fbpx
Tag

Alaska

Browsing
Talkeetna, Alaska is a fun place to visit for visitors and locals alike.

Talkeetna, Alaska is one of the favorite destinations in Alaska for locals and tourists alike. You know that it’s a fun place when locals flock here all summer long. If your family is taking a tour of Alaska then Talkeetna is most likely one of your stops along the way. Why is Talkeetna, Alaska such a popular town to visit? Read on and find out!

Talkeetna, Alaska is about 2 1/2 hours north of Anchorage. It is about a 15 minute drive off the main highway which helps the town keep its unique character. Talkeetna also has a train stop within walking distance of the town.

What makes Talkeetna, Alaska so special?

(Other than the fact they had a cat named Stubbs as mayor for about 20 years.)

The View

The views of Denali from Talkeetna, Alaska are some of the best in the state.

Talkeetna sits at the perfect spot for ultimate Alaska Range and Denali viewing. You will almost always have a view of some of the beautiful mountains of the Alaska Range. If the weather is right and the “mountain is out” you will have absolutely stunning views of Denali. In fact, the views from here are often better than the park itself. Now, let me be clear. The top of Denali is often clouded and so there is a good chance that you will not be able to see the whole mountain in all its glory. But, even if you only see peeks of the top it is still fantastic.

The Food

There are quite a few restaurants and food trucks that are very popular in town. Denali Brewing Company and Mountain High Pizza Pie are two of the favorites. Then there is the Thai/Chinese/Indian restaurant that’s really good and right nearby, Talkeetna Tako serves up delicious tacos and quesadillas (don’t miss the halibut or salmon). Lastly, a shout out to the cute little Airstream that is the home to super yummy food at Talkeetna Spinach Bread. Really, where ever you choose is sure to be great.

A little way outside of town, the Flying Squirrel Bakery and Cafe is a definite favorite. Not only do they have delicious breads, bakery items, breakfast, and lunch, they also have yummy wood-fired pizzas at night Wed-Sat with as many local grown toppings as possible. Jazz Nights make Wednesdays extra fun!

The Alaskan History

The town of Talkeetna is a museum in itself. So many of the buildings are original. There is a really fun museum in town (Talkeetna Historical Society Museum). There is a fee of $5 for adults. The main building held a bunch of cool historic artifacts from the town as well. Many different townspeople are honored throughout the exhibits.

Then you go outside and down the boardwalk to the mining/railroad exhibit. This small little building (historic in itself) has a lot of information about how the people mined in the difficult territory. There is a small area dedicated to the history of the Alaska Railroad. There is a short little video too.

The last building, the mountaineering building, was one of the most fascinating. Inside was a huge topographic display of the Alaska Mountain Range that surrounds Denali. All around the room are pictures that show what the real mountain looks like from the angle you are looking at the map. There is also lots of info about what it takes to climb the tallest mountain in North America. So interesting!

The Historical Society has also put together a self-guided map of all the historic buildings around the town. You can find out when they were built, who lived there and what they did in town.

Awesome Alaskan Souvenirs

If you want Alaskan souvenirs, Talkeetna has them in abundance! There are quite a few stores along Main Street and then some on the road before you get into town. You will find clothing, books, food, knickknacks, art, pottery, jewelry, and so much more.

What I think is really cool is how you will find so many items by Alaskan artists. In fact, there is one store (Dancing Leaf Gallery) that only sells items created by Alaskans. They are pretty strict about it too. If an artist even moves out of Alaska they will be taken out of the store. So, this is the place you want to visit if you want truly Alaska items to bring home. I will say though, that you will find other places from Alaskan Artists. Just down the street, Designs by Shanda sells some fun metal art.

If you love to sew or quilt you definitely want to stop in the Patchwork Moose. The store is a sewers paradise of fabulous cotton prints, patterns, notions, and other stuff. Plus, they have some of the best Alaskan fabrics I have seen.

The Art Scene

In addition to the showcase of items from Alaskan artists in the shops there is fun, quirky art throughout the town. And then there is the music. Talkeetna has so many different music groups playing all summer long. While we were there, Mountain High Pizza Pie had a live band celebrating their anniversary. Of course, since the stage was outside you could hear the music up and down main street adding to the festive atmosphere.

Oh, you absolutely must go and see the “Spirt of Talkeetna.” Inside Susitna Valley Naturals you will find a breathtaking, hand-carved, display that truly captures the fun and quirky character of Talkeetna in both the summer and winter.

