10 BEST Things to Do in Talkeetna (Gateway to Denali)

Explore the 10 best things to do in Talkeetna, whether you stay mulitiple days or you’re just passing through. Big on views and quirky charm, Talkeetna is known as the Gateway to Denali, one of America’s largest national parks. This popular stop on the way to Denali is the perfect place to experience small-town Alaska. As elsewhere in the 49th state, the focus here is on nature play and enjoying Alaska’s incredible beauty.

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1. Take in views of Denali and the Alaska Mountain Range.

Locals will tell you you’re lucky to see Mount Denali on a clear day, especially when visiting during summer. Formerly known as Mt. McKinley, the tallest mountain in the U.S. is often shrouded by fog during peak travel season. In fact, only about 30 percent of warm-weather visitors get a clear shot of this majestic mountain and the rest of the expansive Alaska Range.

Denali View Pullout

For a glorious view of Denali, Foraker, Hunter, Silverthrone, and Denali herself, stop at the Denali View Pullout at Mile 13 off Talkeetna Spur Road. The landscape is exceptionally breathtaking at sunset, around midnight in summer. If you visit Talkeetna in spring or fall, you might see the brilliant colors of the Northern Lights.

My crew couldn’t stop oohing and ahhing at the scenery as the sun lowered and set everything aglow with a golden halo. Meanwhile, a friendly local had parked his truck near ours to appreciate the sunset. He offered to take my photo with the range behind me, which I readily accepted. I said, “Since you live here, that view must be nothing new to you.”

He said, “Believe me, even if you’ve lived here your whole life, you never tire of that view.”

Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge

My new Alaskan friend told us that the only spot in town with a better view of the Alaska Range is Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge. Thankfully, that’s where we were headed next!

Mount Denali and its neighboring peaks are the focal point at Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, which is just one mile down the road from the Denali View Pullout. If you can find a free one, pull up a mountain-facing rocking chair in the grand lobby or grab a seat on the expansive viewing deck to admire nature’s beauty.

In addition to magnificent views, this luxury hotel offers delicious Alaskan cuisine, onsite hiking trails, and complimentary bike rentals for guests. Read my full review of Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge to learn more.

2. Shop and dine in darling Downtown Talkeetna.

This unincorporated area is also renowned as the inspiration for the 1990’s hit, Northern Exposure. Similar to the TV show, the little town of Talkeetna has a big personality. Note that establishment hours vary from summer to winter, with some closing down for colder months altogether.

Downtown Talkeetna Shopping

Stroll along all two blocks of Downtown Talkeetna, pausing to pose at funny photo ops and pop into a variety of gift shops selling art, books, and more. View amazing northern lights photography for sale at Aurora Dora. Beadberry Patch is owned by a charming local who is happy to help you select materials for jewelry-making or find the perfect pre-made piece.

Dining in Downtown Talkeetna

For such a tiny town, there are lots of restaurants for summer visitors to choose from. Wake up with lattes and other coffee drinks and teas at Conscious Coffee. Newcomer Homestead Kitchen serves authentic Alaskan food plus an outdoor stage with live music by local bands. Pose with pizza wings at Mountain High Pizza Pie and get a hand-tossed pie to enjoy in their beer garden. Or savor sandwiches, burgers, salads, and craft beers at the Denali Brewing Company.

If you’re visiting off-season, cozy up at Talkeetna Roadhouse. It’s one of the few restaurants open year-round. They’re known for their hearty breakfasts like biscuits and reindeer gravy or flavored hot cakes. Later in the day, look for comfort foods like chili, meatloaf, and salmon-filled pasties.

Hungry for more? Check out my picks for the best farm-fresh food in Talkeetna.

3. Meet Talkeetna’s feline mayor at Nagley’s General Store.

Opened in 1920, Nagley’s General Store is one of the oldest and most historic buildings in the downtown area. Also known as B-K Trading Co., this old tyme spot is where to stop to pick up provisions like marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate bars for fireside s’mores.

Even if you don’t need to buy anything, you’ll want to swing by Nagley’s General Store for a chance to meet Talkeetna’s feline mayor. You read that right: the mayor of this unincorporated community is a cat. The first fluffy mayor was a yellow fellow with a short tail named Stubbs, who served from 1997 until his passing in 2017.

Today, Talkeetna’s honorary mayor is a fluffy Siamese named Aurora, who continues the tradition as a tolerant town greeter. If you’re lucky, this sweetheart may allow some gentle pets and pose for pics. The honorary mayor wears a special collar so she can come and go as she pleases.

4. Explore the outdoors on Talkeetna’s nature trails.

There are numerous nature trails in the Talkeetna area for hiking, mountain biking, ATV riding, and horseback riding in fair weather. In winter, explore trails via snow shoes, fat tire bikes, cross-country skis, snow machines (what Alaskans call snowmobiles), or even dog sleds.

My group of friends set off on a hike on Talkeetna River Trail from Talkeetna Riverfront Park, which runs from the end of Talkeetna’s Main Street in downtown along the confluence of three rivers: Talkeetna, Susitna, and Chulitna. Talkeetna River Trail to Chase Trail is a 3.9-mile (6.3-kilometer) out-and-back moderate trail that should take about 1.5 hours to complete when combined with Chase Trail. If you don’t have time for the full hike, do as we did and turn back sooner. Find the trailhead near Talkeetna River Bridge.

