Thundering waterfalls. Creaking icebergs. Breaching orcas. Join us as we explore Alaska’s endless offerings of breathtaking beauty and outdoor adventures on this action-packed Alaska family vacation in the Land of the Midnight Sun. Alaska is one of our founder’s all-time favorite destinations, and Dan Austin has personally curated every experience on this amazing family-friendly adventure. Answer the call of the wild as your family kayaks Resurrection Bay with playful sea otters, bikes the winding mountain roads of the Kenai Peninsula, and roasts marshmallows around a crackling bonfire on a pebble beach.
Your family adventure begins with a scenic train ride aboard the famous Alaska Railroad. Kayak the pristine waters of Resurrection Bay alongside seals, sea otters, and puffins. Hike the panoramic vista of Exit Glacier and Harding Icefield. Get closer to orcas and humpback whales while navigating the Kenai Fjords on a private cruise. Let the mist of a thundering waterfall cool your cheeks on a bike ride to the gold rush town of Hope.
Alaska Family Vacation Highlights
Spend six unforgettable days exploring the Kenai Peninsula at a comfortable pace on our Alaska family vacation including expert private guides, luxury hotel accommodations, and all meals:
The scenic train ride from Anchorage aboard the famous Alaska Railroad
Whale watching on a Kenai fjords tour by private cruise
Kayaking in Resurrection Bay
Hiking along the Exit Glacier & Harding Ice Field
Close encounters with octopus and sea lions at the Alaska SeaLife Center
Biking along thundering waterfalls on the Johnson Trail
*Operating under permit with the US Forest Service/National Park Service **Austin Adventures is an equal opportunity provider
A few more reasons to go on an Alaska Family Vacation:
01
The wildlife: there aren't a lot of wild places where you might spot a humpback whale on a morning cruise and a bull moose on an afternoon hike in the same day!
02
Kenai Fjords National Park: there's no better way of seeing this beautiful landscape than by boat and by foot...and we get to do both.
03
Forget early bedtimes: With Alaska's midnight sun, it's never too dark to play - even long after dinner.
Early pick-up in Anchorage. Begin with a four-hour scenic train ride on the famous Alaska Railroad, heading south to historic Seward. Get outfitted in boots and kayak skirts for a paddle along the shoreline and protected coves of Resurrection Bay, searching for Dall’s Porpoises, Stellar sea lions, and orca whales. Check into your hotel overlooking the harbor for the next 3 nights. Dinner is prepared at one of our favorite restaurants in town as we toast to a great trip to come!
About the Harbor 360 Hotel
Harbor 360 Hotel is the premier waterfront hotel in the scenic harbor town of Seward, Alaska. Located directly on the Seward Small Boat Harbor, Harbor 360 Hotel offers guests stunning 360-degree views of Resurrection Bay and the surrounding Kenai Mountains. The spacious, comfortable guest rooms feature two queen beds or one king bed and harborside or mountainside views. Harbor 360 Hotel is open year-round and is within close walking distance of Seward’s finest restaurants, shops, and the Alaska Railroad Depot. Enjoy views of the harbor while soaking in the hot tub or swimming in Seward’s only hotel pool. Start your day of Alaska adventures off right with a complimentary breakfast, featuring a variety of hot and cold items. Harbor 360 Hotel is the ideal “home base” for exploring the wilds of Alaska, both by land and by sea.
This morning, pack your lunch and eat a hearty breakfast – we have a big day ahead of us! Take an easy hike along the Exit Glacier Overlook Trail or opt for a more challenging hike to view the 300-square-mile Harding Ice Field, the largest in North America (seven miles wide!). Visit the Alaska SeaLife Center to experience close encounters with puffins, octopuses, sea lions, and other sea life. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant, where you’ll dine on local Alaskan cuisine.
Kenai Fjords National Park Wilderness Cruise / Seward
Board a small ship for a 6-hour cruise along the Pacific waters of Kenai Fjords National Park. Keep an eye on the ocean surface for wildlife such as orca whales, humpback whales, Steller sea lions, harbor seals, puffins, eagles, and many more species of seabirds. Cruise to a tidewater glacier and watch for calving, an unforgettable experience where giant chunks of glacial ice break off and crash into the water. Experienced captains will fully narrate the journey, pointing out spectacular sights while providing information on the area’s wildlife, history, and geology.
Morning bike ride beginning on the Johnson Pass bike trail. Pedal along Granite Creek, past wildflowers, waterfalls, and alpine valleys to the old Gold Rush town of Hope (ride up to 25 miles). After lunch, we’ll transfer to our luxury accommodations at the Alyeska Prince Hotel. Enjoy a night on your own this evening for dinner. Your guides will give you restaurant options to choose from in the area and will provide ideas on things to do on your own time. Alternatively, feel free to just relax tonight after a wonderful activity-filled day!
