Visitors Guide
Come experience Alaska with us! View Mat-Su Valley's Visitor Guide. More Info
Tour Itinerary ideas
This itinerary is suitable for individuals and small to medium groups. For larger group sizes of 40 or more, please contact us for… More Info
Dining
Choose from fine dining to down home cafes and everything in between. Many of these restaurants use ingredients grown locally right here in… More Info
Contact Us
The Mat-su CVB prides itself in assisting visitors, residents and members with questions relating to tourism in the area and the community.… More Info
Sample Mat-Su Alaska Tour Itinerary
This itinerary* is suitable for individuals and small to medium groups. For larger group sizes of 40 or more, please contact us for additional options.7-Day Tour
- Day 1 · Anchorage - Wasilla
Fly to Anchorage and land at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. From there you can rent a car or make prior arrangements for a shuttle and head straight out to the Mat-Su Valley via the Glenn Highway.
- Day 2 · Wasilla - Talkeetna
Begin your day with a visit to Iditarod Sled Dog Race Headquarters for a glimpse into the history of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race. Stop at the Dorothy Page Museum or the Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry for more information on Alaska's fascinating history. Proceed to Talkeetna, a quaint town that serves as the jumping off point for Mt. McKinley climbing expeditions.
- Day 3 · Talkeetna
This morning explore the backcountry roads of Trapper Creek and Petersville Road. Take a guided tour into Denali's backcountry, an area rich in gold-mining history, wildlife and scenic wonders. This afternoon choose from a variety of optional activities - river rafting, jetboat safari, or Mt. McKinley flightseeing.
- Day 4 · Talkeetna - Hatcher Pass
Continue south to Willow where you will take an alternate route to the Hatcher Pass/Independence Mine State Historical Park. Once a gold mining area, Hatcher's Pass is known for its abundant scenery and as a local playground for outdoor activities.
- Day 5 · Palmer - Glacier City
Begin your morning meeting some of Alaska's oldest residents at the Musk Ox Farm. Learn about how the underwool of these magnificent animals is woven into quiviut, a fiber that is warmer than wool and finer than cashmere. Continue north on the Glenn Highway to the Matanuska Glacier. Get a closer look at this incredible mass of ice on your guided glacier hike.
- Day 6 · Glacier City - Palmer
Get your day off to an exhilarating start with a white water rafting trip on the Matanuska River. Afterwards, head south to the Palmer Visitors Center where you may see some of the local produce the Mat-Su Valley is known for and photos of the world record-breaking vegetables that are grown in this region.
- Day 7 · Palmer - Anchorage
On your way back to Anchorage, take the scenic route via the Old Glenn Highway. Stop by Pyrah's Pioneer Peak Farm to pick your own veggies or take an exhilarating airboat tour to see the Knik Glacier.
* Basic itinerary outline courtesy of Explore Tours.
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Helpful resources
So you're planning a trip to Alaska and need some help getting started. You've come to the right place! More Info
Maps and more
Find Alaska Highway maps and mileage chart for distances between destination points within the Mat-Su… More Info
Great outdoors
Discover more about boating, rafting, fishing, flightseeing and how to get into the backcountry of… More Info
Denali Flightseeing
Alaska's majestic scenery appears magnified from a Cessna window and the vantage point makes for good… More Info
glaciers
You can see a glacier just about anywhere in Alaska. But in the Mat-Su Valley, you can actually get out… More Info
Alaska Rafting
Uncover hidden jewels only accessible by boat. Hover in rapids through canyons, see glaciers calve fall… More Info
Dining in Mat-Su
Fine dining to cafes and everything in between. Don't be surprised if your portions are Alaska-sized.… More Info
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Yahoo Mat-Su! Where Alaska comes to play
The Mat-Su Valley is your place for adventure. From flightseeing Mount McKinley to rafting the Matanuska River, excitement is right around every corner. Spectacular views abound, from mountains to glaciers to wildlife. Conveniently located 35 miles north of Anchorage, your Alaska experience begins when you get to the Mat-Su Valley. Spend a day exploring Hatcher Pass, test your luck fishing or take advantage of the bountiful hiking. The Mat-Su Valley - where Alaska comes to play!
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You'll find a wide variety of lodging options to fit your preferences and budget. Choose from comfo...
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View our online vacancy report.
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Looking for an event to attend? Our calendar of events will give you many options to choose from.
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Alaska adventure is everywhere in the Mat-Su Valley! Summer and winter you will find a wide variety...
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Three mountain ranges... 2,000 miles of trails... thousands of lakes... hundreds of miles of rivers...
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Choose from fine dining to down home cafes and everything in between. Many of these restaurants use...
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Mark the occasion of your Alaska visit with a special keepsake that tells the story of your adventu...
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Alaska winters are spectacular in the Mat-Su Valley. Alpenglow sunsets over Denali, winter ice fish...
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Check out our brand new Visitors Guide!