Things to do & places to visit in Talkeetna, Alaska, United States

Sporting “raccoon eyes”—pale circles where your sunglasses used to be—is something of a badge of honor in Talkeetna. That’s because it means you probably climbed or hiked up Denali, the 20,310-foot peak that sits at this former mining town’s back door. Rough-hewn logs are the building material of choice for everything in town from humble cabins to grand lodges. The signage is largely done by hand, so the letters are often squished together because the painter ran out of room. There are plenty of outlets here ready to take you on an adventure, whether it’s fly fishing, whitewater rafting, or soaring in a propeller plane over the Alaskan Range (landing on a glacier is optional).

Talkeetna city in Alaska, United States. Timezone: America/Anchorage, current date and time: Saturday, April 27, 2024, 6:34.

Top things to do (24)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 K2 Aviation (3.039 reviews)
- Seriously Amazing
Saturday: 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM Sightseeing Tours • Air Tours

Its really important to note that the weather is a huge constraint on this activity. My boyfriend and I booked the flightseeing tour with glacier landing months in advance with of course no idea the weather. We got extremely lucky being the day of our flightseeing tour, was the only day of our entire trip that had clear skies. The flight was amazing, pilot Phillip was so nice and informative. He even took some amazing photos of us in front of the plane. I get motion sickness pretty easy but this was not an issue for me. Before boarding the flight, I asked if I could sit up front and the pilot said yes saying "its kind of a 'whoever asks first' can sit in the front". The front seat is most definitely the best view but they navigate the plane in a way where everyone gets a chance to see everything. K2 made our experience super relaxing and stress free. We stayed right in Talkeetna so we just simply walked to K2 aviation and essentially walks on the plane. See more..
5.0 Talkeetna Air Taxi (2.921 reviews)
- Breath Taking
Taxis & Shuttles • Sightseeing Tours • Air Tours

The tallest Mountain in North America has been on my bucket list for many years. Talkeetna Air Taxi allowed me to see it from every angle & it was breath taking. The pilot (Chase) was outstanding, pointing out terrain and land marks. The entire staff were very helpful, polite, knowledgeable. I would recommend paying the little extra for the summit tour and glacier landing you will not be disappointed. Thank you TAT!!!! See more..
5.0 Denali Zipline Tours (1.005 reviews)
- Great Time for First Time Zip Liners
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Zipline & Aerial Adventure Parks

We had friends visiting from lower 48 and they had zip lined before so we booked the trip. Our guides Bridget and Morgan were fantastic! They put those of us who are nervous about it at ease. Safety was top priority. We had a gorgeous day. We will be back! See more..
5.0 Aurora Dora (517 reviews)
- Fabulous photos of aurora and teaching!!!
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Speciality & Gift Shops • Art Galleries • Lessons & Workshops

When It's Dark, I See the Lights! I relocated from Brazil to Alaska in 2001 and have been chasing and photographing Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) ever since. I never heard about the Northern Lights before I moved to Alaska. The first time I saw them it was love at first sight. That was it! From there on I knew what I wanted to do, I wanted to share the Auroras with the world and show them to everyone who doesn't have the opportunity to see the Northern lights. That's what I have been doing since. From long and cold nights photographing amazing auroras through the skies, and teaching northern lights photography workshops, to the summers explaining and showing the auroras to the ones that are not able to visit Alaska in the winters. I am a photographer in Alaska, living the dream life of many photographers. Many of my images were published by NASA, Space Weather Live, Washington Post, space.com, Nature Photographer Magazine, Society of Nature Photographers, just to name a few. See more..
5.0 AK Sled Dog Tours (319 reviews)
- Highlight of our trip!
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Ski & Snow Tours

Experience the thrill of driving your own team of Alaskan huskies around our private racing trail system. In this adrenaline-fueled, behind-the-scenes experience, learn how these amazing creatures live, play, and train in a 4-time Iditarod champion’s kennel. With smaller groups for a more personal experience, you and one other person from your group will drive your own team of dogs through the beautiful birch and spruce forest. Our experienced guides will talk about our kennel's involvement in the Iditarod, and will teach you about how these amazingly tough dogs and mushers survive and thrive on 1,000 mile endurance races through the heart of Alaska. Many of the dogs on your team are either retired racing dogs (many have won the Iditarod), are currently on the race team, or are the next generation in training to become the next great champions. All the dogs at our kennel are extremely friendly and love attention; throw the ball, walk with the dogs, or have a seat and cuddle a puppy! See more..
5.0 Hurricane Turn (180 reviews)
- Unique Experience!
Public Transportation Systems

This was a pleasant surprise. The views were even better than expected and a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. A terrific crew that was professional and aimed to please. A unique look into a different way of life. The stories shared during the trip just added to it. Very happy to have had this experience. See more..
5.0 Susitna River Trading Company (7 reviews)
- SRT ROCKS!
Speciality & Gift Shops