Absolutely Amazing Excursions

Talkeetna, Alaska has so many cool things to do. The flightseeing to Denali from here is the most popular and most astounding attraction. While we were at dinner a couple at a nearby table was going on and on to their server about their amazing trip and how much they loved landing on a glacier. You could definitely tell they would remember that tour for the rest of their lives.

Another really great thing to do is riding a jetboat up the Susitna and Talkeetna Rivers and riding the rapids in the canyons. The ATV tours are really thrilling too.

Traveling with multiple ages in your group?

Mobility–Since it isn’t very big it is easy to walk from one place to another. Most things are on Main Street. The roads are a little uneven and there might be a few stairs to navigate into shops, but not too many. Shuttles are possible to get to some of the meeting points for excursions a little outside of town. If walking long distances is difficult and you arrive in Talkeetna on the train, you will definitely want to get some transportation to go downtown.

Excursions–Jetboat excursions are an excellent adventure for family members of all ages.

Young children–My only caution if you are traveling with young children is that the shops have lots of things that would be very enticing for little hands. Enter with caution! If you don’t want to take your kids into the shops the village park is nearby and is a wide-open space to run and play. Even better, just down the street a bit, (approx. 10 min walk) is a pretty awesome playground.


Talkeetna, Alaska is definitely a fantastic destination for tourists and locals to visit. This fun little town has so much to offer.

Please contact me to get started planning your fabulous Alaska vacation!

Happy travels to you…until we meet again!

Other articles that might be of interest:

Take a ride on a train of the Alaska Railroad.

Well, cruise ships aren’t going to be sailing to Alaska this summer but that doesn’t mean that you still can’t visit Alaska. As I have said before, there is so much more in Alaska than what you see from a cruise ship. Let this be the year that you see more of the state of Alaska. And, traveling on the Alaska Railroad is the perfect way to do it. So, here are 5 reasons why your Alaska vacation should include a ride on the Alaska Railroad.

Hey! Alaska Residents, a ride on the Alaska Railroad is great for you too! The Railroad is a great way to have a family staycation.

Okay, now read on…

The journey is as great as the destination when you ride the Alaska Railroad!

#1 Gorgeous scenery

All along the road system in Alaska you will see beautiful scenery. From Seward to Fairbanks you will be delighted by all that you see from the roadway. BUT, the Alaska Railroad takes you away from the road system through the untouched wilds of Alaska. You will see even more stunning scenery you can only see by riding the rails.

#2 Everyone gets to enjoy the ride

Being stuffed into a car isn’t the most comfortable ride for anyone. The driver has to pay attention to the road and cannot see all beauty. The passengers are stuck sitting in one seat for hours. A ride on the Alaska Railroad is so much better for everyone. The driver gets to see everything. During the ride, everyone can get up and stretch their legs and visit other train cars along the way. No one is stuck in one seat for the whole trip. How wonderful is that!

#3 A better view

Car windows are quite small. You often have to crane your neck to see all the amazing mountains, wildlife and other scenery as you drive by. Now picture yourself in a train car with giant picture windows all along the sides. Then picture going up into the Vista Dome cars with sweeping panoramic views. You will get to see so much more of the breathtaking scenery you came to Alaska to see when you travel by train rather than a car.

#4 Dining in style

The Alaska Railroad has two different levels of luxury you can choose from as you travel on the train. Adventure Class provides dining and bar service for purchase at the Wilderness Cafe. Some trains even have some dining tables for Adventure Class.

But the true luxury comes with all-inclusive GoldStar Service available on the two major train routes. Instead of eating on your lap as you drive you can enjoy sitting down in the full-service dining car and being served a delicious meal. How luxurious to watch gorgeous scenery pass by as you sit comfortably eating great food and enjoying an adult beverage or two! You can ONLY do this on the Alaska Railroad!

#5 Great for a day trip or a multi-day vacation

The last great reason to ride the Alaska Railroad is you can be so flexible. Your ride on the rails can be just a day excursion, like heading down to Seward for the day, or a long, multi-day complete vacation experience.

One benefit of a vacation package with the Alaska Railroad is that you are only bound by the train schedule. The days that you are visiting the different towns and cities in Alaska are your own. You don’t have to be following the schedule of a tour group. All your activities can be tailored to what you want to do. Then you just make sure you are back to the train when you are scheduled to move on to the next exciting destination. Such great flexibility without having to worry about your transportation from place to place!


How is a ride on the Alaska Railroad great for a multi-family/generational vacation?

