Alaska
with Kids
Bears, glaciers & the wildest family adventure of your life
Why Alaska?
Alaska truly sets the bar high with its staggering natural beauty. One day you’re trekking through the vast, pristine wilderness of Denali, the next you’re exploring the rugged terrains of Hatcher’s Pass.
Cozy B&Bs dot the landscape, offering warm, inviting retreats after days spent bear watching in Katmai National Park or whale watching on the chilly Alaskan waters. This is the trip your kids will talk about forever.
12-Day Itinerary
Red-eye flight, check into our cozy B&B, quick nap and pizza to recover. Then hit the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail for a refreshing first hike.
Pit stop at Thunderbird Falls (easy hike, stunning waterfall). Scenic drive up to Denali with multiple stops. Relax by Otto Lake in the evening.
Cars limited beyond Savage River — drove up and spotted caribou and moose up close! Evening Horseshoe Lake Trail (3.3 miles) with beaver dams and mushrooms.
Another drive into Denali for a charming sled dog demonstration — one of Alaska’s most unique cultural experiences and a huge hit with the kids.
One of the trip highlights — breathtaking vistas through Hatcher’s Pass, a stunning stop at Summit Lake, and bald eagles along the way.
Scenic drive south. Stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center — the kids were more interested in rocks and dirt, but that’s Alaska with toddlers for you!
Relaxed day at Homer Spit with magnificent views. Fun marine tour with Center of Alaska Coastal Studies — sea anemones and starfish up close!
Trip highlight. Small plane to Katmai National Park (home to ~2,200 brown bears), landing on a remote beach. Trekked through tall grass spotting bears — lazy loungers to active salmon hunters. Nerve-wracking and incredible.
Whale watching cancelled due to wildfires and heavy smoke. Pivoted to Exit Glacier — View and Overlook Loop. A great reminder to stay flexible in Alaska!
Early morning kayak tour — sea otters, bald eagles, harbor porpoises, harbor seals. A perfect farewell to Alaska’s wild side. Drive back to Anchorage.
Flight back home — already missing the raw, untamed beauty of Alaska.
On our Next Time list: Glacier Landing Tours from Talkeetna, Matanuska Glacier Trekking & Kayaking in Valdez — all highly recommended!
Where We Stayed
Our advice: Skip the big hotel chains in Alaska. Local B&Bs tucked in incredible locations offer charm, connection, and usually a way better breakfast.
Deals B&B Inn – Anchorage
Spacious room with a sprawling balcony and seriously good breakfast every morning. Perfect launchpad for your Alaskan adventures.
✓ Free BreakfastJuneberry Lodge – Homer
Best B&B of the trip. Stunning views, welcoming common areas, eye-catching building. Top-notch breakfast too.
★ Top PickAlaska Creekside Cabins – Seward
Super cute cabins by the creek. Our son watched the salmon run right from the doorstep. You’re not just visiting Alaska — you’re living it.
✓ Kid FavoriteDenali Park Hotel – Denali
Decent choice with great prices and excellent location. Convenient base for exploring the park without breaking the budget.
✓ Best Value🏆 Booking with Points?
Outside main hubs, points options are sparse. In Anchorage and Fairbanks, Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, and IHG all have properties. There’s also a Four Points by Sheraton (Marriott) in Juneau. We were too charmed by local B&Bs to test these ourselves though!
🚐 Considering an RV?
Alaska’s landscapes are perfect for RV travel — pull over whenever you want, camp in incredible spots. Top options: Great Alaskan Holidays (friends loved them, great service) and Cruise America (nationwide, reliable, well-maintained).
Getting There
Most travelers fly into Anchorage (ANC), the state’s main gateway. For northern regions, Fairbanks (FAI) is a solid alternative. For southeastern Alaska, Juneau (JNU) is your best entry point.
We booked direct flights with Alaska Airlines and paid cash — we found points redemption didn’t offer great value for this route.
For tips on finding the best deals, check our Flight Booking Guide →
Booking with points? See the cards we use for travel
Our Cards →Where to Eat
Moose’s Tooth Pub & Pizzeria
Anchorage. Killer pizzas paired with an impressive lineup of craft beers. A must-visit.
📍 Anchorage49th State Brewing Co
Denali. Excellent beers and top-notch food. Great spot after a day in the park.
📍 DenaliProspectors Pizzeria & Alehouse
Another Denali gem for pizza lovers. Solid choice for a family dinner.
📍 DenaliTwo Sisters Bakery
Homer. Charming bakery, delightful stop. Perfect for a slow morning before hitting the Spit.
📍 HomerWoody’s Thai Kitchen
Seward. Surprisingly great Thai food in Alaska. Don’t miss it when you’re in Seward.
📍 Seward