Alaska’s a dream vacation for many families. Make this the year you actually go! Enjoy fun activities like dog sledding and glacier viewing. Learn what a fjord is and then kayak one! Whether you take an Alaskan cruise or use one of the state’s major cities as the base camp for your adventures, here are the top 10 family-friendly Alaska vacation ideas you won’t want to miss.
If I were to plan a family-friendly trip, Alaska would be at the top of my list. There are so many fun things to do in this state, and not just for kids, but for everyone! I’ve compiled a list of 19 fun kid activities you can do in Alaska. These will be sure to create fun and lasting memories for your kids (and they’ll probably want to do them again and again!).
For your next family vacation, it’s time to think big. As the country’s largest state, Alaska serves up some big family-friendly adventures. You’ll find activities state-wide that will appeal to folks of all ages, from wildlife viewing to hiking to adventures like ziplining and kayaking.
Alaska is one place that offers a wide array of family vacation opportunities and activities. With its stunning mountain ranges, pristine forests, and awe-inspiring glaciers, Alaska offers something for everyone.
This guide will help you determine the best places to visit in Alaska with kids. Wondering what to do in Alaska? Families will find a little something for everyone, from history buffs to fishermen and skiers to hikers. Here are 10 things to do in Alaska to get you started, and they come with the promise that once you visit, you will have plans to return with a whole to-do list of your own.
1. Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
Located roughly an hour south of Anchorage, The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (AWCC for short) is a local favorite. True to it’s name, the center is dedicated to conservation efforts and rehabilitation. There are many educational opportunities weekly to learn more about local wildlife. At AWCC you can find all sort of animals from bears, moose, wolves, lynx, porcupine, muskox, deer, eagles, and more.
The entrance is at a large turn on the highway and across from the turn for Whittier. It can sneak up on you so I recommend putting the address in Google Maps. There is a small AWCC sign where you’ll turn right (if coming from Anchorage) and drive down a dirt road until you reach the entrance. The entrance fee is $18 per adult and $14 for children over 6 (rates are less for military/student/Alaska residents).
Once inside the gates, you will come up to a large parking lot with a gift shop and a small food truck area. If you wish to walk, then you can park here and start exploring. It’s a dirt road and if you go in the spring it can get muddy, so I recommend rain boots for the littles!
If you prefer driving that’s also an option. You can drive the entire route, stopping to check out wildlife along the way. There’s a dedicated parking spot at the brown bear exhibit (and a nice bathroom as well!).
2. Wildlife Viewing
Alaska is home to some of the most magnificent wildlife in the world, including brown and black bears, whales, moose, wolves, caribou, and so much more. Kids and parents alike will marvel at seeing Alaska’s diverse wildlife in their natural habitats on a wildlife viewing tour, and be sure to keep an eye out wherever you go, weather you’re hiking, on a cruise or motorcoach tour, or just walking to dinner.
For guaranteed up-close views of Alaska’s wildlife, make sure to visit one (or more!) of the fantastic wildlife conservation and rehabilitation centers located throughout the state. These centers treat and rehabilitate injured and orphaned animals and support important research to protect Alaska’s land and marine wildlife. From bears to birds to belugas, Alaska’s conservation centers are a fantastic way to get face to face with Alaska’s wildlife. Many centers offer behind-the-scenes tours and animal encounters so you can learn even more about the animals.
3. Anchorage
Anchorage tops our list of the best family vacation spots in Alaska. In fact, it has more goodies than most people may think. Located just a few miles from the Alaska wilderness, there’s so much to do in this vibrant city. Whether you are looking for the best hiking and biking trails or museums and art galleries, the city has you covered.
Even better, you can take a tram up to Flattop Mountain for stunning views of the Chugach Range or go for a walk on the Tony Knowles Coastal. And there are also numerous attractions for the kids. For instance, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and Alaska Native Heritage Center are places that your kids will love to be.
4. Denali National Park
Of all the things on this list, Denali National Park is at the top of most bucket lists for a family trip. It is home to North America’s highest peak, Mount Denali, plus there’s a mix of terrain that includes glaciers, forests and tundra. A wide variety of wildlife calls Denali home, including grizzly bears, moose, wolves, caribou and Dall sheep.
The dazzling lakes, jagged mountains, and flourishing wildlife make Denali National Park a sight to behold. Located on Denali Mountain, the highest in North America, this park encompasses around 6 million acres of pure wilderness that offers the best sights.
The longest glacier in Denali National Park is the Kahiltna Glacier, and it’s something you’ll certainly want to see. If you visit the park during winter, you’ll enjoy some of the most incredible activities, including snowmobiling, dog sledding, and cross-country skiing.
The place is known to attract climbers, athletes, and pack rafters from around the globe seeking thrilling activities. And, if you are traveling with your family, you’ll certainly love the park’s diversity in terms of wildlife, landscape, and activities. Denali National Park is a great place for families of hikers.
Taking a jeep tour around Denali is arguably the best way to explore this dramatic expanse, especially if you have a limited timeframe to see Denali National Park. If you really want to push the boat out, you can always book a helicopter tour of this stunning place.
5. Dog Sledding
Alaska is known for its working dogs, most famously through the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race from Anchorage to Nome. Opportunities abound around the state to meet these amazing dogs and learn about the work that goes into raising and training them.
In Anchorage or Seward, stop by Seavey’s Ididaride and experience for yourself the power and speed that a team of sled dogs can produce. Rides are available year-round and are something that your kids are sure to remember for life.
If you’re brave enough to visit in the winter, the excitement of attending the start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Anchorage will surely make you forget the sub-freezing temperatures.
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