Best Way to Travel to Alaska with Kids
Alaska is the largest US state — and the most sparsely populated — meaning there's lots of space for your whole family to play. It's also nicknamed "The Last Frontier" for very good reasons. The spectacular natural wonders, majestic national parks and mile-upon-mile of unspoiled wilderness provide an extraordinary environment for outdoor adventure and spotting magnificent wildlife.
Side-by-side, your family can breathe deep, stretch out and get moving. You'll enjoy cherished quality time in an unforgettable, bucket-list destination. There's no place quite like it!
While spending your family vacation in Alaska promises boundless possibilities, there's plenty to figure out too. Below, we'll discuss planning a trip to Alaska with kids, offer tips and share our ultimate Alaskan family adventure.
What Is There to Do in Alaska for Kids?
John Muir, naturalist and "Father of the National Parks," said that, "To the lover of wilderness, Alaska is one of the most wonderful countries in the world." We couldn't agree more. Expansive nature provides a top reason to visit Alaska, and so many highlights connect to its ecological phenomena. Here are the best things to do in Alaska with kids:
- Explore Incredible National Parks
- Pause for Up-Close Wildlife Encounters
- Cruise Alaska on Boat Rides Along Pristine Waters
- Scope One of the State's 100,000 Glaciers
- Meet Iditarod Huskies at a Sled Dog Training Facility
- Visit Picturesque Cities and Villages
- Discover Alaska's History and Native Culture and Heritage
- Hop Aboard the Scenic Alaska Railroad
- Pan for Gold in Legendary Gold Rush Country
- Go Hiking, Kayaking, River Rafting, Flightseeing, Geocaching and More
- Gain Appreciation for the Mountaineering Way of Life
- Marvel at — and Photograph — the Jaw-Dropping Landscape
(Pro tip: Do it all and then some, conveniently, on our Alaska: Call of the Wild tour.)
What You Should Know Before You Go to Alaska with Children:
- Research and Choose Your Destinations Carefully – Vacation destinations in Alaska and the activities they offer can vary from remote and physically challenging to city-centric and culturally minded. Make sure your entire party stays happy with locations that complement your family's vacation style.
- Select a Suitable Alaska Family Vacation Itinerary or Package – Your Alaska family vacation itinerary and/or Alaska tour company should be kid friendly, and it should also accommodate and appeal directly to your group's different ages, interests, activity and mobility levels and other personal needs. Most of all, it should be balanced for maximum enjoyability –– and minimal hassle and anxiety.
- Get the Best Tips for Traveling with Kids – Tips for Traveling with Kids provides brilliant hints on traveling with kids. Learn how to involve children in the planning process, create excitement, pack properly, minimize stress points, select flights and more. For additional family travel tips, check out the Family Vacation Planner section too!
Our Top Pick for an Alaska Family Adventure
Sunrise to sunset. Land, sea and air. Whether it's your first trip to the 49th state, or you've visited before, our Tauck Bridges 8-day, Alaska: Call of the Wild tour promises the Alaska family vacation of a lifetime, bursting with popular experiences. Anticipate outdoor adventures followed by memorable nights in wilderness lodges, hitting some of the best places to visit in Alaska with kids.
What is there to do in Anchorage for kids? Attend a cultural performance at the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Then, head to Talkeetna for a jet boat ride in the bush, wilderness hike and geocaching treasure hunt. Go flightseeing, soaring above Denali National Park peaks. Meet champion Iditarod huskies at a sled dog training facility. Travel to Kenai for kayaking, river rafting or a guided hike around the Kenai Peninsula, known as "Alaska's Playground."
See orphaned and injured animals being rehabilitated (including grizzly bears, moose, bison, elk) at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. Meet a "prospector," pan for gold and rustle up barbecue at Crow Creek Mine in Alaska's historic gold rush country.
Travel aboard Alaska Railroad along the Turnagain Arm shoreline, then to a glacier adventure cruise on Blackstone Bay in Prince William Sound. At your Girdwood resort, bond with each other and your fellow travelers, over activities such as an entertaining mountaineering demonstration and a farewell dinner.
Throughout, keep your eyes peeled for Alaskan wildlife, like harbor seals, otters, beavers and bald eagles. You never know what remarkable sights you'll see on this tour. Click here for the full itinerary.
Our Kid-Friendly Alaska Tour Is Specially Designed for Families
Our Alaska family vacation package above features an all-inclusive itinerary led by our Tour Directors and local guides, encompassing private and exclusive activities, as well as meals, hotels, transportation, transfers and excursions. It's intended to accommodate and interest your group's different ages, and balanced for maximum enjoyability — and minimal hassle and anxiety. We're here to help with traveling to Alaska with kids, so just reach out!