9 Best Things to Do in Talkeetna, Alaska

Talkeetna is one of my favorite towns in Alaska. It's quirky, has incredible views, and has some of the best places to eat in all of Alaska. If you're lucky, you'll be able to visit this town of about 1,200 people. If you're looking for things to do, Talkeetna also happens to be one of the adventure capitals in the state, with everything from river rafting to scenic flight seeing. Below we've gathered our favorite things to do in the Talkeetna area. Oh, did I mention they have a cat for their mayor?

*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 Favorite Tour in Talkeetna :
- Denali Peak Flightseeing Tour

Planning Your Visit to Talkeetna

There are three main ways to get to Talkeetna - you can rent a car and drive, 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.

We highly recommend visiting Talkeetna around the same time you visit Denali. And contrary to what many think, you'll have a better chance of seeing the peak of Mount Denali from Talkeetna or Denali State Park, not the actual National Park!

If you're looking for a place to stay, then I have to be honest and say I've never actually stayed overnight in Talkeetna, only taken day trips from Anchorage, but I've gone ahead and gathered my best recommendations for places to stay below :

• Denali Fireside Cabins - these cozy cabins are perfect for couples or small families, and because they're so close to town you can walk anywhere you're hoping to go too!
• Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge - hands down the nicest and most recently updated lodge in the area, they offer an award winning menu and incredible views of Mount Denali
• Fairview Inn - this historic inn is now better known as a spot for locals to grab a drink, but if you're looking for a unique stay where you can *really* experience local life in Alaska then this is for you​

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 checking out Curry Ridge Trail in Denali State 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!

• Mountain High Pizza Pie - this is always my first stop, and my personal favorites are the Hawaiian and Gyro Pie!
• Conscious Coffee - they have a little bit of everything if you're looking for a small snack or pick me up (coffee, tea, bagels, smoothies, crepes, milkshakes, and a great London Fog!)
• ​Denali Brewing Co. - their Brewpub & gift shop are located right in downtown Talkeetna, but their tasting room is right off the Parks Highway - both locations have some great local brews you can try!
• Shirley's Homemade Ice Cream - this one is a must, even if just to try their fireweed flavored ice cream (if you visit in the late summer, you'll see the bright pink/purple fireweed sprouting all over the state)​​

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 manages to have plenty of places to shop at. My personal favorite shop is Once in a Blue Moose - they have so many fun finds - but I recommend at least stopping in a few to find your perfect Alaska souvenirs. :)

7. Find the Dr. Seuss House
Also known as the Goose Creek Tower, this uniquely shaped building was made famous thanks to a viral video. 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 above, Talkeetna is the only city in the entire world (that I know of at least) that has elected a cat for its' mayor. Stubbs reign began in 1997 and ended in 2017 when he passed, and Denali has since taken over. You can typically find the current Mayor hanging out in Nagley's - the red convenience store located in downtown Talkeetna.

9. Ziplining
For those looking for a bit more adventure, I recommend the Denali Park Zipline Adventure. Although not technically inside the 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!

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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

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