Alaska is awe inspiring, breathtaking and magical. But it is not for everyone, depending on how you’re looking to travel. If you are looking to take your kids to Alaska, there are several things you should know before you go.
For young kids, i.e. those under the age of 8 or 9, the best way to see the beauty of Alaska is on a cruise ship. The most kid-friendly options are Disney, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian. For a smaller ship which can reach more places that the big ships can’t, we also like UnCruise.
However, experiencing Alaska solely from the water gives you a limited view of the state and its spectacular offerings. If you want a fuller and more active/adventure experience, it is best to see Alaska by land and off the main roads where the majority of the tourists are. However, keep in mind that not only are the distances great in Alaska, taking many hours by car or train to get from place to place, but also the logistics are challenging. If you’re interested seeing Alaska by rail, you need to know that most of the train routes run in and out of Anchorage and there’s only 1 departure per day to each destination. So if you want to go from Denali to Seward, for example, you need to go through Anchorage and overnight there before moving on the next day.
At a minimum, I recommend that your kids be 8-9 years old before you tackle a land-based Alaska trip, but ideally they should be 10-12 years old for the most enjoyable experience. You want your kids to be old enough to get the most out of it and to appreciate the amazing wildlife and scenery they’ll be seeing. Also, many of the more active adventure experiences like white water rafting, dog sledding, glacier hiking, ice climbing, and kayaking require greater maturity, agility and strength.
The final tip is that you should plan ahead for Alaska. A year in advance is definitely not too soon to begin thinking about your adventure. Accommodations book up quickly, especially for the popular summer months, so plan early.
There is so much too see and do in Alaska. Make sure your kids are old enough to experience it to its fullest and make arrangements as soon as you can. You’ll be sure to come back home with amazing photos, jaw-dropping stories and memories to last a lifetime.