Alaska
Food
Moose’s Tooth Pub and Pizzeria
An Anchorage classic! They have a great selection of pizzas, salads, starters, sandwiches! Where else can you get reindeer sausage on a pizza?! They also have a large selection of drinks- draft sodas, local draft beer, even some local kombucha! We’ve eaten here many times and have loved it every time! They don’t take reservations to call ahead and plan accordingly. They also do take-out!
Address: 3300 Old Seward Hwy, Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone number: (907) 258-2537
Zip Kombucha
I’ll start by saying I never liked kombucha until I had Zip- it’s THAT GOOD! They sell several original flavors as well as some hard kombucha on tap at their shop in downtown Anchorage. If you have some time before or after your flight, order a kombucha flight and try them all- you won’t be sorry! Their Blueberry Mary and Palmer Peach are our favorites! If you can’t make it to the shop, you can find many of the Zip kombucha flavors in the can at many stores around Alaska like Safeway, Fred Meyer, Walmart and Costco.
Address: 8161 Schoon St, Anchorage, AK 99518
Phone number: (907) 351-7821
Activities
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is a MUST with kids. The AWCC is in Girdwood, just outside of Anchorage on your way to Soldotna/The Kenai Peninsula. You can get very up close with native Alaskan animals. They take in injured animals and rehabilitate them. Sometimes the animals are then are sent off to other zoos around the country, or they just permanently live at the conservation center. Also, if for some reason, it’s raining, you can even drive the whole thing!
Address: 43520 Seward Highway, Girdwood, AK 99587
Phone number: 907-783-0058
Shop
Costco
I know it might sounds funny, but if you plan on cooking at your cabin, Costco in Anchorage is a great stop before you leave town! They also carry some great Alaskan products you won’t find at another Costco. Groceries are not cheap in Alaska so I say save money where you can! If you fall in love with Zip Kombucha, they sell it by the 6 pack- best deal you’ll find anywhere! There are 2 Costcos in town- one is a regular Costco and one is a business center- the address below is for the regular Costco.
Address: 330 W DIMOND BLVD, ANCHORAGE, AK. 99515-1903
Phone number: (907) 349-2335
*Side Notes*
Side notes:
– Assuming you guys are flying in and out of Anchorage so here are my recommendations for traveling in and out Anchorage, basically on your way to Soldotna.
– The drive from Anchorage to Soldotna takes around 2 1/2 to 3 hours. The drive will take you around Cook Inlet. Cook Inlet has the second longest tide in the world. It goes in and out for miles. When the tide is in, sometimes you can see beluga whales swimming in the water. When the tide is out, you will see the mud flats. The mud flats are incredibly dangerous, so don’t get any ideas of walking on them. They act like quicksand. On the drive from Anchorage to Soldotna, we have seen doll sheep up on the hills, beluga whales in the cook Inlet bald eagle, flying, moose, grizzlies swimming in the Kenai. It’s a beautiful drive ESPECIALLY on a clear day.
– Before leaving the Girdwood area on your way to Soldotna, make sure everyone uses the bathroom because there aren’t many stops between Girdwood and Soldotna.
– You will see signs for the portage glacier visitor center and, sadly, I don’t think it’s worth the stop anymore. The glacier has receded so far back that you can’t see much anymore.
Food
Mel’s Cafe
Alaska is famous for all of their drive up coffee huts and they are all fabulous! I will note that, in my opinion, Alaskan coffee is a little bit weaker than what I am used to in California (not that it’s a bad thing, just different). Alaskans tend to drink coffee all day long, so their coffee is not quite as strong as what we have in California. Maybe they are on to something?! Kaladi Brothers is a great local shop in Soldotna.
However, I think Mel’s Cafe it’s probably my favorite coffee shop on the peninsula. They have great baked goods as well as breakfast burritos and sandwiches.
Address: 44758 Sterling Hwy A, Soldotna, AK 99669
Phone number: (907) 741-1020
Odie’s Deli
Great stop for deli sandwiches! All their bread is freshly made in house. Great stop if you’re going on a picnic, hike or a day spent fishing along the Kenai River!
Address: 44315 Sterling Hwy, Soldotna, AK 99669
Phone Number: (907) 260-9000
St. Elias Brewing Company
Great stop for pizzas, sandwiches, salads, etc. Very family friendly! Great selection of local beer on tap as well.
