Student and Youth Travel

Anchorage is a special educational destination for student and youth travel. Lessons on biology, geology, history, native culture, art, conservation, and adventure abound.

Exciting, Educational & Entertaining

With more than 60 glaciers, six mountain ranges, 300 miles of wilderness trails and the third largest state park in our backyard, it's no wonder Anchorage is exciting! Dog sled across an icy glacier, spot abundant wildlife, fly out to Denali, and get to know Alaska's First People.

Anchorage’s educational experiences are endless. Museums, cultural centers, wildlife parks, performing arts centers, and Chugach State Park are all within city limits. Denali and Kenai Fjords National Park are easily accessible from Anchorage. A rich history, thriving arts community, and unparalleled natural wonders await.

When it comes to special events, Anchorage has it all. Enjoy the midnight sun, auroras, outdoor concerts in open-air markets. Special events include the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, Fur Rendezvous winter festival, and more.

Top Student and Youth Travel Ideas

Museums and Cultural Centers

Anchorage is the perfect place to delve into Alaska's vast history, nuanced cultural landscape, and singular ways of life. Must-stops include the Anchorage Museum, Alaska Museum of Science and Nature, Alaska Aviation Museum, Alaska Native Heritage Center, and Alaska Jewish Museum. The Anchorage Museum features the science, history, and art of Alaska. Exhibits include Discovery Center, which is an interactive science gallery, as well as a planetarium and the Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center, a collection of more than 600 items from each of the state's Alaska Native cultural groups. The Alaska Native Heritage Center features Alaska Native sport, dance, and song demonstrations from Alaska Native cultures. Six life-sized examples of Alaska Native dwellings are situated in a lakeside, outdoor setting.
Get Outside

Anchorage is the perfect place to start an exploration of the natural world of Alaska. Chugach State Park is 500,000 acres encompassing boreal forestland in the Chugach Mountains, and the most popular access points are only 20 minutes away from downtown. The park is a great place for hiking (Eagle River Nature Center is among best points to start a hike, also offers interpretive programs for kids and teens), wildlife viewing, camping, and kayaking (especially on glacier-fed Eklutna Lake).
Hit the Trails

More than 135 miles of paved bicycle trails run through city parks and greenbelts.
Online, Alaska Style

Excellent fishing without even leaving the city. Ship Creek, one of Alaska's most popular fishing streams, is a few blocks from downtown. Salmon viewing platform at the creek is an easy way to spot returning king and silver salmon. Of course there are many other streams in close proximity to the city, as well as iconic rivers like the Kenai and Russian rivers nearby.
Glaciers Galore

Countless glaciers are accessible by road or on day trips to Portage Lake, Prince William Sound from the port of Whittier or Kenai Fjords National Park from the town of Seward.
Wild Alaska

Alaska Zoo, Bird Treatment and Learning Center, and Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center are all excellent places to get up-close looks at Alaska animals in a safe, structured program. Even in the city, itself however, wildlife is a regular sight. Anchorage is home to 1,500 resident moose. Eagles, beluga whales, Dall sheep, foxes, and bears all call the city or surrounding areas home.
Cultural Diversity Deep Dive

Nearly 100 languages are spoken by Anchorage School District students, reflecting the diverse cultures that have settled and established themselves as part of the Anchorage community. Top languages aside from English include Spanish, Tagalog, and Yup’ik, an Alaska Native language spoken in Western Alaska communities.