7 Day Anchorage, Seward, Talkeetna & Denali For Families with Teenagers

Start your Alaskan adventure in Anchorage with a visit to the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. Rent bikes and enjoy the scenic 11-mile trail that offers stunning views of the coastline and the city. Or get acquainted with the city on a Trolley tour. Afterward, head to the Anchorage Museum for an interactive experience that delves into Alaskan history, art, and science.

Photo: Coastal Trail

Embark on a day trip to Seward. The drive takes about 2.5 hours or you can ride the Alaska Railroad. The train departs at 6:45am and arrives in Seward around 11:15. Here are some suggested activities for your day in Seward:

• Take a day cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park. The most popular tour is about 5 hours and will take up the entire time you have available in Seward if you’re riding the train. The boat companies will pick you up at the railroad depot and drop you back off to catch the return train.

• Visit the Alaska SeaLife Center. This marine research facility and public aquarium offer educational and interactive exhibits that are both fun and informative.

• Take a guided kayaking tour to explore the waters around Seward, where you can see wildlife and enjoy the natural beauty of the area.

• Go for a hike on the Exit Glacier Trail for a close-up view of a glacier.

The train departs Seward at 6pm. If you drove to Seward, embark on the 2.5 hour drive whenever you’re ready. Return to Anchorage in the evening.

Photo: NPS day cruise

Drive 2.5 hrs to Talkeetna and kick off your day with a thrilling ziplining tour through the forest canopy with Denali Zipline Tours. In the afternoon, other tour options include a flightseeing tour for breathtaking views of Mt. Denali and the Alaska Range (with an optional glacier landing), a jetboat tour, rafting, or a relaxing kayaking or canoeing session on one of the nearby lakes, soaking in the tranquil surroundings.

Photo: Flightseeing

Head to Denali National Park and start your adventure with a visit to the Denali Visitor Center and the Murie Science and Learning Center. These centers offer educational exhibits and films about the park's natural and cultural history. In the afternoon, take a Denali Park Road Tour to see the stunning scenery and wildlife along the park road. You can choose a guided tour or utilize the hop-on/hop-off park shuttle to hike trails inside the park. If time permits, consider a flightseeing tour over Denali for a unique perspective of the park.

Photo: Denali Park Ziplining

Spend the day exploring Denali National Park with a mix of adventure and relaxation. Start with a hiking excursion on one of the park's popular trails, such as the Horseshoe Lake Trail, Savage River Loop, or the more challenging Healy Overlook. If you’d like to get the most out of a hike in the park, consider going with a guide. Guides go beyond showing you the way. They’ll explain the local history, flora, and fauna. Teens may especially enjoy tours that teach backcountry survival skills.

In the afternoon, experience the thrill of white-water rafting on the Nenana River. For those seeking a different kind of adventure, consider an ATV tour or a zipline tour. End your day with a leisurely bike ride on the paved path near the park entrance or along the Denali Park Road.

Photo: Denali ATV Adventure

After breakfast, take a leisurely 5 hour drive back to Anchorage. There are a few ways you could break up the drive. Stop in Willow or Big Lake (90 mins from Anchorage) and raft Willow creek, or go on an ATV or Dog Sled Tour. In Palmer (45 minutes north of Anchorage) you can visit the Musk Ox Farm for a 45-minute guided tour that will introduce you to these unique creatures and their fascinating history. Or, visit the nearby Reindeer Farm for an hour-long tour where you can get up close and personal with reindeer and moose!

If you’re interested in a hike, the short but steep Bodenburg Butte Trail offers great views of the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, surrounding mountains, and Knik Glacier in the Distance. Or head straight onto Anchorage and consider fishing in Ship Creek, visiting the Alaska Zoo, or biking the Coastal Trail.

Photo: Palmer/Wasilla ATV Tour

On your final day, visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center if you haven't already, or spend some time at the Anchorage Museum for any exhibits you might have missed. If you're looking for a relaxing activity, head to Potter Marsh Bird Sanctuary for some last-minute bird watching. For a more adventurous end to your trip, consider a full-day Bear Viewing tour to Katmai or Lake Clark National Parks to watch bears interact in their natural environment. Return to Anchorage for your flight home.

Photo: Lake Clark National Park