If you’re looking for a unique destination that has endless nature-filled activities for your next trip, a trip to Anchorage might be exactly what you need. Alaska is filled with hiking trails, wildlife, and countless other outdoor pursuits that are right up a nature-loving family’s alley – but even if you don’t often seek out nature, Alaska is sure to make you appreciate the beauty of the mountains and wildlife offered.
Candidly, we always thought of ourselves as a bit more nature-averse (the idea of hiking with kiddos was just a bit too intimidating), but this trip changed our mind – we had an absolute blast, and now find ourselves seeking out our next opportunity to add more outdoorsy activities to our next vacation. Our trip was a longer one (ten days – we were visiting family, and considering the lengths it took to travel there, we wanted to make it worth our while), but we felt as though we really got to explore everything Anchorage had to offer. By the time we left, though, we had a list of even more things to seek out on a follow-up trip!
Where to Stay: Find an AirBnB that Meets Your Needs
One thing you may have heard about Alaska is that things are more expensive here, and candidly, we found that to be true. For our trip, the ideal scenario was two to three bedrooms (one for us, one for the in-laws, and ideally a separate room for the kids to allow for earlier bedtimes). With that in mind, we found that even mid-tier hotel options were two to three times as expensive as the three bedroom AirBnb home that we ultimately booked. Part of that cost was also influenced by the time of the trip: we visited in June (widely regarded as peak season) for nine days, so both of those variables factored into the cost as well.
Once booked, we got really lucky with the home that we booked – it was perfect for us, meeting all of our needs and then some. We ultimately booked Blueberry Cottage for our trip, and not only did it check all of our boxes, but the host was one of the best we’ve had. For such a long trip, it was nice to have a kitchen for snacks and meals that we just wanted to make at home – some nights, it was easiest to just rest and have a more casual meal for the evening. The host was particularly considerate as well: she left small toys and games for the girls to play with, had some fresh breakfast essentials waiting for us, and even took the time to draw out hopscotch for the girls on their sidewalk!
Where to Eat: Kriner’s Diner
Our family is very much a breakfast family, so one of the first things we scout out when visiting a new places is where the best breakfast in town is. Kriner’s isn’t just the best breakfast in town; it’s one of the best breakfasts we’ve ever had.
The first thing worth noting: the portions are HUGE. The menu seems a bit pricy at first (although also on par with the Alaska markup), but this is one restaurant that absolutely delivers on those prices – you more than get what you pay for. The cinnamon roll was the largest we’ve ever seen (and was delicious), the biscuit felt like they weighed half a pound (also delicious), and the breakfast sausage patty was the size of a hamburger. Even the kids’ menu items were large enough to be considered a larger adult item. Beyond the portion sizes, they also cooked everything to perfection – enough so that we had a difficult time choosing our favorite item. Kriner’s takes the classic breakfast diner fare, puts a slight Alaskan spin on it, and gets every item right. We can’t recommend Kriner’s enough.
What to Do: Visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
We had a lot of different options to choose from here (and we’ll feature some other options later), but our thought for choosing a visit to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center as our primary recommendation came for a few reasons:
- We wanted something family friendly, meaning that all ages (and activity levels) could attend and enjoy.
- Similarly, we didn’t want to pick something that would be cost-prohibative (either financially or from a time investment perspective).
- Finally, we also wanted something that gave a well-rounded taste of some of Alaska’s unique offerings.
The AWCC hit on all of those things, and was unique in a few regards. For one, a lot of the activities in Alaska are (understandably) expansive, which can make it difficult to trek with little ones. At the AWCC, the girls were able to get a true taste of the animals found in Alaska in their native habitat without becoming tired or frustrated with the sheer amount of activity. The picturesque mountains surround you as you move from animal to animal, and it adds to the experience tremendously. Sure, some people may think “it’s just a zoo” or something similar, but we found it to be a uniquely Alaskan exhibit. It offered an authentic taste of the some of the wildlife that makes Alaska special, but did so at a scale and pace that was manageable for our two young kiddos. It stands out as arguably their favorite thing we did.
All in all, we had a great trip to Alaska – the girls had a blast, and we had an opportunity to experience nature in a way that few other destinations offer. It is without a doubt one of the most unique places we’ve ever traveled to – it may not have initially been very high on our bucket list, but it should have been. The girls don’t yet realize how rare it is to see things like an actual flock of bald eagles in the wild, but they eventually will, and I’m glad we’ll have memories like that to look back on. This immediately became an all time favorite trip for us, and we’re already thinking about ways to make it back!
