Location: Palmer
Top Things to do in Palmer
Top 10 Things to do in Palmer, Alaska (AK)
Palmer is a city in and the borough seat of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough in the U.S. state of Alaska. It is part of the Anchorage Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the population of the city is 5,937.
Restaurants in Palmer
1. Government Peak Recreation Area
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By AlaskanTravelBuddies
We had our wedding at the Chalet and it was absolutely beautiful! Sierra was so helpful and kind in making our day a wonderful experience!
2. Musk Ox Farm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 437 reviews
OPEN BY RESERVATION ONLY: please visit our website to learn more about our COVID safety protocols and book your tour: muskoxfarm.org. Join us for a scenic walk around our property in Palmer while our staff shares with you our project history, the natural history of the 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!
Reviewed By valeriemO6942HJ
Very interesting mission to help improve self-sufficiency of local natives. Musk ox are beautiful animals with amazingly soft coats!
3. Independence Mine State Historical Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 427 reviews
Park dedicated to the history of the gold rush.
Reviewed By StefanieH443 - Lincoln, United States
I honestly expected that we would visit this historical part for about 30 minutes on our way from Talkeetna to Anchorage, but we ended up staying for two hours! We had a beautiful day, so we hiked some trails, explored the historical buildings, and let our kids do some gold panning. Parking is $5, and I'm guessing that they get a lot of visitors when the tourist season is normal, because the parking lot is big, and there are signs posted about traffic congestion. However, during COVID, we obviously did not have the same experience and were lucky that we could see everything without crowds. The park is being managed by a tourism company right now, so they do offer tours of the closed buildings for a fee. If you self-tour, you can see the manager's house, the assay office, and an exhibit of artifacts in the gift shop building. The miners expected to come back, so everything is very good condition inside the buildings. Gold panning is $5 for a pan, sieve, and shovel, and there is a small creek you can pan from. They also give you a vial if you find anything. :-)
4. Reindeer Farm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 530 reviews
Hands on, in the pen, hand feed Reindeer, Moose, Bison, yak, and elk. We will give you a little information about the animals, and then in the pen you go. Please dress for the weather this is an outside activity! In October we have our Fall Festival, and in December we offer Santa tours! We are open year round, but reservations must be made in advance. In the summer May-Aug we offer Horseback trail rides up the Butte with views of the Knik Glacier, and vast farmland and beautiful mountains.
Reviewed By marinevermesse - Winnipeg, Canada
We stumbled upon this place a day before we arrived in Anchorage and decided to check it out quickly. It was absolutely fantastic and is a must see place. We were really happily surprised by it. First you enter the barn and watch a video and hear about the history of the farm (they don'tkill the animals for meat there, they only showcase them), then, after thoroughly washing your hands and after the rules have been explained, you enter the reindeer pen (10-15 reindeers, with no idea of what personal space is, are there) to hand feed them and pet them (and of course selfie them and kiss them!). You spend about 15 minutes there and then move on to a different enclosure to see, touch and learn about a bison (Rosie, I believe was her name). Then they take you to the teenage moose Rocky. The guide explains Rocky's background as a rescue calf and you get to pet his head and feed him, with your mouth. Yup. You get to kiss a moose and see his big nosey and teeth coming up reaaaally close to you. Amazing experience! Afterwards you take a walk down the farm to see yaks and elks. You can finish your visit at the gift store or petting zoo where you can play with the bunnies and the cat and rub a pig's back. Overall it was a fabulous experience that get you up close with wild animals. The farm is located between mountains, lots of decor made with antlers, the people who work there are very knowledgeable and friendly and the animals are very cute. A must do! We loved it there.
5. Bodenburg Butte
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 135 reviews
Reviewed By shirleyhQ458QY - Issaquah, United States
August 20, 2020: I can scratch walking the trail to the summit of Bodenburg Butte off my list as of today! Yay me! Yes, I'm very proud of me as I'm not a hiker or walk long distances regularly i.e., healthy for 72 1/2 years young but, not "physically fit" by any standard. Bottom line? The 360 degree view at the summit was worth every breath I took during the climb! I highly recommend it! Shirley Hall Palmer, AK
6. Lazy Mountain
7. Palmer Visitor Information Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 144 reviews
Reviewed By Kanbaatar - Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
In my humble opinion, the Palmer Alaska Visitor Information Center and Museum, located at 723 S. Valley Way, East down Evergreen Avenue and across the railway tracks on your right here in Palmer, Alaska, should be the Number One Attraction in Palmer. It is both a Visitor Information Center and a Museum. In fact on Google Maps, it is called the Palmer Museum of History and Art. The docent I spoke with, Judy, was above and beyond the norm as to knowledge of Palmer and the surrounding area and willingness to assist each and every visitor who approached her. Parking was ample and I was there on the second day of the annual Alaska State Fair. In addition to the fixed exhibits, there is a movie about the history of the area and a plethora of hand-out brochures. One could spend several hours here but I was well satisfied with a full hour visit. This is a fascinating, DO-NOT-MISS attraction in my opinion.
8. Colony House Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20 reviews
The Colony House Museum is a Colony House from the 1935 Matanuska Valley New Deal relocation project. $2 entry - best deal in town!
9. Pioneer Falls
10. Matanuska Brewing
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By creebol - Fort Collins, United States
This place has my new favorite beer in Alaska - the red IPA. The tasting room is really cute and the gal behind the bar is a hoot. Check out their beer vending machine - $2 per can. Great merchandise and marketing. This will soon be a Valley destination!
