7 Days in Alaska: Two Alaska Week Itineraries for 2023

The absolute silence of Denali National Park. The misty spray of a waterfall running over the cliffs of Kenai Fjords. The unusual flavors of reindeer sausage topped with pineapple salsa. Alaska is a place full of experiences that you may have never had before – which is likely why you’re planning a visit in 2023. It’s time to have that bucket list experience!

Looking back now, I can see how lucky I was. Growing up in Alaska didn’t seem like anything special when I was a kid – after all, there were never any cool bands on tour in town and everything from fashion trends to new movies and music took months to reach us from the Lower 48.

But that was then… Now, I can see that I was lucky to grow up in Alaska. I’ve also been fortunate enough to revisit Alaska, including most recently in August 2022. I know that Alaska is a bucket list destination and people usually only visit once – and I take it seriously that you’re here reading my advice on how to make that once-in-a-lifetime trip happen.

In this post, I’ve put together not one but two itineraries for how to spend 7 days in Alaska, because I know that not everyone wants to do all the same activities. That’s why thought: Why not do two weeklong itineraries for Alaska, instead of just one 7-day Alaska itinerary? These two itineraries for a week in Alaska are my best suggestions, but you can also use these 7-day Alaska itineraries as suggestions and customize them for yourself.

As you plan to spend your week in Alaska, I’m happy to answer any questions you have! Once you’ve reviewed my suggestions for spending 7 days in Alaska, let me know any questions you have in the comments below.

In this post, I promote travel to a destination that is the traditional lands of the Alutiiq (Sugpiaq), Dena’ina Ełnena, and Tanana peoples. With respect, I make a formal land acknowledgment, extending my appreciation and respect to the past and present people of these lands. To learn more about the peoples who call these lands home, I invite you to explore Native Land.

This post was originally published in December 2019, and was updated most recently in March 2023.

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7 Days in Alaska: 2 Itineraries to Consider

To be honest, I couldn’t choose between the two 7-day Alaska itinerary options I typically recommend when friends and family ask how to spend a week in Alaska. So… I put them both in this post!

And here are maps of each of these Alaska itineraries for 7 days, so you can get a sense for which one goes where:

Itinerary A

Itinerary B

The main differences between them are:

1. Itinerary A works whether you want to rent a car, take the train, or a combination of both.
2. Itinerary B is a little more complicated and specific. I recommend renting a car in Anchorage to visit Seward, taking the train from Anchorage to Denali to Fairbanks, and then flying from Fairbanks to Anchorage for your return flight.
3. Itinerary A gives you more time on the Kenai Peninsula in Seward and Girdwood; Itinerary B takes you to Fairbanks to see Interior Alaska.

Both tours visit Denali, which is a little bit different in 2023 due to a road closure at Mile 43 of the Denali Park Road. I put together a guide to the Denali Bus Tours in 2023 and my recommendation for what to do given this road closure.

Now that you’ve got the basics, let’s run through each one in a little more detail. Then you can choose the one that’s right for you and start planning!

7-Day Alaska Itinerary A: Anchorage – Denali – Seward – Girdwood

My first suggested Alaska 7-day itinerary is inspired by several trips I’ve taken over the years. This is an easy trip you can do by renting a car, but it doesn’t show you quite as much of Alaska as Itinerary B. Here it is, for your consideration.

Day 1: Anchorage

As I grew up in a small community just outside Anchorage, it’s funny to write about it as a travel destination – I just think of it a bit like ‘home,’ even after all these years!

I’m assuming that you arrive on Day 1, and probably sometime in the afternoon or evening. Many flights to Alaska arrive ‘after dark,’ except that in the summer it’s light so late at night that you might arrive while the midnight sun is up!

On this first day, your only objective is to get to your hotel and get settled. If you’re staying in Downtown Anchorage, you can go for a walk around – but I’ve got lots of suggestions on that for Day 2, so if you’re feeling like a rest, that’s okay. You’ll see a ton the next day!

For dinner, be sure to make a reservation for 49th State Brewing; it’s my absolute favorite spot for dinner in Anchorage and their food is awesome. It’s an easy walk from almost all of the downtown Anchorage hotels.

