Quick Summary:

  • Made up of five distinct regions and twice the size of Texas, the last frontier of Alaska boasts spectacular natural beauty.
  • Its landscape features magnificent glaciers, verdant alpine forests, and deep, tranquil lakes, making it a paradise for outdoor lovers and recreational enthusiasts.
  • Whether you’re heading into the great wide yonder alone or with kids, you’ll find a wealth of fun adventures, attractions, and activities to enjoy.
  • These include panning for gold at one of several gold mine museums and centers, strolling around St. Paul Harbor and watching fishermen work their trade, or celebrating winter at the Willow Winter Carnival.


  • Updated with new information since originally published.
  • Please support our journalism through affiliate links. Affiliate Disclosure
  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Indian Valley Mine ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Indian Valley Mine | Cheap and Fun Things to Do in Alaska with Kids
© Indian Valley Mine

2. Crow Creek Historic Gold Mine ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Activities
Crow Creek Historic Gold Mine | Cheap and Fun Things to Do in Alaska with Kids
© Crow Creek Historic Gold Mine

3. Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure

Tours
Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure | Cheap and Fun Things to Do in Alaska with Kids
© Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure

4. Alaska Centennial Center for the Arts

Category: Attractions
Alaska Centennial Center for the Arts | Cheap and Fun Things to Do in Alaska with Kids
© Alaska Centennial Center for the Arts

5. Willow Winter Carnival

Willow Winter Carnival | Cheap and Fun Things to Do in Alaska with Kids
© Rebecca/stock.adobe.com

6. Alutiiq Museum

Category: Museums & Culture
Alutiiq Museum | Cheap and Fun Things to Do in Alaska with Kids
© Alutiiq Museum

7. Gold Rush Museum and Skagway Park Service Visitor Center

Category: Activities
Gold Rush Museum and Skagway Park Service Visitor Center | Cheap and Fun Things to Do in Alaska with Kids
© jefwod/stock.adobe.com

8. Kodiak Maritime Museum (KMM)

Category: Museums & Culture
Kodiak Maritime Museum (KMM) | Cheap and Fun Things to Do in Alaska with Kids
© Kodiak Maritime Museum (KMM)

9. Museum of the Aleutians

Category: Museums & Culture
Museum of the Aleutians | Cheap and Fun Things to Do in Alaska with Kids
© Museum of the Aleutians

10. Russian Bishop's House

Russian Bishop's House | Cheap and Fun Things to Do in Alaska with Kids
© Sitka National Historical Park

11. Sitka Festivals

Category: Entertainment
Sitka Festivals | Cheap and Fun Things to Do in Alaska with Kids
© Urupong/stock.adobe.com

12. Skagway Museum & Archives

Category: Museums & Culture
Skagway Museum & Archives | Cheap and Fun Things to Do in Alaska with Kids
© OlgaOni/stock.adobe.com

13. Soldotna Homestead Museum

Category: Museums & Culture
Soldotna Homestead Museum | Cheap and Fun Things to Do in Alaska with Kids
© Soldotna Homestead Museum

14. St. Paul Harbor

Category: Activities
St. Paul Harbor | Cheap and Fun Things to Do in Alaska with Kids
© Voyagerix/stock.adobe.com

15. Talkeetna Historical Society Museum

Category: Attractions
Talkeetna Historical Society Museum | Cheap and Fun Things to Do in Alaska with Kids
© Talkeetna Historical Society Museum

16. Whale Park

Category: Activities
Whale Park | Cheap and Fun Things to Do in Alaska with Kids
© Michael DeFreitas Danita Delimont/stock.adobe.com

17. Hatcher Pass Scenic Drive

Hatcher Pass Scenic Drive | Cheap and Fun Things to Do in Alaska with Kids
© wakr10/stock.adobe.com

18. Alaska Native Heritage Center

Category: Attractions
Alaska Native Heritage Center | Cheap and Fun Things to Do in Alaska with Kids
© Alaska Native Heritage Center

19. Alaska State Fair

Alaska State Fair | Cheap and Fun Things to Do in Alaska with Kids
© Travis/stock.adobe.com

20. Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

Category: Activities
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center | Cheap and Fun Things to Do in Alaska with Kids
© jon manjeot/stock.adobe.com

21. Potlatch Totem Park

Category: Activities
Potlatch Totem Park | Cheap and Fun Things to Do in Alaska with Kids
© Linda Harms/stock.adobe.com

22. Mendenhall Glacier

Mendenhall Glacier | Cheap and Fun Things to Do in Alaska with Kids
© Thawatphong Bunsoemm/stock.adobe.com

23. Talkeetna Ranger Station

Talkeetna Ranger Station | Cheap and Fun Things to Do in Alaska with Kids
© Alaska National Parks

24. Sitka National Historical Park

Category: Activities
Sitka National Historical Park | Cheap and Fun Things to Do in Alaska with Kids
© wildnerdpix/stock.adobe.com

Annual Alaska Events:
- Juneau Jazz & Classics Festival - Feb 5-8, 2025
- Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival - Every July
- Alaska State Fair - Palmer, Every August
- Blueberry Arts Festival - Ketchikan, Every August
- Sitka WhaleFest - Sitka, November 1st-3rd
- Seward 4th of July Celebration - Seward, Every 4th of July
- Nenana Ice Classic - Nenana, April/May

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