Historical Hatcher Pass and Palmer Ale House
- 5–6 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Follow the story of the Mat-Su Valley from mountain pass to hometown streets on this relaxed heritage day trip. Travel from Anchorage into Hatcher Pass to explore the preserved Independence Mine and hear how mining and early settlement shaped the region. Then return to downtown Palmer to slow down over lunch at Palmer Alehouse, with an included tasting flight (or a non-alcoholic option). With scenic views throughout and time to enjoy each stop, this tour blends history, landscape, and local flavor in one easy day.
Inclusions
What's included
- Roundtrip Anchorage tour in a comfortable, climate-controlled minicoach/van.
- Lunch includes a beer or tasting flight at Palmer Alehouse (non-alcoholic options available)
- Lunch at Palmer Alehouse: 1 entrée from limited menu (salad/wrap, tacos, nachos, mac, burger+side, gyro/sub+side, or pizza). Vegetarian options available.
- Parking Fees
Itinerary
Step into Alaska’s mining past at Independence Mine State Historical Park in Hatcher Pass. Walk through a preserved early-1900s mining camp with historic buildings and interpretive signage that explains how miners lived and worked in this remote alpine setting. Enjoy time to explore at an easy pace, take photos, and soak up sweeping mountain and valley views.
Wrap up the day with lunch at Palmer Alehouse in the heart of Palmer, a Mat-Su Valley town shaped by early transportation routes, agriculture, and community growth. After exploring Alaska’s mining history at Hatcher Pass, guests can relax and enjoy a sit-down meal, plus an included tasting flight featuring a curated selection of locally brewed beers or ciders (non-alcoholic options available upon request). It’s a fun way to sample local flavors while reflecting on the region’s past and present.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
5.0
- 53
- 40
- 30
- 20
- 10
Ratings come from 3 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Know before you go
- Pickup
- Pickup is included for everyone.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 12 travellers
- Operated by
- Pacific Alaska Tours
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Guests traveling with infants may bring their own infant car seat or carrier. Seat belts are available at each passenger seat.
How it compares in Anchorage
- Its from-price is 49% below the median of the 58 day trips we list in Anchorage.
- It is shorter than most of them.
- By number of reviews it ranks 39 of 58.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Anchorage
Anchorage is Alaska's largest city, set on Cook Inlet beneath the Chugach Mountains, with coastal trails, wildlife and long summer daylight.
Anchorage sits between Cook Inlet and the Chugach Mountains in south-central Alaska, and it is the state's largest city. It began as a railway construction camp in 1915, and the Good Friday earthquake of 1964, among the strongest ever recorded, reshaped it; Earthquake Park marks the story. The Anchorage Museum covers art, history and science, and the Alaska Native Heritage Center presents the state's Indigenous cultures.
Top-ranked sights in Anchorage: Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Earthquake Park, Lake Hood.
Special offers in Anchorage
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
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