Talkeetna

The tiny, quirky hamlet of Talkeetna is a perfect representation of life in small-town Alaska for many visitors. It's a must-see stop in Southcentral Alaska, located 115 miles north of Anchorage in the Mat-Su Valley. Talkeetna is said to be the inspiration for the fictional community of Cicely in the popular TV show "Northern Exposure", so it's no surprise that it resonates with visitors. Its artistic, outdoorsy, and creative residents are proud of their community's character and mountaineering history as the starting point for climbers attempting to summit North America's tallest peak, Denali. Talkeetna, a gold-mining town at the turn of the twentieth century, has retained much of its early Alaska flavor. The streets are lined with log cabins, a roadhouse, and clapboard storefronts.

A visit to Talkeetna would be incomplete without a stroll down Main Street, which features two blocks of historic structures, shops, art galleries, restaurants, and a brewery. Nagley's Store, which is red and white, was built in 1921 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Other historic structures include the Fairview Inn, which was built in 1923, and the Talkeetna Roadhouse, which was built in 1917. On clear days, Talkeetna Riverfront Park at the end of Main Street offers views of the Susitna River and Denali. After a day of exploring, nothing beats grabbing a drink at the brewery and sitting out on the deck, watching the hustle and bustle of Main Street under the midnight sun.

The Walter Harper Talkeetna Ranger Station in Denali National Park and Preserve provides visitors with a taste of the high adventure of climbing Denali. During the summer, the National Park Service office processes the numerous expeditions to Denali and has a small display and video program for those considering climbing the peak. The Talkeetna Historical Society Museum, a small complex consisting of four restored buildings, preserves the history of Denali and the climbers who made the first ascents. The Section House, which contains a relief model of Denali and its climbing routes surrounded by Bradford Washburn's famous photos of the mountain, is by far the most fascinating structure. A visit to Talkeetna Cemetery near the airport will give anyone a better understanding of how dangerous climbing North America's highest peak is. Don Sheldon, the famous bush pilot who rescued many climbers from the mountain, has the most prominent grave in it. A memorial to all climbers who died on the mountain and neighboring peaks is also located here.