Things To Do

Palmer Alehouse

Those cheese fries tho...

Basil Ginger

One of our favorite restaurants!

Big Dipper Homemade Ice Cream

If you're looking for a refreshing homemade treat!

Feather and Flower

1950's house turned beautiful brunch spot offering lots of Alaska produced food

Sophia's Cafe

The Grape Tap

Everett's

There is an awesome kayak trail that ends here at Wasilla lake where you can sit out on the deck and enjoy beautiful views of the lake (especially in the fall) and have a bite to eat. (Lobster mac and cheese)

Last Frontier Brewing Co

They have the best jalapeño poppers and the Denali sized chocolate cake is my all time favorite

Rustic Goat

One of my favorites in Anchorage. Their Nachos are delicious (candied jalapenos) and they can do some amazing calamari (not fried)

Snow City Cafe

The most popular breakfast place in AK for a reason. So many good things to eat!

Moose's Tooth Pub & Pizzeria

World Famous pizza. It really is amazing, but you might have to wait. There is less of a wait if you come before typical meal times

South Restaurant + Coffeehouse

Another yummy find with good atmosphere. If there are Halibut cheeks on the menu GET THEM!

Matanuska Brewery and Tap Room, Palmer

Local brewery and great food!

Bleeding Heart Brewery

Local brewery and tap room.

Poppy Lane Mercantile, LLC.

cute little shop if you are searching for Alaska gifts!

Whimsy Gift Shoppe

Cute local gift shop

Salmon Fishing, Eklutna Tailrace

Check out this and other great places to fish! See website for out of state fishing licenses and rules (Ask for other local area favorites, there are a lot. http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fishingSportAnglerAccessSouthcentral.eklutna

April Bowl Trailhead

2.2mile out and back hike in beautiful Hatcher Pass where we had our first date

Gold Cord Lake

1.5mi easy hike to an alpine lake in beautiful Hatcher Pass where we had our first date. (good for kids)

Independence Mine State Historical Park Visitor Center

Walk around and learn the history of the mine and explore the remaining buildings

Reed Lakes Trailhead

If you are looking for something more challenging: 8.7 mi. out and back to 2 beautiful lakes (upper and lower Reed lake) and waterfall.

West Butte Trailhead

Our favorite quick hike, 2.3mi with a LOT of stairs but the views are worth it! You can see the entire Matanuska-Susitna Valley and this is where Lloyd proposed!

Reindeer Farm

Go pet the reindeer!

The Musk Ox Farm

Go see the musk ox!

Palmer- Moose Creek Trailhead

12.7mi (or just go until you want to turn around) out and back easy walk with pretty views. There are some old train cars around mile 3 if you start from the Palmer side.

Lazy Mountain Trail Head

THIS IS NOT A LAZY TRAIL. 5.6mi loop that is a VERY steep hike with AMAZING views at the top.

Summit Lake

Pretty lake in Hatcher pass you can drive to. If you keep driving you will end up in Willow and can take the scenic route back to Palmer. Stop and get ice cream at Millers Market.

Crevasse-Moraine Trailhead

Walk around some of the many trails in this area. Don't get lost!

Matanuska Lakes State Recreation Area

Beautiful lake for swimming, floating, kayaking, etc. there are also a lot of nice easy hiking trails to other nearby lakes. Bring bug spray!

Knik Glacier

Rent a side-by-side and drive out to the Knik glacier! Some places offer ATV tour and Helicopter tours

Palmer

Friday Flings are events held in downtown palmer in the summer and is a local farmer's market and craft fair. If you are here early you might catch Colony Days which is held in downtown Palmer and is similar to the Friday flings but with more to do and a parade (basically any excuse to be outside)

Palmer Visitor Information Center

They offer historical tours of the area and information about the 1935 Colonists

Alaska Native Heritage Center

Very cool museum for the Alaskan Natives with an outdoor walk to different types of native houses around a small lake.

Earthquake Park

Very nice walk where you can see the effects of the 1965 earthquake (8.7M) and on a clear day you can see Denali across the water.

Thunderbird Falls

1.8mi easy (mostly paved) hike to a waterfall

Virgin Creek Waterfalls

Very easy and short hike through the woods to a beautiful waterfall!

Winner Creek Trail

One of my favorites in Alaska. it used to have a hand tram that you could pull yourself across a gorge but too many people got hurt so they closed the hand tram permanently. the hike is still super pretty. If you start from Alyeska hotel you will follow the river down to a bridge and waterfall.

Alyeska Resort

Beautiful resort, they just added a nordic spa. You can hike up or take the tram to the top of the mountain and enjoy the view, drinks or lunch/ dinner at Seven Glaciers restaurant

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

If you haven't seen any wildlife yet you MUST go here!

Beluga Point

This is a super pretty place to stop and look out over the inslet. It is possible to see Belugas here! they look like little white marshmallows

Whittier

Go for the tunnel! Whittier is a small fishing community that is accessible only via the ocean or a single road 2.5mi tunnel that is shared by the railroad. This is a great place to do a glacier tour from! there are also lots of hiking nearby!

Exit Glacier Trailhead

Easy 2.2mi hike to the glacier overlook. They have year signs set up along the path to show the glacier receding

Seward

Very cute fishing town that is great for deep sea fishing charters, great local food, and gifts.

Alaska SeaLife Center

If you are in Seward you need to check out the sea life center. They rescue and rehabilitate injured Alaskan sea life

Denali National Park and Preserve

The national park offers lots to do, camping, hiking, beautiful views of Denali

Talkeetna

If you are traveling North check out Talkeetna, they are a small AK town whose Mayor is a cat.

Stoney Creek Canopy Adventures

If you are in Seward and have time this tour was amazing!

Denali Zipline Tours

If you have the time this was so much fun!

Flattop Sunnyside Trail

This is a very popular and easy 3.5mi hike in Anchorage!

Nova Alaska Guides

We did the white water rafting down 6-mile in Hope, AK and it was so much fun! They have dry suits so you won't have to worry about getting cold, it is a super sun and thrilling experience.

Alaska Horse Adventures

If you like to ride this is a great tour out toward the glacier. Great views!

Palmer Golf Course

Cute golf course near where we live.

AK Department of Fish and Game

If you are interesting in fishing for Salmon buy your license here!

26 Glacier Cruise

Great way to check out the glaciers and ocean life!

Alaska Railway Service

See Alaska from the train! They run everyday from Seward to Fairbanks and everywhere in between.

Seward Alaska Fishing Charters

If you are coming to fish I highly recommend a fishing charter, you are guaranteed to get fish! There are a lot of great people and they know what they are doing when it comes to ocean fishing.