Posted in Alaska February 24, 2017 by Courtney

The One Small Town In Alaska Where You’ll Never Want To Sleep

Soldotna is one small Alaskan town with a lot to say. Quite frankly, it’s almost like it’ll never shut up. The fierce beauty of the local landscapes scream so loudly while simultaneously giving you the most grandiose dose of eye-candy. In a place this beautiful, you’ll have a hard time staying indoors. In fact, you’ll probably never want to sleep. Just see for yourself…

We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/

Welcome to Alaska's Kenai River City of Soldotna!

Located on the gorgeous Kenai Peninsula, this charming town truly epitomizes the "Alaska's Playground" lifestyle.

As you head in, you might be tempted to pull to the side of the road and pose for a photo-op on top of a giant wooden fish statue.

Don't let the insanely beautiful views distract you from paying attention to the road.

By now you're probably wondering what all the fuss is about. Well, just take a looksie below...

The world-renowned Kenai River attracts more than just the angling addicts who come to reap in the plentiful rewards of the prolific fisheries.

This peaceful paradise does something magical to the soul. While we could try to put its glory into words, it's really quite unexplainable.

The Soldotna Visitor Center boardwalk along the Kenai River attracts more than just fisher people.

This picture-perfect path with a million dollar view attracts runners, walkers, birders and photographers as well.

We'd be willing to be that you've never seen 'winter wonderland' dressed this pretty before!

Not only is the Kenai River a photographers dreamland, but it is also an excellent place to soak in majestic wildlife views.

From mama moose with their adorable babies to large herds of migrating caribou, Soldotna is a rare gem that nature lovers can't get enough of.

An outdoors lifestyle is just a way of life here.

One of the most beloved places in town is Tsalteshi Trails.

Running, mountain biking and on-leash dog walking is a great way to soak up the summertime sunshine.

During the snowy winter months, Tsalteshi Trails becomes a beautifully groomed Nordic skiing paradise.

But if you aren't into the poles and prefer something with a little more pizzazz, head over to Soldotna Creek Park for some ice skating.

This family friendly activity is not only a total blast, but it's also right in town off of the Sterling Highway which is very quick and convenient.

In the summertime, the Soldotna Wednesday Market at Soldotna Creek Park is a great place to enjoy live music and lots of fun outdoor booths.

Or if you're feeling a bit more flexible, join in on the 'yoga in the park' fun and namaste next to the river.

With a nice variety of stocked lakes in town, ice fishing is another great snowy season activity that the whole family will love.

Other wintertime activities in Soldotna include sledding, fat tire biking and snow shoeing.

Local coffee shops in town like Allen Sisters Coffee, The Grind and Arctic Fox offer the perfect pick-me-up to keep you going strong and living happy.

If kicking back with a cold one is more your style, Kenai River Brewing Co. and St. Elias Brewing are great spots to grab a local brew.

You'd be crazy to pass through town without stopping at the sweet spot with apple fritters that are to die for.

For dinner, places like Mykel's Restaurant, Senor Panchos and Buckets Sports Grill will satisfy your taste-buds like never before.

Or you can head to the Duck Inn, Bridge Lounge or Copper Top Lounge at Hooligans Lodge for dinner and drinks into the late night hours.

Before we wrap this party up, let us remind you that it's always worth rising early for a sunrise in Soldotna...

...And every Soldotna sunset is worth chasing!

Not only is Soldotna an epic adventure destination, but it is also a wonderful place to live, laugh and love freely. Business, growth, education, healthcare, community, family… the list goes on and on. Living in Soldotna truly is a lifestyle that will have you hooked. If you aren’t already convinced, check out the great YouTube video below from the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce and find yourself falling in love with Alaska’s Kenai River City.