*If you have any questions that aren't answered in this post, please leave them in the comments section where I do my best to answer all Alaska related questions directly!
My Essential Alaska Travel Resources :
There are a lot of travel companies out there, but some are better than others. These are my favorite websites and resources to help plan an incredible trip to the 49th State. For flights, I recommend using WayAway or 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 AGODA for hotels. They have an easy-to-use platform where you can compare the best rates. To keep cell phone service if you're traveling internationally, I always use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required). For fun things to do, I recommend Viator to find the best tours in the area, otherwise Klook also does the trick. 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. Planning Your Visit to Talkeetna
There are three main ways to get to Talkeetna - you can rent a car and drive yourself, you can take the Alaska Railroad, or you can visit on a tour! Driving from Anchorage will take about 2-3 hours, and riding the train will take at least 3 hours each way. Tours to Talkeetna are typically from cruises and generally last the whole day, so you'll also want some comfortable walking shoes.
I highly recommend planning a visit to Talkeetna around the same time you visit Denali because of it's proximity. Contrary to what many think, you'll actually have a better chance of seeing the peak of Mount Denali from Talkeetna or Denali State Park, not Denali National Park!
On my most recent trip to Talkeetna, I stayed at the Talkeetna Aerie Domes - an incredible set of 3 domes that sits right at the top of a bluff. 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.
Best Things to Do in Talkeetna
1. River Rafting
Although rafting in Talkeetna will be a little different than 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 Talkeetna's proximity to Denali and the National Park, the views from the local hikes are absolutely stunning. 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 or National Park.
3. Grab a Bite to Eat
Talkeetna is one of the best places to eat in Alaska. Even though the city itself is small, there are many delicious places to eat in downtown Talkeetna during your visit! I've listed my personal favorites below, and I hope that'll you'll be able to stop at a few during your trip to Talkeetna!
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. 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! Not only will you learn about local history and ecosystems, but because you're exploring via ATV you'll be able to visit spots like Otto Lake that are otherwise quite difficult to get to. If you want something adventurous, this is the tour I would recommend!
6. Shopping
In addition to having plenty of places to eat at, Talkeetna also has plenty of places to shop at. My personal favorite shop is Once in a Blue Moose - they have so many unique finds - but I recommend checking out a couple of the downtown stores to find your perfect Alaska souvenirs. Another favorite of mine is Silverbear Sundries - a store selling all locally made products! 7. Find the Dr. Seuss House Also known as the Goose Creek Tower, this uniquely shaped building has gone famous thanks to some viral videos. Although it's easier to get to see in the summer months, the tower is actually privately owned, so although you can hike there it's best to view it from the Parks Highway. If you end up doing a scenic flight tour, this is also an excellent time to view the tower!
8. Meet the Cat Mayor at Nagley's Store
Like I mentioned, 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. You can typically find the current Mayor hanging out in Nagley's - the red convenience store located in downtown Talkeetna. If she's not there, you might find her perusing around town. 9. 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 also have an option that picks you up in downtown Talkeetna.
Other Alaska blog posts you might be interested in :
-> 15 Easiest Alaska Glaciers to Visit -> Where to Rent Bear Spray in Alaska -> 7 Best Tours in Alaska
Pin this Guide to Talkeetna for later!
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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. This blog and all content is free to you, however, when you purchase through referral or affiliate links on our site I may earn a small commission with no extra cost to you! --- Learn more here about our affiliates and privacy policy. --- Join Travel Payouts or Rock Porch to earn affiliates on your own sites! Planning a trip outside Alaska? Check out our blog Raarup Adventures for international vacation ideas or Deborah in Korea for adventures in South Korea! |