Three-Night Denali Itinerary for an Active Retired Pair
There are many versions of a vacation in Denali. Such as a “go-go-go” schedule, which involves cramming into a crowded bus and quickly rushing to the next activity. While seeing and doing as much as possible can be enjoyable, there’s another version where you’re morning is a good cup of coffee and a deck overlooking the river valley. Where you get to feel and enjoy what the 6-million acres park has to offer, without rushing through it all.
If you and your partner are done with the “go-go-go” travel plans then these 2-day 3-night itineraries are for you. This particular post will explore where to stay (think private cabins not busy hotels), the best eats in the area (from grab-and-go to fine-dining), and the best excursions offered. You can mix-and-match any options, or combine them to fit the length of your desired stay!
Option One (Arriving by Rail):
Night One:
Once you have arrived at the train station, hop on Denali Transportation Services shuttle or take a 10 minute walk to the Denali Riverside Cabins. Located right next to the Denali Canyon. Denali Riverside Cabins has a few options to choose from for cabin size making it perfect for different party sizes. The cabins themselves overlook the Nenana River! The Riverside Cabins are only a 10 minute walk from most restaurants and shops in the canyon area. Once settled head over to the Alpenglow Restaurant located in the Grande Denali Lodge. There you will have options of seafood, steak, pasta, and more. Paired with signature cocktails or wine. Enjoy your meal while overlooking the vast Nenana River Valley below!
Morning One:
Fuel up at Denali Wild Crepes. They have a variety of sweet and savory crepes to choose from making it the perfect breakfast stop. Denali Wild Crepes also serves turkish style coffee that is made right in front of you!
Afternoon One:
Join Northern Epics for either a five-hour Into the Mountains Hike or three-hour Naturalist Walking Tour. These two options vary significantly in difficulty and length. The three-hour walking tour takes place on a well maintained and relatively flat trail. Your walk will be led by a naturalist guide who will show and teach you all about the local flora, fauna, animals, and ecosystem. This walk is not strenuous and the pace can be adapted to each group. For the five-hour hiking tour you will ascend steep trails that are sometimes loose and rocky. Each hike is tailored to the group, and your guide will pick the trail and pace based on what they think will suit you best. During this hike you will get up above the treeline and see panoramic views of Denali National Park and the surrounding Alaska Range.
Night Two:
Wind-down after your afternoon adventure with a massage at the Denali Wellness Massage Studio. At Denali Wellness Massage Studio they have seven different options for massages, ranging from 60-90 minutes in length! Following the massage, get gussied up and head on over to Canyon Ridge Grill. Located at the Holland America Denali Lodge the Canyon Ridge Grill is fine dining, and the only steakhouse in Denali. You will enjoy dry-aged steaks or locally-sourced Alaskan seafood. The drink menu has an extensive wine list and handcrafted martinis and mixed-drinks.
Morning Two:
Stop into the Black Bear Coffee House and Cafe for some breakfast and espresso drinks. There they have a counter style restaurant serving brunch and dinner as well as local coffee, beer, and wine. The Black Bear has great vegetarian and vegan options if that is your vibe! They have fresh pastries and espresso drinks in the morning making it the perfect stop if you have to head onto the next adventure!
Afternoon Two:
Hop onto a Helicopter Glacier Exhibition through Denali Adventure Tours. In this exhibition you will spend around 50 minutes on a helicopter ride and 20 minutes on the Yanert Ice-Field! This is the best Alaska helicopter tour for those wanting to walk on a glacier! During the flight you will have two-way communication with the pilot, who will be narrating what you are flying over. You will be able to closely inspect glacier crevasses, moraine, and kettle ponds!
Night Three:
For a more casual dining experience check out tAKo’s, Alaska Cantina. There they serve Mexican food with an Alaskan twist. tAKo utilizes premium, locally sourced proteins in their dishes such as halibut, elk, octopus, and yak paired with premium cocktails. New to the area, tAKo’s quickly built a wonderful reputation amongst travelers and locals!
Morning Three:
If time allows, check-out Denali Fat Truck Tours. They have a 3-hour 9 a.m. tour available for those headed out on the later train. While on the fat truck tour you will get to explore the backcountry of Denali, where regular vehicles cannot go. The fat trucks glide over snow, tundra, and rugged terrain with ease, their drivers are skilled and will deliver the adventure without all the bumps and rockiness of typical backcountry exhibitions.
Option Two (Self-Drive)
Night One:
Arrive at McKinley Creekside Cabins, located 20 minutes south of the Denali Park entrance. Once settled, pop over to Panoramas Pizza Pub right next door! If it’s a Wednesday night you will get to experience the weekly karaoke night that many local and seasonal workers attend! There you can enjoy hand-tossed pizzas with local ingredients, local beer on tap, and unbeatable mountain views.
Morning One:
Stop into McKinley Creekside Cafe, conveniently located next to your cabin! They serve breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. They also have grab and go pastries and espresso drinks! Creekside Cafe is a local favorite, their staff is very friendly and is sure to make your experience great! They open at 5:30 a.m. for coffee and pastries, then at 6 a.m. for breakfast making it ideal for early morning adventures.
Afternoon One:
Step into the mountains with Northern Epics five-hour guided hike. This hike ascends steep trails that are sometimes loose and rocky. Each hike is tailored to the group, and your guide will pick the trail and pace based on what they think will suit you best. During this hike you will get up above the treeline and see panoramic views of Denali National Park and the surrounding Alaska Range.
