrations of traditional crafts, dance and language by members of all eleven Alaska Native cultural groups unmissable. Entry approx $30. Drive: 2 hr drive
AFTERNOON
SEWARD HIGHWAY, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY COASTAL DRIVE IN ALASKA
The Seward Highway from Anchorage to Seward is the most extraordinary coastal drive in Alaska, its extraordinary 127-mile route along Turnagain Arm, where bore tides up to 6 feet high rush upstream twice daily, through the Kenai Mountains to Seward on Resurrection Bay. Dall sheep graze the canyon walls above the highway, beluga whales chase salmon in Turnagain Arm and the mountain scenery is extraordinary throughout. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Portage Glacier 50 miles south of Anchorage on the Seward Highway is the most accessible tidewater glacier in Alaska, its extraordinary face of blue ice calving into Portage Lake viewable from the visitor center or by boat tour. The extraordinary Byron Glacier ice cave nearby is free to visit on a 1-mile round-trip trail. Entry to visitor center free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Snow City Cafe, Anchorage The finest breakfast in Anchorage. Extraordinary Alaskan reindeer sausage, sourdough pancakes and strong coffee. | Lunch: Glacier Brewhouse, Anchorage Outstanding Alaskan seafood and craft beer. Extraordinary halibut, Dungeness crab and local ales. | Dinner: Ray's Waterfront, Seward The finest seafood restaurant in Seward on Resurrection Bay. Extraordinary halibut, king crab and local salmon.
DAY 2
KENAI FJORDS NATIONAL PARK
MORNING
EXIT GLACIER AND THE HARDING ICEFIELD TRAIL
Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park is the most accessible glacier in Alaska, its extraordinary blue ice face walkable to within feet on the paved trail. The Harding Icefield trail above Exit Glacier is the most extraordinary day hike in southcentral Alaska, its 8.2-mile round trip climbing 3,000 feet to the surface of one of the largest icefields in the United States, a vast expanse of ancient ice broken only by nunataks. Entry free. Trail strenuous. Drive: 30 min boat
MIDDAY
KENAI FJORDS GLACIER CRUISE, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY BOAT TOUR IN AMERICA
The Kenai Fjords glacier cruise from Seward is the most extraordinary boat tour in America, its extraordinary passage through Resurrection Bay and the Gulf of Alaska past tidewater glaciers calving icebergs the size of houses into the sea, Steller sea lion rookeries, humpback whales breaching and thousands of seabirds nesting on extraordinary sea stacks. The Northwestern Glacier is the most extraordinary destination. Half day approx $95, full day $175. Drive: 30 min walk
AFTERNOON
SEWARD WATERFRONT AND THE ALASKA SEALIFE CENTER
Seward is the most extraordinary small port town in Alaska, its extraordinary waterfront on Resurrection Bay backed by the Kenai Mountains and glacier-carved fjords. The Alaska SeaLife Center is the finest aquarium and marine research facility in Alaska, its extraordinary Steller sea lions, harbor seals, horned puffins and Pacific octopus exhibits the finest introduction to the marine life of the Gulf of Alaska. Entry approx $25.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Lowell Point State Recreation Site just south of Seward gives the finest free campsite and beachcombing on Resurrection Bay, its extraordinary gravel beach giving views of the fjord surrounded by glacier-carved mountains. Sea otters float in the kelp beds offshore. The tidal pools at low tide are extraordinary. Free. Almost entirely used only by locals.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Seward Bakery The finest breakfast in Seward. Extraordinary sourdough cinnamon rolls and Alaskan coffee before the glacier hike. | Lunch: Christo's Palace, Seward The finest halibut fish and chips in Alaska. Extraordinary fresh-caught local halibut at the best price in Seward. | Dinner: The Cookery, Seward Outstanding contemporary Alaskan cuisine. Local halibut, king crab and sockeye salmon with remarkable views.
DAY 3
TALKEETNA AND DENALI
MORNING
TALKEETNA, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY SMALL TOWN IN ALASKA
Talkeetna is the most extraordinary small town in Alaska, its extraordinary log cabin main street at the confluence of three rivers serving as the base camp town for Denali climbers attempting the 20,310-foot summit. The extraordinary Talkeetna Historical Society Museum tells the story of the early climbers and the bush pilots who supply them. The view of the Alaska Range from the riverbank on a clear morning with Denali dominating the horizon is extraordinary. Free. Drive: 30 min flight
MIDDAY
DENALI FLIGHTSEEING, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY EXPERIENCE IN ALASKA
A flightseeing tour around Denali from Talkeetna is the most extraordinary experience in Alaska, its extraordinary small plane route around the highest peak in North America at 20,310 feet landing on the Kahiltna Glacier at 7,200 feet and giving views of the mountain's extraordinary southwest face, hanging glaciers and crevasse fields entirely inaccessible to non-climbers. The most extraordinary 90 minutes in the American West. Approx $350. Drive: 2 hr drive
AFTERNOON
MATANUSKA-SUSITNA VALLEY AND THE PIONEER PEAK
The Matanuska-Susitna Valley between Talkeetna and Anchorage is the most extraordinary agricultural valley in Alaska, its extraordinary combination of 20-hour summer days and volcanic soil producing the largest vegetables in America. The Mat-Su Borough's extraordinary giant cabbage and zucchini competitions at the Alaska State Fair in Palmer are legendary. The extraordinary Matanuska Glacier viewable from the Glenn Highway is the largest road-accessible glacier in America. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Matanuska Glacier 100 miles northeast of Anchorage on the Glenn Highway is the largest road-accessible glacier in North America, its extraordinary 27-mile-long river of blue ice accessible by a short walk from the private park at the glacier terminus. The ice caves and blue glacier pools are extraordinary. Entry approx $25. One of the finest hidden gems near Anchorage.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Talkeetna Roadhouse The finest sourdough pancakes in Alaska. Extraordinary breakfast institution since 1917 in the finest Alaskan log roadhouse. | Lunch: Denali Brewing Company, Talkeetna Outstanding Alaska craft beer and local burger. The finest brewery in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley. | Dinner: Glacier Brewhouse, Anchorage Outstanding Alaskan seafood and craft beer on the return. Extraordinary king crab and local halibut.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Anchorage, Night 1 Hotel Captain Cook or Marriott Anchorage Downtown. Approx $150 to $280 per night. Seward, Night 2 Hotel Seward or Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge on the ice. Approx $180 to $400 per night. Talkeetna, Night 3 Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge with Denali views or Swiss Alaska Inn. Approx $150 to $280.
Top Tips
1. Book Denali flightseeing with Talkeetna Air Taxi the moment you know your dates. They sell out weeks ahead.
2. The Seward Highway between Anchorage and Seward is the most extraordinary coastal drive in the United States.
3. Exit Glacier Harding Icefield trail in Kenai Fjords gives the most extraordinary icefield view in the park.
4. Alaska seafood: halibut fish and chips in Seward from Christo's Palace is the finest in southcentral Alaska.
5. Midnight sun in June and July means wildlife is active at all hours. The best bear viewing is after 8pm.
6. Always carry bear spray in Kenai Fjords and Denali. Available to rent from visitor centers.
Total Budget
$180 to $280/day