It’s been a few months since we’ve returned from our *dare we say* EPIC trip to Alaska. If you followed along on Instagram, you know. (And if you didn’t—go check out our Alaska highlights… right. now.) From start to finish it was a dream trip, filled with stunning views, pinch-me moments, and amazing food. And it couldn’t have been more family-friendly! (Jude lived his best life in Alaska. He asks us daily to return.)
We had SO many dm’s asking for our itinerary. So here we are, friends—this is for you. Copy this exact trip. Everything. It’s all so good.
Day 1
Arrive in Anchorage. This was our first time visiting Alaska’s largest city, and it definitely won’t be our last. It has all the big-city amenities that we love, like incredible fine dining and an array of cool coffee shops, and has all the jaw-dropping wilderness one would expect in Alaska.
Rent a car and stay at the Lakefront Anchorage—a charming resort perched right on Lake Hood. We checked in and immediately headed to one of Anchorages’ many amazing playgrounds. If you have kids, highly recommend you do this. Jude desperately needed to get his wiggles out and we desperately needed some fresh air. Win/win.
Then, have an early dinner at Spenard Roadhouse. We loved its fun, casual vibe and diverse menu. We also loved their craft cocktails (get a Negroni!), loaded tots, and 3-course kids menu.
Day 2
If your kids are up early, (ours was) take that as a good excuse to hit up a local coffee shop. We loved Black Cup. According to Jude, their hot cocoa is top-notch. Then head to South Restaurant for one of the best breakfasts Anchorage has to offer. Trust us. (Make a reservation in advance, just in case they’re busy!)
Spend the rest of your morning at the Alaska Zoo. It’s the only zoo in Alaska—and it’s a truly special one. Since 1969 they have cared for orphaned and injured wildlife, with their core mission of providing homes for animals who need them. Not only that, the grounds are beautiful, spacious, and lush. I’m not sure who loved it more—Jude or us!
Enjoy a late lunch at the brand-new Palmeira Tropical Fusion. You’ll feel as though you’ve stepped into a chic Miami hot spot, but, you know, in downtown Anchorage. Get one of their amazing fresh juices and the Avocado Salad. Then head back to the Lakefront and take a well-needed nap. (We built in nap time every day of this trip—”for the kids”... but also for us.)
Head downtown for the afternoon. We could have spent hours at the Anchorage Museum. We all loved the many interactive exhibits (especially the life-size bubble machine) and Jude had a blast playing in the kids zone. For the adults, the Anchorage Museum is rich with exhibits to learn about Alaska Native people and cultures. This is also a great rainy day activity for the whole family.
Grab some tacos at the famous El Green-go’s food truck for dinner. This was unexpectedly one of our favorite meals from the trip. All ingredients are locally sourced and made to order, and so dang delicious. Food Network named it the “Best Food Truck in Alaska”—and we totally agree!
Day 3
Grab an early breakfast at Middle Way Cafe and drive along the scenic Seward Highway to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center near Girdwood. This animal sanctuary maintains over 200 acres of spacious habitats for injured and orphaned animals. You can see black bears, brown bears, elk, muskox, and so much more! We even saw a Beluga on our way there! We loved how easy the AWCC was to explore (we drove to each exhibit!) and their commitment to caring for their resident animals.
Pop in at the gorgeous Alyeska Resort for lunch. Their new restaurant Forte Alaska has pristine views of the grounds (weather permitting, sit outside), and the elevated Italian menu is *chefs kiss*.
Drive back to the Lakefront Resort and, you guessed it, take a nap. We spent the rest of this afternoon relaxing at the resort, watching seaplanes take off from Lake Hood, and enjoying pizza takeout from Mooses Tooth. *Not pictured because we devoured it*
Day 4.
Up and at ‘em! Reset all that pizza you had the night before with fresh juice and toasts at Pure & Pressed Juice Company. Ahh, healthy has never tasted so good.
Then, it’s off to Palmer, Alaska! (About a 45 minute drive) First order of business, The Musk Ox Farm! They offer 45-minute tours at the top of the hour from 10am-5pm. We loved touring the farm and learning more about these absolutely adorable animals—and Jude loved running around the farm.
Next up, visit the Alaska State Fair! Not only will this be the most picturesque state fair you’ve ever attended, we’re confident it has the best food, too. Walk around the grounds, play some games, ride some rides (the ferris wheel is a must), and then eat some treats. We highly recommend the corn dogs and fresh peach pie a’la mode. Planning a visit for 2023? The fair will be running from August 18 - September 4.
Head back, nap (of course), and enjoy dinner at The Flying Machine restaurant at the Lakefront Anchorage. Weather permitting, sit outside and enjoy the picture-perfect views and the seaplanes taking off from the water!
*If you rented a car, return it tonight. Chances are you won’t need a car the rest of the trip!
Day 5.
Depart Anchorage and head to Talkeetna on The Alaska Railroad! Now, we have a whole blogpost about the Alaska Railroad and how absolutely incredible it is, so more to come on that. But it really is a fantastic way to see (and travel) the state!
Stay at the Talkeetna Cabins. They’ll pick you up from the depot and bring you to your cozy, charming, and surprisingly spacious cabin. We loved having the extra room and their location couldn’t be more ideal—right in the heart of town! Speaking of the town of Talkeetna, be prepared to fall in love. It’s adorable in every way.