Night Two:
Try out Moose-AKa’s restaurant in the Denali Canyon. They serve Eastern European cuisine as well as beer, wine, and cocktails. The restaurant holds a traditional Balkan style and is one of the only places you can find cuisine outside of the traditional steak, seafood, pasta, etc. (NOTE: Moose-AKa’s is reservation only, so make sure to call ahead)
Morning Two:
Stop into the Black Bear Coffee House and Cafe for some breakfast and espresso drinks (Black Bear was mentioned earlier, but believe it or not, there aren’t too many breakfast options up here!). There they have a counter style restaurant serving brunch and dinner as well as local coffee, beer, and wine. The Black Bear has great vegetarian and vegan options if that is your vibe! They have fresh pastries and espresso drinks in the morning making it the perfect stop if you have to head onto the next adventure!
Afternoon Two:
Head down to Cantwell and start down the Old Denali Highway. This highway is rated #2 for most scenic drives. About 3 hours into your trip you will find the MacLaren River Lodge there you can get a trip on a fanboat up the river. They also have a restaurant at the lodge for a quick lunch stop before heading back into Cantwell! (NOTE: many rental car companies restrict where you can drive and the Old Denali Highway may be one of those places. If that is the case for you, rent a Jeep from U Drive Denali, they have options from 4 hours to a full day rental. This is also a good option if you come into Denali on the train or bus!)
Night Three:
Since you will be in the area, stop into JamJam’s located in Cantwell. JamJam’s serves Jamaican/Mexican style cuisine. And might I say, one of my favorite local dining spots. Jam utilizes local ingredients with rich flavors across his menu items!
Morning Three:
Stop back at McKinley Creekside Cafe for a quick grab and go before leaving, or sit down and try another one of their breakfast favorites. As mentioned before, there are only so many breakfast options in the area, but not only is the Creekside Cafe delicious it is convenient when also staying at their cabins!
Option Three (Self-Drive)
Night One:
Check into the Tonglen Lake Lodge, located about 10 minutes from the park entrance. The lodge is nestled in the woods away from the main highway. They have 11 private cabins in addition to their lodge rooms. Once you’re all settled in, head 20 min south to Panorama Pizza Pub. At Panorama you will find a variety of hand crafted, brick-oven pizza options. They also serve a large selection of local and imported beers. Panorama’s, in my opinion, has one of the best views of the restaurants in the area with large mountains right outside. You can enjoy the view while sitting on their patio!
Morning One:
On your first morning head into the canyon area where you’ll find many gift shops and restaurants. It is about a 15 minute drive from your cabins! While over there check out Denali Wild Crepes. They have a variety of sweet and savory crepes to choose from making it the perfect breakfast stop. Denali Wild Crepes also serves turkish style coffee that is made right in front of you!
Afternoon One
Before heading back to your lodge stop at Denali Raft Adventures which is located in the canyon. They offer a variety of river rafting trips ranging from 2-8 hours and an easy float to class IV rapids. Whether you choose a chill float or a rapid filled adventure you will experience the vast views of the Nenena river valley for the duration of your trip. Experienced and knowledgeable guides will have large oars to steer and control the boat, while you can choose to paddle alongside or not.
Night Two:
Head up to Healy, about 30 min north, and pop into 49th State Brewing. This brewery has options for all! Play lawn games while you wait for your food or enjoy one of their many brews! Seasonal favorites of mine are the Raspberry Ale and Tiger’s Blood. 49th has many beers utilizing local ingredients such as spruce tips; I highly recommend trying one of the many spruce tip options! If beer is not your thing they have hand crafted soda’s using local ingredients as well. I recommend the Cloudberry Burst, White Birch Beer, or Citrus Spruce Tip! Outside of their many specialty drinks they have phenomenal food as well. Ranging from mac and cheese to yak burgers to king salmon there will be plenty of options for everyone!
Morning Two:
Stop into McKinley Creekside Cafe, about 10 minutes south! They serve breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. They also have grab and go pastries and espresso drinks! Creekside Cafe is a local favorite, their staff is very friendly and is sure to make your experience great! They open at 5:30 a.m. for coffee and pastries, then at 6 a.m. for breakfast making it ideal for early morning adventures.
Afternoon Two:
Join Denali Air for their peak experience tour. While there you will enjoy a 200-mile flight and get within ½ mile of Denali itself. With views of the 6-million acre park you will never be short of things to look at. Every passenger will have a window seat on the twin-engine plane. The flight will last 60-70 minutes total. This tour is headset equipped and fully narrated.
Night Three:
Head over to the King Salmon Restaurant at the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge in the canyon. The King Salmon Restaurant boasts fresh seafood brought up from the Alaskan coast every few days. Featuring scalloped appetizers, fresh salmon and halibut entrees, an extensive wine and cocktail list. The King Salmon is a mix of upscale and rustic; the dining room is open seating with a wall of windows overlooking the Nenana river!
Morning Three:
Enjoy your last morning at the Artisan Cafe located at the Tonglen Lake lodge. Available from 7-11 a.m. their espresso drinks and pastries are included in your stay! While enjoying breakfast take in the gorgeous views of Tonglen Lake and the surrounding area!
While the “go-go-go” portion of your travel adventures may be over, that should not stop you from enjoying and exploring. Hopefully these itineraries gave some insight on active excursions without overloading your schedule.
Slowing down on travels may just be the way to take it all in and enjoy your time in Denali.
