WASILLA
Travel information on Wasilla, Alaska and things to do in Wasilla
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| Photo: © Alaska Division of Tourism |
Named after respected local Dena'ina Indian, Chief Wasilla, Wasilla lies an hours drive north of Anchorage between Lake Lucille and Wasilla Lake. The Dena'ina Indians called the area Benteh, meaning “Among the Lakes”.
Apart from the obvious and abundant attractions of scenery and wildlife, from fishing and swimming to boating and hiking, Wasilla’s main claim to fame is that it is home to the Iditarod Trail Committee.
Dog mushing is Alaska’s official sport, and the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race held every March is the longest, toughest test of a professional musher’s endurance. Visitors to Alaska don’t have to own a sled to check out the trails traversed by the mushers and their fleet of dogs. At the Iditarod Trail Headquarters in Wasilla tourists can stroll the famous trail or even take a sled ride with any number of tour operators offering summer and winter trips.
Wasilla is also the home of the Tesoro Iron-Dog 2000, the world’s longest snowmobile race.
Wasilla is also known for its historical sites.
Originally built in 1931 as a community hall. the Dorothy Page Museum was founded as Wasilla’s first museum in 1967 and now exhibits a wide range of Wasilla artifacts and presents a full program of exhibits and lectures.
Behind the Dorothy G. Page Museum the historic buildings of Old Wasilla Townsite Park are laid out in the original 1917 plan and are open to the public 5 days a week from May through September.
The Historic Town Site includes Wasilla’s first schoolhouse, built in 1917, the Paddy Marion Cabin, the home of a well-known prospector and miner, a bathhouse, barn and blacksmith shop and the wood frame Herning-Teeland-Mead House, built in 1936 by Mr. and Mrs. Herning to be the first house in Wasilla to have indoor plumbing.
Getting to Wasilla
Built in 1993, Wasilla Airport is about 15 minutes from downtown Wasilla, providing connections to the hub of Anchorage and further destinations.
By train, the Alaska Railroad plies the route between Seward in the Gulf of Alaska to Fairbanks and offers stops along the way including Anchorage, Wasilla and Denali National Park.
Wasilla Time Zone
Alaska has its own time zone, which is one hour earlier than Pacific Time.
Current time in Wasilla: