What to Know Before Traveling to Anchorage with Kids

What to Pack for Alaska with Kids

The weather in Alaska is not dependable, and if you visit in the summer like we did, know that it likely won't feel as hot as typical summer weather. We visited mid-July and the weather was in the 60s and cloudy for the majority of the trip. But it doesn't hurt to pack shorts just in case—layering is key!

Pack rain jackets (maybe even rain boots for young kids, if you have room) and sweatshirts for cooler weather in the mornings and evenings. Light hiking pants and layers work for everyone when out hiking. The best time to visit Anchorage, Alaska with kids is June through August, but know that in June it can still be chilly!

What to Know About the Time Change in Alaska

If you're coming from the East Coast, the time change can be brutal—it's four hours earlier in Alaska. The first two days, our 6-year-old son was falling asleep during dinner. We purposely didn't do much the first two days that was particularly strenuous or very involved for this reason.

Getting Around Anchorage with Kids

To do many of the day trips and outdoorsy activities in and near Anchorage, you'll need to rent a car. We traveled with a hiccapop travel booster seat—you just blow it up when you need to use it, deflate it, and fold it up for easy travel and packing.

You can feed a moose at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center!

Top Things to Do in Anchorage with Kids

1. Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

The AWCC is different from a zoo in that it only houses orphaned, injured, or sick animals that need to be rehabilitated. It's a great opportunity to see animals native to Alaska, like brown and black bears, wolves, and even porcupines. There is a gift shop with restrooms in the center, a small playground perfect for toddlers, and animal experiences such as feeding a moose. If your child is at least 12, there's even a brown bear encounter! Don't worry—there's no physical touching of the bear.

2. Alaska Zoo

See animals native to Alaska at this non-profit zoo, such as polar bears, muskox, Tibetan yaks, river otters, and mountain goats. Polar bear and tiger encounters are available, though the fee is quite hefty. Kids will love the on-site petting zoo.

3. Alaska Aviation Museum

For plane enthusiasts old and young, this museum is pretty interesting. Explore vintage planes, modern Alaska Airlines planes, and float planes. There's even a working flight tower next to the water by the museum where you might  get to see float planes take off or land. There is also a flight simulator that costs a small fee, as well as a small area with toys and small airplanes for kids to play in.

4. Alaska Museum of Science and Nature

This place is very cool if you need to escape rain or cold weather. Fair warning, the hours aren't convenient (the museum is only open Thursday through Saturday), but if you can go here, it's worth it. Learn about dinosaurs, Ice Age animals, fossils, birds, and marine life.

5. Z.J. Loussac Library

Most of the second floor of this huge library is devoted to kids. There's a lot to do, such as scavenger hunts for prizes, computer games, crafts, and a small play area for toddlers and babies. If the weather is nice, there is also a large playground in the furthest corner of the library's large parking lot.

6. Indian Mining Valley

This historic mine guarantees everyone goes home with gold! The owners will teach your family exactly how to pan for gold and demonstrate how it's done. Bonus: there are lots of animals on the farm, like ducks and turkeys. Little ones will love playing with the construction trucks outside near the panning area.

7. Kincaid Beach

This "secret" beach is where you can spot moose strolling along if it's not too crowded! See the ocean on one side and beautiful bluffs on the other. Quick note, though: there is quicksand on this beach, so you'll want to steer clear of the water.

8. Lookout Points

Anchorage has several lookout points that are easy to pull into to enjoy gorgeous views and to try to spot wildlife in the water or on the mountains. Some of the best ones include Bird Point, Beluga Point, and Point Woronzof.

Fly on a float plane to Katmai National Park. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Shipman

Day Trips from Anchorage with Kids

9. Katmai National Park

If you do one thing in Alaska, this should be it! Katmai National Park is home to hundreds of brown bears. Upon arrival, everyone must take a "Bear 101" class to learn what to do should you encounter a bear. Chances are high because they're out there walking, fishing, etc. There are also lots of park rangers and volunteers knowledgable in how to navigate the bears—when we encountered bears, we happened to be with different park rangers. Take an easy hike to Brooks Falls to watch the bears catch salmon in the summer—it's an experience!