Resources for Day 1:

• You need a two-night stay in Anchorage:
  • For hotels, I recommend the Hotel Captain Cook (book on Booking.com or Hotels.com).
  • For vacation rentals, consider this water view apartment in a great location (also on Booking.com), this apartment, right near the Coastal Trail and downtown, and this huge house, which is gorgeous and has space for up to two families.
• If you’re looking for other places to eat, check out my list of 30 top Anchorage restaurants.

Day 2: Anchorage

Today is your day to explore Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city. There are a couple of activities I love whenever I’m in town, so you can choose a few of them and plan your own day to explore the city.

If you have a rental car and happen to be visiting on the weekend, be sure to make a stop at the Anchorage Market There you’ll find local food vendors, farmers and growers, craftspeople and musicians, and plenty of opportunities to snag great Alaskan souvenirs right off the bat. I highly recommend making your way to the food stalls to try the corn fritters with honey butter (left, below).

If you’d rather stick closer to downtown, spend the morning walking along historic 4th Avenue. While there, a great place to seek out is Tia’s Reindeer Sausage on 4th Avenue. Her spicy sausage and pineapple sauce (right, above) is an unusual but delicious combo for lunch, and affordable too!

In the afternoon, choose between an outdoor ride along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail (rent bikes from Pablo’s Bicycles) or head indoors to the Anchorage Museum. The Museum underwent extensive renovations and improvements in the last two decades and has some outstanding exhibits on Native Alaskan culture, Alaska’s special relationship with Russia, and more.

Here are a few good Anchorage restaurants for dinner:

• The Glacier Brewhouse is an Anchorage institution, with tons of microbrews on tap.
• Similarly, Humpy’s is a local spot with great burgers and beer.
• If you want something fancier, consider dressing up for dinner at the Crow’s Nest atop the Hotel Captain Cook.

Resources for Day 2:

• Stay a second night at your Anchorage accommodation.
• Consult my list of other great Anchorage restaurants if you want more options.

Day 3: Anchorage to Denali

Today is all about getting from Anchorage to Denali.

I recommend taking the Alaska Railroad for Day 3 and Day 5; the train leaves Anchorage around 8am, and it takes about eight hours to get to Denali. The train can also be the best way to relax while seeing Alaska. In 2023, I’m especially encouraging travelers to book on the Alaska Railroad since cars have been so expensive over the past few years.

For another, budget-friendlier option, check out Park Connection, a bus service that operates between Anchorage and Denali (and also connects down to Seward).

If you choose to rent a car instead, it only takes about 5 hours to drive from Anchorage to Denali. You may want to stop off at some of my favorite Denali viewpoints or other towns along the way (like making a detour to Talkeetna) which could take longer.

If you arrive in time by car or by train, consider booking the Denali Glacier Landing flightseeing tour from Fly Denali on their 6:15pm flight; tell them I (Valerie Stimac) sent you. This is my top excursion recommendation in Alaska and it’s worth every penny! (There are loads of other great things to do in Denali too if you need more suggestions.)

In the evening, go grab dinner at Lynx Creek Pizza. This restaurant is located on one of the resort properties but it’s got a very local Alaskan vibe and their pizzas are fantastic; it’s also one of my favorite places to eat in Denali.

Resources for Day 3:

• You’ll need accommodation for two nights in Denali (Day 3 & 4):
  • Denali has a limited number of accommodations in the small town; there are a few I recommend, including the Grande Denali Lodge (book on Booking.com or Hotels.com) or Denali Bluffs (book on Booking.com or Hotels.com).
  • If you’ve chosen to drive for this itinerary, I highly recommend Denali Cabins south of the park (book on Hotels.com); staying there is like summer camp for adults!
  • There aren’t a ton of vacation rental options near Denali National Park, so you’ll need a car if you choose to stay in a vacation rental instead of a hotel right in town. This house or this house (also on Booking.com) are both good options.
• Book everything in advance. Denali is expensive and sells out early – that’s just how it is!
• If you take the train, arrange your hotel transfers directly with your hotel; they all offer this service so a car is not needed.