Address: 434 Sharkathmi Ave, Soldotna, AK 99669
Phone Number: (907) 260-7837
Kenai River Brewing Company
Great stop for burgers, sandwiches, etc. Very family friendly with a cool fire pit in the back and area for the kids to run around. Great selection of local beer on tap! They also carry Zip Kombucha on tap which is one of the only places around that carries it on tap!
Address: 434 Sharkathmi Ave, Soldotna, AK 99669
Phone Number: (907) 260-7837
Siam Noodle Company
If you like Thai food, we love Siam Noodle Company! They have a great menu and everything we’ve ever tried has been fabulous! Great for take-out, too!
Address: 44278 Sterling Hwy, Soldotna, AK 99669
Phone Number: (907) 420-0478
Acapulco
I know it sounds crazy to get good Mexican food in Alaska, but it’s good! This is one of our favorite places to eat on the peninsula and one of Peter’s favorite Mexican places ever!
Address: 43543 Sterling Hwy, Soldotna, AK 99669
Phone Number: (907) 260-5666
Whistle Hill
There is a whole little loop called Whistle Hill across from Fred Meyer that’s fun to check out. The owner has brought in a bunch of old rail cars and has converted them into a restaurant, a coffee shop and a great gift shop.
Addie Camp is by far the nicest restaurant and best meal in Soldotna, but definitely not a place for kids. Maybe at least not my kids😆 Seating is very limited as part of the restaurant is an old rail car. Everything is exquisite! Bonus- they have Zip Kombucha on tap!
Brew @602 is a little coffee/breakfast shop that is really fun! You can have waffles and hot chocolate in a rail car, which is pretty cool!
Address: Whistle Loop, Soldotna, AK 99669
Activities
Soldotna Wednesday Market
The Wednesday farmers market is fabulous! It runs from all day at Soldotna Creek Park. Great food trucks, live music and fun Alaskan crafts. I will add, however, don’t expect a lot of veggies or fruit at this farmers market – it’s definitely more of a craft fair than a farmers market. The playground at this park is definitely the best playground in town! The park and playground are worth going any day of the week! There is also a great walk along the Kenai River.
Address: Soldotna Creek Park/Community Playground: 44129 Sterling Hwy, Soldotna, AK 99669
Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
Kenai National Wildlife Visitor center is another fun thing to do with the kids. Lots of cool things to see and learn about! There is also a great walk/hike there, too.
Address: 2139 Ski Hill Road, Soldotna, AK 99669
Phone Number: 907-260-2820
Look-Out Point on Bridge Access Road
If the caribou are in (and they should be!), the marshy flats along Bridge Access Road on the way to Kenai is the one of the best places to see them (especially at dusk). Also a great lookout point any time of day- especially when it’s clear.
Address: Bridge Access Road on the way to Kenai
Alaska Christian College
Not your typical tourist spot, but WORTH mentioning. You’ll see signs for the college as you drive around. Our friends Keith and Debbie Hamilton founded and run Alaska Christian College in Soldotna. The college is a whole-life discipleship college for Alaskan natives college students. It is the brightest light in Alaska! They started with one or two buildings and how have (I think?) 29 buildings, including a beautiful new gymnasium! The school is debt free and all the building projects are doing by church mission groups that come up all summer long. If you would be interested in a tour, let me know and we will connect you. Maybe someday you’d like to come by on a “fishin’ mission” and help with a future building project. This is our favorite stop in Alaska hands-down!
Shop
Walmart and Fred Meyer
Shockingly, Walmart (in Kenai) and Fred Meyer and great shops for Alaska swag, fishing boxes/supplies as well as groceries. For Alaska swag, Walmart is even better than Fred Meyer.
Echo Lake Meats
Echo Meats is a great shop for things like steaks to grill, packages of Alaskan reindeer sausage or Alaskan dry rubs. You must try their jalapeño cheddar dip- they are famous for it!
Address: 42030 Kalifornsky Beach Rd, Soldotna, AK 99669
Phone Number: (907)283-9456 Retail Phone
*Side Notes*
Side notes:
– There are moose and everywhere- specially at dusk. Just give them their space (ESPECIALLY if they have babies!). They can be more dangerous than the bears!
– Not that you should need it, but on the off chance you need it, the urgent care near Fred Meyer is wonderful! https://www.urgentcareofsoldotna.com/
– Occasionally, it can be really rainy in Alaska, even in summertime. The rec center in Nikiski, has a great indoor pool. They have a water slide and it’s just a really nice alternative if you need one. https://nprsa.kpb.us/
– Plan for mosquitos- especially in the summer time! Sometimes they call the mosquito the state bird!!
