Many think of Alaska as a destination only for hiking and camping. While these are great activities, there is so much more to do in Alaska that the whole family can enjoy. No matter if you’re visiting by train, cruise, or car, here are some of Alaska’s best family-friendly attractions.
1. Museum of the North, Fairbanks
This Museum of the North in Fairbanks focuses on the history of Alaska, including a time before Russian fur traders arrived and completely changed Alaska. Furthermore, the museum focuses on Alaska’s wildlife and unique landscape. Special exhibits change periodically, but past exhibitions have included topics such as the northern lights, archaeology, dinosaurs, and earthquakes. Various films also rotate and cost an additional $5.
Hours:
September 1 to May 31, Monday-Saturday 9 to 5; June 1 to August 31, daily 9 to 7
Location:
University of Alaska – Fairbanks Campus, 1962 Yukon Dr, Fairbanks, AK 99775
Admission:
$14 for adults (15+), $8 for children (5-14)
2. Anchorage Museum Discovery Center, Anchorage
While the Anchorage Museum itself focuses on art and may get old for kiddos quickly, the Discovery Center on-site is entirely different. This hands-on space allows children to learn about art, history, and science while playing with exhibits. These exhibits include earthquake and aurora borealis simulations along with games, experiments, and more.
Hours:
May 1 to September 30, daily 9 to 6; October 1 to April 30, Tuesday to Saturday 10 to 6, Sunday 12 to 6, Monday closed
Location:
625 C Street, Anchorage, AK 99501
Admission:
$18 adults, $9 children (3-12); first Friday of each month is free from 6 to 9 p.m.
3. Alaska Native Heritage Center, Anchorage
The Alaska Native Heritage Center offers a rare chance to experience what life is like in an Alaskan village through hands-on experiences. Your family can watch and participate in dances, demonstrations, and powerful storytelling all from real Alaska natives. Furthermore, the theatre shows multiple movies throughout the day that detail life in native villages before you tour six different dwellings from six distinct cultures.
We’re officially 20 years old! ?
On May 1st, 1999, we opened for the first time.
Thank you all for your loyal support! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/UApXP7gBlV
— AK Native Heritage (@ANHC) May 1, 2019
Hours:
mid-May to mid-September, daily from 9 to 5; mid-September to mid-May, select Saturdays from 10 to 5
Location:
8800 Heritage Center Drive, Anchorage, AK 99504
Admission:
$25 adults, $17 children (7-16)
National Parks
4. Denali National Park, Healy
Denali National Park is home to some of Alaska’s greatest hits: beautiful scenery, spectacular wildlife, and rugged wilderness all in one place. While the longest bus ride is around 12 hours and a bit too long for some kids, they have options as short as 4 hours. This is the best way to see the national park and its wild animals.
If you’re going on a longer bus ride, stop by the visitor center and check out a Discovery Pack for the day. They’re free and filled with activities for kids to do on the bus! If you’re visiting in winter, check out the Winter Solstice event in December and Winterfest in February.
In summer, you may be lucky enough to find Family Fun Weekends. Finally, check and see if the Murie Science and Learning Center is open and visit their kids corner with a plethora of interactive kids activities.
Hours:
Denali National Park never closes, but the visitor center hours vary per season. Check the official website for current hours of operation.
Location:
The main visitor center is located about 11 miles south of Healy on Denali Park Road
Admission:
$15 per person (16+)
5. Kenai Fjords National Park, Seward
The entire Kenai peninsula is an amazing place to visit, and Kenai Fjords National Park is no exception. Here, you can take a variety of boat trips to view wildlife such as sea otters and humpback whales. Additionally, Exit Glacier is worth the short hike to get close to these disappearing ice formations. However, you cannot climb on Exit Glacier. For information on glaciers you can touch and hike on, keep reading.
Hours:
Hours vary by season; check the official website for the most up-to-date information.