  • Everyone can ride together.
  • Seats can be easily switched up to let everyone have a chance to sit by everyone.
  • Kids (well, everyone) can easily get up and stretch their legs.
  • Comfortable seats all will enjoy. Some even turn so 4 can sit and chat together.
  • No driving coordination needed. Everyone gets there at the same time.
  • Once at the destination each family can pick their own activities or everyone can stick together. It’s up to you.

Would you like some more information about traveling on the Alaska Railroad? Contact me and let’s talk about the possibilities for your family!

Happy travels to you…until we meet again!

Here are some other articles you might like to read:

Whittier, Alaska is a teeny, tiny town that actually has some great reasons to visit. It is the “Gateway to Prince Williams Sound”. Since it sits right on the coast with access to the ocean, Whitter is the departure and arrival port for many Princess Alaska cruises. But whether you are visiting Whittier as part of a cruise or just to explore for the day, it is a great destination. Read on and find out what you can do on your day trip to Whittier, Alaska!

Location

Whitter is located in southcentral Alaska right on Prince William Sound. It is just 60 miles south of Anchorage making it a perfect day trip destination.

How to get to Whittier

The Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel Portage Side

Getting to Whittier is half of the fun of visiting. Since Whittier sits on the coastline on the other side of the Chugach Mountains the only way to get there is through a tunnel. The one-way, 2.5 mile Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel is the longest in North America and is shared by the train and vehicles. There are scheduled times every hour for the train to use the tunnel and for vehicles. It is very important to know the tunnel schedule before you head to Whittier. As you can imagine the schedule is often delayed so it is important to add extra travel time through the tunnel. Plan for at least 30-40 minutes to get through the tunnel. The current cost for private vehicles is $13.

What to explore in Whittier, Alaska

Water Activities

Whittier is on an amazing body of water! From Whittier you can go kayaking, rent jetskis, take a leisure boating excursion or join on of the glacier day cruises. If you love fishing, Prince William Sound is one of the best places to fish on the planet and there are many guides ready to help you catch your limit. And all of these activities are surrounded by some absolutely stunning scenery!

Hiking

Emerald Cove Trail

Around Whittier there are three fantastic hiking trails. If you are hiking in late July/August then be on the lookout for delicious berries and also bears.

  • Emerald Cove Trail–This is a relatively flat trail but is VERY muddy and quite rooty. You will be watching your foot placement pretty much the whole way. Children can hike this trail but you definitely will want boots. BUT, this trail is well worth the effort because when you look up you will be awestruck by the gorgeous surroundings nearby and across the bay. The full length is around 3 miles, but there is a first cove about a mile or so in and is a beautiful place to stop, play and then turn around.
  • Horsetail Falls Trail–This trail is a 1 mile moderately uphill hike to see the beautiful Horsetail Falls. For those wanting a more difficult hike, you can continue up to Blackstone Ridge to see the waterfalls from the top.
  • Portage Pass Trail–This is the most difficult hike of the three but probably also boasts the best views from the top. The trailhead for this hike is just after you get through the tunnel. The 2-mile hike will take you up and over the mountain (around 800 ft) to Portage Lake, right across from the glacier. And then on the way back, you will look down on the Whittier harbor, and Prince William Sound. Absolutely gorgeous!

Around the Town

View from parking area/picnic spot at the end of Shotgun Cove Trail (Road)
  • Sit at the head of the bay and enjoy the scenery and have a picnic.
  • Hang out at the harbor and watch all the boats go out and come in.
  • Eat at one of the restaurants on the waterfront.
  • Drive out to the end of the road and take in the beauty of the water and mountains.
  • Go birdwatching. There are so many birds to spot as well as the largest Kittiwake rookery in the North Pacific.
  • Take a self-guided tour of the historical sites.
  • Visit the Prince William Sound Museum in the Anchor Inn.
  • Stroll over to the 14-story Begich Towers which is home to nearly all of Whittier’s residents, a school, grocery store, church, and post office.

A day trip to Whittier, Alaska makes a great addition to any vacation to Alaska. If a trip to visit Alaska is on your travel bucket list please contact me! I would love to help you plan an Alaska vacation your family will remember forever.

Happy travels to you…until we meet again!

Here are some other links you might be interested in:

A 10″ snowfall that got me thinking

The first couple weeks of April we have had some pretty warm weather up here and all our snow was melted, roads were being swept, and plans for clean up were being made. Yesterday, we woke up to about 6″ of snow. “No problem” I thought, “It will be melted soon.” Sure enough, by evening there was only about an inch left at our house and nothing in town.

