Eight day itinerary with two teenagers

Question

Thank you to everyone who has posted their thoughts on traveling to Alaska! We are a family of four with two teenage daughters (16 and 18) who will be visiting in June for eight days, using your expertise and advice we have put together this itinerary and would welcome any thoughts. We hope to be very active, see some wildlife hopefully and glaciers, and do easy to moderate hikes. We are flexible on budget.

Two questions we have:

If we can’t make it to Denali, we are considering a float plane tour out of Anchorage, there does not appear to be any glacier landing tours out of there – the reviews for both are great so wondering if this would be sufficient rather than the drive to Talkeetna to do the glacier landing flights?

For a glacier cruise we will do one out of Whittier – having done that, is it still worth touring Kenai Fjords too? The potential seasickness is a bit of a concern for the family based on some reviews.

As of now we’ve come up with the following itinerary:

June 14 – Sat: Arrive Anchorage at noon by air, rent mid-seize SUV, explore Anchorage this afternoon - trolley tour, Anchorage Museum, maybe Moose Tooth for Lunch and Glacier Brewhouse for dinner. Staying hotel in Anchorage.

June 15 – Sun: Possibly float plane tour out of Anchorage this morning to see Denali from the air.

Drive to Girdwood and explore along the way – hike Flattop Mountain, see Beluga Point Lookout, Indian Valley Mine, Wildlife Conservation Center, Virgin Creek Falls hike. Stay in Alyeska.

June 16 - Mon – booked helicopter trip late morning to experience dog sledding in the snow. Maybe the tram or North Face Hike if feeling extra adventurous and tram down. Girdwood Brewery probably calling my name by this point too. Stay Alyeska.

June 16 - Tues – booked glacier cruise out of Whittier. Curious to see Buckner Building, then hike Portage Glacier, possibly Byron Glacier too. Stay Alyeska.

June 17 - Wed – head toward Seward, [stop in Coopers Landing to try fishing that morning?]. Russian River Falls and / or Exit Glacier hikes. Stay near Seward (and hopefully cook fish).

June 18 - Thurs – debating a Kenai Fjords tour? Explore Seward incl Sealife Center, hike Tonsina Creek Trail.

June 19 - Fri – drive to Palmer. Visit Reindeer Farm, guided Matanuska Glacier Hike. Stay Palmer.

June 20 – Sat – last day – perhaps ATV tour, open to see anything else we may have missed, red eye flight home out of Anchorage.

Appreciate any and all thoughts, things we might want to add or skip in particular! Notably I don’t think we will have time to add on Denali this trip but could try and add it and replace the last two days with that visit instead. Thank you all for your always insightful advice!

Answer

Your itinerary is ambitious but well thought out, especially for a family with teenagers who want a mix of adventure, wildlife, and glacier experiences. Here’s a detailed analysis and suggestions for your questions and overall plan.

Float Plane Tour from Anchorage vs Glacier Landing from Talkeetna

A float plane tour out of Anchorage is a fantastic way to see Denali and surrounding mountains from the air. Even without landing on a glacier, you’ll get excellent aerial views, and it’s a time-efficient option if you don’t want to drive north to Talkeetna. Glacier landing tours from Talkeetna are more immersive and adventurous, giving you the chance to step onto ice and sometimes even walk on the glacier, but they do require more travel and planning.

If your primary goal is sightseeing and experiencing Denali’s grandeur from the air, the Anchorage float plane tour is sufficient.
If your family wants the novelty of landing on a glacier and a more “hands-on” experience, consider allocating a day for the Talkeetna tour instead.
Given your eight-day timeframe, the Anchorage option saves time and keeps your itinerary less rushed.

Whittier Glacier Cruise vs Kenai Fjords

The Whittier glacier cruise covers Prince William Sound and includes spectacular scenery, tidewater glaciers, and wildlife sightings. Kenai Fjords National Park cruises depart from Seward and offer a different fjord and glacier experience, with opportunities to see more marine wildlife, including whales, seals, and puffins. Consider the following:

If your family is prone to seasickness, doing both cruises might be overkill; pick one to maximize comfort.
If you want a contrasting experience (Prince William Sound vs Kenai Fjords), the Kenai Fjords tour is worthwhile. Shorter tours (around 4–5 hours) reduce seasickness risk.
Many visitors find that one well-chosen cruise is enough to get the “Alaska glacier” experience without repeating similar scenery.

Daily Itinerary Thoughts

June 14 (Anchorage): Good plan. Consider adding a short walk along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail if time allows; great for wildlife spotting and views.
June 15 (Anchorage → Girdwood): Excellent mix of hikes and scenic stops. Make sure to leave Anchorage early if you plan Flattop Mountain hike; it can take 2–3 hours.
June 16 (Alyeska): The helicopter dog sledding is a highlight; tram and North Face hikes are optional depending on energy levels.
June 17 (Whittier → Seward): Consider time management for fishing in Coopers Landing. Russian River Falls is a short hike, but Exit Glacier can take a couple of hours if doing the full trail.
June 18 (Seward / Kenai Fjords): If seasickness is a concern, perhaps schedule the Kenai Fjords tour earlier in the morning when waters are calmer, or skip it if Whittier cruise suffices.
June 19 (Palmer / Matanuska Glacier): Guided glacier hikes are excellent for teens and provide hands-on adventure. The Reindeer Farm visit is fun, but you could move it to earlier in the day to allow more glacier time.
June 20 (Palmer / Anchorage): ATV tour is a great active option; if you have time, a stop at Eklutna Lake or a short hike along the Resurrection Creek Trail can be scenic alternatives before heading to Anchorage for your flight.

Additional Suggestions

Consider the order of Whittier cruise vs helicopter tour; weather is a factor, and some visitors prefer morning flights/cruises for better conditions.
Pack layers and rain gear – June can be unpredictable, especially in coastal areas.
Have backup activities for potential rainy or overcast days; museums or indoor attractions in Anchorage or Seward are good options.
Drive times between locations: Allow buffer time as traffic, road conditions, and wildlife sightings can add delays.

Overall, your itinerary balances active adventure with wildlife and glacier experiences well. If Denali is not feasible, the Anchorage float plane tour and Whittier cruise provide excellent highlights. Kenai Fjords is optional depending on comfort with seasickness and how much unique marine wildlife you wish to see. The plan seems realistic for eight days, though it will be a busy schedule for the family.

Eight day itinerary with two teenagers

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