Location:
The main visitor center is located at 1212 4th Avenue, Seward, AK 99664 (only open in summer)
Admission:
Free (boat tours cost an additional fee and are not operated by the National Park Service)
6. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Glennallen
Wrangell-St. Elias is probably the last on your list of “Alaska national parks on the road system” to visit. That should change ASAP. While there’s a chance you’ve never heard of this park, it’s actually the largest of all 400+ national parks in America at a whopping 13.2 million acres.
That’s about the size of Switzerland! If you have the ability to drive to McCarthy and Kennecott (i.e. if you don’t have a rental car or giant RV), I highly recommend bringing the kids along. They’ll get to see the historic copper mine, hike to (and even on) Root Glacier, and more.
Hours:
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park never closes, however, visitor center hours vary by season; check the official website for the most up-to-date information.
Location:
The main visitor center is located on the Richardson Highway between Glennallen and Copper Center.
Admission:
Free
7. Sitka National Historical Park, Sitka
For travelers heading to Alaska via cruise, these next three national parks should be along your route. Sita is a historical park that focuses on a battle between Russian traders and indigenous Tlingit peoples. It’s most well-known for the totem poles on its coastal trail. Specifically for kids, Sitka National Historical Park also offers Discovery Packs (like Denali does). Take them with you to explore the beach and trails!
Hours:
The visitor center is open year-round, with hours varying per season. Check the official website for the most up to date hours of operation.
Location:
103 Monastery St., Sitka, AK 99835
Admission:
Free
8. Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, Skagway
If your kiddos are interested in the Alaskan gold rush, make sure to stop at Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. This impressive visitor center is one of the most interactive I’ve ever seen. In the surrounding area, there are still spots perfect for gold panning. Adults and kids alike may find the Charlie Chaplin video of interest!
“On to the Yukon!” The historic town of Skagway Alaska-gateway to the Yukon Gold Rush.
Hours:
In summer (May to September), the visitor center is open daily from 8:30 to 5:30. In winter, stop by the administrative offices on weekdays to speak to a park ranger.
Location:
291 Broadway, Skagway, AK 99840
Admission:
Free
9. Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, Gustavus
Cruise ship passengers are in for a treat upon arrival at Glacier Bay. You have the chance to see calving glaciers and a win variety of wildlife, from whales to puffins. Some ships may have a traveling visitor center where you can chat with park rangers, and some even include a youth center!
Hours:
Hours vary per season; services are extremely limited in winter.
Location:
Park Road, Gustavus, AK 99826
Admission:
Free (boat tours cost an additional fee and are not operated by the National Park Service)
10. Become a Junior Ranger
Every national park in the United States offers a Junior Ranger program. Geared towards kids (but available for all ages), visitors receive booklets to complete. Typically, they have to complete a certain number of activities in the booklet based on their age. Once completed, a park ranger checks the book and goes over the responses with the children. Finally, they are sworn in as an official Junior Ranger with a special pledge and they receive their very own badge.
Many national parks also offer programs like these online. Additionally, you can print the activity book in advance if you don’t have enough time in the park to complete them.
Unique Alaska Activities and Events
11. World Ice Art Championship, Fairbanks
If your family is interested in attending a true Alaskan event, aim for the World Ice Art Championships in Fairbanks. The ice is usually carved in February, then left up for everyone to view until it melts (late March or so).
Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. from February 14 to March 31, 2019
Location: Tanana Valley State Fairgrounds, 1800 College Road, Fairbanks, AK 9709
Admission: Adults $16, Youth (6+) $8, Children (<6) free (for day passes)
12. World Eskimo Indian Olympics, Fairbanks
Another event that is entirely unique to Alaska, native Alaskans compete in a variety of events every July. These World Eskimo Indian Olympics don’t include sports you’re used to, like basketball or soccer. Instead, you can expect to find Indian Stick Pole, Ear Weight, Knuckle Hop, a Seal Skinning Contest, dance competitions, and more.