If you're in Talkeetna you have to stop by this locally run shop! So many options that are practical and fun! The family that owns it are so helpful and nice, it's too easy to go on a shopping spree once you're there! See more..
5.0 Trapped In Talkeetna (6 reviews)
- Great time!
Spent 1-2 hours Escape Games

Trapped In Talkeetna is an interactive live escape game where a group of participants are locked in a theme decorated room and have one hour to work together to find and decipher hidden clues, riddles and puzzles in order to escape from the room. See more..
5.0 Talkeetna Bike Rentals (6 reviews)
- Friendly and helpful staff!
Gear Rentals

We have dry RV Parking if you don't need the hook ups. We are .5 miles from beautiful downtown Talkeetna, located at Mile 13.5 on the S Talkeetna Spur Road. We have bright green Sun Cruzer bikes for rent to enjoy the 14 mile paved bike path, a few trails around the lakes and down by the river and of course we provide baskets so that you can do some shopping downtown. See more..
5.0 The Patchwork Moose (4 reviews)
- Just a stop in and loo
Spent < 1 hour Speciality & Gift Shops

We are a small quilt shop specializing in Alaskan-themed fabrics, patterns, & kits. See more..
4.5 Talkeetna Historical Society Museum (300 reviews)
- What a gem
History Museums

We had seen the little museum as we walked around the town and decided it would be a good thing to do the next day which was forecast to be rainy. We are so glad we did. The woman at the desk was friendly and inviting and explained there were several films to see in the various parts of the museum. There are also several small cabins around town that are part of the museum which were actual living quarters of early residents. Besides all the locally collected artifacts in the museum which include everything from housewares to sleds to climbing equipment, there were two videos. One was on the building of the Alaska Railway and the other on climbing Denali. Both were well done and informative. If you want to get a feel for an Alaskan settlement and the lure and exploration of this wilderness area, this little gem of a museum should appeal. See more..
4.5 Walter Harper Talkeetna Ranger Station (148 reviews)
- Nice place
Spent 1-2 hours Visitor Centers

Not a whole lot do here unless you are climbing. With that said it is still a must see when you are in Talkeetna. The short film on climbing Denali is fascinating! It gave you a great feel for what the climbers see and do and how prepared you MUST be to climb. I would go back again just to see the film! Some interesting phots and info in the station too. the Rangers are very helpful if you have questions about Denali and the area. See more..
4.5 Byers Lake (110 reviews)
- Best Campground for everything.
Bodies of Water

I have lived in Alaska 42 years and this is my favorite camping spot. We have gone here as many times as 10 a summer. It has it all. Each camping spot is large, almost 1/4 acre, picnic table, fire pit, lots of room for even large vehicles. Hike to the waterfalls, my favorite and well maintained trails. Hike around the lake, good hike but lots to see. We even biked the trails around and especially down from up by the road. Weeeeeeee. Canoeing or kayaking for the best view of Mt. McKinley on middle or other side of lake. Good fishing (consult your regulations for keepers), trout in winter, and great salmon in summer. LOTS of wildlife, beavers, otters, Trumpeter and Tundra Swans, loons, moose, but be prepared as quite a few bears. Also connects with 20+ mile hike along Kesugi Ridge above treelike. This place has it all and above the campground a great Memorial honoring Veterans with great Mt. views, picnics, or just stretching lake. A must stop!!!!!! See more..
4.5 Denali Brewing Company & Tasting Room (83 reviews)
- Yummy beer!
Saturday: 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Breweries

Stop by our brewery's tasting room to enjoy our craft beer, cider, mead, spirits, and ready-to-drink cocktails (available for here or to-go). While you're here, peruse our wide selection of apparel and participate in one of our Behind the Scenes tours. Visit our website to check out our summer tour and food truck schedules. See more..
4.5 Fairview Inn (50 reviews)
- AUTHENTIC FRONTIER SALOON
Saturday: 12:00 PM - 2:00 AM Spent 1-2 hours Bars & Clubs

Simply one of the best saloon experiences of my life. The music was jumping, the people were dancing (from all walks/ages of life) and the staff worked double-time to serve the thirsty crowd with the most wonderful smiles. Another evening at the Fairview was spent simply listening in that old-saloon way. The staff and townspeople of this very special hamlet deserve an immense amount respect for sharing their community with us. Thank You Fairview Inn and entire town of Talkeetna. See more..
4.5 Alaskan War Veterans Memorial (50 reviews)
- Out of the way but worth thee visit
Spent < 1 hour Monuments & Statues

This is on the road from Seward to Denali. It was located here at the request of the veterans who did not want it in a metro setting. See more..
4.5 Susitna Salmon Center (40 reviews)
- Fun science and great local arts of Alaska salmons
Speciality & Gift Shops • Art Galleries

The Susitna Salmon Center is a unique gift shop and art gallery dedicated to rivers and salmon. We have aquaria with local fish and documentaries. We provided biologist-guided river walks and have rental cabins. See more..
4.5 The Dancing Leaf Gallery (39 reviews)
- Nice shop
Saturday: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Art Galleries

