39 days in Alaska Itinerary

With its strip malls and fast-food restaurants, Fairbanks appears a bit functional on first glance.

Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Bouchard's International Dog Mushing and Sled Museum and Aurora Ice Museum. Discover out-of-the-way places like Fishing Charters & Tours and HooDoo Brewing Company. Take a break from Fairbanks with a short trip to Chena Hot Springs Resort in Chena Hot Springs, about 1h 20 min away. And it doesn't end there: see the interesting displays at Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum, look for all kinds of wild species at Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge, make a trip to Alyeska Pipeline Viewing Point, and get a dose of the wild on a nature and wildlife tour.

To see where to stay, traveler tips, photos, and other tourist information, use the Fairbanks day trip site.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to Fairbanks is an approximately 25.5-hour flight. You'll gain 6 hours traveling from Rio de Janeiro to Fairbanks due to the time zone difference. In January, Fairbanks is cooler than Rio de Janeiro - with highs of -17°C and lows of -27°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Mon) to allow enough time to drive to Talkeetna.

Talkeetna is a census-designated place in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska, United States. On the 10th (Tue), immerse yourself in nature at Talkeetna Riverfront Park, head outdoors with Outdoor Activities, let the river carry you with a rafting and tubing tour, then take in the exciting artwork at The Dancing Leaf Gallery, then don't miss a visit to Nagley's Store, and finally get engrossed in the history at Talkeetna Historical Society Museum. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 11th (Wed): appreciate the history behind Alaskan War Veterans Memorial, don't miss a visit to Cubby's Marketplace, indulge your thirst for a good beer at Denali Brewing Company & Tasting Room, then walk around Talkeetna Lakes Park, and finally view the masterpieces at Susitna Salmon Center.

For maps, where to stay, ratings, and tourist information, you can read our Talkeetna itinerary planner.

Traveling by car from Fairbanks to Talkeetna takes 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight and train; or take a bus. Plan for somewhat warmer temperatures traveling from Fairbanks in January, with highs in Talkeetna at -3°C and lows at -14°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 11th (Wed) to allow enough time to drive to Palmer.

Palmer is the borough seat of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough in the U.S. state of Alaska. On the 12th (Thu), admire the verdant scenery at Hatcher Pass, admire the majestic nature at Independence Mine State Historical Park, then see the interesting displays at Alaska Museum of Transportation and Industry, and finally see the interesting displays at Iditarod Headquarters. On your second day here, see the interesting displays at Wasilla Museum & Visitor Center, explore the striking landscape at Bodenburg Butte, relax in the rural setting at Reindeer Farm, then trot along with a tour on horseback, and finally relax in the rural setting at Musk Ox Farm.

To find photos, maps, where to stay, and more tourist information, go to the Palmer road trip tool.

You can drive from Talkeetna to Palmer in 2 hours. Another option is to do a combination of train and taxi. Traveling from Talkeetna in January, Palmer is a bit warmer at night with lows of -10°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 13th (Fri) early enough to catch the flight to Homer.

Homer is a city located in Kenai Peninsula Borough in the U.S. state of Alaska. Discover out-of-the-way places like J Bear Tours and Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center. Pratt Museum and Art Shop Gallery will appeal to museum buffs. Fill the 15th (Sun) with the natural beauty at Kachemak Bay State Park. There's lots more to do: indulge your thirst for a good beer at Homer Brewing Company, explore the world behind art at Bunnell Street Arts Center, kick back and relax at Anchor River State Recreation Area, and explore the landscape on two wheels at Homer Spit.

For photos, ratings, and more tourist information, refer to the Homer trip planner.

Fly from Palmer to Homer in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and ferry. Expect somewhat warmer temperatures when traveling from Palmer in January; daily highs in Homer reach 2°C and lows reach -3°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Mon) early enough to drive to Soldotna.

Soldotna is a city in the Kenai Peninsula Borough, in the U.S. State of Alaska. Start off your visit on the 17th (Tue): cast your line with a fishing tour. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 18th (Wed): pause for some serene contemplation at Holy Assumption of the Virgin Mary Church, identify plant and animal life at Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, then take an in-depth tour of Soldotna Historical Society, then enjoy the sand and surf at Kenai Beach, and finally indulge your thirst for a good beer at Kenai River Brewing Company.

To see ratings, other places to visit, and other tourist information, you can read our Soldotna day trip planning site.

Drive from Homer to Soldotna in 1.5 hours. In January, Soldotna is a bit cooler than Homer - with highs of -3°C and lows of -12°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 18th (Wed) to allow enough time to drive to Anchorage.

Home to nearly half of Alaska's population, the port city of Anchorage covers a staggering area of over 4,900 sq km (1,900 sq mi) surrounded by mountains.

Museum-lovers will get to explore Alaska Museum of Science & Nature and Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center. Deepen your sense of the past at sights like Tony Knowles Coastal Trail and Earthquake Park. And it doesn't end there: surround yourself with nature on a nature and wildlife tour, engage your brain at Imaginarium Discovery Center, make a trip to Paint a Scarf Alaska, and stroll around Eklutna Village Historic Park.

To find where to stay, more things to do, reviews, and tourist information, you can read our Anchorage trip maker app.

