Palmer, Alaska

Palmer is a city of 4,533 in southern Alaska. It is situated on the west bank of the Matanuska River, 43 miles (69 kilometers) northeast of Anchorage and 327 road miles (526 kilometers) southwest of Fairbanks. Palmer is the seat of Matanuska-Susitna Borough and is part of the Mat-Su Valley region. The Glenn Highway connects Palmer to Anchorage and other destinations, and the Palmer Municipal Airport services private and chartered flights.

Palmer has a historic downtown filled with bustling shops that offer artworks, crafts, and foods produced by local artisans and farmers. Recreational facilities include an ice arena, community center, skateboard park, and a golf course.

Despite its northern locale, Palmer grew as an agricultural colony during the Great Depression, when Midwestern farmers relocated here for a new start. Giant vegetables are still grown under the midnight sun, and local residents even set a Guinness World Record for a 35-pound (16-kilogram) broccoli produced in 1993. Palmer is also the site of the annual Alaska State Fair, which features agricultural and livestock competitions, concerts, arts and crafts, and a host of other activities. The Colony House Museum was built as part of the 1935 New Deal resettlement project, and contains artifacts and displays about the city's agrarian roots. The Palmer Museum of History and Art showcases many aspects of local heritage, including Alaskan Native history, mining, and farming.

Rather than cattle, you'll find domesticated musk ox roaming a local farm. Visitors can get an up-close look at these animals, then head to the Qiviut Store to purchase scarves and caps knitted from the animal's soft underwool. The Williams Reindeer Farm is always a hit with kids, and offers reindeer tours, horse rides, and a gift shop. In addition to reindeer, you might also spot moose, elk, and blacktail deer while travelling along the farm's hiking trails.

The Glenn Highway National Scenic Byway winds for 135 miles (217 kilometers), and offers a convenient way to experience Alaska's spectacular beauty. Be sure to stop by the Knik and Matanuska glaciers and visit the old gold mine at Independence Mine State Historical Park. Other outdoor adventures include whitewater rafting, ATVing, hiking, and horseback riding.

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