Anchorage, Alaska

It is safe to say that your whole family will love a visit to the center. Most noteworthy is probably the amazing opportunity for learning. There was plenty of space and a few cuddly creatures that kept the youngest entertained. Older children find much delight in all the different exhibits and learning how each species is so unique. This is information that really resonated with my children, and they have retained for years. The facility is well cared for and clean in comparison to some other aquariums. The center is quite big enough to spend the whole day so you can plan other things for that day too!

The appeal of this hotel is most abundant outside. The very best part of staying here is the incredible view of the inlet, people say you can see Russia from here! The coastal trails are unbelievable and absolutely perfect for rollerblading and skating. The hotel is beautiful and the rooms are large. The hotel offers plenty of amenities and the staff is quite accommodating. The highlight of the amenities, most beneficial for large families, would have to be the full breakfast. Mom will be able to find something that everyone likes, even the pickiest of eaters. Plus this hotel is situated downtown for great dining and shopping.

We were here in the summer so we did not get the luxury of taking advantage of the ski hills. However the hills surrounding the resort are useful for another activity in the summer that I love just as much and the kids love even more; berry picking! The restaurant at the hotel offers a buffalo meat loaf that is out of this world. The staff is very accommodating and are top notch in first class service. The rooms are extremely spacious and offer plenty of space for families. The hotel offers beautiful views and the grounds are amazing, complete with a pond!

A 16-mile stretch of beach grass and mudflats, the Coastal Wildlife Refuge is home to moose, the occasional bear, and birds. Lots and lots of birds. As a popular stopover for migrating geese, swans, Arctic Terns, ducks, and other birds, the refuge is a delightful place to bring kids. While the refuge is a large area, most people congregate at the area known as Potter Marsh, sandwiched in between Old and New Seward Highways. Created when the Alaska Railroad built an embankement in 1917, the marshy land is extremely popular with local residents (human and animal). Featuring a newish, elevated boardwalk upon which anyone can safely view the birds (and spawning salmon during the summer months), the refuge is the site of early-morning bird walks led by Audubon Society members, and annual Potter Marsh Discovery Day each June. Easily identified by the boardwalk that snakes alongside New Seward Highway, the area is free to the public, but has definite times of operation, generally during daylight hours. Head east on the boardwalk and spy moose feeding on lush grasses, view an old beaver dam, or look for the eagle who frequents an ancient cottonwood tree along the hillside. Walk west, and listen for songbirds, ducks, and the occasional swanky swan splashing around in the creek. West is noisiest, however, with the busy highway right at ear level, but kids generally don't mind, and the Alaska Railroad train makes daily appearances in the morning and afternoon.

The Alaska Zoo is small, easy to navigate, and provides a woodsy walk for families of all ages and abilities. Located in the south end of Anchorage, Alaska's only zoo is a perfect stop for those wanting local experiences with animals who reside in northern climates. From yaks to a pack of wolves, and of course, those famous polar bears, the Alaska Zoo is a wonderful part of any Anchorage day tour. Staffed by a knowledgable bunch of animal experts, and a full cadre of volunteers, the zoo can provide behind-the-scenes tours as well, including encounters with said wolf pack. During the summer months, gather on the lawn every Friday night for an outdoor concert, free with admission. A number of special events take place throughout the year, so do check the zoo website before visiting, you never know what sort of exciting activity might be happening! www.alaskazoo.org

Ironically, while I adore the Alaska Native Heritage Center and think it's a stop every visiting family should make when traveling to Anchorage, our family struggled to keep our then-7-year-old engaged. ANHC offers spectacular indoor displays explaining the major tribal groups of Alaska, their language, culture, and lifestyle traditions, and a series of authentic dwellings outside to explore. My son was definitely frustrated indoors, finding the Children's Area to focus more on small kids (age 5 and younger), but did enjoy the outside space surrounding little Lake Tuilana, especially since a Native kayaker was quietly paddling in the water. The dwellings are fun to run in and out, but often a representative from the appropriate Native group is inside talking to (usually) adult visitors, so loud talking or shouting, something my son does extremely well, is slightly disrespectful. That said, we do enjoy and appreciate the overall experience at ANHC; the staff and volunteers are so kind to kids, and our son does learn something new each time we visit. We just need to plan for breaks, bring a picnic, or attend on a special event day. http://www.alaskanative.net

Located in the heart of downtown Anchorage, the recently-remodeled Anchorage Museum offers a wide expanse of cultural, historic, and scientific exhibits to please the entire family. With four floors of space, including the Imaginarium Discovery Center and Thomas Planetarium on the first floor, families visiting the museum can rove between hands-on, science-based activities for kids aged 0-18, and history lessons dating back to Alaska's earliest Native Alaskan residents. Not lacking for artifacts and real-life examples of Alaska culture, kids and parents will enjoy seeing handmade clothing, model ships, a sample of the Alaska Pipeline, and even a life-size moose statue. While some areas are indeed unappealing for kids (the art gallery, in general), most children will thrive in the museum's space, and special events and exhibits throughout the year provide nice extra touches.