7 Unforgettable Family Activities to Experience in Alaska

Taking a family vacation to Alaska promises thrilling adventures, beautiful views, and unforgettable experiences that everyone will remember for a lifetime. Here are seven activities that you can enjoy together as a family while exploring the Last Frontier.

1. Wildlife Viewing

Everyone will love seeing Alaska’s famous wildlife, including bears, moose, and bald eagles. You can stop by the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center or the Alaska Sea Life Center in Seward to get an up-close glimpse, you might prefer to book a wildlife viewing tour to have a guided experience and see wildlife in their natural habitat. On a tour, a guide will help you learn more about Alaska’s diverse and fascinating ecosystems.

2. Glacier Cruises

Cruises are a great way to experience the natural beauty of Alaska and allow you to pack a lot of adventure into a short period of time. Hop on a cruise and enjoy the adventure of navigating through icy waters to view Alaska’s majestic and towering glaciers. If you’re lucky, you might even spot some marine wildlife such as whales, seals, or sea otters.

3. Dog Sledding

Everyone in the family will get a thrill trying out dog sledding. Explore this traditional transportation system while furry friends lead you along Alaska’s snowy trails. Kids will love the thrill of the ride, and adults will enjoy seeing even more of Alaska’s breathtaking wilderness.

4. Hiking and Glacier Walking

While Alaska is known for its challenging mountain treks, you’ll also find plenty of easy and flat hikes suitable for all ages. A few of the state’s more popular family-friendly hikes include the Winner Creek Trail near Girdwood and the Thunderbird Falls Trail in Chugiak. Don’t miss your chance to go glacier-walking while you’re in the area, too. The easiest and most accessible glacier to traverse is the Matanuska Glacier, approximately 100 miles northeast of Anchorage.

5. A Fishing Charter

Try your luck at catching some salmon on a guided fishing excursion. Both beginners and seasoned anglers alike will enjoy the excitement. Ice fishing is popular in regions like the Mat-Su Valley and the Kenai Peninsula, or you can try a guided freshwater fishing excursion along the scenic Kenai River in a quest for a trophy-sized King salmon. For halibut fishing, the best spots can be found along the Ninilchik and Homer Rivers.

6. Cultural Experiences

Kids and adults alike will love learning more about the rich cultural heritage of Alaska’s indigenous peoples by visiting museums and cultural centers. A few good places to experience Native culture include the Sitka National Historical Park, the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage, and the Totem Heritage Center in Ketchikan. You can also find immersive cultural experiences, chat with local artists and artisans, visit native villages, and attend traditional ceremonies or dance performances during your visit to Alaska.

7. Kayaking

Even if you’ve never tried kayaking with your kids before, Alaska is a great place to start! Plenty of local outfitters offer half-day or full-day excursions for beginner kayakers, or you can even try an overnight kayaking trip to explore the natural beauty of places in the remote wilderness of Kenai Fjords National Park. Sea kayaking is popular in Seward, and Alaska’s numerous lakes make for calm and tranquil waters worth exploring.