Embark in an unforgettable Family Road Trip to the Last Frontier – Alaska; enjoy a journey with breathtaking landscapes and cherished moments. At last, in June, my family and I delivered on a pre-pandemic promised gift to my mom for a milestone birthday, a trip to Alaska!
Places we visited
- Anchorage
- Talkeetna
- Healy & Denali National Park
- Matanuska Glacier Park
- Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
- Seward & Kenai Fjords Glacier
Exploring Anchorage
Anchorage offers a diverse range of attractions, here are some of the places we visited and recommend you check them out too. These spots are must-visits for a reason:
- Alaska Heritage Museum: Immerse yourself in Alaska’s rich cultural history, exploring captivating exhibits and artifacts that tell the story of this unique land.
- Snow City Cafe: Indulge in delicious, locally-inspired cuisine at this iconic café, known for its delectable dishes and cozy atmosphere—a perfect stop for a satisfying meal.
- Moose’s Tooth Pub and Pizzeria: Savor award-winning pizzas and craft brews in a vibrant setting, where the lively ambiance complements the mouthwatering flavors.
- The Brew House: Experience Anchorage’s craft beer scene firsthand, enjoying handcrafted brews and a welcoming atmosphere at this renowned brewery.
- Marina Seaplane Airport: For aviation enthusiasts or anyone seeking a unique experience, this spot offers a chance to witness seaplanes in action against the stunning backdrop of the marina.
Each of these places adds a distinct charm to an Anchorage visit, offering a taste of its culture, culinary delights, and unique experiences that shouldn’t be missed. Keep your eye peeled, you never know when a moose would be grazing right next to the highway and you will get to shoot probably the most iconic photo of your Alaskan Trip. BTW all photos in this blog are Copyrighted.
Talkeetna a must visit town on your way to Denali National Park
As you journey towards Denali National Park, a stop in Talkeetna is an absolute must. This quaint Alaskan town invites you to stretch your legs and immerse yourself in its charm. Stroll through the streets, engaging with local vendors and relishing in the vibrant community spirit. Don’t pass up the opportunity to savor a slice of delicious spinach pie, a local specialty that tantalizes the taste buds. And make sure not to miss the breathtaking view of Denali from the serene shores of the river, offering a glimpse of the majestic beauty that awaits you at the park. Talkeetna’s blend of small-town allure and stunning vistas makes it an essential pit stop on your journey to Denali.
Next stop Healy, the nearest town to Denali National Park
When planning your Alaskan adventure to Denali National Park, remember the weather around the highest US peak often means cloudy conditions, offering a 2 in 3 chance of missing the sight. Consider key factors before your journey:
- The 4-hour drive from Anchorage, a round trip requiring about two gas tanks.
- Depending on your departure time, stops, and return plans, budget for 1 or 2 hotel nights at Healy, the nearest town.
- Inside Denali National Park, only specific buses are allowed, providing an 8-hour ride with no guarantee of seeing Denali or wildlife.
Upon our arrival at Healy, we visited the entrance to the park, and arrived just in time to view the Denali dog kennels and show. It was very informative and worth the visit. Those dogs are beautiful, strong and brilliant!
We visited a few souvenir shops in Healy and also stopped by the 49th State Brewing restaurant for dinner. It was a fun spot with a lively atmosphere and great food. In addition we had the chance to take a photo with a copy of the “Into the Wild Bus”, which was sitting on the restaurant’s front yard.
Denali National Park
My suggestion for the Denali National Park part of our Family Road Trip to the Last Frontier in Alaska Adventure? Opt for the basic tour to save money—while pricier options offer more comfort and amenities, they may not justify the additional cost. Bundle up, pack a lunch, and consider the city bus. Use the savings for a delightful Alaskan seafood dinner or invest in quality jackets for your family. Ultimately, tour expenses don’t guarantee clearer views through fogged windows or specific animal sightings.
