10 Reasons to Visit Alaska with Kids

There is a reason that Alaska is high on many family travel bucket lists. An Alaska family vacation is a little mysterious, a little off the beaten path and full of adventurous activities and wildlife. It’s impossible not to get caught up in Alaska when you visit — you are surrounded and immersed in the destination. The largest state in the union, it’s twice the size of Texas and has a nearly infinite amount of excitement to offer families.

10 Reasons to Visit Alaska with Kids

• It’s closer than you think. It seems so far away, yet it’s only a 2-hour flight from Seattle to the Inside Passage towns of Juneau and Ketchikan. In 3 1/2 hours you can reach Anchorage, gateway to the beautiful Kenai Peninsula, where Alaskans go to play.
• It’s the perfect multigenerational destination. With jawdropping scenery as well as adventures geared toward every activity level, Alaska is a destination that appeals as much to a 5-year-old as to an 85-year-old.
• Alaska has rich history. You can still experience native Alaskan cultures and customs throughout the state. See the Russian influence in Sitka, experience the Gold Rush era and pan for gold in Skagway, and wander amid Native American totem poles in Ketchikan.
• Flightseeing is a regularly scheduled activity here. Land on water, a runway, a mountain or a glacier. Whichever you choose, you’ll never forget it.

• There are an estimated 100,000 glaciers in Alaska. Your chances of seeing, touching or hiking on a glacier during your trip are high, no matter how your itinerary shapes up.
• There’s a cruise experience for everyone. Cruising is king in Alaska, and the variety of choice means it’s easy to find one that suits you. Some small-ship cruises don’t stop in any ports at all, while others visit a mix of smaller ports and the largest ships can access key cities such as Juneau. Our Family Vacation Advisors can help you choose the right cruise for your needs — just send us a request!
• The wildlife and marine life are not shy. This is the U.S. version of a safari. Moose, brown bears, black bears, polar bears, bald eagles, mountain goats, whales, orcas and many more creatures make their home in Alaska.
• It’s a seafood paradise. There are five different varieties of salmon found here, and snow crab and king crab are local celebrities, thanks to the Deadliest Catch TV show.
• Alaska is transportation central. Kids especially are transfixed by vehicles, and they can experience a bit of everything in a single trip: floatplanes, helicopters, jet boats, ferries, trains and more.
• Alaskans, like Wisconsinites and Michiganders, can make the shape of their state with their hand. (I’m from Wisconsin — great minds think alike.)

Relevant Links:

Browse all ideas and advice for Alaska family vacations on Ciao Bambino

5 Incredible Places to See the Northern Lights

Tips for planning a family vacation to Alaska

Two weeks in Alaska with kids by air, land and sea

Alaska up close and active: A family tour of the Kenai Peninsula