8 Day Anchorage, Talkeetna & Denali For Families with Teenagers

Welcome to Anchorage! Start your Alaskan adventure with a visit to the Anchorage Museum. This interactive museum offers fascinating exhibits on Alaskan history, art, and science, perfect for engaging teenage minds. Afterward, head to the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail for a scenic walk or bike ride. The 11-mile trail offers stunning views of the coastline and is a great way to stretch your legs after your journey. If fishing is on your agenda, you can rent poles (and a guide if you’d like one) from The Bait Shack at Ship Creek in downtown Anchorage and try your luck angling for the big one. Or, you can simply head down to Ship Creek and watch the action. Pick up a souvenir at the nearby Ulu Factory while you’re there.

Photo: Ship Creek Salmon Viewing

Today, you can hang around Anchorage and enjoy some local adventures or go on a day trip beyond town. If you want to stay close, begin your day with a hike up Flattop. This popular spot offers breathtaking views of Anchorage and the surrounding area. It's a challenging but rewarding hike with plenty of spots to rest and take in the scenery. You can access several other trails from the Glen Alps trailhead as well. End your day with a visit to the Potter Marsh Bird Sanctuary for some bird watching and a peaceful walk along the boardwalk. Or, consider an Escape Room experience for some family bonding.

If you want to embark on an adventure, consider boarding the Alaska Railroad Glacier Discovery train to Spencer Glacier. At the glacier you can take a nature walk down to the glacier lake, or go on a rafting tour among the icebergs that have calved off the glacier, before floating down the glacier river where the train will pick you back up to return you to Anchorage. It’s a full day adventure, but very scenic.

Photo: Portage Lake

Start your day with a visit to the Alaska Native Heritage Center to learn about the diverse cultures of Alaska's indigenous peoples. Afterward, drive 2.5 hrs to Talkeetna, a charming town known for its outdoor activities. Once you arrive, take a leisurely stroll around town or hike the trails at the Talkeetna Lakes Park. Kayak tours and rentals are also available.

Photo: Talkeetna Hiking

Kick off your day with a thrilling Flightseeing Tour over Denali and the Alaska Range. Some tours even include glacier landings, offering a unique perspective of the majestic landscape. In the afternoon, go Ziplining with Denali Zipline Tours for an adrenaline-pumping adventure through the forest canopy. If you prefer water activities, consider a rafting or jet boat tour on the nearby rivers.

Photo: Denali Zipline Tours

Drive to Denali National Park and Preserve, where adventure awaits. Upon arrival, visit the Denali Visitor Center to get an overview of the park's natural and cultural history. Spend the rest of the day exploring the park on a Denali Park Road Tour. These tours offer stunning scenery and the chance to see wildlife like bears, moose, and caribou. You can also opt for the hop-on/hop-off park shuttle to hike various trails inside the park.

Photo: Horseshoe Lake Trail

Start your day with a hike on one of Denali's popular trails, such as the Horseshoe Lake Trail or the Savage River Loop. For older teens looking for a challenge, the Healy Overlook offers a more strenuous climb with rewarding views. 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. If you prefer a calmer activity, consider a Flightseeing Tour over Denali for breathtaking aerial views. End your day with a Zipline Tour or an ATV Tour for more adventure.

Photo: Denali ATV Adventures

After breakfast, take a leisurely 5 hour drive back to Anchorage. There’s a few ways you could break up the drive. Stop in Willow (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: Musk Ox Farm

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: Katmai National Park