Page 274 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Alaska

272  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Many tour companies welcome National Park Service offers
children, but some wilderness Senior Passes that reduce the
lodges, upscale restaurants, cost of entry, camping, and
and adventure tours, such as services in national parks.
helicopter tours or kayaking, Road Scholar (formerly Elder-
have a min imum age limit. hostel) has educational trips for
Anyone organizing a family travelers over 55, which may
driving trip through Alaska include inexpen sive accom-
should bear in mind that dis- modation, lectures, and meals.
tances are long, especially if For around $16, seniors can join
the trip starts in the Lower 48. the American Association of
Renting an RV (see pp288–9) can Retired Persons (AARP), which
make the journey easier. There issues cards that make avail able
are plenty of parks and highway a host of travel discounts.
pull-offs where families can stop
for picnics or where kids can Student Travelers
take a short walk with a field
Strolling down Anchorage’s 4th Avenue guide to identify plants, birds, Students receive few special
and animals. The show, Travel considerations in Alaska apart
With Kids, is a useful resource from discounts on some cul tural
Traveling with Children for general information about programs and museum
With its great opportunities to traveling with children. admissions. However, it never
see wildlife and get outdoors, hurts to ask. Proof of student
Alaska is excellent for children. Senior Travelers status will be needed, such as
Many towns, especially a current student body card
Anchorage, have attractions that Although the age defining a from a specific school or
were built with children in mind, senior citizen is usually 65, university or an International
such as the H2Oasis water park discounts are sometimes Student Identification Card
and the Alaska Zoo. Most muse- accessible to those over 55 or (ISIC). Inexpensive tickets can
ums offer free or discounted 60 as well. While many senior be arranged by Student Travel
admission for children, with the travelers in Alaska opt for all- Association (STA) branches.
cut-off age ranging from 3 to 17 inclusive cruises and package
years. Many Alaska National tours, many prefer to travel
Parks offer Junior Ranger independently in private Travelers with Disabilities
programs for kids, and the vehicles, especially RVs. While the Alaskan back-country
majority of hotels and However, it is worth noting that can be quite challenging for
restaurants are child-friendly. most car and RV rental firms travelers with limited mobility
Some hotels offer parents dis- have an upper age limit. or other disabilities or health
counted or free accommoda tion Several national institutions problems, the state does offer
for children in their booking. give senior concessions. The a large number of acces sible

Travelers aboard a tour boat in Rudyard Bay in Misty Fiords National Monument

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