Here’s a list of the top 10 hiking trails in Talkeetna, according to AllTrails. Plan an outdoor adventure in Talkeetna with our trusted partner, GetYourGuide. (There’s a guided hike with reindeer!)

5. Ride the Alaska Railroad.

Enjoy Alaska’s allure from aboard an Alaska Railroad car. Ride the rails to or from the Talkeetna Depot with stops in Anchorage, Denali, Fairbanks, and Hurricane Gulch. Book a seat in a dome car for the best views. Most routes run summer months only (mid-May to mid-September) but there is an Aurora Winter Train up to Fairbanks for those seeking the Aurora Borealis.

6. See Alaska from above on a flight tour.

Although I didn’t get a chance to embark on a scenic flight while in Talkeetna, my friend and fellow blogger, Malika Bowling with Roamilicious did and told me it was the best part of her entire trip to Alaska. (Am I jealous? Yes, I am!)

Even though Mount Denali was covered with fog on the day she took flight, she said, “The flightseeing experience (when Denali was NOT viewable) was still breathtaking. Being up close to the mountain peaks and soaring close to such natural beauty is unlike anything else.” 

Book your flightseeing tour from Talkeetna Airport with GetYourGuide. In addition to getting to view remote parts of Denali National Park, some flight options even offer glacier landings!

7. Taste and tour Kahiltna Birchworks.

Did you know birch trees produce syrup similar to maple trees? I didn’t! Birch syrup has a less sweet, more tangy, and more complex flavor than maple. Also, birch trees yield three times less than maples, which makes it more expensive. I think it’s worth it.

Taste this unique food at Kahiltna Birchworks in Talkeetna. Nestled in a beautiful birch forest, this company has been tapping trees to make syrup and other goodies for over 30 years. Forty-five-minute tours take place 11:00 am to 5:00 pm daily during the summer season, starting on the hour. No reservations are required and children 12 and younger may attend for free with paying adult.

In the tasting room, you’ll learn about the tapping process and sample products. You can also buy a scoop of their handmade ice cream. I recommend buying their cream caramels, syrups, toffees, or other locally produced items as a reminder of your Alaska vacation.

8. Get out on the water for boating or fishing.

Adventurers will want to get out on the water on a Devil’s Canyon jet boating whitewater canyon tour. For a workout on the water with amazing views, reserve a voyage via kayak instead.

Fishing opportunities abound in Alaska, with halibut aplenty in ocean waters, plus lakes and rivers brimming with salmon and trout. Beginners and advanced anglers will be pleased to find a number of Talkeetna outfitters offering lake and river charters as well as deep-sea fishing adventures. Reserve your fishing excursion through our partner, GetYourGuide.

9. Tour Denali National Park.

Talkeetna makes a wonderful launching pad for Denali National Park explorations. Not surprisingly, Denali ranks high on our list of the best U.S. national parks. It encompasses a colossal 6 million acres of Alaskan wilderness and includes North America’s tallest peak, Denali. Agnes Stabinska of Alaska Itinerary said, “Denali National Park is on the list of must-visits during an Alaska trip.”

To explore the park, purchase a bus tour along the park’s 92-mile-long gravel road. Stabinska explains, “Thanks to the Denali bus system, the natural environment of wildlife is protected and the safety of tourists is ensured. There are many stops for photos, short walks, and viewing the mountains from vantage points. The wild animals have already gotten used to the green buses. So you can admire herds of caribou, moose, or deer right next to the road or on the slopes of the mountains. Bears are also very often on the panoramic road.”

10. Visit the Talkeetna Historical Society Museum.

Want to learn more about Talkeetna’s history during your visit? Talkeetna Historical Society Museum in downtown consists of the School House Building, Depot Building, and Mountain Room.

Each room is filled with artifacts from residents’ everyday lives, like a 1915 portable turntable, dishes and clothes from the early 1900s, and a 1945 Curry Hotel spittoon. Look for displays on Alaskan mining, Talkeetna aviation, dog sledding, Denali mountain climbers, and more. Children 10 and younger enter for free, while seniors (62+) and adults must pay a fee.

Learn More

Read my review of Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge to decide if it’s the right place for you to stay.

Local cuisine adds to the adventure so take a look at the best dining options in Talkeetna.

Connect with nature during your vacation with these outdoor adventures for families.

Discover what to do in Alaska’s capital city, Juneau with kids.

Save These Talkeetna Activities

For your future Alaska vacation, keep this list of things to do in Talkeetna. Simply pin the image above or below to Pinterest. I hope you’ll follow Travel Mamas & Grownup Getaways on Pinterest while you’re at it!

Which of these Talkeetna attractions would you add to your Alaska itinerary? Let us know in the comments below!

A Note from The Travel Mama: Pursuit Collection hosted my stay at Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge plus some of my meals and activities in the Talkeetna area. I did not receive any monetary compensation related to this article. Regardless of who’s paying, I always share the truth with readers.

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