Depart from the resort for a trek on a series of switchbacks up the slopes of Mount Alyeska. At the top, you’ll be rewarded with magnificent views of glaciers and mountains surrounding the valley and eventually a tram ride back down to the base. Enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch hand-prepared by your guides. Take a short afternoon trek to a glacier that you can actually walk on! Enjoy a final delicious dinner with your guides tonight at a local spot in Girdwood.
After a leisurely breakfast, depart for a short bike ride to Indian Creek. Then it’s back to Anchorage to say our fond farewells
** Trip itineraries are subject to change without notice due to road, trail, ocean, weather, and other factors outside of our control, for the safety and enjoyment of our guests, as deemed necessary and appropriate by Austin Adventures.
Please plan on arriving at least one day prior to your trip departure. Day one of your itinerary starts at 5:45 am or 6:00 am, depending on your hotel. Your trip ends with a drop-off at either the Anchorage airport (12:30 pm) or your Anchorage hotel (1:00 pm).
Activities
Hiking: 3 to 8 miles per hike, easy to challenging terrain
Biking: 8 to 25 miles per ride, easy to moderate terrain
Kayaking: Protected coves and inlets, no experience necessary
Boating: Interpretive small ship wildlife cruise with captain and crew
Cultural Discoveries
Alaska is a land of diversity, known for its rich history, geographic wonders, incredible wildlife, and challenges and opportunities of today (and that they say is just the “Tip of the Iceberg”). Feel the difference between a spiny starfish and a sticky sea anemone as you touch the variety of ocean creatures displayed in Seward’s Alaska SeaLife Center, “The Last Frontier” state’s only public aquarium. Explore the luscious green landscape carved by the 700 square miles Harding Icefield to learn why the valley is U-shaped as opposed to V-shaped. As you pedal into the town of Hope, try to guess how this tiny mining community came to receive its name (it’s probably not what you think!) Stare in awe at Marathon Mountain as you try to fathom the race to the top that occurs there every Fourth of July. With any luck, you will see for yourself the differences between a Black and a Grizzly Bear. This is just the beginning – discover for yourself this place they call the Land of the Midnight Sun.
Austin Adventures guides are experienced facilitators and regional experts. They will take the time to explain the details of each activity, answer any questions, and demonstrate the use of all equipment. Each activity has been carefully planned to include options for all levels. Most importantly, your guides will help you select the distance that’s right for you.
Meals
The hallmark of an Austin Adventures vacation is our exceptional dining. All meals: breakfasts, lunches, snacks, dinners, refreshments, and receptions except one dinner on your own are included as indicated by the itinerary. (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner). Alcoholic beverages and related gratuities are not included in the trip price.
Pre-departure Information
After receiving your reservation and deposit, we’ll send you a pre-trip planner with general information about the area you’ll be visiting, a packing list, exercise guidelines, a guest information questionnaire, and a liability release agreement for you to sign and return within 10 days.
What's Included
Included in Trip Price
Double occupancy rooms with private baths.
All meals: breakfasts, lunches, snacks, dinners – except one dinner on own your own – refreshments and receptions.
Fully trained, first-aid certified professional guides and knowledgeable local partners.
Bikes, helmets, and other necessary equipment – all safe and well maintained.
Vehicle support and land transportation during the trip.
Austin Adventures T-shirt, water bottle, luggage tags, and luggage service.
Pre-departure and packing information.
Incidental expenses such as taxes, dining and housekeeping gratuities, local partner and expert gratuities, and national park entrance and permit fees
Not Included in Trip Price
Gratuities to Austin Adventures guides.
Alcoholic beverages and related gratuities.
One dinner on your own.
Pre-and post-trip accommodations and associated expenses.
Air and land transportation to/from host cities.
All types of personal insurance.
Personal expenses.
View the "Wow Factor" Included in Each Austin Adventure
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
1Easy (1)
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
2Moderately Easy (2)
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
3Moderate (3)
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
4Moderate to Challenging (4)
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
5Challenging (5)
Alaska Expert
Dan Austin
Not sure what to expect when you get your boots on the ground—or bike on the road or paddle in the water—in that dream destination? Dan Austin would love to tell you. More than likely, he’s been there, done that, and then some. The founder and president of Austin Adventures, Dan is a boots-on-the-ground influencer in the company, helping guests, ensuring guides lead the way he would, and curating new trips by personally experiencing and evaluating every detail. While always happy to add to his list of 64 countries and counting, Dan most highly values helping guests experience their adventure in the most inspiring and energizing way possible.