This morning we woke up to this…

Snowy deck

I had to measure this dump of snow!

measuring 10" snowfall

WHAT?! 10″ is the most snowfall we have had at one time all winter. And it is still snowing! Aaargh!

Keeping warm in a tent with a tent heater

I am not sure why, but this got me thinking about camping this summer. Hopefully we will be able to start at the end of May. Last summer we were able to get out a few times but not as many as I would have liked. We are tent campers. Toward the end of the summer the evenings were getting a little chilly (in the 40’s) through a cold night (in all honesty though, I hate waking up to the cold and will stay under the warm covers until a fire is lit). But, I was concerned about our 6 month old, 1 year old who wouldn’t stay under blankets and the 4 and 5 year old who wouldn’t stay in sleeping bags. So, at the end of the summer we didn’t camp very much.

Then, I heard some friend talking about how they stayed warm in their tents. A TENT HEATER! What!? I had never heard of such a thing. I tucked that bit of info away and guess what, it resurfaced today! Let’s look into how to keep warm camping with a tent heater.

Exploring Tent Heaters

In my research I found that there are three kinds of tent heaters, gas, electric and wood.

There are some great websites comparing some of the different options.

Things to consider when purchasing a tent heater.

1) What type of heater do you need

  • Gas (Propane or Butane)–The most popular type for camping.
  • Electric–Great if you will always have access to an electrical outlet. This is the safest option.
  • Wood–This is only for large canvas tents designed to be use with a wood stove with very good ventilation.

2) The size of tent or area you are heating

Heaters come in different sizes. From small personal heaters (1,500 BTU’s) to ones that will heat a massive tent or area (60,000 BTU’s). Knowing how many BTU’s (the amount of heat the unit produces) you will need to heat your tent can be figured out with this handy, dandy BTU Calculator.

2) Where you will put the heater

  • Will the heater be in the tent or outside
  • Do you have proper ventilation?
  • Will the heater be in danger of being knocked over?
  • Do you have a stable surface to set heater upon?
  • Are you able to keep all things flammable (sleeping bags, blankets, pillows, pads, clothes, towels, chairs, people etc.) away from the heater even while asleep if you choose to let it run through the night (it is NOT recommended to run a tent heater while asleep on unattended).

3) Safety features of the heater

  • Is it rated for indoor use? If not, move on to another heater. This is of ultimate importance!
  • Does it have an anti-tip automatic shut off?
  • Is the fuel clean burning?
  • Does it have a low oxygen/carbon monoxide detector and shut off automatically if necessary?
  • What is covering the heat source?

4) Other features to consider

  • Weight
  • Ease of turning on and off
  • Size
  • Does it shut off at certain altitudes?
  • Fuel efficiency
  • Size of fuel source (small green cans or large white containers)
  • Can you control heat output? Different heat settings?

What heaters will work for us

Fuel type: Since none of the places we camp have hook-ups electric was automatically out. Wood isn’t safe for our tent. So, propane it is.

Tent size: We have a large family tent, an REI Kingdom 8. It took us a long to find the right tent but we love this one. Our tent has a floor space of 104 sq ft and an overall 600 cubic ft. According to the BTU calculator we need a heater with around 3000 BTU’s to keep our tent about 15 degrees warmer than outside.

Heater placement: Since we have a lot of flammable stuff and children who could easily knock it over inside our tent is probably not the safest. We are thinking that we will open up the inside door a bit and set the heater on a stable surface just outside. It will still be technically inside under the rain fly but should be safer.

Important features to us:

  • Anti-tip automatic shut-off
  • Low oxygen/carbon monoxide auto shut-off
  • Clean burning
  • Size and weight
  • Ease of turning on and off
  • Fuel source/efficiency
  • Different heating options

Heaters we are considering

Mr Heater buddy portable tent heater
Mr. Heater Buddy Portable Heater
Mr Heater portable tent heater
Mr. Heater Portable Heater
Mr Heater little buddy tent heater
Mr. Heater Little Buddy

I am leaning toward the Mr. Heater Buddy. It seems a nice middle of the road. It should probably be ordered soon so that we can start camping in a month or so.

Once we try it out and see how it works I will update this post with my opinions. I can’t wait to see if it helps us to stay warm camping in our tent.

Have you used a tent heater? What other tips do you have for keeping warm in a tent? Let me know in the comments below!

Happy travels to you…until we meet again!