The Charming Town in Alaska You'll Want To Spend More Time In This Winter
By Megan McDonald|Published January 12, 2019
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Megan McDonald
Author
Megan McDonald is a writer, photographer, and owner of humu media, an Alaska-based digital media agency. She spends her free time traveling with her husband and daughter around the US and the world.
Wintertime in Alaska is spectacular, and there are so many different ways to experience all it has to offer. There is one great small town in Alaska that has everything to satisfy your love of winter activities! Talkeetna, Alaska is a wonderful town to celebrate the cold months in. We have a great list of fabulous things to do the next time you find yourself traveling to Talkeetna.
The aurora winter train runs from September through early May on the weekends from Anchorage to Fairbanks.
This is an incredible way to arrive in Talkeetna in style! Enjoy food and beverage service on the train while you gaze at the northern lights, or spot moose in the snow outside your train window. The views are gorgeous and the food is delicious and plentiful! A relaxing way to kick off your Talkeetna weekend.
Perhaps you'd like to kick off your stay with a sled dog tour? How about a sled dog tour out of a three-time Iditarod champion's kennel?
That's right! Dallas Seavey's homestead is located in Talkeetna, Alaska, and you can take a tour with some of his over 90 Iditarod sled dogs! You have the option of customizing your ride, driving your own team, or even an overnight sled on the Iditarod trail; a true Alaskan experience.
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Or perhaps you're someone who prefers their sleds to be motorized? Gate Creek Cabins offers snow machine tours right outside Talkeetna!
They rent snow machines by the day, and can be used anywhere in the Petersville area, even Denali State Park. There are over 400 miles of easily accessible and groomed trails for your use; you may even find yourself riding to one of the many glaciers nearby!
North Shore Cyclery in Talkeenta should take care of your cross country ski or snowshoe rentals. And the Denali Nordic Ski Club has a list of upcoming events, maps of all the great trails, and directions and helpful tips for when you get out there.
Perhaps it got a little too cold, or you're looking for some indoor activities for the morning. The Talkeenta Historical Society's museum is open all winter on Saturday and Sunday, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
For a mere $5.00, you can immerse yourself in some of Talkeetna's most interesting history. Take a walking tour around downtown's oldest buildings with a brochure from the museum. Or check out the room with the Alaska Range model, and read about the history of mountaineering!
Whatever you do, don't forget to cap off your day at Denali BrewPub on Main Street in Talkeetna.
Open seven days a week, grab a couple of microbrews, or a juicy Twister Creek Burger. With a wide selection of choices, including delicious Alaskan seafood, and an appetizer list to make your mouth water, there's something for everyone. Don't forget to ask about their Chuli Stout Brownie, made with their very own Chuli Stout and served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Maybe after dinner you'd like to take in a show? How about the most popular show during winter in Alaska, the aurora borealis!
Talkeetna is the absolute perfect place to go aurora hunting. With a latitude of 62 degrees, it is located at an excellent spot to take some photos, or just relax and enjoy the show. Try watching from the deck at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge; their view takes in the stunning Alaska Range.
No matter where you stay, or what you end up choosing for your day or your dinner, Talkeetna has enough options to satisfy even the pickiest of people. This winter paradise will fulfill all of your Alaskan winter expectations, and then some!
