The northernmost and second youngest state in the US, Alaska, is chock full of breathtaking scenery, natural wonders, and fun activities for people of all ages. With five vastly different regions (Southcentral, Far North, Southwest, Interior, and Inside Passage), and twice as much land as Texas, it offers an incredible number of unique locations.
If you’re looking to take your children for an adventure and create memories your entire family will cherish for the rest of your lives, look no further than the Last Frontier. We would even go so far as to say that a visit to Alaska is sure to be the highlight of your year.
In order to help you get started, we have compiled a list of 9 family-friendly activities that you can do in Alaska during summer. Keep reading to learn more.
What are the top 9 kid-friendly summer activities in Alaska?
When planning your trip to Alaska, it’s a good idea to mix up your modes of transportation between train, boat, airplane, and coach tours. This is not only easy to arrange and a great way to see the 49th state in its entirety, but your children will also love it because it’ll feel more like an adventure.
Consider doing some or all of the following:
- Go on an icefield cruise. If you visit Seward, you can catch a fully-narrated cruise that tours the icefield at the Kenai Fjords National Park. If a guided tour doesn’t interest you much, you can also go kayaking through the icefield.
- Dog sledding is Alaska’s official sport. Kick back in a big comfy sled and enjoy a ride through various areas in the company of your loved ones. If you’re an experienced dog sledder, you can even mush your own dogs.
- The Alaska Zoo is a must-visit location for families with children. This beloved zoo gives your kids an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the animals they may see in the wild.
- Rafting and kayaking might sound like adult-only activities, but there are actually guided tours for children who are 6 years old or older. These tours vary from multi-day excursions through the Arctic Circle, to relaxing trips down the Chena River.
- Visit Alaska Sealife Center. This famous wildlife rescue center and aquarium enables you and your family to see native animals such as octopi, puffins, sea lions, and other incredible sealife.
- Go to the Denali National Park. This park contains no less than six million acres of beautiful terrain. The Park features various child-friendly activities such as spotting dinosaur tracks, being a junior ranger, family science programs, exhibits for kids in the Denali Visitor Center, and more.
- Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center gives you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see Alaskan wildlife up close. Don’t forget to pack your cameras: your kids will be cherishing the photos you take there for many years to come.
- Take a flightsee. Get onboard a plane and see what Alaska looks like from above. We particularly recommend taking flightsee tours of the glaciers and the Denali National Park.
- El Dorado Gold Mine is reached by a brief train-ride through an incredible permafrost tunnel. Once there, you can tour the mine, learn about the history of Alaska’s mining, and even pan for your own gold.
Start planning your Last Frontier trip today
There are few better ways to spend a summer with your family than by enjoying the many fun activities the Last Frontier has to offer. At White Lilac, we’d be thrilled to help you ensure your home stays clean and germ-free during your trip by sending the top Anchorage cleaners straight to your doorstep. Get in touch with us today.