AK on the GO

Emails frequently fill the AKontheGO inbox with inquiries about suitable itineraries for a week of frolicking in the 49th state. Thrilled to share my two cents about family travel in Alaska, I happily tick-tap replies with glee.

Most questions center around activities to fill a weeklong trip with children of multiple ages, often with grandparents along for added fun (my favorite sort of Alaska adventure). With summer just around the corner, here’s a little itinerary-checker for families who just aren’t sure how to begin plotting and planning their Alaska adventure. Note: Do utilize the links provided to make any necessary reservations for activities; many prime time slots for attractions fill up fast.

Big fish in a big state!

The AKontheGO 7-Day (ish) Trip Ticker: (days are estimates, you may find more time is needed)

Purchase an Alaska TourSaver coupon book. For $99, this little blue book of two-for-one deals will provide thousands of dollars in savings on everything from museum admission to railroad tickets. Even for a family of four, somebody will go free, and that, we know, is always a good thing. Find them online HERE, or purchase upon arrival in Alaska at any Carrs/Safeway store customer service desk.

Fly into either Anchorage or Fairbanks. Both cities provide artierials to the other via the Parks or Richardson Highways, OR via the Alaska Railroad.

Riverboat Discovery in Fairbanks is full of kid-friendly fun

Stay at least two days in either city. Fairbanks has the beautiful Museum of the North, Riverboat Discovery and El Dorado Gold Mine, and very informative Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitor Center. Take time to hike Creamer’s Field and learn about the rich history of this migratory bird refuge, or wander their boreal forest trail. Everyone will enjoy the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum, with cars and trucks from way, way back.

Consider driving back to Anchorage via the Parks Highway and making a stop at Denali National Park, where the High One greets you with a splendid show of ice and snow. The Murie Science and Learning Center can provide your family with Junior Ranger programs, guided hikes, and tons of exhibits that encourage hands-on learning. Stay at one of the many lodges in “Glitter Gulch” (just outside the Park), or camp at Riley Creek campground, one of our favorites due to the accessiblilty of a store and trails nearby. Allow two or three days to explore the area; longer if hiking is high on your agenda of family fun.

Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage is worth a visit

Anchorage boasts a beautiful museum, too, that offers a Culture Pass deal to the must-see Alaska Native Heritage Center. Transportation can be provided, too, a nice bonus. Don’t forget to wander downtown Anchorage, either, and take the Trolley Tour, listen to some Music in the Park, or hit up Iditarod 2012 Winner Dallas Seavey’s Wildride Sled Dog Rodeo on the banks of Ship Creek. The Alaska Zoo is a kid-pleaser, with forested trails and just enough walking to satisfy little legs. Like to hike? Drive up to the stunning vistas of Arctic Valley and trek among the blueberry and crowberry bushes while taking in the amazing views of the Anchorage Bowl, Cook Inlet, and even Mt. McKinley.

From Fairbanks head south, (and from Anchorage, head north) along the Parks Highway to the mountain town of Talkeetna, where folks are just plain cool, and where kids will find a playground built by the community to satisfy their urge to climb, shout, and run about. Talkeetna is about 2 hours from Anchorage, and about four hours from Fairbanks. Take a jet boat ride with Mahay’s Jet Boat Adventures, then head over to the historic Talkeetna Roadhouse and rub shoulders with climbers fresh off the flanks of Mt. McKinley. Stay overnight at the Roadhouse, or at one of the many cabins available for rent.

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center cares for orphaned moose calves

If more mountains appeal to your family, and Anchorage is your home base, drive 45 miles south of town to the ski village of Girdwood, home to Alyeska Resort and a slopside of hiking opportunities. Take the tram up and hike down, or, if you’re really hardy, hike up and score a free tram ride down. Warning: hiking boots, packs, and poles are a must for this hike. Be careful. Stop by their community playground after a visit to the Bake Shop for coffee, cocoa, and a plethora of baked goods, then drive another ten miles south to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. This beautiful property is dedicated to preserving and rehabilitating all sorts of northern animals; from elk to bears and a whole herd of endangered Wood Bison, AWCC does a great job of educating and informing visitors. Oh, do stop in and see Snickers the porcupine; we love him.

The trip to Girdwood is easily done in a day; if you’d like to continue on, think about driving an additional 1.5 hours to Seward, where the mountains meet Resurrection Bay and a wealth of marine-type activities. Don’t miss the Alaska Sea Life Center, where kids and adults will enjoy a view of the rescued marine mammals, see a puffin up close, and learn more about Alaska’s fragile ocean world.  If you’d like to get closer, consider a glacier/wildlife cruise with Kenai Fjords or Major Marine tours, both of whom offer great options for families. Spend the night in Seward and head back to Anchorage the next day.

A stop in Portage after a fun day around Spencer Glacier

Don’t want to drive? The Alaska Railroad is a great way to show kids of school-age or older the scenery and have a little family time, too. Big kids relish the opportunity to hang out in the dome car or restaurant, and parents enjoy some relaxation, too. Bring your camera; the views are incredible. Find all sorts of railroad options; from day trips to Spencer Glacier with a rafting trip thrown in to a truly expeditious venture from Anchorage to Seward. We love the service, we love the trains themselves, and we love the way visitors can see wild Alaska from their seats.