Day 4: Denali National Park

Today’s the day: you’re headed into Denali National Park! This is one of two national parks that I grew up visiting (the other is Kenai Fjords which you’ll visit on Day 6 of this itinerary) and I love how open and wild it is.

The main thing people get stuck on when planning to visit Denali is that you can’t take private vehicles into Denali National Park beyond Mile 15. This means no rental cars either! Instead, you’ll need to book a bus tour which is a service offered by the National Park Service, to see all the park has to offer.

Personally, I love this solution: it protects the park, improves safety for wildlife and visitors, and cuts down on crowds and traffic. So please don’t email me asking why the NPS does this or complaining that you want to drive yourself into the park – I fully support the bus tours and encourage everyone to take one.

In 2023, there are a limited number of bus tours to choose from, but you’re in luck – I wrote an entire post about it so you can learn the scoop on Denali bus tours. To be honest, I don’t believe it’s worth it to go for any less than the Tundra Wilderness Tour. There’s a good chance to see wildlife, and you’ll ride along a significant length of the park road. In sum: book the Tundra Wilderness tour!

After your bus tour, head back to your hotel before dinner at another local restaurant, Moose-AKa’s, followed by drinks at the Alaska Salmon Bake (if it’s open – it has not opened since 2019). The Salmon Bake is known for its towering blue McKinley Margarita – named for the mountain you hopefully saw on your bus tour.

Resources for Day 4:

• Stay at the same accommodation in Denali for a second night.

Day 5: Denali to Anchorage to Seward

You’re now past the halfway point of this Alaska itinerary for 7 days, so sad! By whatever way you got to Denali, it’s time to head back south.

If you are taking the Alaska Railroad, you’ll board a 12:30pm train which arrives in Anchorage around 8pm. You’ll then need to rent a car and drive south to Seward; it’s a 2.5-hour drive from Anchorage to Seward. This is a long day, so plan ahead to avoid being tired on the drive.

If instead, you’ve rented a car for this whole trip, I recommend heading out no later than 11:30am so you can get to Seward by around 7pm.

In either case, it’s well-known that the Seward Highway (between Anchorage and Seward) is slow, often has construction, and requires careful driving. Don’t rush the travel this day – enjoy the journey and arrive safely in Seward in time for a late dinner.

Resources for Day 5:

• You’ll need a two-night accommodation in Seward:
  • For hotels, I recommend the Harbor 360 (book on Booking.com) right on the Seward harbor, the Gateway Hotel (book on Booking.com) which is great for families, or the Seward Windsong Lodge (book on Booking.com or Hotels.com), a little ways out of town but beautifully remote.
  • In terms of vacation rental options, stay in this retro yet modern apartment, cozy up in this downtown studio, or try this award-winning B&B.
• For dinner in Seward, check out Seward Brewing Company; even if you don’t try the beer, their menu is delicious and interesting.

Day 6: Seward & Kenai Fjords National Park

Get an early start and board a cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park. This national park can only be accessed by boat, and there are several other boat tour operators to choose from.

I prefer Major Marine Tours, who I’ve cruised with many times growing up in Alaska and visiting since. Their 8.5 Hour Kenai Fjords Northwestern Fjord Cruise is ideal because it takes up most of the day, but also gives you extra time to see wildlife like whales, bald eagles, and otters, and to view glaciers in the national park. Kenai Fjords Tours is another major operator in Seward; I also have a post comparing Major Marine and KFT if you’re trying to decide between both.

After your cruise, try dinner at The Cookery. They have insanely good fresh seafood and plenty of other options if you’ve seen enough marine creatures for one day.

Resources for Day 6:

• Stay another night in your Seward hotel.

Day 7: Seward to Girdwood to Anchorage

On your final of these 7 days in Alaska, it’s time to make your way from Seward back to Anchorage. As I said, it’s a 2.5-hour drive, and you can set out after breakfast in Seward (try Sea Bean Cafe to fuel up before you hit the road).

Stop for lunch at Girdwood Brewing in Girdwood. This small town is a short detour off the Seward Highway, but it’s popular year-round for skiing in the winter and arts and hiking in the summer. If you have the time before your flight home, you can also ride the Alyeska tram up Alyeska mountain for some stunning views. It’s a great way to end your time in Alaska, looking out over the mountains and scenery.