To get to Katmai, you'll need to fly from Anchorage into King Salmon, Alaska, then reserve either a water taxi or a float plane to get to the national park. When we visited, our water taxi was actually canceled due to high winds, and we had to scramble to find a float plane. But I'm so glad we found one, because flying on a float plane is an experience in itself!

Keep in mind that with bears all around, you can't walk around the park with food. You MUST keep any food you bring in a food locker or eat it in a designated eating area. This can be very difficult for kids who require lots of snacks (and what kid doesn't?). However, we were able to make this work by eating most of the food we brought after Bear 101, storing the remaining food, walking to Brooks Falls, and returning to eat the rest of our food. We later bought dinner at the lodge and sat by the fire.

10. Alyeska Resort Aerial Tramway up Alyeska Mountain

Take a seven-minute tramway ride to a viewing deck with breathtaking panoramic views of mountains, hanging glaciers, streams, and wildlife. Enjoy a relaxed midday picnic and the views from Mt. Alyeska's observation deck (2,300 feet above sea level), as well as hiking and berry picking during the season (beginning around the end of July). A restaurant at the top of the mountain serves kid-friendly favorites, including hot chocolate. The tram runs at full speed during the winter but only half speed in the summer, allowing ample time to enjoy the beauty.

Hike Eklutna Lake for beautiful water and mountain views. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Shipma

11. Eklutna Lake

Eklutna Lake is a good area for kids of all ages to walk and hike. Young kids can walk near and at the base of the lake, while older ones should be able to hike to the first lookout point that offers views of Eklutna Lake and the mountains. You can keep hiking further up and go to higher viewpoints, but in my opinion, the first lookout is just as pretty as the ones higher up.

12. Portage Glacier and Whittier

Take a cruise out to Portage Glacier, one of the most accessible glaciers, to see it before it melts. Wear your sweatshirts and coats—it gets cold on the water, even in July!

After the cruise, you'll be very close to the tiny town of Whittier, which is worth a stop. To get to this cute town, you'll need to take a one-lane road through an old train tunnel. Because there's just one road in and out, every half hour cars are let in to go one way, and then the direction switches. At Whittier, there's a pizza and ice cream shop, trinket shops, and a great lookout point perfect for taking in the beauty of the mountains or throwing rocks in the water.

Restaurants in Anchorage Kids Love

13. Golden Donuts

This donut shop is a staple in Anchorage! It has odd hours and no website, but if you happen to stop by when it's open, make sure to check the menu since the fresh-baked donuts change daily. It even has a drive-through!

14. Dino's Donuts

Dino's has been around since 1985 and has so much more than just donuts, like sandwiches, slushies, T-shirts, and more.

15. Moose's Tooth Pub & Pizza

This family-friendly pizza place also brews its own beer, has an appealing menu for adults, and provides coloring/activity sheets for kids.

16. Simon and Seafort's

This restaurant is what our family member called "Alaska fancy," meaning it feels upscale, but you can still wear jeans inside. Get the salmon or Halibut! All kids meals come with a sundae.

17. 49th State Brewing

This restaurant is so fun for families! Definitely make reservations (we almost didn't get one for the week we were there—it books up quick!), and if you're forced to take a later reservation, the outdoor area has games and room for kids to run around. They brew a variety of their own beers, too.

18. Wild Scoops Ice Cream

What's a vacation without ice cream? This place serves handcrafted ice cream with creative flavors like rhubarb crumble and apple cider donut, with Alaskan ingredients.

Family-Friendly Hotels in Anchorage

19. Hyatt House Anchorage

Hyatt House is a more modern hotel, and this one has a convenient location near Old Seward Highway and Rte 1, main thoroughfares of Anchorage. It also has an indoor pool!

20. Embassy Suites by Hilton Anchorage

Kids will love the big whale fountain in the lobby, and it isn't too far from Moose's Tooth Pub & Pizza, a great family-friendly restaurant in Anchorage.

21. Alyeska Resort

If you'd rather stay away from the big city of Anchorage, Alyeska Resort is as family-friendly as it is nice! You can ride the tram up Alyeska Mountain right from within the hotel, and you'll be close to several day-trip activities, like Port Glacier and Whittier.

Read More: Insider's Guide to Sitka, Alaska

Disclosure: We may earn a small commission if you click through our link and make a purchase. This revenue helps us maintain this site, so thank you for supporting us.