Dates:
July 17-20, 2019
Location:
Carlson Center, 2010 2nd Ave, Fairbanks, AK 99701
Admission:
Free
13. Alaska State Fair, Palmer
Each summer, people flock to Palmer to see the largest vegetables in the world. The Alaska State Fair is easily one of the largest events in the state along with the Iditarod sled dog race (more on that next). Events usually include nightly concerts, carnival rides, games, vendors selling unique Alaskan items and fair food, exhibits, and more.
Dates:
August 22 to September 2, 2019
Location:
Alaska State Fairgrounds, 2075 Glenn Hwy, Palmer, AK 99645
Admission:
$7 youth/$11 adult if purchased before August 22 ($13/$8 after)
14. Iditarod Starts, Anchorage and Willow
The Iditarod is quite possibly the most famous event in Alaska. Every year, mushers and fourteen of their best sled dogs race 1,000 miles from Anchorage to Nome. The finish line in Nome, as well as the ceremonial and official starts, are a true sight to behold. The ceremonial start in Anchorage is the first Saturday while the re-start in Willow is the first Sunday of March every year.
Dates:
The Iditarod begins on the first weekend in March every year.
Location:
Anchorage and Willow
Admission:
Free
15. Crow Creek Mine, Girdwood
If your kids didn’t get to do any gold panning in Skagway, they’ll have another chance in Girdwood. The Crow Creek Mine is one of the most well-known locations for gold panning in the state. Staff also offer botanical and historical tours of the area. Furthermore, there are often events for military, concerts, weddings, salmon bakes, and more.
Hours:
Daily May 15 to September 15 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For off-season hours, contact Crow Creek Mine.
Location:
601 Crow Creek Rd, Girdwood, AK 99587
Admission:
Prices depend on activities selected. Visit the official website for details.
Wildlife & Alaskan Animals
16. Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Girdwood
To get a glimpse at the Alaskan wildlife you may have missed, stop by the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. Most animals here are either orphaned or injured and cannot live in the wild on their own. They have a wide variety of mammals and birds, including bears, eagles, elk, moose, caribou, owls, lynx, coyotes, fox, musk oxen, wolves, bison, and more!
Hours:
Hours vary per season. Check the official website for details.
Location:
Mile 79 Seward Hwy, Girdwood, AK 99587
Admission:
Adults $16, Youth (7-17) $11, Children (>6) free
17. Alaska SeaLife Center, Seward
To see some of Alaska’s most popular marine life, the Sea Life Center in Seward is one of the best places to go. Here, you can find sea lions, seals, puffins, eels, crabs, starfish, and more. The Discovery Zone is the perfect place for kids to roam, interact, observe, and explore.
Hours:
Hours vary per season; check the official website for details.
Location:
301 Railway Ave, Seward, AK 99664
Admission:
Adults (13+) $30, Children (4-12) $18
18. Alaska Zoo, Anchorage
To see an even greater variety of animals compared to the Alaska Wildlife Center, stop by the Alaska Zoo. Here, you’ll find polar bears, wolverines, otters, tigers, snow leopards, swans, hawks, yaks, and more.
Hours:
Hours vary per season. Check the official website for details.
Location:
4731 O’Malley Rd, Anchorage, AK 99507
Admission:
Adult $15, Youth (3-17) $7
19. Sitka Sound Science Center, Sitka
If you’re visiting the southeast part of Alaska, don’t miss this incredible marine museum in Sitka. The aquarium features touch tanks, an interactive whalebone puzzle, a “salmon bubble” you can crawl through to be surrounded by salmon, and more. There is also a salmon hatchery on-site that releases more than 15 million fish every year. If you’re visiting in winter, try to plan around the Sitka WhaleFest in October/November.
Hours:
Hours vary per season, call (907) 747-8878 to confirm
Location:
834 Lincoln Street Suite 200, Sitka, AK 99835
Admission:
$5