Visiting Wasilla, Alaska
Visitor Information | Newspaper | Lodging | Camping
Food | Sightseeing | Internet Access
Fish and Game | Transportation | Hospital
Museum lovers will enjoy Wasilla's many historical offerings. Paying homage to the town's roots in the gold rush and subsequent Alaska Railroad. Wasilla hosts Museum of Alaska Transportation & Industry, which includes relics of transportation by sea, land and air. The indoor-outdoor facility includes full-size and model trains and service cars, as well as antique American automobiles and fighter planes. The Dorothy Page Museum on Main Street offers a glimpse into old Wasilla, with its collection of historic homes and buildings used to tell the story of how mining, the railroad and the Iditarod shaped the development of Wasilla and its neighbors. The historic town site is made up of a 1917 Schoolhouse, Blacksmith Shop, Capitol building and bath house (among others), and is laid out in the same way as Old Wasilla.
For a more outdoorsy glimpse at historic Wasilla, head to Hatcher Pass. This preserved site contains artifacts from the pioneering days of the late 19th century, complete with old cabins. You have the chance to visit an old gold mine, the Independence Mine, on the site as well. Just a few miles outside of Wasilla towards Palmer, Hatcher Pass is in easy driving distance.
As Wasilla is known as the "Home of the Iditarod," no visit would be complete without some dog mushing. The annual dog-sled race to Nome leaves from Wasilla every March, and those lucky enough to visit at that time can follow the race from it's ceremonial start in Anchorage to the actual start in Wasilla. For a real treat, visit the sled-dog kennels in town to meet some of dog mushings big names. The town is also home to the Knik Museum & Sled Dog Musher's Hall of Fame, which is housed in the last original buildings from the original Knik settlement on the Iditarod Trail.
Fishing enthusiasts will love the Mat-Su Valley's abundance of Arctic char, rainbow and lake trout found in the nearby lakes, many of which have sides that are accessible by RV. Some of the streams of the Sustina River get king salmon as well in late June. Your best bet, particularly if you don't have a boat with you, is to hire a charter and speak to one of locals who can guide you toward that monster catch.
Population: 5,469 (2000 census)
Annual Precipitation: 17 in. annually (50 in of snowfall)
July Averages: 78 F high / 47 F low
VISITOR INFORMATION
City of Wasilla
Address: 290 E Herning Ave., Wasilla 99654
Phone: (907) 373-9050
Website: http://www.cityofwasilla.com/
Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce
Address: 415 E Railroad Ave. Wasilla 99654
Phone: (907) 376-1299
Website: http://www.wasillachamber.org/
NEWSPAPER
Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman
Address: 5751 E Mayflower Ct., Wasilla 99654
Phone: (907) 352-2250
Website: http://www.frontiersman.com/
LODGING
Best Western Lake Lucille Inn
Phone: (907) 373-1776 / (800) 528-1234
Address: 1300 W Lake Lucille Dr., Wasilla 99654
Website: http://www.bestwestern.com/lakelucilleinn
Pioneer Ridge Bed & Breakfast Inn
Address: 2221 Yukon Cir., HC31, Box 5083K, Wasilla 99654
Phone: (907) 376-7472 / (800) 478-7472
Website: http://www.pioneerridge.com/
Wasilla International Hostel
Address: Mile 50.2 Parks Hwy., Wasilla 99654
Phone: (907) 841-6444
WASILLA CAMPING
Alaska R&R Laundry & RV
Address: 7362 W Parks Hwy. #202, Wasilla 99654
Phone: (907) 373-7286
Big Bear Campground & RV Park
Address: Trunk Rd Exit Park, Wasilla 99654
Phone: (907) 745-7445
Alaska Trails RV & Camper Park
Address: Mile 48.2 Parks Hwy., Wasilla 99654
Phone: (907) 376-5504
QUICK WASILLA FACT - In addition to hosting the start of the Idiatrod, Wasilla is also home to the longest snowmobile race in the world, the Tesoro Iron-Dog 2000.
WASILLA RESTAURANTS
Evangelo's Trattoria
Address: 301 Parks Hwy. Wasilla 99654
Phone: (907) 376-1212
Cadillac Cafe
Address: Mile 49, Parks Hwy. at Pittman St., Wasilla 99654
Phone: (907) 357-5533
SIGHTSEEING
The Museum of Alaska Transportation & Industry
Address: Mile 47 off Parks Hwy. onto Museum Dr., west of Wasilla
Phone: (907) 376-1211
Website: http://www.museumofalaska.org/
Iditarod Trail Headquarters
Address: Mile 2.2, Knik Rd.
Phone: (907) 376-5155
Website: http://www.iditarod.com/
INTERNET ACCESS
Wasilla Public Library
Address: 391 N Main St., Wasilla 99654
Phone: 907-376-5913
Website: http://www.cityofwasilla.com/index.aspx?page=72
FISH AND GAME
Alaska Dept of Fish & Game, Anchorage Office
Address: 333 Raspberry Rd., Anchorage 99518
Website: http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/statewide/index.cfm
TRANSPORTATION
Diamond Cab
Address: 424 W Gail Dr., Wasilla 99654
Phone: (907) 376-5592
Mat-Su Community Transit
Address: PO Box 871590
Phone: (907) 376-5000
http://www.matsutransit.com/
Classy Car Rentals
Address: 1960 E Industrial Dr., Wasilla 99654
Phone: (907) 373-3023
http://www.classycarrentals.com/
Enterprise Rent-a-Car
Address: 4535 E Greenstreet Cr. #1, Wasilla 99654
Phone: (907) 373-2080
Website: http://www.enterprise.com/
Airport:
Wasilla Municipal Airport
Address: 290 E Herning Ave., Wasilla 99654
Phone: (907) 373-9010 (city of Wasilla)
Website: http://www.cityofwasilla.com/index.aspx?page=108
HOSPITALS
Mat-Su Regional Medical Center
Address: 2500 S Woodworth Loop, Palmer, AK 99654
Phone: (907) 861-6000
Website: http://matsuregional.com/index_flash.php
Like Anchorage, Wasilla is home to a few professional sports teams, with hockey being by far the most popular game. The North American Hockey League team Alaska Avalanche is based in Wasilla and all home games are played there; the season starts mid-September and runs through March. Home games are a great chance to meet local people and get to know the sport.
Wasilla is located 43 miles north of anchorage and accessible by the Parks Highway.
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