Help with itinerary, please!

Question

Hi All,

I just booked our (2 adults, 3 teens) flights for 7/16-7/24, in and out of ANC. I need to get a tentative itinerary together so I can go ahead and book lodging. We love to hike shorter trails (5 miles or less unless it's a truly spectacular longer one), would love to walk on a glacier/see them calving, and just generally see beautiful views, wildlife, and unique Alaskan sites. We also enjoy kayaking, cycling, etc., but we want to prioritize unique experiences.

Seward and Denali are our must-dos; I'm not set on a particular order, so feel free to suggest reversing routes or anything if it makes sense to do so!

Here's what I have so far and where I'm getting stuck:

7/16 arrive late, Overnight near ANC

7/17: (Overnight in Seward) Early drive to Seward. I've identified these stops as possibilities, not necessary, along the way there and/or from Seward: McHugh Creek area for waterfall, Beluga Point lookout, Windy Corner for Dall sheep viewing, Bird Creek to see salmon, Alaska wildlife center, salmon viewing at Moose Creek, and the outlook over Kenai lake. We can just make decisions on these stops as we gauge time, energy, and interest available the day of, but if there are any that you encourage/discourage, I'd love that feedback. Will probably just walk around town if we arrive in afternoon/late evening, will do some hikes to glacier or elsewhere if enough time.

7/18: (Overnight in Seward) Do Kenai Fjord NP boat tour (We are also interested in later doing 26 glacier boat tour, so let me know if it's overkill to do both; I read that there are advantages to each)

7/19: (Overnight where??) We will leave Seward to head towards Denali, but we'd like to overnight somewhere along the way rather than drive straight through. We could just drive to Talkeetna and do a flight tour (or just walk around town), or we can stay the night in Girdwood and spend a day in Whittier/do the PWS tour? Other ideas?

7/20: (Overnight in Denali area) Drive to Denali; if we do not stay in Talkeetna, we'd probably make a brief stop here on the way. If time, we would probably do some shorter hikes near the visitor center in DNP

7/21: (Overnight in Denali area or drive back to Anchorage??) Do shuttle within DNP.

7/22 & 7/23: I assume we would head back to Anchorage at this point. I don't have a ton of must-dos in the city, so I guess we can do some day trips from there. Any other ideas rather than that?

7/24: 5:30 pm flight out of ANC so can spend the day in the city here

Thank you so much for any advice!

Answer

Your Alaska itinerary looks well thought out, and with some refinements, it can balance driving, sightseeing, and unique experiences for your family. Here’s a detailed look at your plan and some suggestions.

7/16 – Arrival in Anchorage

Since your arrival is late, staying near the airport is ideal. Consider a hotel with shuttle service to simplify check-in and rest after your flight.

7/17 – Drive to Seward

The drive from Anchorage to Seward is about 2.5 hours without stops. You have listed several potential stops along the Seward Highway, which is very scenic:

Beluga Point: Highly recommended; great views of Turnagain Arm and a good chance to spot beluga whales from shore.
Windy Corner: Excellent for Dall sheep sightings, especially in the morning.
McHugh Creek: Nice for a short waterfall hike if time allows.
Bird Creek: Good for a quick stop; salmon viewing is seasonal but can be worth a walk if interested.
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center: Recommended if you enjoy seeing local wildlife in a more controlled setting; adds roughly an hour detour.

In the afternoon, you can explore Seward town or do a short hike near Exit Glacier if time and energy allow.

7/18 – Kenai Fjords National Park Boat Tour

The classic Kenai Fjords tour (usually 6–7 hours) gives you glacier views, potential calving sightings, and abundant wildlife.
A 26-glacier tour is longer and focuses more on glaciers, so doing both is generally overkill. Stick to the Kenai Fjords tour for your trip unless glacier sightseeing is your top priority.
Evening in Seward can include strolling the harbor or relaxing at your lodge.

7/19 – Drive towards Denali

You have a long drive ahead, so breaking it up is smart. Options include:

Talkeetna: About halfway to Denali; charming small town, ideal for a flightseeing tour if your teens are interested. Staying overnight here gives a relaxed pace.
Girdwood/Whittier: Adds detour time; PWS (Prince William Sound) tours are spectacular but logistically more complex. Best if you are prioritizing scenic cruising over time efficiency.

Recommendation: Talkeetna is the simplest stop en route, keeps you on a straightforward route to Denali, and offers glacier flightseeing options.

7/20 – Arrive in Denali

Drive to Denali and check into lodging.
Shorter hikes near the visitor center are perfect for your family; options include Horseshoe Lake Trail (1 mile loop) or Mount Healy Overlook (4–5 miles roundtrip).

7/21 – Denali National Park Shuttle

Book a shuttle or bus tour into the park; the longer shuttle (up to Eielson) gives the best chance of seeing wildlife and stunning views.
Shorter shuttles (Kantishna or Toklat) are also fine if you prefer a half-day experience.

7/22–7/23 – Return to Anchorage

Drive back to Anchorage; Talkeetna stop optional if you skipped it earlier.
Consider day trips:

Hiking in Chugach State Park near Anchorage
Visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center
Optional kayaking near Portage Glacier if you didn’t do Whittier/PWS earlier
Explore downtown Anchorage and local dining

7/24 – Departure

With a 5:30 pm flight, you can enjoy a relaxed morning in Anchorage, visit any last-minute attractions or parks near the city, and then head to ANC for check-in.

Additional Tips:

Driving times in Alaska are long; always allow extra time for wildlife viewing or unexpected stops.
Book Denali shuttle in advance as spots fill quickly.
Pack layers for changing weather and rain gear for Kenai Fjords and glacier hikes.

Overall, your itinerary balances sightseeing, hiking, glacier experiences, and wildlife viewing efficiently. Opting for Talkeetna as an overnight stop en route to Denali maximizes comfort without sacrificing experiences.

Help with itinerary, please!

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