Whittier, Alaska is a teeny, tiny town that actually has some great reasons to visit. It is the “Gateway to Prince Williams Sound”. Since it sits right on the coast with access to the ocean, Whitter is the departure and arrival port for many Princess Alaska cruises. But whether you are visiting Whittier as part of a cruise or just to explore for the day, it is a great destination. Read on and find out what you can do on your day trip to Whittier, Alaska!
Location
Whitter is located in southcentral Alaska right on Prince William Sound. It is just 60 miles south of Anchorage making it a perfect day trip destination.
How to get to Whittier
Getting to Whittier is half of the fun of visiting. Since Whittier sits on the coastline on the other side of the Chugach Mountains the only way to get there is through a tunnel. The one-way, 2.5 mile Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel is the longest in North America and is shared by the train and vehicles. There are scheduled times every hour for the train to use the tunnel and for vehicles. It is very important to know the tunnel schedule before you head to Whittier. As you can imagine the schedule is often delayed so it is important to add extra travel time through the tunnel. Plan for at least 30-40 minutes to get through the tunnel. The current cost for private vehicles is $13.
What to explore in Whittier, Alaska
Water Activities
Whittier is on an amazing body of water! From Whittier you can go kayaking, rent jetskis, take a leisure boating excursion or join on of the glacier day cruises. If you love fishing, Prince William Sound is one of the best places to fish on the planet and there are many guides ready to help you catch your limit. And all of these activities are surrounded by some absolutely stunning scenery!
Hiking
Around Whittier there are three fantastic hiking trails. If you are hiking in late July/August then be on the lookout for delicious berries and also bears.
- Emerald Cove Trail–This is a relatively flat trail but is VERY muddy and quite rooty. You will be watching your foot placement pretty much the whole way. Children can hike this trail but you definitely will want boots. BUT, this trail is well worth the effort because when you look up you will be awestruck by the gorgeous surroundings nearby and across the bay. The full length is around 3 miles, but there is a first cove about a mile or so in and is a beautiful place to stop, play and then turn around.
- Horsetail Falls Trail–This trail is a 1 mile moderately uphill hike to see the beautiful Horsetail Falls. For those wanting a more difficult hike, you can continue up to Blackstone Ridge to see the waterfalls from the top.
- Portage Pass Trail–This is the most difficult hike of the three but probably also boasts the best views from the top. The trailhead for this hike is just after you get through the tunnel. The 2-mile hike will take you up and over the mountain (around 800 ft) to Portage Lake, right across from the glacier. And then on the way back, you will look down on the Whittier harbor, and Prince William Sound. Absolutely gorgeous!
Around the Town
- Sit at the head of the bay and enjoy the scenery and have a picnic.
- Hang out at the harbor and watch all the boats go out and come in.
- Eat at one of the restaurants on the waterfront.
- Drive out to the end of the road and take in the beauty of the water and mountains.
- Go birdwatching. There are so many birds to spot as well as the largest Kittiwake rookery in the North Pacific.
- Take a self-guided tour of the historical sites.
- Visit the Prince William Sound Museum in the Anchor Inn.
- Stroll over to the 14-story Begich Towers which is home to nearly all of Whittier’s residents, a school, grocery store, church, and post office.
A day trip to Whittier, Alaska makes a great addition to any vacation to Alaska. If a trip to visit Alaska is on your travel bucket list please contact me! I would love to help you plan an Alaska vacation your family will remember forever.
Happy travels to you…until we meet again!
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