Welcome, Hallmark Channel fans! If you’re looking for answers about Garland, Alaska feel free to read my post about it below. I do hope you’ll find it informative and I encourage you to poke around my site for fun recipes, crafts, tutorials and more.
I don’t pay much attention to what people search for to find my blog, but for the past year something has consistently caught my eye.
At least twice a week someone finds my site by searching “Garland Alaska.”
In fact, it was the most searched term on my site in 2016. More than 10,000 people found my site in 2016 because of Garland, Alaska.
Sometimes people look up “Is there a Garland, Alaska?”
I was mystified, so I finally did some Facebook crowd sourcing.
About three minutes later I had my answer. Turns out there was a Hallmark Channel made-for-TV-movie in 2014 called “Christmas Under Wraps,” which takes place in a fictional remote town of Garland, Alaska and stars Candace Cameron Bure (most famous for her role of D.J. Tanner on “Full House”).
Fictional, folks, fictional. There is no town in Alaska with that many brick buildings or with leaves on the deciduous trees in the middle of winter. But if there’s one thing the film got right (and I finally did watch it), it’s that shipping things to Alaska is often a huge hassle!
And for the record, Santa lives in North Pole, Alaska. You can send him your wish list here.
Here’s a photo I took last time I visited North Pole:
Happy holidays!
Alaska Knit Nat 
Beautiful girls! Very much cuter picture.
Movie just happens to be on as I write this text. Would be fabulous if there was a town looking like the movie.
I live in Tampa FL now, but originated in a suburb of Milwaukee WI (12 miles from Lake Michigan) so am familiar with cold weather and snow.
May all have a very Merry and blessed Christmas and a Happy & healthy New Year.
God’s blessings to all. Karen
Wisconsin I’m sure gets more snow than Anchorage these days. And it probably feels colder in winter because of humidity. It’s very dry in Alaska and it’s currently 6 degrees. Merry Christmas to you too, Karen and thanks for your kind comment.
-Natasha
So cute! Christmas pajamas.
I didn’t think such a big town would be 300 miles north of Anchorage. The movie just started. I like any movie with Alaska in it.
Also wondering about a town 300 miles north of Alaska that has that much strong daylight at 6:00 in the morning in mid December.
Haha right? Several things don’t add up about this film but it sounds like it’s a hit on the Hallmark Channel. Thanks for commenting. -Natasha
Thanks for explaining Garland. I just finished my search while watching the Hallmark movie in Sacramento (by the way, 50’s and light rain) Another thing they got right in the movie: there are very nice people way up north! Appreciating your website and your note for us southerners. Keep warm and enjoy the view you have of that night sky!
Thanks for your kind note! It’s currently a brisk 20 degrees here in Anchorage. And this time of year we certainly get to see the night sky often enough. Up above the Arctic Circle, today was their last view of the sun until January!
The part that got me: it must be December, Dr. (Brunnel?) has her alarm set for 6:30 AM, and it’s broad daylight outside.
Right? So many inaccuracies. Also, with giant earthquakes on my mind, that town would probably not be in good shape after yesterday. Thankfully most of our buildings in this area aren’t made of brick! Thanks for your comment, Jon. -Natasha
I too am watching the Hallmark Movie for the first time. I am from Milwaukee Wi. We are now having unseasonably warm weather in the 70’s and loving every minute. Winter is coming, ugh! Very interesting site.
It’s 23 here in Wasilla, AK
I was still hoping it existed. I was going to cash out of city life and move there.
There are plenty of lovely Alaska towns that really exist. Check out Palmer, Seward or Homer!
Too funny! I am watching the movie now & Google it & this was the first article on which to click!
It’s a cute movie, but the real Alaska is far more stunning!
Thanks for commenting, Amy.
-Natasha
We wanted to go to Garland, TX!
Awww love it! Ya saw the corny movie and got curious. But it was beautiful . Thx for the info. Where are you?
You’re welcome, Janice! I live in Anchorage, our largest city. Born and raised here and love it!