While our trip to the last frontier held moments of joy, I had regrets about our pricey tour. We glimpsed Denali’s peak from a distance, for a couple of minutes, and enjoyed beautiful scenery. Nonetheless, we were disappointed since we hardly saw any wildlife, not even one bear or moose. We saw a porcupine up close, wild caribou and dall sheep from the far. Yet, Denali’s allure and potential wildlife encounters make the experience unpredictable and worth the adventure. Denali’s visitor center had amazing displays, great souvenir shop, and delicious food.
Matanuska Glacier Park
Glacier Park was a definite highlight of the trip, in just a few minutes of hiking we were walking on a 600 years plus old glacier, the scenery is amazing. It was like being transported to a different planet. There are several tour companies that offered a hike to the glacier, but we chose Matanuska Glacier as it was the only one for kids. In addition, the hike was easy and short for all ages.
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
On our way to Seward we stopped by the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. Although the animals are in enclosures, it was worth the stop. It was fascinating to see such animals realizing their strength, survival skills and endurance to survive the rough Alaskan terrain and weather. We saw elk, wolfs, moose, bears, porcupines, bald eagles and more.
Seward
This was my favorite town, for several reasons. Upon our arrival, entering Seward we saw so many bald eagles, it was really a sight to be seen. After checking in our hotel we walked around town, visiting several souvenir shops. We saw the sun for the first time in several days, lol. Best of all we had the most delicious, reasonably priced fresh seafood dinner at Gold Rush Bistro.
Early next morning we went to the docks to catch our Kenia Fjord Tour to the glacier. The cruise ship tour was well organized, informative and simply an amazing experience. We got to see orcas, dolphins, puffins, sea otters, leopard seals and of course the Kenai Glacier.
After our adventure through the fjords we stopped by the Seward Aquarium where we saw puffins and other animals, up close. We did not stay long since we had to drive back to Anchorage to catch our flight; nonetheless, we enjoy it very much and were able to get some last minute souvenirs at the gift shop.
What to bring to your Family Road Trip to the Last Frontier – Alaska
Gear
Camera: If you have a smart phone, and you just want some vacation photos, it should be more than enough. However, if you want to take professional photos that you later want to enlarge, print and sell I recommend bringing a wide and a long lens for both landscapes and wild animal photography. The Canon EOS Rebel T7 DSLR Camera|2 Lens Kit with EF18-55mm + EF 75-300mm Lens, Black would be an amazing starting point.
Hiking Poles: Montem Ultra Strong Trekking, Walking, and Hiking Poles
Waterbottle: Hydro Flask Stainless Steel Wide Mouth Water Bottle with Flex Straw Lid and Double-Wall Vacuum Insulation
Jackets: Be ready to explore no matter how cold or windy it gets, even during summer months. We were there in June, and we definitely needed the extra layers. For women, I recommend the Columbia Women’s Heavenly Long Hooded Jacket as it a bit longer and it will provide a bit more coverage, without it being too cumbersome when you take it out in restaurants, bus ride or inside the cruise ship. I recommend the Amazon Essentials Girls and Toddlers’ Lightweight Water-Resistant Packable Hooded Puffer Jacket, for kids. It is such a good deal, it is a lightweight, packable and you can add layers by adding your kids favorite sweatshirt. And for men I recommend the Outdoor Ventures Men’s Lightweight Softshell Jacket Fleece Lined Hooded Water Resistant Winter Hiking Windbreaker Jackets, it is windproof and wears really easy, warm and packable.
Snacks
Snacks & Drinks are a must for the Family Road Trip to Last Frontier – Alaska: Literally Alaska is so huge, it may be miles upon miles of gorgeous vistas with birch forests on both sides of the road and snow capped mountains behind them, before you get to a rest-stop, gestation or restaurant. Since you are on vacation, indulge a bit on each of your family member’s favorite snacks. Remember to pack string cheese, nut based snacks and other non sweet snacks; after several days, sweet snacks, cheese puffs and potato chips will not satisfy the hungry crew. After days of trial and error these were the winners:
- KIND Bars, Caramel Almond & Sea Salt, Healthy Snacks
- Sargento Natural String Cheese Snacks
- Capri Sun Pacific Cooler Mixed Fruit Naturally Flavored Kids Juice Drink Blend
