A glimpse of life in the Mat-Su Valley of years past is alive in the museums open to visitors through the summer.  Some of the museums focus on a particular face of Alaska history while others provide a peek at how day-to-day life was handled in the early days of the last Frontier.

The Museum of Alaska Transportation & Industry is a special delight to anyone wanting to look over everything from vintage fire trucks to Colony farm equipment to pioneer aircraft.  Located off Mile 46.7 on the Parks Highway.  More than 200 transportation and industrial artifacts on 15 acres.  Restrooms, picnic area, gift shop.  For information call 907-376-1211.

Dorothy G. Page Museum in downtown Wasilla and the Old Wasilla Town Site Historical Park, located behind the museum.  Wasilla schoolhouse built in 1917, small animal display.  Wednesday Farmers Market starts in late June, 4-7 pm.  

Museum of Northern Adventure Mile 14.5 Talkeetna Spur Highway, Talkeetna (across from the post office)  (907) 733-3999.  24 life-size diorama scenes of famous Alaska characters, history and events, fun events.

Matanuska-Susitna Convention & Visitors Bureau  Mile 35.5 Parks Highway, Wasilla (907) 746-5000.  Log Cabin is near the junction of the Parks and Glenn Highways.

Palmer Tsunami Observatory 910 S. Felton St., Palmer (907) 745-4212.  Where earthquake and tidal information are recorded.  Free tours to educate the public about earthquake and tsunami safety are given each Friday from 1-3 pm.  Large groups need to call ahead.

Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Headquarters and the Knik Museum and Dog Mushers Hall of Fame two dog mushing facilities will shed light on the history of this sport.  Both stops provide visitors with a good understanding of dog mushing as both sport and transportation.  The Headquarters is located at Mile 2.2 Knik-Goose Bay Road and the Hall of Fame is located at Mile 14 Knik-Goose Bay Road.

Hatcher Pass/Independence Mine State Historical Park was the site of the Alaska Pacific Consolidated Mine Company's Independence Mine.  The 760 acre park was established in 1980 and includes two historic lode gold mining sites.  These sites were active from 1909 to 1924 and then again from 1937 to 1941.  Activity was at it highest when more than 34,416 ounces of gold were produced and 204 men were employed.  Visitors can enjoy viewing a simulated mining tunnel, hard rock display, assay office, bunk houses and old collapsed mill.  Hiking trails, spectacular scenic views, tours, berry picking in late summer.  Mile 17 Hatcher Pass Road off of fishhook Road.

The Reindeer Farm on Bodenburg Loop Road off of Old Glen Highway is a delight for the children to pet and feed reindeer.  Small gift shop. 

The Musk Ox Farm Mile 50 of Glenn Highway, North of Palmer.  This is a very interesting animal viewing attraction and has a number of gifts available made from the fur of the musk ox.

Veterans Wall of Honor is located next to the Mat-Su Convention and Visitors Bureau at Mile 35.5 on the Parks Highway.

Knik Glacier is located North East of Palmer, accessible by Air Boat.

Matanuska Glacier may be viewed from Mile 100 through 113 Glenn Highway, accessible by hiking. (Toll bridge).

Rockhounding can be an adventure anywhere in the Mat-Su Valley enthusiasts are rewarded with amazing scenery to accompany the ground-level hunt for hidden treasures.  The Mat-Su Rock and Mineral Club sponsors field trips and can be contacted through Rock Shop Frontier Imports 907-373-3094.

Berry Picking is a all time favorite with instant rewards.  There is a wide variety to choose from.  Blueberries, red currants, lowbush cranberries, salmonberries and raspberries. Hatcher Pass is always a good source or ask the locals for advise. Also check out some of  the local products made from berries as well as picking up copies of the berry recipes.  Most important of all is to enjoy the fruits of your labors.

Bird Watching or Waterfowl Hunting The Susitna Flats State Game Refuge is a 300,800 acre lowland refuge located along upper Cook Inlet.  The area contains salt marsh, meadow, lakes and bogs.  There is a very high concentration of migrating waterfowl during the spring and fall.  Mallards, pintails and Canada geese are present in mid April.  In May, during the peak migration period, there can be as many as 100,000 water fowl in the area.  The area can be accessed by following Knik-Goose Bay-Point Mackenzie Road.  Drive 12 miles west to locate the Little Susitna River public use facility, four wheel drive vehicle may be necessary.

For more visitor information visit the 
Mat-Su Convention & Visitor Bureau's website at
www.alaskavisit.com