6 Activities
Anchorage to Palmer - Driving through History
Starts from
Anchorage
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Activities
6
Duration
11 hrs 20 min
Length
93 mi
Route details
Starts from
Anchorage
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Duration
11 hrs 20 min
Length
93 mi
- Natural Attractions
- Unusual Locations
- Active Leisure
Bailey Berg
Travel Expert
- Learn why Santa's reindeer must have been girls.
- Purchase an über-warm scarf.
- Go for a quick, but rewarding hike.
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In 1935, the Matanuska Valley Colony saw the resettlement of 203 displaced farming families from Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan as part of the New Deal. By settling the land, they were given a new start in the 49th state. While we're a long way from those humble beginnings, there are still remnants of that past all over Palmer, whether at a local favorite brewery or at a reindeer farm.
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Categories
- Natural Attractions
- Unusual Locations
- Active Leisure
In 1935, the Matanuska Valley Colony saw the resettlement of 203 displaced farming families from Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan as part of the New Deal. By settling the land, they were given a new start in the 49th state. While we're a long way from those humble beginnings, there are still remnants of that past all over Palmer, whether at a local favorite brewery or at a reindeer farm.
Translated by
Bailey Berg
Travel Expert
- Learn why Santa's reindeer must have been girls.
- Purchase an über-warm scarf.
- Go for a quick, but rewarding hike.
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Day Itinerary
6 Activities
Day 1
93 mi
Anchorage to Palmer: A Deep Dive into Alaska's Favorite Farming Community
Originally, Palmer was established as a railway station on the Alaska Railroad. However, it's better known as one of the most unusual farming communities in the country. In 1935, the Matanuska Valley Colony saw the resettlement of 203 families from Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan. While we're a long way from those humble beginnings, there are still remnants of that past all over Palmer, whether at a local favorite brewery or at a reindeer farm.
The best way to understand Palmer is on the ground, so spend a day digging deep.
The best way to understand Palmer is on the ground, so spend a day digging deep.
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Website
10:101 hr 30 min
Reindeer Farm
Wildlife
Start your day with a little joy and head to the reindeer farm.
Did you know that in the Christmas song "Up on the Rooftop," the "click, click, click" referred to the sound the reindeer's tendons make as they walk, not their hooves on the shingles? That's just one of the fun facts guests learn at the Reindeer Farm. During the hour-long visit, guests also get to feed the herd and meet other animals in the care of the farm, including moose, pigs, musk ox, and more. The Reindeer Farm is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Did you know that in the Christmas song "Up on the Rooftop," the "click, click, click" referred to the sound the reindeer's tendons make as they walk, not their hooves on the shingles? That's just one of the fun facts guests learn at the Reindeer Farm. During the hour-long visit, guests also get to feed the herd and meet other animals in the care of the farm, including moose, pigs, musk ox, and more. The Reindeer Farm is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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10 mi
20 min
Website
12:101 hr
The Musk Ox Farm
Wildlife
Keep the theme going at the Musk Ox Farm. This area was originally settled for farmland, so it makes sense that there are a handful of unique farm tours. Musk oxen are herd animals with long shaggy fur and curved horns. Their fur, called qiviut, is softer than cashmere but warmer than wool. After you've met the animals, swing through the gift shop to pick up a locally made sweater (or yarn to knit your own). It's open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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9.7 mi
15 min
Website
13:251 hr
Butte summit
Outdoor
From the summit of this favorite local trail, there are 360-degree views of the Matanuska Valley. It's only 750 feet of elevation gain, and easy enough that kids in Crocs can do it. At a leisurely pace (and with a summit snack), it's roughly an hour round-trip.
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7.5 mi
15 min
Website
14:401 hr
Bleeding Heart Brewery
Food
For years, this small-scale brewery was found on an original colonial homestead farm, where cows and chickens were known to wander into the beer garden. However, today it's located in the heart of Palmer and shares a space with the wildly popular Alaska Pickers. The brewery is known for its ability to push the limits on craft beer, so swing through for a brewery walkthrough, a flight of suds, and a late lunch. Hours are noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, and closed on Monday.
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20.5 mi
50 min
Website
16:303 hrs
Independence Mine State Historical Park Visitor Center
History
In the early 1900s, thousands of fortune seekers flooded into Alaska searching for gold. Independence Mine was one of the places the rare mineral was found in abundance. Here, you can get an idea of living and working in one of Alaska's largest gold mining communities through a self-guided tour.
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45.4 mi
1 hr 10 min
Website
20:401 hr
Pizza Man
Food
While the name may leave something to be desired, the fare at Pizza Man is genuinely top-notch. Beyond the myriad traditional and funky pizza options, the restaurant offers a variety of other Italian dishes, like chicken parmigiana, spinach and cheese ravioli, and lasagna. Be sure to ask about their “scooner club.”
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