Anchorage, the biggest city in Alaska, has dozens of activities and places to explore for families looking for fun and exciting adventures. With its stunning natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and abundant attractions, Anchorage offers countless activities for the whole family to enjoy each season. From exploring and walking on glaciers to seeing the northern lights, the Anchorage area has something for everyone.  

This article will explore the top 10 family activities you can enjoy in Anchorage during each season. Let's get started! 

The Alaska State Fair

Held annually at the end of summer from late August to early September in Palmer (42 miles North East of Anchorage), the Alaska State Fair is a 12-day celebration of Alaskan culture. In 2023 the fair will take place from August 18 through September 4.

Each day at the fair is packed with dozens of events like nightly concerts, amusement park rides, Alaska Native crafts, the giant cabbage weigh-off (look it up), and more. The fair also features quilting, photography, pottery, and other art exhibits. All in all, the Alaska State Fair has something for everyone!

If you are a foodie, you must visit the fair to try great craft beverages, baked goods, and all sorts of delicacies offered by the hundreds of food and beverage booths.

To purchase tickets, please click here. 

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center 

Located along the scenic Seward Highway 50 miles (1 hour) from Anchorage, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is a 200-acre sanctuary that provides an opportunity to observe and learn about Alaskan wildlife up close and personal.  

This animal sanctuary is dedicated to preserving Alaska's wildlife through conservation, education, research, and animal care. It takes injured and orphaned animals and provides them the care they need to thrive. 

Visiting the Conservation Center is a must if you'd like to learn about and see Alaskan wildlife close. Some of the animals you'll spot include grizzly and black bears, Alaskan moose, red foxes, wood bison, and many others.

General admission for adults is around $20, with the option of taking special tours to get closer to the bears and moose for an additional cost. 

The Conservation Center is open year-round, but its hours vary depending on the season. 

Alaska Native Heritage Center 

Alaska has a rich cultural history dating back over 10 thousand years. There is no better place to learn about Alaska Natives than spending a few hours at the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage. 

This interactive museum is much more than a traditional museum full of artifacts and collections. At the Native Heritage Center, you will watch live Alaska Native dances and demonstrations, meet artisans and carvers, and listen to their unique stories. By offering this fantastic experience, you will learn about Alaska's Indigenous cultures' traditional and contemporary ways. 

The Center is open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. There are no admission fees during winter, although donations are appreciated. To get the most out of the Center, we recommend visiting during the summer, when there are plenty of dance performances, Alaska Native Games demonstrations, and Alaska Native Artists selling their work.

The Alaska Zoo

10 miles from Downtown Anchorage, nestled near the Chugach mountains, lies the Alaska Zoo, a must for kids and all animal lovers visiting Anchorage. Home to over 80 animals, the zoo has a variety of local as well as other exotic cold climate species, including polar bears.  

The Alaska Zoo is also an education center offering dozens of programs and events to the community as part of its education, conservation, and enrichment mission.

Compared to other zoos, the Alaska Zoo is open year-round and is easily accessible from the city. 

If you can't make it to the zoo, you can still check out their polar bears by watching the live polar bear cam. 

Tony Knowles Coastal Trail

As Anchorage's most popular trail, the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail is 11 miles long, from Downtown Anchorage to the chalet at Kincaid Park. 

As you walk down the trail, you will leave the city behind and skirt the fault line of the 1964 quake, spot moose and take the breathtaking views where you might even see whales and Mount Denali- the tallest mountain in North America. 

The trail is easy and can be enjoyed by hikers, bikers, runners, rollerbladers, and even cross-country skiers in the winter. Accessing the trail is easy since you can enter from several points in the city. A fun family activity is renting a bike and pedaling down the trail while admiring the fantastic scenery. 

If you enjoy taking wildlife pictures, you must take your camera since you never know when you will cross paths with a moose or other wildlife on the trail. 

Alaska Botanical Garden

When you think of Alaska, do images of peonies, tulips, and poppies come to mind? Most people believe Alaska is not home to hundreds of flowers, but that is wrong. Alaska is home to dozens of beautiful types of flowers that blossom during summer. 

The Alaska Botanical Garden is a 100-acre showcase of dozens of native flowers and herbs. In the garden, you will admire all these marvelous plants and other vegetables, annuals, and perennials that grow only in Alaska.

We recommend you go to see over 80 types of peonies during the summer, especially from June to early August. 

When visiting during the winter, it's important to remember that the Botanical Garden is only open during limited hours. 

The Iditarod Sled Dog Race

Witness the excitement of the world-famous Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. This long-distance race from Anchorage to Nome is almost 1,000 miles long and takes place in March. 

The race starts on 4th Avenue and D street in Downtown Anchorage and is a must-see event for anyone visiting Anchorage in March! If you are in Anchorage during the winter, you can feel like a musher by experiencing the Ultimate Alaska Adventure with Dogsledding and Snowmobiles. 

The Alaska Aviation Museum 

Located on the largest floatplane base in the world, this museum offers a fascinating look into the history of aviation in the state. This museum is a must for any aviation lover! 

Aviation, especially floatplanes, has played a crucial role in the state's modern history. This museum displays the finest collection of local aviation memorabilia and aircraft from all eras of Alaska aviation, from a venerable 1928 Stearman C2B to a modern and advanced F-15 fighter. 

The Alaska Aviation Museum is located at 4721 Aircraft Drive. It is open Monday to Friday from 10 am to 5 pm and on Saturdays from 12 pm to 5 pm. Before visiting, please check their website for up-to-date hours of operation.  

Fur Rendezvous Festival 

This 10-day winter festival, better known as the Fur Rondy, occurs annually from late February to early March in Downtown Anchorage, celebrating Alaska's history and culture. During these 10 days, the streets of Anchorage come alive with winter sports, native culture, and tons of unique events. 

Some Rondy events you do not want to miss include the Running of the Reindeer, The snow sculpture competition, the Rondy World Championship Sled Dog Races, and the Outhouse Races. 

The Fur Rondy is a unique cultural experience where you can learn about Alaska's diverse culture and history at dozens of workshops and exhibits throughout the festival.  

The Imaginarium Discovery Center at The Anchorage Museum

Housed within the Anchorage Museum, you will love this interactive science center. Visitors can engage with interactive exhibits, including earthquake simulators, a planetarium, a marine touch tank, and many more. 

In addition to the permanent exhibits, the Imaginarium Discovery Center hosts rotating special exhibitions, workshops, and events that cover a wide range of STEM topics. These programs are designed to cater to different age groups, from preschoolers to adults, and often involve hands-on activities and experiments to provide a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

The museum's hours change each season, so check their hours online when planning your visit. 

Other Places to Visit in Anchorage 

These are just places you can explore around Anchorage and its immediate area. If you have more time in the city, we suggest you take some day trips to experience the beauty of south-central Alaska. Here is an article on the 8 best day trips from Anchorage. 

There is no better way to enjoy your memorable Alaskan adventure than by partaking in amazing experiencing and tours. From taking an authentic winter dog sled ride to exploring Denali National Park to seeing wildlife in its natural habitat, Voyij.com is your place to book all your Alaskan tours and adventures.