Seven days. Big adventure. Happy family. Need more? Keep checking in to the AKontheGO blog for more posts about traveling Alaska with kids.

EK

Let the kids sleep in a bit while you peruse our absolutely incredible lineup of Halloween weekend activities. The combination of learning and fun just sends me to the moon this year; or, at least, to the pantry for a little Milky Way pick-me-up. Especially after looking at this photo (above) of AK Dad making his “I need more coffee” face.

This special Halloween Edition of Fun Friday is sponsored by Alaska Center for Pediatrics, caring for kids (and their candy-filled tummies) since 1982. We’ll be glad we said that later, won’t we?

Fish camp in Nome, Alaska. There's no place like it!

First, however, speaking of drama and costumes; do give a listen to the podcast of this week’s Alaska Travelgram Show. Our friend Richard Beneville of Nome Discovery Tours gave us a great verbal tour of the city, its history, and a few options for visitors, no matter their age. My cohost, Scott McMurren, called Richard “indefatigable,” and he always tells me I use big words! Hit the link HERE and tell me if you agree. And while you’re at it, DO sign up for Scott’s Alaska Travelgram newsletter. With all the airlines at their most crazy this time of year, you’d be crazy not to. Seriously, he has The 4-1-1 on all things travel-deal. Listen to him. I do. Sometimes.

The adorable crew trying to find their way out of the Palmer Reindeer Farm's hay maze.

HALLOWEEN HOOPLA!

FRIDAY: Reindeer Farm, Palmer. BIG KIDS. 6-10 p.m. Fri./Sat. The kinder-gentler Halloween pumpkin patch is done, and in its place is a haunted hay maze waiting to scare the bejeebers out of your middle school/high school kids. $10. 745-4000.

Haunted Trails, Goose Lake Park, Anchorage. Fun for ages 3+ from 4:30-8:30 p.m. Come in costume to impress the ghosts and ghouls who will hand out treats at various stations throughout the park. $15/family on day of event. Call 343-4130 for info. Goose Lake Park is at 2811 UAA Drive.

Girdwood Kids’ Carnival, Alyeska Resort Daylodge, Girdwood. 4:30-8:30. All ages. A fundraiser for the Girdwood School, this carnival is like the ones you rememer attending as a kid. Games, candy bar-walk, mildly scary haunted house, yep, it’s all here. Catch the music and fun this afternoon/evening in costume! $3/pp, $5/family.

SATURDAY:  The Reindeer Farm continues its family-friendly Halloween activities from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. in Palmer. Wagon rides, pumpkin patch, and reindeer-kissing. Okay, maybe I made that last thing up. $10. 745-4000.

Night at the Museum, Alaska Museum of Transportation and Industry, Wasilla. All ages, 4-8 p.m. Oh my gosh, this is the COOLEST, ever. The Museum of Trans is our fam favorite, and everyone should dress up and head to Wasilla and find out why. A haunted train? EEEK! Museum characters who come to life in the gallery? NO WAY! Kids must be accompanied by parents. $5/pp. 3800 W. Museum Drive, Wasilla.

Wild Night at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Portage. 5-8 p.m., all ages. What goes “boo” in the barn? Not you, of course, but a ton of family-friendly wild critters who want to welcome you and your family to a great Halloween celebration! Check out skulls, scat, and scary animals at this carnival-like party, at the invitation of Snickers the Porcupine (I made that up, too, but I’m sure he’ll be there in his best prickly frame of mind). $10. 783-2025. Mile 79 Seward Highway.

Halloween at Eagle River Nature Center, Eagle River, 2 p.m., pre-school on Saturday. The Enchanted Forest awaits little ones, with a stroll through a lovely forest just right for small goblins. FREE, $5 parking for non-members. 694-2108.

SUNDAY: Bird TLC’s Owl-O-Ween, Alaska Heritage Museum, Anchorage. 3-5 p.m. All ages. Join a parliament of live owls as they celebrate their favorite time of year! Find out why owls are a witch’s best friend, and how ghost stories really got started. Kids, come in costume, of course! FREE. 301 W. Northern Lights Blvd (Wells Fargo bldg). 562-4852.

Eagle River Nature Center Halloween, Eagle River, 3 p.m. K-6. Meet a good witch and learn a little more about the history of Hallow’s Eve as you walk down to the classroom yurt today. Come in costume! FREE, $5 parking for non-members. 694-2108.

MONDAY: Zoo Boo! Alaska Zoo, Anchorage. All ages.Get your tickets today for this way-popular event where the animals invite you to trick or treat, their way! Take a walk along the spoooooky trails from 5-8 p.m. and see what treats the tiger has this year (remember, he just had a root canal!). Regular admission applies, pass-holders receive discount. Call 346-2133 for complete layout of info.

Live outside the greater Anchorage area? Check out AKontheGO’s post from a week ago, talking about other fabulous Halloween events, including some wonderful opportunities in Fairbanks! Hit the AKontheGO calendar, too, and don’t forget to list your event with us; remember, the holiday season is coming up and we’d love to give your business or organization a shout-out! Send us an email at togoak@gmail.com, or hit the “Calendar of Events” tab at the top of this page.

Save me some chocolate, somebody, please? Have a happy and safe Halloween!

Now THIS is one cute pumpkin!