We are thinking of going to Alaska with our two daughters, 9 1/2 and 6 1/2 (at the time we travel). Our older daughter is a fantastic traveler and wants to see the world! Our younger daughter is a bit tougher. I'm unfamiliar with what Alaska would have to offer us on a family trip. Any ideas?

What would Alaska offer?

Abundant wildlife in their native habitat (moose, bears, elk, eagles, orcas, Dall sheep, etc.)

Magnificent scenery (glaciers, snow-capped mountains, rivers, etc) equivalent to no other state in the U.S.

Numerous outdoor recreational opportunities, too many to mention.

To make this even more specific, a good book with plenty of color pictures or a (free) Alaska travel brochure will make it all very concrete. You could try http://www.travelalaska.com for starters.

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Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie

Orlando_Vic summed it up very well, but another vote for "yes," it's a great family trip. My in-laws took us there along with my brother and sister in law. We of different ages with very different interests. There was more than something for everyone - wildlife, hiking, educational and cultural opportunities and more.

Plus it is absolutely breathtaking. I wanted to soak up the scenery and nature every moment. I think you and your family would enjoy a trip to Alaska.

Great reply from Orlando Vic.

On our first visit, we toured the Iditarod Museum in Wasilla. There was a young teen there with some sled dogs from the family's kennel. Kids loved holding the puppies. It would be a good Q&A experience to talk with another kid about life and chores with Iditarod dogs. There is a junior Iditarod race your kids could also read about.

The Title Wave bookstore in Anchorage could be a source of some great reading material. Hopefully you would also be able to do a boat trip out of Seward to see calving glaciers and wildlife. It is absolutely amazing to watch orcas swim and dive in unison. To be close enough to a wild whale to smell whale breath.

You might schedule your trip to include an event such as the Forest Fair in Girdwood which is held around the time of 4th of July. It's a terrific craft fair, great food, music and other kids.

I'm unfamiliar with what Alaska would have to offer us on a family trip. Any ideas?

Alaska offers you natural beauty, parks, hiking, and fishing.

Every family is different.

My younger son loved Alaska and hiking is a favorite for him (he also likes camping) and always votes for National parks. Older son was bored.

My older son prefers large cities. NYC, SF, NO and Montreal are favorites.

Usually we alternate bit on rare occasions are able to combine city/country and please both - like in Vancouver, Canada.

It really depends on your family.

I would agree, it depends on the family. We enjoyed our trip to Alaska (daughters 7 & 9) but definitely the kids enjoyed more our trips to Mexico and Costa Rica. We are just fair weather travelers. Also, for us, the scenery, while beautiful, was not so much substantially different than what we see in the Sierras where we own a cabin and Yosemite.

I would have to ask what travels have you done already with your girls, and then what did they like and dislike. Alaska is huge and very expensive. To do it right, you need to take a few bush plane rides. Really thats the only way to get from Point A to Point B in a lot of cases. Alaska really needs a lot of time to cover. Alaska was one of our favorite trips.

2 years ago I took my grandson who was 9 to Alaska and I decided on a theme -- transportation -- so we saw Alaska via cruise ship; train; jet boat; plane; helicopter; ATV; etc. It was a great trip -- but don't promise them they will see 'all' the animals -- remember the animals are on their own schedule. Scenery is great -- but you have to do things a 9 and 6 year old want to do. The will remember whatever you do for the rest of their lives. Alaska is a great family trip!

It will be something they will never forget. I took my Jr. High school granddaughters there 6 years ago to visit my daughter who moved there after college. After graduation from high school they both moved to Alaska. On second thought you may want to think it over.