Nightlife

The main evening event is the concessionaire's Cabin Nite Dinner Theater, at the McKinley Chalet Resort (tel. 800/276-7234 or 907/683-8200), a professionally produced musical revue about a gold-rush-era woman who ran a roadhouse in Kantishna. You can buy the $59 tickets (half-price ages 2-12) virtually anywhere in the area. The actors, singing throughout the evening, stay in character to serve big platters of food to diners sitting at long tables, doing a good job of building a rowdy, happy atmosphere for adults and kids. Shows happen nightly at 5:30 and 8:30.

Princess Cruises and Tours puts on its own evening show, The Music of Denali, at the Denali Princess Lodge. The musical performance lasts an hour, the entire dinner 2 hours. Tickets are for sale at the hotel's tour desk (tel. 800/426-0500 or 907/683-2282) for $54 (half-price ages 6-12).

For something rather less touristy, the hot spot for live music, dancing, and beer is the Denali Park Salmon Bake. Touring bands that play in Anchorage and Fairbanks include "The Bake" on their performance itineraries. Shuttle service is available.