If you have a very late flight (like after midnight), you could stay in Girdwood for dinner; my two favorite spots are Jack Sprat and The Double Musky. If your flight is earlier, head back to Anchorage and stop for dinner at the Moose’s Tooth; this is Alaska’s favorite pizza spot and is awesome as a final meal before you fly home.

7 Days in Alaska Itinerary B: Anchorage – Seward – Denali – Fairbanks

If my first Alaska 7-day itinerary doesn’t quite strike you as the perfect Alaska itinerary for you, here’s another Alaska week itinerary you might like.

Day 1: Anchorage

Like Itinerary A, what you can do on Day 1 depends a lot on what time your flight arrives to Anchorage. If you arrive quite late, you should make your way to your hotel and rest for the night. Instead, if your flight arrives in the afternoon or early evening, consider some of my suggestions for Day 2 (below).

If you arrive in time for dinner, try 49th State Brewing, the Glacier Brewhouse, or Humpy’s, as I recommended above, or check out the rest of the Anchorage restaurants I recommend.

Resources for Day 1:

• You will need 2 separate nights in Anchorage (Day 1-2 and Day 3-4). I recommend researching which hotel you want to stay at, then contacting or calling them to book the nights directly:
  • For hotels, I recommend the Hotel Captain Cook (book on Booking.com or Hotels.com).
  • For vacation rentals, consider this water view apartment in a great location (also on Booking.com), this apartment, right near the Coastal Trail and downtown, and this huge house, which is gorgeous and has space for up to two families.

Day 2: Anchorage to Seward

On your first full day of 7 days in Alaska, you have the morning and early afternoon to explore downtown Anchorage. Similar to my recommendations for Day 2 in Itinerary A, I suggest:

• Wandering the stalls at the Anchorage Farmer’s Market & Festival to find great Alaskan souvenirs and sample local foods.
• Visiting the Anchorage Museum to learn more about Anchorage history, culture, and art.
• Biking along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail to admire scenic views.

You can also explore Anchorage by just walking around! The downtown core is pretty small and set up on a grid system, so it’s easy to stroll blocks and find interesting gift shops, galleries, and more. (Pro-tip: 4th & 5th Avenue are the best streets to ‘get lost’ on.)

In the late afternoon, pick up your rental car and drive south to Seward. It’s a 2.5-hour scenic drive along the Seward Highway; go slowly and don’t rush this drive to be safe as it’s a pretty dangerous two-lane highway. Depending on when you arrive in Seward, you may have time to visit the Alaska SeaLife Center. There you’ll be guaranteed to see some marine mammals that are living at this center for rehabilitation and treatment.

Resources for Day 2:

• You’ll need a one-night accommodation in Seward:
  • For hotels, I recommend the Harbor 360 (book on Booking.com) right on the Seward harbor, the Gateway Hotel (book on Booking.com) which is great for families, or the Seward Windsong Lodge (book on Booking.com or Hotels.com), a little ways out of town but beautifully remote.
  • In terms of vacation rental options, stay in this retro yet modern apartment, cozy up in this downtown studio, or try this award-winning B&B.
• For dinner in Seward, check out Seward Brewing Company; even if you don’t try the beer, their menu is delicious and interesting.

Day 3: Seward to Anchorage

In this itinerary for 7 days in Alaska, this day is the same as Day 6 of Itinerary A above. That is, I recommend spending most of the day on the Major Marine Tours‘ 8.5 Hour Kenai Fjords Northwestern Fjord Cruise to explore Kenai Fjords National Park. Keep your eyes peeled for Humpback whales, puffins, sea otters, and more!

After you disembark from your cruise, it’s time to make the 2.5-hour drive back to Anchorage. You’ll want to do this in order to make an early morning departure from Anchorage on Day 4 (tomorrow).

Once you get to Anchorage, consider dinner at the Crow’s Nest atop the Hotel Captain Cook. You’ll have stunning views and a splurge-worthy dinner on your last night in Anchorage.

Resources for Day 3:

• You’ll stay another night at the Anchorage accommodation you’ve already arranged.
• No other info is needed for today.

