Taste of Alaska: 5-Day, Action-Packed Itinerary

Arrive in Anchorage either the night before or in the early morning.

Start with a leisurely stroll in Anchorage's downtown and visit the Visitor Center, located at the corner of 4th Avenue and F Street.

Downtown Anchorage is also home to the largest museum in Alaska: The Anchorage Museum. A short walk from there will take you to the town square park where you can catch some live music.

Anchorage downtown has some good food options with restaurants featuring cuisines that include Thai, French, Japanese and Mexican.

Depending on the time of year, you might also be able to catch the Centennial Rose Garden in full bloom.

If you have time and are craving some peaceful and beautiful hikes, head over to The Chugach National Forest. Many of the trailheads are a mere 20 minutes from downtown.

Start your day with a hearty breakfast at Snow City Cafe then begin your journey towards Seward. The first stop on this drive is the beautiful Alyeska resort located in Girdwood.

Even if you are not staying at the resort, be sure to check out the Alyeska Resort Aerial Tramway.

After spending a good amount of time here, continue onwards to Seward.

Seward is a stunning coastal city in the southern part of Alaska and is known as the gateway to the famous Kenai Fjords National Park.

It would take a lot more time to cover the entire national park, but get a taste of what this place has to offer by visiting the Exit Glacier. The trailhead is located just 12 miles from Seward.

The Glacier Overlook Trail is a well-maintained trail that provides excellent views of the Glacier.

One of the best ways to see wildlife in Alaska is on the water so take a four-hour Kenai Fjords Wildlife Cruise. This cruise offers passengers unforgettable views of the rugged coastline, glaciers, fjords and towering cliffs that make up the dramatic scenery of the Kenai Fjords region. True to its name, this cruise is a perfect opportunity to observe a variety of wildlife in its natural habitat. Common sightings include humpback whales, orcas, sea otters, sea lions, puffins and various seabird species.

Then, spend the rest of the day exploring Seward or return to Anchorage to rest and get a head start for a drive to the famous Denali National Park on day four!

Start early in the morning for a four-hour drive to one of the most iconic and spectacular natural areas in the United States, Denali National Park. It encompasses a whopping six million acres of wilderness, making it the largest national park in the United States.

The park is renowned for its abundant wildlife. Visitors can spot a wide range of animals, including grizzly bears, moose, caribou, Dall sheep, wolves, foxes and a variety of bird species. The park's wildlife is a major draw for nature enthusiasts and photographers and every season has something different to offer.

The best way to visit the main points of the park with limited time are the various bus services operated by the National Park itself.

Get an early start on your final day to drive back towards Anchorage, stopping at the most impressive and accessible glacier in Alaska, Matanuska Glacier. This valley glacier is approximately 27 miles in length and four miles in width at its terminus and was formed by the accumulation and compaction of snow over thousands of years.

Beginning in 2021, self-guided glacier tours are no longer available. You can explore the glacier only with guided tours, which include equipment and a trained guide.

Five days barely touch the marvels of Alaska, but, hopefully, this itinerary will inspire you to come back to this magical wonderland many more times.