If you’re traveling to Alaska with kids and want to make the most of your time and money, this guide is for you. We visited Juneau, Seward, Anchorage, and Denali with our 2 daughters, and these are the best Alaska tours for families that we highly recommend.
Use this list to plan and book your Alaska family itinerary, whether you’re cruising, road tripping, or flying in for a summer adventure.
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Best tours in Juneau, Alaska
Book a Juneau whale watching tour with kids
This was hands-down our favorite tour in Juneau. We booked a small-group Juneau whale watching tour from Auke Bay and were lucky to see multiple humpbacks, including a mother and calf, within minutes of departure. The kids were thrilled, and the boat had an indoor cabin and an open deck for better views.
Our naturalist guide made the experience educational yet not overwhelming, sharing fun facts about whale behavior and other local marine life. It was the perfect length, around 2 hours, so even our toddler didn’t get restless.
Why we loved Juneau whale watching tour:
- Guaranteed whale sightings during summer
- Covered boat with indoor seating
- Short, engaging tour that kept both kids happy
Take a Mendenhall Glacier Lake canoe tour
The Mendenhall Glacier Lake canoe tour is a highly recommended option for families with older kids. The guided tour takes you across a scenic glacial lake, where you’ll paddle past floating icebergs and get up close to the face of Mendenhall Glacier. It’s calm, peaceful, and packed with epic Alaska views.
This is not whitewater or extreme paddling, but it’s still adventurous and best for kids aged 12 and up. Gear, guide, and transportation are all included; just show up ready to paddle and soak in the views.
Why families love the Mendenhall Glacier Lake canoe tour:
- You’re paddling right in front of a glacier
- Quiet, nature-filled experience (no crowds)
- Great intro to glacier adventure for teens
Eat Alaskan salmon at the Juneau Salmon Bake with kids
Venture into the woods for an all-you-can-eat wild Alaskan salmon experience in the heart of a rainforest. The Gold Creek Salmon Bake in Juneau isn’t just about food, it’s about atmosphere.
Nestled along Salmon Creek, this buffet-style outdoor feast includes alderwood-grilled salmon (don’t miss the brown sugar glaze!), hot sides, salads, blueberry cake, and even a chance to roast marshmallows over an open fire.
We booked our salmon bake tour in advance and selected a convenient time slot; options run from late morning through dinner. Round-trip transportation from Downtown Juneau was included.
After lunch, we strolled along Salmon Creek to the base of Salmon Creek Falls and spotted old mining relics near the Wagner Mine entrance. Even though we didn’t see salmon in the stream, the walk and waterfall were a fun and peaceful way to wrap up our visit.
Why families love Juneau Salmon Bake:
- Delicious grilled salmon in a natural rainforest setting
- Buffet with kid-friendly options and a fun campfire
- Short nature trail to a waterfall and mining site
Best tours in Seward, Alaska
Take a Kenai Fjords National Park family cruise
We booked the 4-Hour Kenai Fjords Wildlife Cruise with Major Marine Tours to explore the waters of Resurrection Bay—and it was the perfect option for our family.
This half-day tour felt just right for younger kids and gave us a chance to spot wildlife without committing to a full-day adventure. However, if the kids were a little older, I would definitely choose the 6-hour cruise!
Even though the weather was rainy and chilly, we bundled up in hats, mittens, and rain jackets and still spent most of the ride on the upper outdoor deck to soak in the experience. The boat also has a cozy main cabin with pre-assigned seating, but we didn’t want to miss a thing.
The captain narrated the cruise and chose the route based on recent wildlife sightings. We saw jellyfish, harbor seals, otters, mountain goats, and puffins. (Sophia was on a puffin kick at the time and was thrilled!) Unfortunately, we missed the orca that briefly passed by, but the views alone made this cruise worthwhile.
We even caught a glimpse of Bear Glacier in the distance, along with dramatic fjords and waterfalls throughout the bay. Baby Zoe snoozed peacefully in her carrier while we soaked it all in. It was a highlight of our Alaska trip.
Visit Exit Glacier and take the Kenai Fjords National Park guided tour
A popular way for families to experience Exit Glacier is by joining the Real Alaska Tour from Seward. It’s a half-day adventure that packs in some of Alaska’s best experiences, perfect if you want to maximize your time without doing all the planning yourself.