– When visiting in the summertime you will learn why they call it the land of the midnight sun! It’s super cool and fun that the sun can stay out until after midnight and up before 5, until you are trying to get kids to sleep! If your cabin doesn’t have adequate blackout curtains, buying a box of giant black trash bags will do the trick! Also eye masks are very helpful!
– There are a few places in town that will process your fish, flash-freeze it and box it for you and keep it frozen for when you are ready to take it home. I will have to ask dad which one he has used in the past. If you decide to process your fish yourself, Walmart and Fred Meyer both carry fish boxes specific for taking on an airplane as luggage
Food
Glacier D Restaurant
Glacier D Restaurant for the BEST fish and chips, halibut tacos, burgers and shakes. Sit near the window for a beautiful view of Kachemak bay.
Address: 3789 Homer Spit Rd B, Homer, AK 99603
Activities
Homer Spit Swing
It’s a local secret, but park near the Alaska Salt Co shop and go just under the pier a they have a swing that the kids can ride on. Last summer Andrew rode it over the waves. It’s safe, don’t worry. Just depends on the tide. It’s a great spot to park your camping chairs, hunt for seashells and skip rocks.
Fishing Charters/Tour Boats
Fishing charters. There are many different fishing charters out of Homer, but the one we love is called Rainbow Tours. They do half/full day fishing and wildlife tours. You should know that the halibut out of Homer tend to be smaller. If you decide to go, I highly recommend doing a full-day charter so they can get you further out with bigger fish. Rainbow tours also books for many of the other charters around and I would trust anyone they recommended.. They also book wildlife charters if you decided to go out with the kids. Great spot to see dolphins and whales, etc.
Shop
Alaska Salt, Co.
All the shops are great! Alaska Salt Co is my favorite! They pump salt water out of Kachemak Bay and dry their own salt. They have unique Alaskan salt blends!
*Side Notes*
Side notes:
– Don’t sleep on Homer! Homer is about an hour and half drive from Soldotna and the drive all by itself is worth it! If you have the time, I HIGHLY recommend a day trip to Homer! On a clear day the Kachemak Bay is STUNNING! For sure do the Homer Spit (as they call it! A little strip of land with shops and restaurants).
– Checkout the marina! We’ve seen several boats from The Deadliest Catch parked in the marina.
Food
Rays Waterfront
The BEST fish and chips in town! Be sure to get a seat by the windows and you can watch the otters swimming by.
Activities
Fishing/Wildlife Charter
Seward will be your best bet for getting big halibut. You got out for a few hours before you start fishing so it will definitely be an all day charter and I wouldn’t bring the kids. I don’t know of any specific charters, but Rainbow Charters in Homer could make some great recommendations. I’d trust anyone the recommend and plan on booking in advance.
Many of the charters offer half-day or full day wildlife viewing charters, too! If your kiddos are up for a boat ride, they have several day/half day tours out of Seward with lots of wildlife to see like whales, otters, puffins and more! You can book a full day and even go on a partial glacier cruise.
Alaska SeaLife Center
The Alaska Sea Life Center is a MUST with kids! It’s so fun! Think Monterey Bay Aquarium, but for native Alaskan fish/animals.
Exit Glacier
Exit Glacier is just outside of Seward (on the way from Soldotna). It’s a part of the Kenai Fjords National Park. There are a few hikes, but the easiest one is great with the kids. If you can believe it, when Peter and I first visited, the glacier was close enough to touch. Now it has receded a lot. Either way it’s the closest you’ll get to a glacier short of taking a helicopter and landing on one.
Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor Center
Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor Center is right in the heart of downtown Seward. Lots of cool things to see and learn about the National Park. Our kids have this National Parks passport book and you can get them stamped with the individual national parks stamp at each different visitors center.
*Side Notes*
Side notes
– On a clear day, Seward just sparkles! The mountains and glaciers just the other side of the bay are extraordinary! It’s one of my favorite towns in Alaska. It’s also a common cruise ship stops- I think the farthest north stop the Alaskan cruises make.
– Just beyond the Alaska sea life Center, you’ll see this little waterfall. There is a small stream coming straight off the ocean and I have watched guys catching salmon right in that creek depends on the time of year and when certain salmon are running, but it can be a great spot to catch fish right off the ocean.
– Ask a local about the history of the Mount Marathon race. On July 4th every year, people travel from far and wide to Seward to race to to the top of Mount Marathon and back. It’s a WHOLE THING!