This shop and gallery has a very good variety of Alaskan-made items, and the pricing was good. We enjoyed our time browsing and purchased quite a few things to take back home as gifts! See more..
4.5 D & S Alaskan Trail Rides (39 reviews)
- Best tour in Denali
Horseback Riding Tours

This is the best Denali wilderness tour yet. Our guide was Kevin Hey, very knowledgable, organized and helpful. He ran a tight ship. We took the trip back to Kantishna Roadhouse. We saw many moose and bear. Kevin gave us a lot of history about the park, pointers on the activities of the animals and geology lessons on the formation of the glaciers, the mountains and the tundra. It was a very enjoyable learning experience. We have been to Alaska ten times and in the park eight times and twice we took the Kantishna Wilderness Trail tour as it is the best!!!! See more..
4.5 Talkeetna Lakes Park (14 reviews)
- Very quiet and serene hike
Spent 1-2 hours Parks

We enjoyed hiking around lakes X,and Y, and seeing lake Z. We saw two pacific loons. It was a little rainy, but the hike was refreshing and easy to follow since the signs are clear. What a nice quiet hike near Talkeetna! See more..
4.5 Latitude 62 (12 reviews)
- 100% would recommend
Bars & Clubs

it was amazing i loved it it was good and it tasted good good service everything was perfect i loved it you should defentially stop by here See more..
4.5 Antler Outpost (9 reviews)
- AWESOME!!
Spent < 1 hour Speciality & Gift Shops

We went for a quick gift and left with more knowledge about TALKEETNA and “DENALI” than our tour guide had!! Thanks again!!! Best gift shop on the entire trip!! Got a nice antler carving for cheaper than the other shop in the same town! See more..
4.5 Silverbear Sundries & Denali Hemp Company (7 reviews)
- I'm in Alaska and have mosquito bites! Shocking, I know.
Saturday: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Speciality & Gift Shops

Visit our quaint cabin and sample locally harvested Devil's Club salves and organic Herbal sundries. Enjoy our selection of handcrafted goat milk soaps, Alaskan herbal teas & cooking blends, unique Tundra Mudd stoneware pottery and tasty handmade jams all made right here in the Upper Susitna Valley! See more..
4.5 Talkeetna Cemetary (4 reviews)
- Very Unique
Cemeteries
Make this cemetary a quick stop on your trip thru Talkeetna. I am not a fan of visiting cemetaries, but this one was pretty cool. See more..
4.0 Nagley's Store (479 reviews)
- A step back i time
Points of Interest & Landmarks

Remember when the groceries lined the walls and not the shelves? This is the place. Everything can be bought here from a icecream cones, a pizza, snowshoes, a 72 inch chain saw, a bearskin and more. Little pricey but its all brought in by van or the railroad. See more..
4.0 Talkeetna Riverfront Park (66 reviews)
- Lots of activity
Saturday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent 1-2 hours State Parks

I love sitting on a rock on the berm of the river. We were able to see the river in a lower state and as the rains came the river rose. I was able to see the salmon running up along side the banks of the river. I was able to watch people fishing and observe how salmon fishing is a little different than fishing other kinds of fish. It was fun to people watch at all different times of day. We were in Talkeetna for a week and were busy everyday. I recommend a week stay minimal to really get into the life here. See more..
4.0 Cubby's Marketplace (40 reviews)
- Perfect for stocking up for a road trip
Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks

We were grateful for this store as we needed water, granola bars etc before we set out for Denali NP. The checkout clerk was super friendly and fun to talk with. We went here twice as we first arrived in Talkeetna and when we departed for Denali. See more..
4.0 Artisans Open Air Market (24 reviews)
- Very nice, classy market, with all local artisans.
Flea & Street Markets

FESTIVE OUTDOOR MARKET!! 16 AUTHENTIC ALASKAN ARTISANS create, demonstrate and display beautiful creations for purchase in an outdoor courtyard market JURIED BY DENALI ARTS COUNCIL. SAT,SUN,MON 10-6:30, RAIN or SHINE.Cash,Check or CC.Theater,art and music inside, public restrooms on site.Alaskana, fine, fun and fiber arts,Elegant exclusive jewelry and photography,creative craft creations. Meet the artist at the market! See more..
3.0 Dr. Seuss House (2 reviews)
- Interesting to see
Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks

We saw this on the drive in but could not get close to it at all. Interesting view from the highway. See more..
2.5 Talkeetna Horses (3 reviews)
- Finally went horseback riding at age 60!
Equestrian Trails
Talkeetna horses is a horseback riding experience through the boreal forest outside of Talkeetna, Alaska.Come enjoy a relaxing trail ride and experience the real Alaska. Offering our signature One Hour Trail Ride as well as other specialty rides such as our Half Day Ride, Dinner Ride, and Summer Solstice Ride. See more..