Things to do in Alaska

Just outside Anchorage, Alaska

Explore the Wonder of Alaska

Off-roading on ATVs

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Vendor is On-Site

Distance from our cabins

Alaska Backcountry Adventure Tours will take you on an off-roading ATV adventure through a remote, backcountry glaciated valley. Our expert guides will lead you across beautiful meadows, along streams, and past scenic mountains and waterfalls to the ultimate sight of Alaska’s mighty Knik Glacier. Refuel for the equally stunning trip back with a lunch at this incredible landmark.

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Snowmobiling in Alaska

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Vendor is On-Site

Distance from our cabins

Alaska Backcountry Adventure Tours will take you out on snowmobiles to explore some of Alaska’s most incredible and scenic backcountry along majestic trails. Prepare to see Alaska and winter like you have never seen it before!

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Helicopter Rides in Alaska

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Vendor is On-Site

Distance from our cabins

Experience exceptional, unobstructed views of the last frontier from the air. Take flight over stunning mountain peaks and have the opportunity to spot wildlife, towering waterfalls, dramatic glacial terrain and the beauty that is unique to Alaska! Fly over the Mighty Knik Glacier, one of the largest glaciers left in Southcentral Alaska, is twenty-six miles in length and 6 miles across at its toe.

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Glacier Climbing

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Vendor is On-Site

Distance from our cabins

Available Year Round. Fly to the top of glaciers and experience Glacier Climbing. Let NOVA Guides introduce you to the world of glacier ice climbing. No previous experience is necessary.

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Horseback Riding

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10 minute drive

Distance from our cabins

Whether you’re looking for romantic getaways, family enrichment, backwoods “roughin’ it,” hunter & game transporting, or horsedrawn nostalgia, Alaska Horse Adventures has it!

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Guided Fishing Tours in Alaska

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50 minute drive

Distance from our cabins

Alaska Lakes Guide Service is dedicated to providing you lifetime memories through quality fishing, year round, on the lakes and rivers of South Central Alaska.

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Alaska State Fair

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24 minute drive

Distance from our cabins

The Alaska State Fair provides the perfect setting for Alaska’s last blast of summer, and is a showcase of Alaska’s uniqueness and beauty. The event features amusement rides, food concessions, competitive exhibits, carnival games, live performances and more.

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Hiking / Sightseeing – Chugach State Park

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54 minute drive

Distance from our cabins

Chugach State Park is located in Southcentral Alaska mostly within the Municipality of Anchorage. The park contains approximately 495,000 acres of land and is one of the four largest state parks in the United States. South-central Alaska is an area of diverse land forms and rugged topography, bounded on the north and west by the Alaska Range, and on the east by the Chugach and Wrangell Mountains and Prince William Sound.

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Museum – Colony House Museum

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5 minute drive

Distance from our cabins

Located at 316 E. Elmwood Ave, near the Palmer Museum of History and Art/Visitors Center and within Palmer’s Historic District, the Colony House Museum and outbuildings display rural life in the Matanuska Valley during the heyday of the Colony.

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Hiking / Skiing – Hatcher Pass

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25 minute drive

Distance from our cabins

In the Talkeetna Mountains between the towns of Willow and Palmer, Hatcher Pass is a local favorite for recreation or a scenic drive. Hike in alpine tundra dotted with wildflowers and ptarmigan, ski fresh, deep powder, or visit Independence Mine Historical State Park.

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Wasilla Hiking Trails in Palmer

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20 minute drive

Distance from our cabins

Check out these fun trails. Some historical, gorgeous views, and experience the natural beauty of Alaska up close and personal.

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Dog Sled Rides & Iditarod Museum

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22 minute drive

Distance from our cabins

Add a part of history to your visit to Alaska. Open daily in the summer, the Museum showcases museum items, a video room, a gift shop, and they even offer summer Iditarod Dog Sled cart rides.

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Kayaking in Eklutna Lake

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50 minute drive

Distance from our cabins

Ekultna Lake, with its turquoise waters, is a great place to experience kayaking in the Alaskan wilderness. Whether you are a beginner or more advanced kayaker, Ekultna Lake offers spectacular views and supreme serenity by kayak.

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Mat-Su Valley

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50 minute drive

Distance from our cabins

Three mountain ranges… 2,000 miles of trails… thousands of lakes… hundreds of miles of rivers and streams… long daylight hours. All this combined equals endless Mat-Su outdoor activities and adventures! We’ve got options for the active adventure seeker and even for those that just want to dabble. GOLD too!

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Musk Ox Farm

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10 minute drive

Distance from our cabins

Join us on a 45 minute scenic walk around our property in Palmer, while our staff shares with you our project history, the natural history of musk oxen, and the incredible potential these arctic ungulates have to offer communities in the far north. You will see frisky calves, seasoned old bulls, and the largest captive herd of musk oxen in the world, don’t forget your camera!

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Pyrah’s Pioneer Peak Farm

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10 minute drive

Distance from our cabins

Come visit our farm to share in the spirit of community, education, and self-reliance– While continually working to accommodate the growing demand for fresh, healthy produce we are also striving to create a place where individuals and groups can gather and pick fruits and vegetables, participate in school tours, hold weddings and other events, be part of the healthy lifestyles programs, take part in the ButteAthlon triathlon, and celebrate with us during the annual Strawberry & Fall Festivals.

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Reindeer Farm

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7 minute drive

Distance from our cabins

Today the farm has 150 reindeer, 30 Rocky Mountain Elk, 20 horses, 1 bison, and various other farm animals. We do daily tours during the summer season on the farm, trail rides on horseback up the Butte, off the farm shows with the reindeer, movies, commercials, home visits, the Running of the Reindeer at Fur Rondy and more! Come visit us today!

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Alaska Railroad – Day Trip

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35 minute drive

Distance from our cabins

Like Alaska itself, the Alaska Railroad story is full of peaks and valleys. Every mile of this legendary railroad was hard earned through grit, bravery, faith, and lots of sweat. As daunting as the obstacles were at times, the Railroad moved forward, persevering and overcoming. It’s this epic journey that has made Alaska Railroad the backbone of the Last Frontier.

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Restaurants in Palmer, Alaska

During your stay you’ll find a variety of restaurants serving authentic and fresh home-style meals ranging from family style to ethnic varieties to down home country cooking, as well as food trucks serving hot meals. Plenty of children friendly fast food restaurants are also available.

*Noisey Goose Cafe https://www.noisygoosecafe.com/

*Palmer Alehouse http://www.palmeralehouse.com/

*La Fiesta https://lafiestaalaska.com/

*Turkey Red (pictured food) http://www.turkeyredak.com/

*Vagabond Blues https://www.facebook.com/vagblues/?rf=379247025462962

You won’t want to leave!

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