Alaska Family Vacation Ideas For Adventurers
Alaska is a playground for kids of all ages! There is fun for everyone no matter what time in the year you visit. Take your family on an epic adventure through the wilderness of Alaska. Go on new experiences, make lasting memories, and see what makes this state so wild.
Family vacations are all about experiencing a place and spending time together. Adding any of these tours to your trip itinerary are bound to leave you with lots of stories to tell and photos to share.
Alaska offers so many different adventures it can be hard to choose what to do! Keep you and your kids biggest hobbies in mind, choose your trip duration, and start mapping out where you want to adventure.
Instill a passion for adventure in your kids and have some fun yourself! Alaska can leave you feeling like a kid again with so much to explore.
Trip Ideas For All Ages
Family Friendly Adventure Tours
ATV to a glacier lake: Alaska Backcountry Adventure Tours offers full day Knik Glacier ATV Tours that are fun for the whole family. They are locally owned by a family who enjoys exploring the ATV trails together. The kids may even help you with your gear as you check in and give you some riding tips. While you need to be 16+ to drive, anyone can be a passenger and kids always enjoy the bumpy ride out to the glacier!
Alaska Backcountry Adventure Tours has gear suitable for little kids and ensures that no one will be asking “are we there yet?” on the ride! Families can look for wildlife, enjoy the splashy river crossings, and play at the glacier lake. Enjoy snacks along the way and a hot lunch when you reach the lake.
They also have snowmachine tours to the glacier in the winter!
Take a train ride to a glacier: Take the Alaska Railroad train from Anchorage or Girdwood to the Spencer Glacier Whistle stop! On your train ride you’ll see wildlife and scenic views out the train windows. Enjoy the ride before a short hike to the Spencer Glacier.
At the glacier you can explore around the glacier lake, find chunks of ice that have broken off the glacier, or go for another adventure. You can raft back to Girdwood instead of taking the train, or go kayaking in the lake!
Go flightsee in the Alaska Range: Fly around the mountains of Denali National Park for an unforgettable experience. Have the chance to see Denali and even land on a glacier to experience the grandeur of the mountains. Don’t forget to bring your camera!
Go zipline in one of your destinations: Ziplining is a fun way to take in the rugged landscape views while soaring through the air. Experience the thrill of ziplining in locations like Seward or Talkeetna during your road trip!
Ski and snowboard in epic mountains: No winter vacation is complete without a visit to a ski resort! The ski resorts and ski areas of Alaska have some of the most beautiful views and exciting runs. Ski at Alyeska, Alaska’s biggest resort, or visit one of the more local ski areas for some downhill fun.
Local Experiences
Pan for gold: Alaska is full of old gold mines and history from the gold rush. Explore places like Gold Dredge 8 in fairbanksto learn about mining and even pan for your own gold. You may strike it rich!
Go dog sledding: Dog sledding is an Alaskan tradition that you have to try. Meet sled dogs, tour kennels, and learn about the Iditarod race. Many mushers have kennels all across the state where you can mush your own team.
In the summer you can dog sled by ATV as a way for the dogs to practice for winter. Opt to fly out to a glacier to experience sledding on a snow field. Visit in winter to experience true dog sledding on the snow.
Go for a Family Hike: There are a bunch of fun hikes that are suitable for any age in Alaska. Pick a trail that is well suited for your family and their ability level. Some favorites include Independence Mine in Hatcher Pass, hiking to Thunderbird Falls, or hiking to see Exit Glacier in Seward.
Wildlife Encounters
See Animals at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center: Support conservation and learn about local Alaskan wildlife. See animals like Black Bear, Musk Ox, Wolves, Elk, Wood Bison, and so many more up close.
Feed Reindeer at the Reindeer Farm: Visit and feed reindeer, highland cows, alpacas, and moose! This is a great way for everyone to see some wildlife no matter the season.
Bus tour in Denali National Park: The narrated bus tour in Denali is a great way to see the park, learn its history, and spot some wildlife. The Tundra Wilderness Tour is the best choice for seeing animals.
Glacier and Wildlife Cruise: See whales, sea lions, puffins, and more marine wildlife on a day cruise. You’ll also see the stunning Alaska coast and have a chance to visit tidal glaciers. These tours can be booked out of any port town you choose to visit whether you stay close to Anchorage and visit Whittier or make the drive out to Homer or Seward.
More Inspiration for Your Alaska Vacation
Best Winter Activities Near Anchorage