Day 4: Anchorage to Denali

Here’s the halfway point in this Alaska itinerary for 7 days… and this day is exactly like Day 3 in Itinerary A, described above – except your only option here is to take the train:

• Rise and shine early to catch the 8am Alaska Railroad departure from Anchorage.
• Arrive in Denali around 4pm.
• Book the 6:15pm Denali Glacier Landing flightseeing tour from Fly Denali. Tell them I (Valerie Stimac) sent you!
• Have dinner at Lynx Creek Pizza.

It’s a long day but offers some of Alaska’s best experiences: the AKRR, seeing Denali, and some of the best pizza in the state!

Resources for Day 4:

• You’ll need accommodation for two nights in Denali (Day 3 & 4):
  • Denali has a limited number of accommodations in the small town; there are a few I recommend, including the Grande Denali Lodge (book on Booking.com or Hotels.com) or Denali Bluffs (book on Booking.com or Hotels.com).
  • If you’ve chosen to drive for this itinerary, I highly recommend Denali Cabins south of the park (book on Hotels.com); staying there is like summer camp for adults!
  • There aren’t a ton of vacation rental options near Denali National Park, so you’ll need a car if you choose to stay in a vacation rental instead of a hotel right in town. This house or this house (also on Booking.com) are both good options.
• Book everything in advance. Denali is expensive and sells out early – that’s just how it is!

Day 5: Denali

Day 5 in Itinerary B is identical to Day 4 in Itinerary A. Here’s a reminder of what it includes:

• Rise and shine to catch an early Tundra Wilderness Tour into Denali National Park. This is a 5-6-hour bus tour and the best option to see as much of the park as possible in a single day. (If you need a refresher on different Denali bus day tours, click here.)
• Return to your hotel in the afternoon before dinner at Moose-AKa’s and drinks at the Denali Salmon Bake. Be sure to try the McKinley Margarita!

Resources for Day 5:

• Stay at the same hotel in Denali for a second night.
• No other info needed for today.

Day 6: Denali to Fairbanks

Since you’re still enjoying the Alaska Railroad, you have the morning and early afternoon to yourself in McKinley Village, the town near Denali National Park. This is a great opportunity to walk around and do any souvenir shopping you still need to buy.

The Alaska Railroad departs Denali at 4pm and arrives in Fairbanks at 8pm. Based on my recommended accommodation below, you’ll head straight there for dinner and relaxation on your last night in The Last Frontier.

Resources for Day 6:

• You need a one-night stay in Fairbanks. There are a couple of great hotels and accommodations to choose from:
  • Taste of Alaska Lodge – A cozy, family-run property with a nearby aurora-viewing business (book on Booking.com.)
  • Chena Hot Springs Resort – Summer packages are all-inclusive of meals, tours, and hot springs access (book on Hotels.com).
  • Sophie Station Suites – Great for families and closer to town (book on Booking.com or Hotels.com).

Day 7: Fairbanks to Anchorage

Your departure time will have the biggest effect on how much you can do during your day in Fairbanks. You may choose to spend the whole day at Chena Hot Springs – and seriously no judgment if that’s the case!

If you choose to wander into town, here are some of the best places:

• Fairbanks has some surprisingly dynamic museums, including the Museum of the North (all about Alaskan culture and history) and the Fairbanks Ice Museum (the name says it all; open in the summer!).
• Pioneer Park is a quirky historic theme park that will teach you more about Interior Alaskan history, including the Pioneer Air Museum (focused on aviation in Interior Alaska) and Tanana Valley Railroad Museum.
• If you can arrange transport, Gold Dredge No. 8 is a little way out of town but offers an interesting peek at the gold mining history in this part of Alaska.

This Alaska 7-day itinerary ends now, in Fairbanks… so how do you get back to Anchorage to fly home??? To do this, you’ll take a one-way flight from Fairbanks to Anchorage, then catch your flight (or cruise) home. Check the links in the resources section below.

Resources for Day 7:

• Book your flight from Fairbanks to Anchorage with Alaska Airlines, or compare flight times and prices using Kayak or Skyscanner.

Have other questions about how to spend 7 days in Alaska? Let me know in the comments or join me in my Alaska Travel Tips Facebook Community!

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