Thanks for commenting,
Natasha
Saw the Hallmark movie also…its a
Dream of mine to visit Alaska someday…..hopefully I can visit Garland….Best Regards and a Merry Christmas from Wherling, West Virginia!!
Merry Christmas to you too, Leslie! If you do make it up to Alaska, I suggest visiting the real town of Sitka as you might have trouble finding Garland on the map. I have yet to travel to Sitka, but it’s a place I’ve always wanted to visit in my home state.
Thanks for commenting,
Natasha
The movie The Proporsal was filmed in Sitka, Alaska. That’s I place I would love to visit
I too dream of visiting Sitka. It looks like Alaska on steroids!
THANK you for the clarification ☺
I just watched the movie and we decided to see if there was such a place
Have a mery Xmas
Merry Christmas from Calgary, Alberta Canada.
I found you by looking up Garland, Alaska, the same as thousands of others have.
It’s a great way to get people to your blog. I’ll take a look at it.
Merry Christmas to you too, Betty! Hope you find something you enjoy on my blog.
Thanks for commenting,
Natasha
Too funny! I guess I am not the only one watching this movie and decided to look up Garland, Alaska! 🙂 I dont like the cold and snow but I do loove Alaska in the summer! Going on my 2nd cruise in Alaska this next summer! Cant wait to get up there!
Those cruises are priceless, I’ve heard! I’m sure you’ve seen more wildlife on your Alaska cruise then I’ve seen in my whole life in this state!
Happy holidays, Stacey!
-Natasha
Thanks for clearing that up :-E Just seen a bit of the film. Happy Christmas & New Year.
John, Northumberland, UK (3° here) 🙂
Now is that 3 degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit? Glad you found my post helpful. It’s -10 Celsius here in Anchorage today 🙂
-Natasha
How do u get to Garland Alaska
You might have to hitch a ride on a magic sleigh and take the second star on the right. Tell me if you find it! 😜
So does anyone know what town stood in for Garland Alaska?
I believe I remember Googling it a while back and it was filmed somewhere in Utah.
I’ve been looking for a small town in lastolite Garland a really wish there was somewhere other than the big cities
It’s 1.30am in Scotland and Christmas Under Wraps is playing right now on my TV (In July no less) Google brought me here 🙂
How funny. I just found this as I sit here watching the movie and googled Garland, Alaska for the heck of it. I’ve lived in Alaska for many years and am amused by what Hollywood thinks rural Alaska might look like. 😂
I love the movie and I am watching it now. I wish it was real I would try to move there.
Just watching the movie here in Windsor UK, never been to Alaska….. something to think about, shame the movie is based on a fictional place.
Yes, but the real Alaska is so much better! Thanks for your comment, Deece. -Natasha
How sad….. I was hoping! Thanks for taking the time to let us know!
I was in Alaska in July and it is so beautiful! We searched for the very elusive “moose”, as I had never seen one. We saw a few as we traveled around north of Fairbanks. Saw Denali on a clear day which I hear is rare. Fairbanks was fun, planned for gold & ate delicious salmon. At the age of 71, I had my first ATV ride & loved it. Spent a day in Anchorage, enjoyed a very large craft market until heavy rain made us seek shelter. Needless to say, I am at present watching the Hallmark channel & you can probably guess what I am watching.
Hi Mary Ellen, it sounds like you had an ideal trip to Alaska. You are so fortunate! Thanks for telling me about your visit. -Natasha
Love your site and want to say thanks for the info on Garland.
My wife lived in Anchorage growing up and the photos she has are amazingly beautiful. Hollywood, however, takes a lot of liberties to get us to suspend our disbelief. I saw where you have a desire to travel to Sitka and for certain it is beautiful, but Hollywood plays tricks with the movie “The Proposal” which was filmed in Maine. They must think mom & pop in Oklahoma won’t know the difference. Happy Trails to you on your way to the real Sitka.
