Mat-Su is family-friendly

MAT-SU — Erin Kirkland and her son, the AK Kid, recently spent a day exploring the Mat-Su Valley, and what she found is something many already know — there are lots of great getaways that cater to the entire family.

Kirkland blogs about her experiences with her family, affectionately dubbed The AK Fam, for the Web page AK On The Go. On her day trip from Anchorage, she spent time at the Iditarod Headquarters and the Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry, finding the latter a must-visit for families with kids in tow.

“The museum is acre upon acre of Alaskan history personified. Simple yet incredibly popular play equipment and picnic tables in front of the buildings allowed for a short break before entering the facility and Kid Mecca,” Kirkland blogged about her experience there.

Those aren’t the only spots where kids are welcome and parents will have a good time as well. Here are a few other ideas to provide fun for all ages.

• Hatcher Pass — Independence Mine provides visitors of all ages an educational experience. Kids will learn about the gold mining history of the area and its importance in the Mat-Su Valley. Plus, the old buildings provide a cool adventure for children. Stop by Hatcher Pass Lodge for a hot chocolate and dessert if it’s chilly outside.

• Dorothy Page Museum — Right now, the Snoopy exhibit is on display, and nothing says “kids” quite like the famed Peanuts cartoons. Explore around the old townsite, and the museum, to get a hands-on experience of what life was like in Wasilla during its formative years.

• Kepler Park — Rent a canoe or paddleboat and head out on Kepler Lake for some aquatic fun. The park is easily accessible, and the rates are very affordable for families. Try your luck fishing, or just spend an hour or so paddling your canoe around with the kids.

• Palmer Musk Ox Farm — How can this not be cool for a kid? Prehistoric animals roaming around the fields, with tours going every 45 minutes.

• Crevasse Moraine Trail System — This series of 11 loops is a great place to take the kids when you first introduce them to hiking. There are varying lengths of trails and varying degrees of difficulty, so you’ll likely find a trail that suits your child’s abilities and attention span.

Those are just five examples, there are hundreds more out there. Take some time to explore with the kids this August and you’ll find there are a lot more fun and educational things for them to do in the Valley than play Xbox as the last few weeks of summer vacation wane.

For more ideas around Alaska, visit Kirkland’s Web site at www.akonthego.com. She also blogs every other Friday for www.gotoak.com.

Casey Ressler (casey@alaskavisit.com) is the marketing and communications manager at the Mat-Su CVB.