Talkeetna Alaska

We had to visit Talkeetna Alaska about three hours out of Anchorage to relax for a while. The town is at the confluence of the Talkeetna and Susitna Rivers and has a small year-round population. The area also offers great views of Mount Denali which is North America’s tallest peak at 20,3110 feet and you may or may not get to see it because of the clouds. Because it was still the off-season many shops had not opened yet, but there weren’t any crowds at all so got to take out time enjoying the scenery and looking through the places that were open.  

We timed the weather just right too as it was in the mid to high sixties both days we were there, but this weather also starting bringing the mosquitos back to life with a blood thirsty vengeance. They weren’t too bad yet so we didn’t worry about them and we only got bitten a few times each so life was good in that department. The rivers had just started breaking up so parts were still frozen over and there was ice flow on other parts. We walked down to the Susitna River just passed River Park to take in more great views of Mt Denali, Mt Hunter (14,573’), and Mt Foraker (17,400’). There is a trail leading north along the railroad tracks at the end of “D” Street that leads to the Alaska Railroad trestle over the Talkeetna River where you can walk across on the pedestrian/snow machine/ATV path alongside the tracks. This offers even more great views of the area. There is a train station there for anyone who travels by train.

We spent most of our time in the “Historic District” where “Stubbs” the cat and Talkeetna mayor resided until he died so now it is his cousin instead. The whole story and memorial are at the store where the “Mayor” resided upstairs. The store has lots of neat items such as traps and other antiques on display everywhere. The Historic District is where a majority of the shops and located along with restaurants and the Denali Brewpub. Many of these are specialty shops selling anything from souvenirs to hand crafted bone items to a gallery of North Light photos at the Aurora Dora Shop so there are lots of goodies to choose from. There is also an ice cream shop to satisfy your sweet tooth if you’re not worried about your caloric intake and you should probably splurge once in a while anyway if you are. You can always eat a plain bowl of salad without dressing and stuff later to offset it if you’re that concerned.

The Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) can also be seen from there during the months when it actually gets dark enough at night to see them when they appear. Because it is a small town you don’t have to go very far at all to find darkness and see the sky plus the quietness away from town would seem weird to people who have never been anywhere that there is “Dead silence” at. Many places in Alaska are dead quiet when no wind is blowing, it’s not raining, or there aren’t any cars or planes out and about at so you would have to experience it to understand it. There is more noise in these areas compared to others as the Parks Highway goes through it and can be heard miles away whereas the Glenallen area has little traffic in the off season on the Glenn Highway so it is dead quiet more often.

We had a great dinner at the Denali Brewpub and I got to try some of their dark beers. I seldom drink IPAs so lagers and stouts are my go-to beers and Denali Brewing did not disappoint me.  Jessica, Hannah, and I all had dinner there and the food was delicious so I highly recommend trying it if you are in the area as Jessica and I are very picky eaters so you know it has to be good if we say it is, but it is best to try it for yourself if you get the chance. The shops close up early in the evening so only the restaurants and bars stay open later so that is a good time to walk around and enjoy the scenery by yourselves with only a few dozen mosquitos to keep you company as you wander around. The sunset colors on the mountains are beautiful and there is a good spot to look at the just outside of town on the Talkeetna Spur Road. You will see that spot on the left as you are first driving into town and that is where some of these photos were taken from. We stayed overnight in Talkeetna just to have some peace and quiet away from any towns.