Best Family-Friendly Alaska Tours

Exploring Alaska through the eyes of a child is a joyous experience, and these family-friendly tours are our favorites for doing just that. Families love that these tours don’t require kids to sit quietly for long stretches. These tours are at a kid-friendly pace, with hands-on moments, space to explore, and guides who adapt their storytelling and activities to capture the attention of both kids and adults. Below are our top recommended excursions based on reviews submitted by parents and grandparents.

Skagway Musher's Camp and Sled Dog Adventure

Port: Skagway

Duration: 3.25 hours

Minimum age: None

Skagway Musher’s Camp is an overwhelming family favorite excursion. Families rave that it is perfectly paced and interactive for kids of all ages. This excursion includes hands-on activities: a ride on a wheeled cart through the rainforest, pulled by a team of sled dogs; a short, entertaining educational presentation on the history and practice of dog-sled racing; and the highlight of the tour, an opportunity to meet and snuggle sled-dog puppies. Families find the guides to be welcoming, informative, and patient.

We also highly recommend the Juneau Musher's Camp & Sled Dog Discovery, which is nearly identical to the experience; however, the terrain is more suitable for guests with mobility challenges or families with strollers.

Juneau Glacier Dog Sledding & Helicopter Tour

Port: Juneau

Duration: 3 hours

Minimum Age: None

Based on thousands of customer reviews, the  Juneau Glacier Dog Sledding & Helicopter Tour is consistently described as a once-in-a-lifetime, unforgettable family experience that feels safe, well-run, and truly special for both kids and adults. The tour begins with a breathtaking flight over the Juneau Ice Field, landing at the distant Herbert Glacier, where over 200 sled dogs will greet your arrival with barks and tail wags. From there, you’ll meet a professional musher and their sled dog team, who will pull you across pristine acres of snow-covered glaciers. Before boarding the helicopter for a return flight, you’ll have the opportunity to meet and cuddle puppies. Many parents recommend the Juneau Glacier Dog Sledding & Helicopter Tour without hesitation and feel that it is absolutely worth the cost.

Ketchikan Bering Sea Crab Fisherman's Tour

Port: Ketchikan

Duration: 3 hours

Minimum Age: 5 years old

Perfect for kids and parents, the Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour combines entertainment, hands-on activities, and wildlife viewing into one of the best family excursions. Your hosts, friendly retired crab fishermen, welcome you aboard the Aleutian Ballad, a crab fishing vessel featured in the TV series Deadliest Catch. Families enjoy the covered, heated stadium seating for comfortable viewing of the demonstrations, along with plenty of space throughout the boat where kids can move around, explore, and get up close to the action. Hands-on activities include touch tanks with crabs, shrimp, and anemones, as well as an up-close look at industrial crab pots and fishing equipment. As the tour skirts the shoreline, keep an eye out for bald eagles, whales, and harbor seals. With short, engaging presentations and plenty of freedom to explore, this excursion is a perfect fit for families with curious and busy kids.

Ketchikan Highlights, Lumberjack Show & Saxman Native Village

Port: Ketchikan

Duration: 3 hours

Minimum Age: None

This budget-friendly tour is a family-friendly combination of the top shows Ketchikan has to offer: The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show and a moving performance by members of the Tlingit tribe. The tour begins at the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, a one-hour rambunctious show filled with thrilling lumberjack challenges, humorous commentary, and audience participation. Afterwards, you’ll enjoy a short narrated guide to the Saxman Native Village, where you’ll be welcomed into the Beaver Clan House for a performance by the Cape Fox Dancers. This presentation of Alaskan Native dance and storytelling is sure to create powerful, lasting memories for kids and adults alike.

Grizzly Falls Ziplining Adventure

One of our favorite active family excursions is the Grizzly Falls Ziplining Adventure. Parents describe the tour as fun, safe, confidence-building, and ideal for kids and multi-generational groups.  A thrilling zipline course, set in the stunning Tongass National Forest, you’ll zip over rivers and through treetops. What sets this tour apart is the professional, supportive, and entertaining guides, who ensure safety and guidance at every step. This tour is suitable for children as young as 6 and is loved by guests of all ages.

Sitka Premium Scenic Tour: Fortress of the Bear, Raptor Center & Totem Village

Port: Sitka

Duration: 3 hours

Minimum Age: None

This family-friendly small-group tour includes visits to Sitka's top sites. The tour includes stops at two local wildlife rescue centers, the Alaska Raptor Center and the Fortress of the Bears. Each site provides a short informative introduction followed by an opportunity to observe owls, hawks, eagles, and bears in a zoo-like setting. At the Fortress of the Bears, kids will be thrilled by the bears' entertaining antics. The tour concludes with a short walk at the Sitka National Historical Park, where you’ll stroll through a beautiful coastal trail lined with Tlingit and Haida totem poles. This perfectly paced excursion is perfect for families seeking to see the best of Sitka. We also recommend the Simply Amazing Sitka Tour, which has a similar tour itinerary.