You’ll get picked up right from your hotel in Seward and head to Exit Glacier, where a guide leads you on a short, kid-friendly hike to the glacier viewpoint. It’s a great way for kids to learn about glacial movement and see the dramatic landscape up close.
Afterward, you’ll visit a working Alaskan sled dog kennel, with a chance to meet the dogs, cuddle the puppies, and even go on a summer dog sled ride on wheels. The tour also includes a full lunch with time to relax in a beautiful natural setting.
Why Kenai Fjords National Park guided tour is great for families:
- Easy and safe glacier hike with a guide who explains everything in simple terms.
- Kids love meeting the sled dogs and puppies.
- No need to rent a car or plan logistics—hotel pickup and lunch included.
- Combines nature, animals, and education in one afternoon.
Best tours in Anchorage, Alaska
Take the Portage Glacier Cruise with kids
We booked the Portage Glacier Cruise in advance and had several time slots to choose from, which made it easy to work around our travel day. The cruise itself is short—just 1 hour—but takes you surprisingly close to the face of Portage Glacier.
The boat sails across Portage Lake, where you’ll spot giant chunks of glacial ice floating in the water. Fun fact: just over a hundred years ago, this valley was completely filled with glacier, and the lake didn’t even exist. The glacier is retreating rapidly, making the cruise even more meaningful while it’s still accessible.
You can even scoop a piece of ancient ice from the lake to chill your drink later—Glacieritas, anyone?
Why the Portage Glacier Cruise is worth it:
- Quick, scenic cruise with stunning glacier views
- Easy to pair with travel between Seward and Anchorage
- Fascinating natural history and fun ice souvenirs
Visit Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center with your family
On the same day as the glacier cruise, we stopped at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, our final destination on the trip. This 200-acre wildlife sanctuary is home to some of Alaska’s most iconic animals, including bears, moose, caribou, reindeer, bison, wolves, and more.
You can explore the center either on foot or by car. We chose to walk, although it was a windy day and passing vehicles kicked up quite a bit of dust on the gravel roads. That didn’t stop us from enjoying close-up views of the animals in large, natural habitats.
We grabbed hot dogs for lunch from a small food stand onsite and let the girls run around and play on the grassy meadow before hitting the road again. It was the perfect last stop—relaxing, educational, and easy to navigate with kids.
Why the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is great for kids:
- Up-close encounters with Alaskan wildlife
- Flat, walkable paths or drive-through option
- Casual food stand and space to run around
Best tours in Denali, Alaska
Ride the Tundra Wilderness tour bus in Denali
Tundra Wilderness Tour in Denali is one of the most recommended wildlife tours for families visiting the national park. This half-day guided bus tour takes you deep into the park and gives you a chance to spot Alaska’s Big Five: bears, moose, caribou, Dall sheep, and wolves.
The tour typically lasts 5–6 hours, with multiple stops for photos and restrooms. It’s narrated by a knowledgeable driver-guide who shares interesting stories about the park’s ecology and history along the way.
Many families say it’s a great way to experience Denali without hiking for miles, especially with younger kids. Just make sure to pack snacks, layers, and binoculars to keep everyone engaged.
Why families book the Tundra Wilderness Bus Tour in Denali:
- Excellent wildlife viewing opportunities
- Comfortable bus ride with frequent breaks
- Educational and scenic intro to Denali’s vast wilderness
Best Alaska tours for families
| City | Tour | Best For | Bookable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Juneau | Whale Watching | All ages | ✅ Book |
| Juneau | Mendenhall Glacier canoe | Ages 12+ | ✅ Book |
| Juneau | Salmon Bake | All ages | ✅ Book |
| Seward | Kenai Fjords Cruise | All ages | ✅ Book |
| Seward | Exit Glacier Hike | All ages | ✅ Book |
| Anchorage | Portage Glacier Cruise | All ages | ✅ Book |
| Anchorage | Wildlife Conservation Center | All ages | ✅ Book |
| Denali | Tundra Wilderness Tour | All ages | ✅ Book |
Bottom line
Which Alaska Tours are worth booking? If you’re traveling with kids, not every tour is a win, but these will be. From seeing whales breach in Juneau to spotting puffins in Kenai, these experiences will make your trip to Alaska with kids unforgettable.
If I were to plan it all over again, I’d book the Juneau whale watching, Kenai Fjords cruise, and Denali wildlife tour first, as they’re the most popular and fill up quickly during summer.
