Alaska Vacation with Kids: Anchorage Summer Edition
Alaska is one of those places you fall in love with — it's magical any time of year, y'all. There's endless possibilities for fun, views, and relaxation, so much so that I'm breaking these blogs up into three parts: Summer in Anchorage, Outside of Anchorage, and a Winter Anchorage edition, so you get the full picture no matter when your family heads north.
Most people assume Alaska is frozen solid all year long, but that's just not true — especially in the southern parts of the state, like Anchorage. Summers here bring surprisingly mild weather and almost endless sunshine. Seriously, you're looking at about 16-19 hours of daylight depending on which month you visit. Don't worry, you get used to it, and most hotels and rentals have blackout shades to help everyone (little ones especially) actually sleep.
What We Pack
You know the drill! Check out my travel necessities here and my Alaska Gear list. Everything from attire, organization items, car or plane activities for the kids, etc… all in these curated lists.
Where We Stay
We have the ultimate cheat code here — my sister lives in Anchorage, so we always stay with her. But Anchorage has tons of hotel and private stay options if that's not in the cards for your family. If you want walkable access to shops, restaurants, and bay views, look at staying downtown. If you're after something a little more remote or scenic, look outside the downtown core. Either way, this list of places to stay is a great place to start.
Activities Around Anchorage
🛖 Log Cabin Visitor Information Center— This cute little log cabin in downtown Anchorage is the perfect place to start your trip. It's stocked with maps, brochures, and coupons, and it's also where a lot of the local tours pick up, so it doubles as a great meeting point if your group is splitting up for the day.
🚋 Trolley Tours— Such a fun and informative way to see multiple spots around the area without doing all the driving and parking yourself. Earthquake Park was hands-down our favorite stop. It's built on the site of the 1964 Good Friday Earthquake, a 9.2-magnitude quake that's still the most powerful ever recorded in North America — the ground actually liquified and an entire neighborhood slid into the inlet below. Standing there and imagining that kind of power is genuinely mind-blowing, and it's a really cool, low-key way to sneak a little history lesson into the trip.
🛍️ Shop Downtown Anchorage— Downtown is full of locally-owned shops selling everything from Alaska-themed souvenirs to authentic Native-made art and goods. It's an easy way to spend an afternoon on foot, and you'll come home with way better finds than anything from an airport gift shop.
🦌 The Alaska Zoo— Home to moose, bears, wolves, and other animals native to the state (plus a few surprises), this zoo is a great option if your kids want an up-close look at the wildlife you might not spot in the wild. It's smaller and more manageable than a big-city zoo, which makes it easy on little legs, but still packed with things to see.
🌊 Alaska Bore Tide — This one is wild. Just south of Anchorage along Turnagain Arm, the tides create a wave that can reach up to several feet high and rushes in at speeds up to 15-25 miles an hour — and on the right day, you might even catch local surfers riding it. Beluga Point is one of the easiest pullouts to catch the show, but timing is everything, so check the tide schedule before you go.
🌲 Overlook Trail — A gorgeous, easy trail with sweeping views over Anchorage, the inlet, and the mountains beyond. It's a great one for families since it doesn't require serious hiking gear or stamina, but you still get that "wow, we're really in Alaska" moment.
🌳 Local Parks — There are so many amazing parks and trails scattered around the city, but our go-to's are always Kincaid Park and Margaret Eagan Sullivan Park. Both are great for letting the kids run off energy, and Kincaid especially has beautiful trails and views if you want to make a longer visit of it.
🖼️ Museums— Anchorage is home to several museums, big and small, and we make it a point to visit the Anchorage Museum every single time we're in town. It's a must for us, with exhibits covering everything from Alaska Native culture to art to science, and it's a great option for a rainy day or a break from the sunshine.
✨ And more! — See this link for even more tours and ideas around the city.
Anchorage, being the most populated city in Alaska, is also the hub and starting point for so many other adventures around the state. I've got a whole post coming on that soon — stay tuned!
Eats
The Bridge — Only open in the summer, so catch it while you can. I went here on my birthday for Alaskan king crab, because when in Rome (or, well, Alaska), right? The views and the seafood alone make it worth the stop.
Coffee Drive-Thrus — Alaskans are serious about their coffee, and you'll find local drive-thru coffee stands on seemingly every corner in Anchorage. Skip the chains and grab a latte from a local stand instead — it's a fun little tradition, and the quality is honestly some of the best I've had anywhere.
Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop + Little Sister Espresso — This combo is an absolute heavenly little stop. Fresh-baked bread and pastries paired with great espresso — perfect for grabbing breakfast before a day of exploring.
49th State Brewing — A local favorite with a fun, laid-back atmosphere and solid pub food to go with their house-brewed beers. It's a great spot for the adults to relax while the kids have plenty to look at and enjoy too.
Glacier Brewhouse — The crab-stuffed halibut here… thank me later. This is one of those meals that sticks with you long after the trip is over. A great choice for a nicer family dinner out.
Moose's Tooth Pub and Pizza — We haven't made it here ourselves yet, but it's consistently one of the most popular and talked-about spots in Anchorage, so it's high on our list for next time.
And more! — Most people don't think of Anchorage as a culinary destination, but it actually has a thriving and diverse food scene. Check out this list for even more options.
I'll have the Outside of Anchorage edition (Summer) linked here soon, plus a full Winter edition down the road — so if Alaska is on your radar, this is just the beginning. Follow me on Pinterest so you don't miss when they drop!
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