Jerry in Georgia
Hi Jerry – so glad you found my post useful and that you know the real Alaska. Happy holidays, Natasha
Where was Christmas under wraps filmed
Hi Lou – if you Google it you’ll find it was filmed in Utah. Happy holidays! -Natasha
By the way I was in Anchorage once for 3 days the Majesty of Alaska can not be described in words– You just feel it all around you ” a sight for sore eyes” I was in complete AWH ‼️👍
I do love it up here even though it was -1 degrees F here today.
Here I am, your 27th visitor because of Christmas Under Wraps! The movie is still on. And I’ve read most of the comments above. I had the TV on without volume, and stopped everything when I saw beautiful “Garland.” I rewound it so many times to take photos, then I sent them to my husband and said, “Can we retire in Garland, Alaska?”
We had a beloved dog named Garland.
There is a website that says Garland is 7 miles outside of Anchorage. I wonder how that came to be?
I will look for Palmer, Seward, Homer & Sitka. First, we should take a vacation in Alaska! We can take Mary Ellen’s notes as travel tips. 🙂
We are in the Los Angeles area. If we do come up to AK, I’ll let you know, ok! Wow, some movie! Apparently it was/is Hallmark’s most-watched movie, with 6 million viewers (or was, as of its premiere in 2014)
And I’ll look at your blog, too. Thank you!!
Hi René, welcome and thanks for your comments! There definitely isn’t a place called Garland seven miles from Anchorage but it’s a fun imaginary town. Happy holidays and I hope you do make it up to Alaska some day. -Natasha
Shades of Northern Exposure with a Christmas Story.
Hi Terry,
Northern Exposure holds a special place in my heart. Although it was filmed in Washington, it really looks like small-town Alaska. I also love the theme song.
Happy holidays,
Natasha
I would love to visit Alaska I’m also use to the snow I live in Des Moines Iowa in the mid west. It is 34 here right now which is really strange cause we are usually below 0 at this time.
Too funny, Laurie – it’s 34 degrees right now in Anchorage! Yesterday it was pouring rain. We’re hoping for some snow tonight. Happy holidays – Natasha
This is so funny. Yes I was watching “Christmas Under Wraps” and found your website!
Hi Chris – you and 2,900 others have found my site today from watching it! Hope you enjoyed the movie. -Natasha
I looked up Garland Alaska because I’m watching the Hallmark movie right now. I figured it was fictional lol. I’ve been to Santa’s house in North Pole Alaska years ago, so I knew the movie got it wrong lol.
Hi Aimee – what time of year did you make it up to North Pole? Hope you enjoyed your trip! – Natasha
Thank you I’m just watching the above mentioned film and decided to check it out too. Ha ha. Oh well, thanks for sharing the info. P.s Merry Christmas!
Dad and I are watching the movie again and enjoying it. My niece by my sister moved to Alaska a month or two ago. I want to see the northern lights.
Hi Daniel,
Now you have an excuse to come up to Alaska in the winter as that’s the best way to see the northern lights! -Natasha
Yup, I, too, had to see where Garland, Alaska is situated as I am watching movie. Visited Alaska and the Yukon late this summer. Beautiful and I think you have to be a bit independent to live there. Would like to fly back to Anchorage to see the “sea” areas of the state. Merry Christmas!
Fun fact: Alaska has more coastline than all the coastlines of the lower 48 combined! Thanks for visiting my blog, Pat, and merry Christmas!
Thats ashame that its not for real ,Garland looks like a town I could live in. Slow down and live better and longer. Movie just coming to an end 😦 Merry Christmas
Loved the show, watched it today.
I lived a few miles from North Pole alaska in the 70’s. Learned to swim at North Pole. Graduated from Brartlett, and College at UAA in Anchorage.
Have a wonderful Christmas.
Bob
Go Seawolves! I also graduated from UAA. But I went to Service. Merry Christmas, Robert! -Natasha
Watching the movie for the second time. I think that it is colder here in Maine right now than part of Alaska. -2 degrees.