Treat yourself to a late lunch at the Denali Brew Pub (everything’s delish but we’re big fans of the short rib sandwich and the veggie burger). Take a short stroll around the town, and then walk back to your cabin for a quick nap.
While in Talkeetna, a “Wilderness Jet Boat Tour” with Mahay’s Jet Boat Adventures is a must. You’ll travel over twenty miles of river, see some amazing wildlife (we saw a brown bear!), and go on a gorgeous nature walk, all with a knowledgeable (and very entertaining) guide.
Take the evening to explore the town of Talkeetna. There happened to be a “Live at 5” summer concert series the night we were there, so we danced to some live local music and Jude made some friends with bubbles. It was awesome.
Walk to Mountain High Pizza Pie for dinner and end the night at Shirley’s for some freshly made ice cream. If you have the time and the weather is nice, walk to the end of the street to the shores of the Talkeetna River for some breathtaking views of Denali (weather permitting, of course). Best day ever or the best day ever?! And the trip’s not over yet!
Talkeetna Cabins!
Day 6.
Just steps from the Talkeetna Cabins is the cutest little coffee shop—Conscious Coffee. Grab some coffee and some bagels, and take a seat outside. Your kids will love all the toy cars and bikes they have on the property, and you’ll love that you can sip your coffee in peace!
Next, pack up your belongings and hop on the Alaska Railroad once again for a gorgeous trip to Denali! Check into the Denali Bluffs Hotel, set in the picturesque Denali Canyon. Bonus points if you visit towards the end of August, like we did, to experience the fall colors!
Once you’re settled (and you’ve had your nap), take a short hike to The Overlook at The Crow’s Nest for dinner. Make a reservation in advance, and request a table near the window. The views are almost as phenomenal as the local Alaska seafood. Our suggestion? Order the salmon and the halibut and split them. And be sure to get a Baked Alaska for dessert!
Day 7.
By this point in the trip you’re probably tired. We were! Take it easy this morning and have a light breakfast at the hotel. They have a grab-and-go called The Perky Moose Cafe that is great for kids and has tons of caffeine options for tired parents. ;)
Then catch a shuttle from the hotel to the iconic Denali Visitors Center! If you have kids, make a stop at the front desk and rent a “Discovery backpack”—they’re filled with discovery toys, books, crafts, and more! Even though Jude was a little young to fully understand it all, he loved reading the books with me and playing with some of the toys!
We toured the Visitor Center and then went for a short hike around the park. Our hike was cut short due to the rain, so we took that as a sign to get some lunch and ate at the Morino Grill, located on the Visitor Center campus. We loved it!
*Nap break*
If there’s one restaurant you can’t miss while you’re in Denali, it’s Moose-Aka’s. This traditional Serbian restaurant is famous for its made-from-scratch family recipes and its friendly, cozy atmosphere. Make a reservation in advance, take a nice little walk over, and get ready for a dinner experience you’ll never forget! Come hungry!
Day 8.
(Since you'll be taking an afternoon train to Fairbanks, pack up your bags and leave them outside of your room. The staff at the Denali Bluffs will take your luggage to the train depot for you, so you don’t have to worry about it!)
Walk to breakfast at Black Bear Coffee Shop (named best coffee shop in Alaska by the Food Network!). Order one of everything—it’s all unreal. Probably the best sourdough pancakes Jude has ever had. Then, head to the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge, where you can shop and explore the grounds!
Grab lunch at Prospectors Pizza, and make sure you get the baked tomato soup. Trust us. And then just like that, it’s time to head to the depot and board the Alaska Railroad to Fairbanks!
Upon arrival in Fairbanks, board the shuttle for the Teddy Bear Lodge. It’s as cute and cozy as the name suggests. We also suggest renting a car, you’ll need it for all of your adventures tomorrow!
Day 9.
Hellooooo, Fairbanks! Start your morning with coffee and cinnamon rolls at Alaska Coffee Roasting. Then, make your way to run around at Pioneer Park. It’s like a free theme park with playgrounds, museums, historic buildings, and so much more! We loved the charming Gold Rush town street—Jude loved the slides.
Next, head to downtown Fairbanks. Grab lunch at The Crepery (get a couple sweet and savory crepes and split them!), and walk along the Chena River. We love how clean and well-kept this city is—and on a clear day the views are absolutely stunning!
A short walk from the river is the Fairbanks Children’s Museum, and if your kids are anything like ours, they’ll flip over this place! From sensory activities like gigantic water tables to an adorable “Imagineering Lab”, there’s enough interactive exhibits and play areas for kids to be entertained for HOURS. Even Reese loved it! (Not to mention it was a much-needed break for mom and dad.)
We can’t think of a better way to end your dream Alaska trip than with dinner at the iconic (and super delicious) Pump House. Built in 1978, they furnished the restaurant with antiques from the Alaska Gold Rush. Most of the furnishings are over 150 years old! Not only that - it’s set on the Chena River with gorgeous, lush grounds. If it’s a pretty day, ask to sit outside! Their menu is extensive and full of fresh Alaska specialties—we highly suggest the oysters and the grilled Alaskan salmon. And don’t forget to treat yourself to a wine or beer flight. It is your last night, after all! :)
This trip will go down in history as one of our favorites. Everything we did, saw, and ate was magic. And experiencing it all with our kids was the best part! If you have any other questions about this itinerary, or visiting Alaska in general, please don’t hesitate to reach out! We’re happy to help any way we can.
