Seven hand-picked overnights when “one day” just isn’t enough. Glaciers, hot springs, fishing towns, and small-town Alaska you can actually feel.
Alyeska: Luxury & Glacier Views
Total Drive Time: Estimated drive: ≈ 1 hour
Trip Duration: 1–2 nights
What to Expect
Day 1: The Seward Highway drive is half the fun — pull over at Beluga Point for whale-spotting, and Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center for up-close encounters with bison, bears, and musk ox. Check into Hotel Alyeska, then head straight for the Alyeska Nordic Spa — outdoor hot pools and saunas tucked in the forest. Ride the Alyeska Aerial Tram for sunset over Turnagain Arm, then cap the evening with dinner at Seven Glaciers Restaurant, where fine dining meets mountain-top bragging rights.
Day 2: Wake up slow and head to The Bake Shop for sourdough pancakes and bottomless coffee. Take a casual walk on the Winner Creek Trail, or, if the hot pools are calling again, surrender to them. Lunch at Double Musky Inn before heading back north — it’s a rite of passage for Cajun-style steak lovers.
Local Tips
- Book the tram and spa in advance; they fill faster than a glacier creek in July.
What to Bring
- Swimsuit for the spa, plus a jacket for the post-soak chill.
Helpful Links
Alyeska Resort → ·
Alyeska Nordic Spa → ·
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center → ·
The Bake Shop → ·
Double Musky Inn →
Talkeetna: Planes, Pints & the Denali View
Total Drive Time: Estimated drive: ≈ 2 hours
Trip Duration: 1–2 nights
What to Expect
Day 1: Drive north about two hours via Wasilla and the Parks Highway. Stop at Denali Brewing Company for lunch and a pint of Twister Creek IPA. Book a floatplane flightseeing tour with K2 Aviation or Talkeetna Air Taxi — glacier landing optional, heart-rate increase guaranteed. Spend the afternoon wandering Main Street’s art galleries and gift shops, or have a beer at the historic Fairview Inn. Dinner at The Roadhouse or Latitude 62.
Day 2: Breakfast at Talkeetna Roadhouse — cinnamon rolls the size of bear paws. Optional jet-boat tour or Susitna River stroll before the drive home.
Local Tips
- Clear-sky mornings offer the best Denali views — the mountain is famously shy by afternoon.
What to Bring
- Layers and sunglasses; book early flights and keep a backup “beer & browse” plan for weather.
Helpful Links
Denali Brewpub → ·
K2 Aviation → ·
Talkeetna Air Taxi → ·
Talkeetna Roadhouse →
Homer: The End of the Road Adventure
Total Drive Time: Estimated drive: ≈ 5–5.5 hours
Trip Duration: 2–3 nights
What to Expect
Day 1: Take the Seward and Sterling Highways south. Lunch at Gwin’s Lodge in Cooper Landing. Arrive in Homer, check into Land’s End Resort or a Spit cabin, then stroll the beach. End the night at the Salty Dawg Saloon — the dollar-bill walls tell the story.
Day 2: Charter a halibut trip (e.g., North Country Charters) or explore galleries and the Pratt Museum. Lunch at Captain Pattie’s or have your catch cooked to order. Dinner at AJ’s OldTown Steakhouse & Tavern (live music when you’re lucky).
Day 3: Breakfast at Two Sisters Bakery (yes, the cinnamon rolls). Optional stop at Anchor Point — the westernmost drivable point in North America.
Local Tips
- Bring a cooler — you will come back with fish.
What to Bring
- Layers and wind shell; camera for Kachemak sunsets.
Helpful Links
Land’s End Resort → ·
Salty Dawg → ·
North Country Charters → ·
Pratt Museum → ·
Captain Pattie’s → ·
AJ’s OldTown → ·
Two Sisters Bakery →
Kenai River Classic (Fish, Float & Feast)
Total Drive Time: Estimated drive: ≈ 2–2.5 hours (Cooper Landing)
Trip Duration: 2–3 nights
What to Expect
Day 1: Drive south via Girdwood and Turnagain Pass. Stop at Beluga Point if the tide’s right. Check into Gwin’s Lodge & Tavern at the Kenai–Russian junction. Burgers, pints, and fish stories.
