1

I'd cut a couple days out of the Anchorage part to add to the rest of your otherwise fine itinerary. Nothing much to recommend in Anchorage compared to the rest of the state.

2

Agreed. I'd also cut Homer unless you are seriously into halibut fishing. Add a day in Seward and add the rest in Denali. And what do you mean by "Kenai?" The city of Kenai? Stick to Cooper Landing for hiking and rafting, or add time to Seward or Denali.

For whale watching, without a doubt take a cruise with Kenai Fjords Tours out of Seward. Either the Aialik Bay or, preferably, the Northwestern Fjord cruise. Be sure to book a FULL DAY tour since the part day tours only putz around in Resurrection Bay without entering Kenai Fjords NP.

For an air tour aka flightseeing, do a Denali flightseeing tour out of Talkeetna (between Anchorage and Denali NP). We went with Talkeetna Aero Services last summer and it was quite possibly the most amazing 2 hours of our lives.

3

I would second what cascadebob said. I would add the extra day to Denali. We had excellent whale (both Gray and Killler) and puffin viewing on a boat ride to Seldovia from Homer.

4

I can't comment on Homer, but was tremendously pleased with the Aialik Bay cruise out of Seward. Spectacular scenery, and whales, whales, whales. Also birds, bears, goats and glaciers. Definitely, definitely, book the FULL DAY. Well, well worth it.

Some friends did a kayak tour in Prince William Sound (out of Whittier, an odd place), and loved it (my wife was 7 mos pregnant at the time, so we gave that a pass and took the ferry to Cordova instead - also wonderfull, btw). The more protected waters of PWS are often ideal for non-expert kayakers, and the scenery is as fabulous as you'll find.

5

Have a gander at 'Yakutat' - Alaska....
Supposedly the USA's largest city, with Sitka and Juneau, right on it's tale - size-wise. Three great towns.... Chilly - but with very warm hearts. The Alaska people are lovely. So different to others elsewhere in The USA.
I adore Alaska.
You need at least a couple of months to see it properly - and even then, you'll hardly touch the sides.
Like *1.... CascadeBob - suggests.... 5 days in Anchorage is too long. An overnight (arriving early and leaving the following afternoon-ish) was more than enough for us. A great place - but 5 days?.... Nah.
Hope you have a really wonderful time.

6

Thank you all for your recommendations! It's very helpful for our planning.

7

Yes, 1-2 days in Anchorage is plenty. Two highlights there: Anchorage Museum of History and Art and the Alaska Native Heritage Museum.

After a whale watching cruise out of Seward to Aialik Bay, do go to Homer. It is a lovely little town with spectacular views of Kachemak Bay. It has its own distinct personality and landscape different from Seward. And it has some nice art galleries. I love both Seward and Homer.

The extra days you gain from Anchorage you can use spending more time in Denali, seeing Talkeetna on the way to Denali, seeing Homer, and/or perhaps spending a day sea kayaking.

Remember Alaska is big --- be sure to factor in the time it takes to get from one place to another.