Much of the east coast is colder than Anchorage right now. Stay warm and happy new year! -Natasha
My wife had this movie on yesterday, probably on Netflix. Having lived in the Fairbanks area for almost 10 years, didn’t remember hearing of any such place, but Alaska is a big state, thought I might be wrong. Then my son googled it and it took him to N Main St in Talkeetna. Was listed as a park, but the attached info turned out to be bogus. It listed a phone number that does not exist and the marked location wasn’t even on Main St which runs east and west, not north and south. We have been there maybe half a dozen times and it looked like the little park we always parked the car by when we visited. I suggested they delete it. Will see what happens. The only Garland I found in Alaska was Garland Circle in Anchorage. It’s a street about 1/2 block long. We live in Illinois now and it’s colder here than Anchorage or Fairbanks right now.
The movie is on the Hallmark Channel all the time Duane, that is most likely where your wife watched it. Also, it was actually filmed in Utah! As Natasha has said there is no Garland, Alaska – would be great if there were – I would like to live in her log cabin…
Just came back from Alaska North Pole and your right pine trees there are very thin not big and round like in the hallmark movie lol but great movie and great town wherever it may be 🙂
I hope you enjoyed your trip, Kim! Yes, our spruce trees are very spindly compared to pines in the Lower 48. Cheers! -Natasha
Sooo, my question is:. Is there such a place named Garland Alaska or tell me where the Hallmark film was featured? On this day I am viewing the film right now! Also, there is a Reservist Navy Reservist that I know whose sister lives in Anchorage, Alaska. He has often talked about his sister there and says he wishes she would move here, which is Maryland! Thanks,
Dear Lorraine, I don’t believe there is real place called Garland, Alaska. The Hallmark movie was filmed in Payson, Salt Lake City and Herber City, Utah according to IMDB.com. I am a lifelong Anchorageite and I love it here. You should come visit sometime! Thanks for your comment! -Natasha
Watching the movie right now in 2018! Looked for Garland, Alaska and here I am! 🙂
Enjoy the film and thanks for your comment, Keisha! -Natasha
Well that time of year for those looking up Garland, Alaska. I read some of the comments. I’m disappointed that it it is fictional. I have visited North Pole, Alaska when I was in Fairbanks for my work. It’s beautiful there. I live in Northern California. Thanks for the info about Garland.
You’re welcome, Maureen! Thanks for your comment. -Natasha
The movie is on right now. A rerun and I have seen it before but still like it. I live in Indiana and we do get snow but nothing like Alaska I never thought about checking to see if there really was a place called Garland, Alaska until right now. Nov 24, 2028.
Disappointed it does not exist . I would love to visit Alaska . It is on my bucket list but I am 74 May not make it
Alaska is a beautiful state! I always suggest people take an Alaska cruise if at all possible. You’d see so much wildlife and scenery! Thanks for commenting, Janet. -Natasha
Well, since Garland Alaska doesn’t exist, we’ll just have to visit a few other awesome places while we’re in Alaska in June 2019! Anchorage, Seward and Homer are on our list so far!
Seward and Homer are some of my favorite places I’ve visited in Alaska. So awesome you’re making the trip. Is it for a wedding? Happy holidays, -Natasha
I was thinking on moving there while watching the movie.
Too bad it’s not real, but I can assure you there are so many beautiful towns that really do exist here. Have a good holiday, Denny! -Natasha
I’m a single mom and the movie that I seen give me hope about being at the right place at the right time to stumble on the right man that God has for us. God never lies and I’m not giving up on the right man of God. I love Hallmark movies in teaches you how to have faith, trust in God, follow God’s path, divine intervention, introduce, connection thanks God for Grace and mercy and hope
Love movie and town..tks for info…Feliz Navidad. ..
Still have people looking for garland love the movie and it would be a beautiful town if it were real
Decided to watch the Hallmark Channel this evening and the movie that was based on the city of Garland AK, but not filmed there which disappointed me. I visited Denali Nat’l Park in June 2016 and took a cruise down the coast to see the glaciers and small towns along the way. Loved it.
It sounds like you got to see the real Alaska, Mary! Thanks for commenting -Natasha
I love watching Christmas under warp
The movie Christmas Under Wraps was lovely movie. I loved it