My Essential Alaska Travel Resources :
There are plenty of travel companies out there, but these are my favorite websites and resources for planning an unforgettable trip to Alaska. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. For flights, I recommend using Hopper to compare the cheapest dates to travel to Alaska. Car rentals, arguably the best way to see Alaska, are best through Discover Cars! I always use Expedia's easy-to-use platform to compare the best rates. To keep cell service if you're traveling internationally, I use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required), and NordVPN to stay safe while connecting to different wifi. For fun things to do, I recommend Viator or Get Your Guide to find the best tours in the area. Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use for travel insurance. Lastly, my Alaska packing list for your travels to the Last Frontier.
Visiting Talkeetna & Where to Stay
There are two main ways to get to Talkeetna - you can either rent a car and drive yourself or you can take the Alaska Railroad. Personally, I recommend renting a car so that you can stop at various places along the way to really enjoy the views or any wildlife sightings. As you prepare for your trip to Talkeetna you'll want to include some comfortable walking shoes that you don't mind getting dirty, and any essentials you might need (think medication, electronics chargers, or must have snacks).
Although there's plenty of places to stay in Talkeetna, one of my personal favorites are the Talkeetna Aerie Domes - an incredible set of 3 domes that sits right at the top of a bluff overlooking town. They have incredible views of the mountain range, including Denali, and even have a wood fired sauna onsite that shares those views as well. If you're hoping to spend some time enjoying the views of Denali, or chasing the Northern Lights, then this is hands down the spot to do it. However, you'll need a car to drive the short distance between the domes and town.
My Favorite Tour in Talkeetna :
- Denali Flightseeing Tour - Anchorage to Talkeetna Railroad - Denali Zip Line Tour
10 Best Things to Do in Talkeetna
1. River Rafting
Although rafting in Talkeetna won't be as intense as rafting Sixmile Creek near Anchorage, you still have a few options in these interior Alaskan rivers. You can choose to either do a whitewater rafting trip (for those looking for a bit of an adrenaline rush) or a chill, scenic float trip (for those wanting to do a bit more sightseeing). 
2. Hiking
Because of the proximity to Denali and the National Park, there's plenty of hikes to do near Talkeetna with amazing views. My personal favorites (because of how easy they are) are the Denali View Walking Trail and the Railroad Bridge Trail that takes you over the Talkeetna River. If you're looking for something a bit more challenging, then I recommend heading out towards the Denali State Park or Denali National Park.
3. Grab a Bite to Eat
Even though the city itself is small, there are plenty of great places to eat in Talkeetna. Some of my personal favorites are Mountain High Pizza Pie (stick with their pizza, the Main Street Gossip is great), Conscious Coffee (for their breakfast bagels and coffee, of course) and Denali Brewpub (for their fish and chips and Aleutian sandwich). 
4. Scenic Flight Seeing
A visit to Talkeetna isn't complete without a view of Mount Denali's peak, and one of the best way's to experience this is via a Scenic Flight Seeing Tour. There's quite a few operators in town, but I recommend the one I've linked below for your best shot. As long as you get good weather (they typically won't fly if the weather's bad) then your views of Mount Denali will be unmatched. This is one of the most jaw dropping tours in all of Alaska! 5. Try an ATV Tour If you're looking to experience more of the backcountry of Alaska or just looking for a unique way to experience Denali National Park, I recommend choosing this 2.5 hour ATV Tour! Because you're exploring via ATV you'll be able to visit spots like Otto Lake that are otherwise difficult to get to.
6. Shopping
In addition to having plenty of places to eat, Talkeetna also has plenty of places to shop. My personal favorites are Once in a Blue Moose for unique souvenirs and Silverbear Sundries, a store selling all locally made products! If you're able to head out of town to Alaska Birch Syrup, then you can even try their locally sourced syrups, brittle, and (my favorite) their Maple Birch Brittle Ice Cream! 
7. Read About Talkeetna, in Talkeetna
On my most recent trip I brought with me my newest addition, Murder on the Rocks. A murder mystery book based in Talkeetna. Holed up in a cozy cabin and reading through it while the main characters visited local spots like Nagely's and Susitna River Lodge was a fun twist on my time in Talkeetna!
8. Meet the Cat Mayor at Nagley's Store
Like I mentioned above, Talkeetna is the only city that has elected a cat for its' mayor. Stubbs reign began in 1997 and ended in 2017 when he passed, followed by Denali, and the current mayor is Aurora. This year there was competition to elect the first dog mayor, Wendell. You can typically find the Cat Mayor hanging out in or around Nagley's - the red convenience store located in downtown Talkeetna that's been open since 1921. 
9. Take the Train
Also one of the 2 options of getting to and from Talkeetna, taking the train is a great way to see more of the area if you don't have access to a car. Because short, roundtrip rides can be difficult to schedule in a tight itinerary, I recommend taking it into or out of Talkeetna. You can either head north towards Fairbanks or south towards Anchorage. 10. Ziplining For those looking for a bit more adventure, I recommend the Denali Park Zipline Adventure. Although not technically inside the National Park, this three hour tour has 6 suspension bridges and 8 zip lines - definitely not for the weak of heart! You'll have some of the most incredible views of the area and you might even see some wildlife as you zip through the sky! They can even pick you up right in downtown Talkeetna.
Watch my Talkeetna Adventures Here!
Other Alaska blog posts you might be interested in :
-> Best Places to Eat in Talkeetna -> Where to Rent Bear Spray in Alaska -> Visiting Denali NP For the First Time
Pin this Guide to Talkeetna for later!
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Hi, I'm Deborah! In 2021 my husband Tyler convinced me to move to Alaska. After living here for a year (then leaving to take a year long world trip) we realized there was no place we loved more. So now we're back - and I'm here to share all my best tips and hidden gems to make Your Alaskan Adventures the best they can be. \\\ My blog is free to read, but some links may be affiliates. This means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you. Learn more here. \\\ |
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