It’s time for a bucket-list getaway, and the whole family can enjoy the wonders of Alaska.
Known for its rugged and untamed beauty, Alaska is an ideal destination for travelers of all ages, with plenty of family-friendly adventures to be had. Experience an unforgettable glacier cruise, spot unique wildlife, dive into Alaskan culture and explore gorgeous (and easy) hiking trails everyone will enjoy. Here are five ways to explore the Last Frontier with the kids in tow.
Visitors have been exploring the wonders of Alaska with Kenai Fjords Tours since 1978. The excursions from Seward are truly jaw-dropping, with abundant wildlife viewing and unparalleled landscapes — think towering glaciers, otherworldly islands and pristine coastal forests. Plus, Kenai Fjords Tours' safety-first philosophy and complimentary shuttle makes for a stress-free day at sea.
The Spring Resurrection Bay Tour is a particularly family-friendly seasonal highlight that allows guests to witness the return of wildlife in the area, including the occasional gray whale sighting during their annual migration. The four-hour tour is short and engaging for all ages, traveling over often calm waters, making the excursion even more manageable for little explorers. Even better? You’ll get two free kids’ tickets with every adult ticket purchased, and lunch is included.
Visiting in the summer? No worries — the Resurrection Bay Tour continues after spring wraps up. This half-day, captain-narrated voyage shares fascinating information about Resurrection Bay while cruising through some ultra-cool environs. Keep an eye out for marine wildlife as you pass the glaciers and rocky cliffs. The whole family can enjoy a hot lunch on this tour, too.
Your chances of spotting wildlife on a Kenai Fjords Tours cruise are good, but there are other ways to cross more animals off your family’s “must-spot” list.
The spotlight shines on marine life at Seward’s Alaska SeaLife Center. It’s the only facility in Alaska to combine a public aquarium with marine research, education and wildlife response, and it provides a unique opportunity to see creatures that call coastal Alaska home. Expect to see puffins, harbor seals, sea lions and a plethora of birds, fish and invertebrates during your visit. Join a Marine Mammal Encounter or a Puffin Encounter for an unforgettable behind-the-scenes visit. Tours are 30 minutes, so they’re easy to enjoy for parents and kids, but note there are age restrictions on certain experiences.
TIP: Book a Resurrection Bay Tour on select Thursdays this summer for special on-board programming from the Alaska SeaLife Center!
The Alaska Zoo in Anchorage — Alaska’s largest city — is another perfect place to spend a day learning about Arctic and sub-Arctic animals. Visit black and brown bears, caribou, moose, muskox, harbor seals, snow leopards, polar bears, mountain goats and many more species throughout the educational facility. Families can even get a glimpse behind the scenes and see animals up-close on the Amur Tiger Encounters or Polar Bear Encounters. All ages are also welcome to join zookeepers during half-hour animal feedings, which include caribous, muskox and black bears. Transportation to the zoo is easy, too, with a free shuttle traveling from downtown Anchorage — just book ahead online.
There’s nothing quite like exploring Alaska hiking trails, and family-friendly routes deliver on picturesque views and scenery without being too strenuous.
Near Seward: The Exit Glacier Area is the only part of Kenai Fjords National Park accessible by car. You’ll be greeted by the Exit Glacier Nature Centre for the easy and accessible Glacier View Loop. If the kids are up for it, the one-mile route also branches off at a trail-side kiosk where you can venture another 0.6 miles to the moderately challenging Glacier Overlook Trail.
Near Talkeetna: Consider the Talkeetna Lake Trail for an enjoyable 3.7-mile loop. The much-loved hike generally takes an hour and a half to complete, encircling Talkeetna Lakes and winding through lush old-growth forests along the way. Watch for wood seats along the route if little ones need a break — it’s a great opportunity for the whole family to pause and savor the view.
In Denali National Park: Visit a valley carved by glaciers two million years ago and take in the breathtaking scenery of the Savage River Loop. The namesake river runs through the middle of this 2.1-mile easy loop, and you’ll hike upstream to the bridge viewpoint. Take a moment to enjoy the scenery before following the trail back downstream. The Savage River Loop is at its best from June through August and generally takes just over an hour to complete.
Spend a day (or more) taking in the sights at the Anchorage Museum, where exhibits celebrate Alaska Native cultures, art and more. The museum is a Smithsonian Affiliate, and the Discovery Center is perfect for all ages to learn about the North through science and interactive installations. The center is divided into five zones of exploration — innovation, land, life, sky and water.
Smaller museums can be found in Seward and Talkeetna, each with their own stories and histories to share about the people and events that shaped the regions. From the Talkeetna Historical Society Museum, pick up a walking-tour brochure and let it guide you around town to several historic buildings.
There are countless ways to make a family-friendly Alaska adventure unforgettable, and one of them is riding in style, whether by air, rail or trail.
Trains have always fascinated the young and young at heart — here's your chance to ride a real one! The Alaska Railroad makes your journey just as fun as the destination, whether you climb aboard for a day trip or an extended adventure. Alaska Railroad destinations include Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali National Park, Fairbanks and Seward, to name just a few. The stunning views out the large picture windows or the glass-domed ceiling in the GoldStar Service class will provide endless entertainment. And there’s no need to worry about keeping kids in their seats — travelers in Adventure Class are encouraged to move between cars and visit the open seating in the Vista Dome or the on-board café.
Looking to elevate your visit? Take to the skies and see the wonders of Alaska from above on a Talkeetna Air Taxi flightseeing tour to Denali National Park. Four exceptional tours run from May to the end of September, each with varying lengths and sights to see. You can even land on a glacier and spend time exploring the natural wonder on foot. The flights are smooth and gentle, guided by experienced pilots and feature special rates for children 11 and under. Children under 23 months ride free, too.
Back on solid ground, all ages can enjoy the fun of an all-terrain vehicle exploration in the Denali area. Denali ATV Adventures offers four tours of various lengths. The Denali Wilderness Adventure is among the most popular, where you’ll spend two and a half hours riding through the backcountry with expert guides. Children ages one to 15 can ride as passengers or in a side-by-side, while ages 16 to 18 can drive their own ATV if they have their driver’s license, plus parent permission.
Plan an unforgettable family vacation in Alaska and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime. See you and the kids in Alaska this season!
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