Alaska-Talkeetna question

[TW6cruiser]

I also posted this question on the Alaska board. We are on a Princess Connoisseur excursion next month. We travel from Denali to Talkeetna via train. We then are on a bus from Talkeetna to the MkKinley lodge. We have no excursions planned at the lodge that afternoon. Are we able to take a later shuttle to the lodge to see Talkeetna for a while? I know the lodge has a shuttle but it makes no sense to go to the lodge and then go back.

[mek]

Yes, we did this last month and there is a shuttle from Talkeetna to the lodge and back. We did the train from Anchorage to Talkeetna and stayed in town, had lunch, took a flight to McKinley, and were on the 5:30 shuttle back to the lodge. Much better than going to the lodge, returning to Talkeetna, and then going back to the lodge. It is a long 45+ minute trip each way, so a waste of time IMO to do it like that.

 

When you get off the train, a Princess rep will meet you with your hotel packet, so when you arrive at the lodge you can go directly to your room. Also, if you have any carry on bags there is a place to check them in Talkeetna for $1 that is right next to the area where the busses drop off and pick up people.

Edited July 25, 2015 by mek

[TW6cruiser]

Thanks!

[mek]

Have lunch at the Wildflower Cafe in Talkeetna - they have delicious food and it's one of my favorite places to eat.

[Kinkacruiser]

Shuttles run on a regular basis. Talkeetna is a cute tourist town. The general store was the only place we could purchase cough syrup (it sells just about everything!)

[osofish2]

I also posted this question on the Alaska board. We are on a Princess Connoisseur excursion next month. We travel from Denali to Talkeetna via train. We then are on a bus from Talkeetna to the MkKinley lodge. We have no excursions planned at the lodge that afternoon. Are we able to take a later shuttle to the lodge to see Talkeetna for a while? I know the lodge has a shuttle but it makes no sense to go to the lodge and then go back.

 

Hi, we are on the 15 day connoisseur starting August 21, and have been looking for other people on the land portion, with no luck-was wondering if you'all were on this one? We will board the Star August 29, and are on that roll call. I thought the plan to stay in Talkeetna sounded good!

[bumbletigger]

Shuttles run on a regular basis. Talkeetna is a cute tourist town. The general store was the only place we could purchase cough syrup (it sells just about everything!)

 

 

Yes it does...including single eggs!!!

[TW6cruiser]

Hi Osofish2. Our connoisseur tour starts in Fairbanks on the morning of the 20th and then we board the Coral on the 26th so we are not in your group. Have fun!

[Matcodixon]

When we did the Alaska cruise tour we booked a river raft float down the river from the McKinley Lodge area to Talkeetna and it was a total highlight of our entire trip. We saw many eagles and other wildlife as we floated down the river with Mt. McKinley in the background. When we got to town we had some food at that restaurant before catching the bus back to the lodge. It was well worth whatever it cost which was not that much.

 

Dixon

Edited July 26, 2015 by Matcodixon

[redtogo]

The television show, Northern Exposure, was filmed in Talkeetna. Remember the show where the actor carried a log around like it was a newborn baby!

 

On another note, friends of ours got an airplane rude above the clouds to see "the mountain" in Talketna. They were able to get it for $100 p/p cheaper than through the ship.

Edited July 26, 2015 by redtogo

[New York Nana]

We've been there 3 times. It IS small - but full of character! We've eaten in the Roadhouse ('family' style - see an empty seat? take it!) You don't know who you'll be sharing a table with - once we got to enjoy the experiences of climbers from Europe who were there to head to the mountain. And if you don't want a full meal, you HAVE to get a pastry from there! Lot's of history in that building.

If the weather is clear, walk all the way down the road past the campground to the river and look to the right and see a beautiful view of Mt McKinley.

Before heading back to the Princess lodge, try to go to the museum. Read up about the bush pilots and how the community was so dependent on them.

Don Sheldon's "Sheldon Air" is still in business today run by his daughter. His widow just died a year ago and had written a couple of books about the area.

Also, if you cross the railroad tracks to head to the airport, on the left is the town cemetery. Some headstones are 'propellars' from the planes of the bush pilots. There is also a memorial wall to those climbers who never returned from the mountain. It is quite sobering to see some years with many names on there, knowing that they are still up there all this time later.

If you go into the country store, Nagleys, ask if the 'mayor' is in. The 'mayor' is an orange tabby cat who has the run of the place! As I understand it, when the store was recently sold, it was part of the deed that the 'mayor' got to stay with the store!

It is an hour's bus ride from the lodge. While we were there, they had several lectures about the area, the bush pilots and other Alaskan information (earthquakes, Northern lights, etc). The lodge is remote, but we found enough to keep ourselves entertained.

Last year we drove to Talkeetna on our own and stayed at a B&B just outside of town with a view of the mountain.

Can't wait to return!

[flip side of fifty]

We are on the Southbound 15 day connoisseur (Fairbanks to Anchorage land portion and cruise down to Vancouver) on the Star, May 20, 2016. Plan is:

Flying non-stop Vegas to Anchorage (DH hates flying), then taking the train from Anchorage to Talkeetna. We plan on 2 nights there to rest up, then taking the train up to Fairbanks. We would arrive the day before the land portion starts.

 

I have looked on line for Talkeetna hotels (we will have no transportation) but any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! I have already noted your general store and meal suggestions, but any more info would again, be greatly appreciated.:)

[UpcountryTravelers]

Try the Stout Float at Denali Brewpub in Talkeetna! Awesome, and better than you would expect!!

[AZJerry]

The television show, Northern Exposure, was filmed in Talkeetna.

 

As explained to us, "Northern Exposure" was based on Talkeetna, the opening sequence with the moose was filmed in Skagway but the bulk of the show was filmed in Roslyn, Washington. Roslyn's Cafe in the show is/was actually the Roslyn Cafe. The 's was added to the painted outside wall for filming.

Edited July 27, 2015 by AZJerry