What to do in Palmer with the visiting relatives

It always happens this time of year. Our far flung cousins and friends from the lower 48 visit. Not just for the evening. Not only for the weekend. Usually for a week or more. And in-between those day trips or weekenders to Talkeetna or Homer or Denali or Seward, they are in Palmer. With you. In Your House. So here is a list of 48 things to do in Palmer area that cost nothing or very little and are very worthy. Keep this list handy.

Take them to the Palmer Ale House on Friday or Saturday night for wonderful outside music. Get the Mushroom Burger, Thai Chicken Salad and a local beer. Good Times.

Walk out on the old Matanuska River Bridge and along the mighty river. You will find good rocks but be extra careful of that current and stay away from the banks.

Go visit the two Cow benches at Country Cuts. It’s a great picture and cows are definitely photogenic.

Walk around the 4-way stop and check out the cool city map board; Engine #5, corner garden, and railroad tracks.

Go over to the Grow Palmer Edible Trail, behind the Palmer Community Center Train Depot. Pull a few weeds in the community garden planters and then munch something fresh.

Check out the Colonists Monument rocks by the library. There is a sculpture, a bell and some nice benches.

Fly a kite, hula hoop, frisbee, blow bubbles or make a hopscotch in the quad or the community green.

Check out the tennis courts, skate park and some of the cute little pocket parks in Palmer.

Go say Hi to Willie the Dog at Mad Matters.

Watch the kids softball and Tball and baseball. Then go to a Mat Su Miners Game over at the fairgrounds.

Visit the Palmer Library. It is lovely and welcoming and always interesting. Check out the Alaska Room.

Visit the Palmer Museum and Visitor Center. It is full of good stuff.

Do the Walking Tour, offered by the Museum.

Visit the Alaska Picker, right under the water tower, and near the court house. It has the coolest junk and treasures in town.

Visit the Colony House Museum, across from the Colony Inn. This is another treasure.

Wander in the mystical Dr. Myron Babb Arboretum, which is near Gulkana and E. Fireweed.

Pick up the Palmer Walking Map at the Museum.

Pet Balto on the nose.

Go see the Mother Mary grotto at St. Michael's Catholic Church.

Visit the Presbyterian Church of 1000 logs.

Go to the Palmer Amoosement Park, behind the Moose Lodge.

Wander around the Palmer Museum gardens. They are nearly at their peak and full of flowers and sample crops.

Rent a bike and helmet at BackCountry Bike and Ski, pick up a map and do the bike routes around Palmer.

Visit the Palmer Golf Course and play a bucket of balls or 18 holes.

Visit the Palmer Ice Arena on Cope Industrial, across from the Middle School.

Visit the Veterans Grove, a special tree planting, near the Palmer gardens.

Go Swimming at the Palmer Pool.

Hike the Butte.

Hike Lazy Mountain Trail or the easier (but longer) Lazy Moose Trail.

Visit the Mat Su College off of Trunk Road. Check out the Massey theater and the large trail system behind the college.

Visit the Palmer Cemetery and honor the folks who live there.

Drive up the highway and stop and see the overlook (or the blowhole) where the swallows and birds do aerobatics on the cliffside over the river.

Visit the Musk Ox Farm.

Visit the Reindeer Farm.

Go to Hatcher Pass.

Visit the Bar Block of downtown. Each bar is a little different but all are fun.

Visit the Matanuska River Park. The trails are great and the trees are huge. And the play area and bike track are good too.

Check out the thrift stores in Palmer.

Yoga is available at several studios in Palmer and also on Thursday night outside at the Palmer Ale House, with Beer.

Visit the coolest stores on Main Street in Palmer, including Non Essentials, Peak Boutique, Fireside Books, Artists Uncorked, Boutique on Main, Whimsey, Active Soles and GardenGate.

Get a yum sandwich-to-go at Mainstreet’s Downtown Deli, Vagabonds, or Valley Hotel and have a picnic lunch outside.

Go to the Friday Fling.

Visit the Palmer Airport and watch the planes land and take off.

Make an appointment to visit All Dahlia’d Up Flower Farm.

Do a brewery tour in Palmer—Matanuska, Arkose and Bleeding Heart.

Inspect the Colony Rig, a fantastic metal sculpture, by Patrick Garley, replicating a flatbed farm truck from the 1930’s.

Stop and see “the most beautiful landfill with eagles in the world” on your way to hike Crevasse Moraine trails.

See the Little Susitna River and Government Peak Recreation Area.