Drive from Soldotna to Anchorage in 3 hours. In January, plan for daily highs up to -3°C, and evening lows to -11°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 24th (Tue) to allow time to fly to Skagway.

The Municipality and Borough of Skagway is a first-class borough in Alaska on the Alaska Panhandle. On the 25th (Wed), get engrossed in the history at Jeff. Smiths Parlor Museum, get engrossed in the history at The Mascot Saloon, shop like a local with Alaska Art Colony, then see the interesting displays at Corrington’s Alaskan Ivory & Museum, then get a taste of the local shopping with BearHead Photography Gallery, and finally steep yourself in history at State Street and Broadway Street. Here are some ideas for day two: appreciate the history behind Skagway Centenial Statue, explore the engaging exhibits at Junior Ranger Activity Center, see what you can catch with a fishing tour, explore the activities along Pullen Creek Stream Walk, then don't miss a visit to Arctic Brotherhood Camp No. 1, and finally stroll the grounds of Gold Rush Cemetery.

To see where to stay, maps, ratings, and more tourist information, read Skagway trip planner.

Getting from Anchorage to Skagway by flight takes about 5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. Expect a bit warmer temperatures when traveling from Anchorage in January; daily highs in Skagway reach 2°C and lows reach -2°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 26th (Thu) so you can ride a ferry to Haines.

Sitting on the shores of Alaska's longest fjord and surrounded by mountains, the port city of Haines boasts spectacular scenery.

Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Sheldon Museum and Cultural Center and Jilkaat Kwaan Heritage Center. American Bald Eagle Foundation and Hammer Museum will appeal to museum buffs. There's lots more to do: cast your line with a fishing tour, brush up on your knowledge of spirits at Port Chilkoot Distillery, head outdoors with Outdoor Activities, and play a few rounds at Valley of the Eagles Golf Links & Driving Range.

To find ratings, reviews, and other tourist information, refer to the Haines driving holiday planner.

Ride a ferry from Skagway to Haines in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly. January in Haines sees daily highs of 0°C and lows of -4°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Sun) to allow time to travel to Juneau.

Juneau is an unusual state capital in many respects.

Discover out-of-the-way places like Juneau-Douglas City Museum and Alaska Powder Descents. Spend the 1st (Wed) exploring at Tracy Arm Fjord. There's still lots to do: fly down the slopes at Eaglecrest Ski Area, look for gifts at Tripp's Mt. Juneau Trading Post, steep yourself in history at Alaska Governor’s Mansion, and take in the dramatic natural features at Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center.

For where to stay, other places to visit, more things to do, and other tourist information, go to the Juneau attractions planning site.

Traveling by flight from Haines to Juneau takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can ride a ferry. January in Juneau sees daily highs of 3°C and lows of -1°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Fri) so you can travel to Sitka.

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. On the 4th (Sat), look for all kinds of wild species at Alaska Raptor Center, see the interesting displays at Sheldon Jackson Museum, get to know the fascinating history of Sitka National Historic Park/Totem Park, then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Sitka Lutheran Church, then take in the spiritual surroundings of St. Michael's Russian Orthodox Cathedral, and finally take in the exciting artwork at Island Artists Gallery. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 5th (Sun): get to know the resident critters at Fortress of the Bear, see majestic marine mammals with a dolphin and whale watching tour, then take an in-depth tour of Sitka Centennial Visitors Center, and finally steep yourself in history at Russian Bishop's House.

To find traveler tips, other places to visit, more things to do, and other tourist information, read our Sitka driving holiday planner.

Traveling by flight from Juneau to Sitka takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can ride a ferry. Prepare for somewhat warmer weather when traveling from Juneau in February: high temperatures in Sitka hover around 6°C and lows are around 0°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 5th (Sun) early enough to travel to Wrangell.

The City and Borough of Wrangell is a borough in the U.S. state of Alaska. On the 6th (Mon), hit the best photo ops around with Alaska Vistas, then take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports, then look for all kinds of wild species at Anan Creek Wildlife Viewing Site, and finally trek along Mt Dewey Trail. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 7th (Tue): see the interesting displays at Wrangell Museum, then explore the activities along Stikine River, then kick back and relax at Petroglyph Beach State Historical Site, and finally head off the coast to Shakes Island.

For traveler tips, ratings, maps, and more tourist information, go to the Wrangell trip itinerary website.

Use the Route module to find suitable travel options from Sitka to Wrangell. Expect a daytime high around 3°C in February, and nighttime lows around -1°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 7th (Tue) so you can drive to Ketchikan.

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

Get a sense of the local culture at Totem Heritage Center and Guard Island Lighthouse. Museum-lovers will appreciate Dolly's House Museum and Tongass Historical Museum. The adventure continues: contemplate the long history of Saxman Native Village, appreciate the history behind Chief Kyan Totem Pole, get to know the fascinating history of Creek Street, and don't miss a visit to Scanlon Gallery.

To see maps, traveler tips, other places to visit, and tourist information, refer to the Ketchikan trip builder website.

You can drive from Wrangell to Ketchikan in 7.5 hours. Expect a daytime high around 5°C in February, and nighttime lows around 0°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 10th (Fri) so you can travel back home.