The breadbasket of the Matanuska Valley combines the spirit of Midwestern ranching with breathtaking Alaskan mountain scenery.
Discover the fascinating history behind the south-central Alaskan city of Palmer, an agricultural heartland and a commuter town for Anchorage. Palmer was established at the height of the Great Depression, when a community of struggling farmers and their families were relocated from the Midwest to Alaska to forge a pioneering agricultural initiative. Check out Palmer’s original 1930s farmsteads and taste some of the state’s best produce as you explore the wide pastoral roads that loop the town. Rippling hayfields dotted with rustic old red barns foreground the magnificent distant mountain peaks.
Plan your visit to Palmer with a trip to the Palmer Visitor Center, located in a pretty log cabin. The Palmer Museum of History and Art is also located here. Next door, be sure to take a look at the Matanuska Valley Agricultural Showcase, where you can see a pleasant flower garden and some of the region’s huge vegetables. With up to 20 hours of sunshine in summer, Palmer’s vegetables are famously big. Sample some local produce, pick up handmade craft items or watch live music at the weekly Friday Fling market held here during summer.
Stop by the Colony House Museum to explore a beautifully preserved 1930s farmhouse. See other heritage farmsteads around the town’s scenic Farm Loop Road.
Take a daytrip from the town and view a panorama of the Talkeetna Mountains from the walking paths in the Hatcher Pass area. Independence Mine State Historical Park is filled with gold-mining artifacts and heritage mining buildings. Experience the majesty of the Knik Glacier on a scenic airboat ride up the mighty Knik River. Ski on groomed trails or explore the hiking tracks on nearby Lazy Mountain.
Palmer is 42.7 miles (68.7 kilometers) northeast of Anchorage, which has an international airport. Be prepared for cold, snowy winters. The best time to visit Palmer is in late summer for the Alaska State Fair, a fun-filled 12-day event ending on Labor Day. Join the carnival, watch a rodeo, enjoy local live music acts and get a good position to view the fair’s crowning event: the giant cabbage weigh-off.