Day 2: Guided Upper Kenai float through the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge — bald eagles, emerald water, zero cell signal. Afternoon fishing for sockeye or silvers (season-dependent). Dinner and live music at Gwin’s if you time it right.
Day 3: Breakfast burrito, then meander back north. Espresso in Girdwood at The Grind or pizza at Chair 5.
Local Tips
- Book your float early — June through August sells out fast.
What to Bring
- Warm layers, fishing gear if you have it, bug spray with teeth.
Helpful Links
Gwin’s Lodge → ·
Kenai National Wildlife Refuge →
Seward: Whales, Glaciers & Waterfront Vibes
Total Drive Time: Estimated drive: ≈ 2.5–3 hours
Trip Duration: 1–2 nights
What to Expect
Day 1: Roll the Seward Highway — one of America’s best. Stop at Portage or Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. Check into Harbor 360 or Windsong. Harbor walk, coffee at Resurrect Art, dinner at The Cookery or Seward Brewing.
Day 2: Kenai Fjords cruise: calving glaciers, whales, puffins. Dinner at Ray’s Waterfront or The Highliner. Evening stretch at Exit Glacier if you’ve still got legs.
Day 3: Breakfast at The Smoke Shack (old railcar) and a quick visit to the SeaLife Center before heading out.
Local Tips
- Bring layers — Seward cycles all four seasons by lunch.
- Port side (left) heading out gets prime glacier views.
What to Bring
- Wind/rain shell, warm layers, nausea bands if you’re wavy.
Helpful Links
Harbor 360 Hotel → ·
Windsong Lodge → ·
Kenai Fjords Tours → ·
Major Marine → ·
Ray’s Waterfront → ·
Exit Glacier (NPS) → ·
Alaska SeaLife Center →
Matanuska Glacier: Ice, Adventure & Espresso
Total Drive Time: Estimated drive: ≈ 2 hours
Trip Duration: 1–2 nights
What to Expect
Day 1: East on the Glenn Highway — mountains and river valleys on repeat. Guided glacier hike or ice climb with Matanuska Glacier Adventures (gear included). Stay at Majestic Valley Lodge or Long Rifle Lodge — views so good you’ll forget Wi-Fi exists. Dinner at Sheep Mountain Lodge (get the homemade pie).
Day 2: Sleep in, breakfast + coffee at Grand View Café, final look from Eureka Summit Overlook, then head home.
Local Tips
- Best light before noon — fewer crowds, better photos.
What to Bring
- Gloves. Ice eats bare hands like a beaver on espresso.
Helpful Links
Matanuska Glacier Adventures → ·
Majestic Valley Lodge → ·
Sheep Mountain Lodge → ·
Grand View Café →
Fairbanks: Hot Springs, Ice Museum & Midnight Sun
Total Drive Time: Estimated drive: ≈ 6 hours (via Parks Highway)
Trip Duration: 2–3 nights
What to Expect
Day 1: Drive north via the Parks Highway. Lunch in Talkeetna, then roll into Chena Hot Springs Resort for a long soak. Explore the year-round Aurora Ice Museum (even the bar is carved from ice). Dinner at the Chena Restaurant; maybe a drink in the Ice Bar if you’re brave.
Day 2: Head into Fairbanks: Morris Thompson Cultural Center, Creamer’s Field Bird Refuge, and Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum. Lunch at The Crepery or Lulu’s Bread & Bagels, dinner at Silver Gulch Brewing — the northernmost brewery in the U.S.
Day 3: Morning soak before heading home. Optional stop in North Pole, Alaska for candy canes, kitsch, and proof you’ve been nice.
Local Tips
- Mosquitoes are the size of hummingbirds — bring serious repellent.
What to Bring
- Eye mask for the midnight sun, layers for hot-springs to cool-air swings.
Helpful Links
Chena Hot Springs Resort → ·
Aurora Ice Museum → ·
Morris Thompson Center → ·
Creamer’s Field → ·
Antique Auto Museum → ·
Silver Gulch Brewing → ·
The Crepery → ·
Lulu’s Bread & Bagels →
