NPAD: A South Alaska ItineraryAs a fair warning, this barely scratches the surface of all the possibilities for adventure in this amazing state, but it’s a wonderful start. We’ll take you through our trip day by day—what we did and what we are looking forward to on our return trips.AuthorsNPADTravel
DestinationsAlaskaItinerary

Day 1

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport
We flew into Ted Stevens International Airport, dropped our bags at the hotel, and set off to stretch our legs while window shopping in town.
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49th State Brewing - Anchorage
We had dinner at Forty-Ninth State Brewing and really enjoyed it! This spot is a win for any beer lover, and their menu is full of delicious comfort food that has something for everyone.
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Day 2

Susitna River
We had an early start to the day, packed up, and left for Talkeetna. After setting up camp, we headed off for a boat tour of the Susitna River with Mahay’s Jet Boat Adventures.
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Mahay's Jet Boat Adventures
We learned a lot on the tour about the ecosystem, the native Dena’ina culture, the history of the fur and trading industry, and the flora and fauna of southern Alaska. We finished off the day with a leisurely hike around nearby X-Y Lake.
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Day 3

Denali State Park
We set off early to nearby Denali State Park to hike, choosing the Curry Ridge Trail for its scenic views.
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Curry Ridge
At roughly 6.5 miles out and back, this trail was a group favorite. While we didn’t see any live moose (only a carcass), signs of wildlife were everywhere! We packed lunch to enjoy on the trail and then headed back to town for a relaxed rest of the day exploring.
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Once in a Blue Moose
Talkeetna is AMAZING. It’s tiny but walkable, with stunning views of Denali and unique shops and restaurants. With just over 1,000 year-round residents, it retains a frontier charm that’s hard to find anywhere else. We found our favorite souvenir here: carved moose bone earrings in the shape of salmon!
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Denali Naturalist Walking Tour
Explore the vast trails and natural beauty of Denali National Park on this 3 hour hike. The professional guide mixed with a small group setting makes for an epic personalized adventure. Bring a camera for occasional wildlife spottings and amazing views.
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Day 4

Turnagain Arm
This was a big travel day, but driving three hours in Alaska is NOT the same as driving three hours anywhere else. We drove down the Turnagain Arm, arguably one of the most scenic stretches of highway in the country. With the ocean on one side and dramatic peaks on the other, the scenery was breathtaking.
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Cook Inlet
We made stops along the way to try to spot belugas that frequent Cook Inlet and to watch surfers riding the bore tide.
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Byron Glacier
We made it to Byron Glacier for another leisurely hike. The trail, 3.2 miles out and back with minimal elevation gain, features large trees and forest that give way to alder thickets, which then morph into lichen-dotted rock recently exposed by retreating ice. This makes for an immersive experience to see firsthand what a retreating glacier does to the ecosystem. After spending a few hours exploring the glacier, we jumped back into the car to head to Seward.
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Glacier View & Wildlife Anchorage Adventure Tour
Witness the breathtaking beauty that the Byron Glacier has to offer on this tour. Expect a number of stops along the way to take in the views and seek out wildlife sightings. A very educational and engaging adventure, making it a great option for families!
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Day 5

Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor Center
National Park Day! This was our first day exploring Kenai Fjords, and it was by far our most challenging hike of the trip. After a quick stop at the ranger station to check the daily wildlife sightings board (black bears with cubs and moose!), we set off for the Harding Ice Field.
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Harding Icefield
This is an all-day hike, taking about 6 to 8 hours on average to complete. The payoff of reaching the ice field that stretches to the horizon is stunning, but with several turnaround points along the route, there are plenty of options to tailor the trek to your abilities. At 9.2 miles out and back with an elevation gain of 3,641 feet on the ascent, we took our time with this one! Mosquitoes are no joke here—we suited up with a mosquito shirts as part of our layers!
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Kenai Fjords National Park Glacier & Wildlife Tour from Seward
The Kenai Fjords National Park is one of the most picturesque attractions in Alaska, and this cruise tour will take you along it's best spots. Spot marine wildlife while cruising by a number of different glaciers, and enjoy a meal on the boat too. If you're luck you'll spot a pack of orcas along the way!
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Day 6

Resurrection Bay
On our second day exploring the park, this time by sea, we embarked on a six-hour wildlife cruise through Resurrection Bay, out into the Gulf of Alaska, and into one of the many nearby fjords. This was a true highlight of the trip, and we were so fortunate to see so many amazing animals—from humpback whales bubble-net feeding to pods of orcas, floating sea otters, playful seals, and jumping porpoises. Seeing a glacier spilling into the sea was one of the coolest sights we have ever experienced, especially knowing it may not be around for much longer. We enjoyed cold drinks poured over ice gathered by a net right off the side of the boat while listening to the knowledgeable crew share insights on wildlife and glaciers.
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Day 7

Alaska SeaLife Center
Our last day came FAR too soon. We spent some time walking around Seward, making sure to stop at the Alaska Sea Life Center, a public aquarium and Alaska's only permanent marine mammal rehabilitation facility.
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Resurrect Art Coffee House
For coffee (or tea) lovers out there, we recommend Resurrect Art Coffee Shop to get your fix. Located in an old church, the vibes are great, the coffee and pastries are delicious, and they offer a selection of locally made souvenirs. After a drive back to Anchorage, we reluctantly said goodbye for now to The Last Frontier.
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Future Hitlist

The Iditarod
While March isn’t the peak tourist season for Alaska, the first Saturday of the month marks the kick-off of “The Last Great Race.” The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is one of Alaska’s iconic winter events and begins in downtown Anchorage. We would love to stand by the sidelines to see the teams head off to tackle one of the most historic courses in the world.
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Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
A visit to Juneau and the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park would definitely be on the docket, along with a stop in Wasilla to pay our respects to Togo at the Iditarod Trail Headquarters Museum.
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