Casey's Guidebook
Dining
Pizza Ria Delphi
101 E Arctic AveExtensive tap selection offering many of Alaska’s microbrews.
79 locals recommend
Palmer City Alehouse
320 E Dahlia AveExtensive tap selection offering many of Alaska’s microbrews.
Food scene
Excellent local, seasonal cuisine for both casual lunches and nice dinners. They also offer a variety of delicious baked goods.
63 locals recommend
Turkey Red
550 S Alaska StExcellent local, seasonal cuisine for both casual lunches and nice dinners. They also offer a variety of delicious baked goods.
One of the finer dining restaurants in Wasilla offering great food and an extensive wine list.
33 locals recommend
The Grape Tap
322 N Boundary StOne of the finer dining restaurants in Wasilla offering great food and an extensive wine list.
Breweries
Bearpaw River Brewing Company
4605 E Palmer-Wasilla HwyOur favorite brewery in the valley!
The outdoor seating makes for great place to end a summer hike or bike ride. They often have a Thai food truck parked outside as well.
14 locals recommend
Arkose Brewery
650 E Steel LoopThe outdoor seating makes for great place to end a summer hike or bike ride. They often have a Thai food truck parked outside as well.
Hiking
A relatively short hike for the area, which offers a 360 view of the Valley from its peak. There is a direct, steep route as well as an easier, but longer off shoot called the Lazy Moose trail.
24 locals recommend
Lazy Mountain Trail Head
2955 Mountain Trail CirA relatively short hike for the area, which offers a 360 view of the Valley from its peak. There is a direct, steep route as well as an easier, but longer off shoot called the Lazy Moose trail.
The views from the Chalet parking lot are worth a visit and don’t require any strain. But if you’re up for more, there is hiking access to Blueberry Knoll and, for the most adventurous, the summit of Government Peak as well. GPRA is also home to some of the best Nordic ski trails which are meticulously maintained in the Winter. Rental skis can be procured downtown Palmer at Backcountry Bike and Ski. In the warmer seasons, these trails become great mountain bike routes. Bikes can also be rented from the shop.
23 locals recommend
Government Peak Recreation Area
North Mountain Trails DriveThe views from the Chalet parking lot are worth a visit and don’t require any strain. But if you’re up for more, there is hiking access to Blueberry Knoll and, for the most adventurous, the summit of Government Peak as well. GPRA is also home to some of the best Nordic ski trails which are meticulously maintained in the Winter. Rental skis can be procured downtown Palmer at Backcountry Bike and Ski. In the warmer seasons, these trails become great mountain bike routes. Bikes can also be rented from the shop.
Take the scenic drive through to Willow when the pass opens up and stop along the way for photography and berry picking if you hit the season right. There are also multiple trailheads from steep (Marmot, Skyscraper, Summit Lake) to meandering and mellow (Goldmint, Archangel to Reed Lakes). The Independence Mine is an interesting historic site to explore. This is State Park land and many areas do require a $5.00 day parking permit, but it is money well spent.
Hatcher Pass Road
Hatcher Pass RoadTake the scenic drive through to Willow when the pass opens up and stop along the way for photography and berry picking if you hit the season right. There are also multiple trailheads from steep (Marmot, Skyscraper, Summit Lake) to meandering and mellow (Goldmint, Archangel to Reed Lakes). The Independence Mine is an interesting historic site to explore. This is State Park land and many areas do require a $5.00 day parking permit, but it is money well spent.
Gear Rental
Whether you need to tune up or replace parts on your own gear, or rent bikes/skis for local activities, the staff at BCB&S will take excellent care of you.
6 locals recommend
Backcountry Bike and Ski
132 W Arctic AveWhether you need to tune up or replace parts on your own gear, or rent bikes/skis for local activities, the staff at BCB&S will take excellent care of you.
Sightseeing
The Musk Ox Farm
12850 E Archie RdReindeer Farm
5561 Bodenburg LoopAn easy day trip from Rose Ridge, Talkeetna offers a variety of small shops and restaurants. It is a quirky, artistic community, the mayor of which (until recently) was a cat!
You can also hop on the Alaska Railroad from here and enjoy a day of sightseeing from one of their viewing cars.
130 locals recommend
Talkeetna
An easy day trip from Rose Ridge, Talkeetna offers a variety of small shops and restaurants. It is a quirky, artistic community, the mayor of which (until recently) was a cat!
You can also hop on the Alaska Railroad from here and enjoy a day of sightseeing from one of their viewing cars.