Have you been dreaming about visiting Alaska? Well, now is the perfect time to take a family vacation in Alaska! Pack up the kids, your parents, even the rest of the extended family. Then head out on the adventure of a lifetime. Imagine checking one item off your travel bucket list this year or next. Today, I am going to share an itinerary that covers the best of Alaska in eight days. You don’t need to do this exact itinerary. In fact, I can personalize an itinerary for your family vacation in Alaska. This way you can discover the best of Alaska your way and make those memories that matter.  

Discover the Best of Alaska in 8 Days 

Day One: Anchorage 

Day one of your family vacation in Alaska will have you arriving in beautiful Anchorage. After checking into your hotel, I recommend stopping off at the Anchorage Visitor Center. There are two of them. One is the Log Cabin Visitor Center. The second one is a smaller building behind the log cabin.  

During your visit, you can talk to a local and learn more about this city. This is an excellent way to learn which restaurants are worth dining at for mealtimes. Or finding those must-see attractions that only the locals know about!  

Afterwards, venture over to the Anchorage Museum. Wander along the streets of Anchorage, or hike one of the nearby trails, to see the sights. There are plenty of Anchorage attractions to capture your attention on your first day of vacation.  

Before heading back to your hotel, go to the Glacier Brewhouse for a drink and a bite to eat. Either arrive early or make a reservation, because the seats fill up quickly. Especially during the summer months.  

Day Two: Denali National Park 

The second day of this itinerary will have you seeing the best of Alaska by heading up to Denali National Park. I recommend stopping at the Thunderbird Falls Trail in Chugach State Park. This is an easy hike that is perfect for multigenerational family vacations.  

The water rushes quickly down the falls during the summer months. If you happen to visit during the winter months, you can capture the falls frozen in columns. Those columns look like blue ice. It is important to make sure you are prepared for icy conditions if you do tackle this hike during the winter months.  

After your quick hike to Thunderbird Falls, you may be ready to explore the town of Wasilla or the town of Talkeetna. Both these towns offer authentic Alaskan experiences.  

Wasilla is the home of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. You can participate in numerous outdoor activities within this town. In Talkeetna, board a plane to go on a flightseeing adventure to see views of Denali Mountain and the surrounding area.  

Day Three: Denali National Park 

A full day in Denali National Park is just what is needed during a family vacation in Alaska. Some of the best sights in Alaska can be seen within this park.  

Head out on a Denali Wilderness Tour with a guide. There are so many things to see and do in Denali National Park. You won’t want to miss any of them, which is why a guided tour is best.  

This is the time to see the wildlife that lives within the park. The animals move at their own pace. Therefore, you never know when you will spot Dall sheep, grizzly bears, moose, or wolves.  

Day Four: Fairbanks 

You won’t want to leave the beauty of Denali National Park. However, on day four of your fabulous family vacation in Alaska, it will be time to head over to Fairbanks.  

Along the way, stop in Healy to explore the charming town. Or simply continue to Fairbanks to spend more time in the city.  

The sights you see in Fairbanks are dependent on the time of year your family visits. During the summer months, you can experience the midnight sun. Yet, during the winter months, the Northern Lights dance across the sky.  

Walk around the city when you arrive to immerse yourself in the rich Alaska Native cultures. End your day at the Pump House. Your meal will be full of fresh local seafood. I recommend sitting out on the deck if possible. This will allow you to watch the Riverboat Discovery pass by on the Chena River and the float planes land nearby.  

Day Five: Fairbanks 

You will always need extra time in Fairbanks to really experience the best of Alaska. Therefore, day five of this itinerary will have you spending the entire day there.  

One of the best things to do in Fairbanks during a multigenerational vacation is visiting the Chena Hot Springs. Tour the Chena Hot Springs Resort before soaking in the healing mineral waters.  

I recommend stopping by the Aurora Ice Museum too. It is open year-round, and you can take one of the guided tours. Although, you will probably need another soak in the hot springs after spending time inside this twenty-five degrees Fahrenheit museum!  

Day Six: Valdez 

Valdez is a destination in Alaska that is located deep in Prince Willian Sound. Spending time here will have you seeing massive mountains, lush rainforests, and unique tidewater glaciers. Basically, think of paradise in the middle of nowhere. Embrace it all, as you make memories with your family!  

This is the perfect day to visit the Santa Claus House in the North Pole. Every day is Christmas at the Santa Claus House!  

Your family can shop for Christmas souvenirs. Pick up an original letter from Santa himself. Oh, and don’t forget to have a family picture taken with Santa.  

And of course, visiting Santa’s reindeer is a must. They will be looking for treats when you enter their pen. So, make sure you have them, or you may end up on Santa’s naughty list.  

Day Seven: Valdez 

You will have spent so much time on land during this family vacation in Alaska. Therefore, heading out on a Prince William Sound Glacier Cruise is the best way to spend day seven of your eight-day Alaskan vacation.  

Relax on the boat, as you see native wildlife that includes sea otters, sea lions, and whales. Your guide will share lots of information with you. Some of that information will include the 1964 earthquake, mining, oil shipping, and fishing history. Don’t worry, you don’t need to listen to it all if you don’t want to. It is completely okay to simply watch the scenery pass on by, as you relish the fact you are finally seeing the best of Alaska.  

Day Eight: Anchorage 

Your family vacation in Alaska is coming to an end on day eight. However, there is time to walk on the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail Walk in Anchorage before heading to the airport. This trail is eleven miles long and travels along the coastline.  

The eight days you spend in Alaska during a family vacation will be filled with memory-making moments with your kids and any other family members you are traveling with. While this itinerary may be amazing, I can personalize one that fits your family’s needs for your trip.  

So, are you ready to have me create a personalized family vacation itinerary for your trip to Alaska or another destination?  

If you said yes, I would like to invite you to click here to schedule a personalized family vacation planning session with me. When you click the link, you will be taken to my digital calendar to schedule a time that is convenient for you.  

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