Whittier Alaska!

[burtie]

Hi,

Doing a B2B out of Vancouver and will be spending most of a day in Whittier. What is there to do there? Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Burtie

[mapleleaves]

This question was asked a couple of days ago.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1641145

 

Whittier itself doesn't offer much. But here's a link to the Whittier Chamber with business listings:

http://www.whittieralaskachamber.org/business_directory.htm

[Putterdude]

We did this cruise a couple of years ago and no there is not a ton to do in Whittier itself. We rented a car from Avis and drove to Anchorage, took in some of the sights along the way, had a pleasant time in Anchorage, then drove back to Whittier.

[trooper 1]

Hi,

Doing a B2B out of Vancouver and will be spending most of a day in Whittier. What is there to do there? Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Burtie

 

What to do? Thee are a few things. Go fishing in the inlet; Go see the glaciers with Brad Phillips 27 Glaciers (?) tour group. (Some one let him know the correct name please?) Ask if Pete Heddel still runs the boat charter business. Tell him you talked to his Trooper friend Robbie now from Spokane who said Pete would get you closer to glaciers than anyone and for him to be kind to you: Hike the Portage Pass Trail. over to the head of Portage Glacier. Anyone in town can tell you where to start. Would it be possible to take a fast ferry over and back to Valdez? Or as mentioned, Seward, Kenai, Anchorage or Girdwood,

[cabrx]

Just got back from a cruise that left from there. Whoever said "nothing" is 100% correct. We took the 26 glacier cruise which I would recommend. You get much closer to glaciers that on the cruiseship and the crew does their best to find you wildlife.

[burtie]

Thanks to all for the info. I think we will rent a car and do the sightseeing on our own.\

Burtie

[AKman2495]

I've lived up here for 36 years now and that is the first time I ever saw anyone put and exclamation point after "Whitter, Alaska".....

 

Years ago before the driving tunnel an the only way to get there was by train, I heard some one say" "What do you call the people who live (year round) in Whiitter?

 

 

Whittiots....:D

[burtie]

Hey AKman,

Any suggestions where we should drive to? We have about 8 hours and want to see some wildlife if possible.

Thanks

[mapleleaves]

I posted this link in the previous thread. It has detailed information on recommended stops along the Turnagain Arm .... gold panning, the Wildlife Conservation Center, salmon viewing platforms at Williwaw Campground, boardwalk at Potters Marsh ( walk to the end to look for moose), dall sheep on the ridges. This is all within about 25 miles of Whittier.

http://alaska.org/driving/portage-valley-whittier-spur-drive.htm

 

Is your trip at the end of August?

[AKman2495]

Hey AKman,

Any suggestions where we should drive to? We have about 8 hours and want to see some wildlife if possible.

Thanks

 

Well, the best place to see wildlife near Whittier is the Alaska Wildlife conservation center. Yes, they are behind fences, but they are there. And the fences are not tiny so you can usually get pretty good pictures.

 

As for other places to go, check out the Portage glacier boat -that is just outside of the whittier tunnel-follow the signs.

 

You can easily drive to Anchorage and back. In that time. There is Beluga Point and McHugh Creek park and, as note, Potter Marsh. Also Girdwood and Alyeska are nice. Alyeska is a great spot for lunch.

 

I suggest you google all of these places and check them out.

 

Just remember that the tuner works in 1/2 hour shifts. So if you miss an opening you have to wait to get back to Whittier. Also keep in mind that it is about just over an hour to get from South Anchorage to the Tunnel entrance and that is without stops.

 

Have fun.

[burtie]

Thank You! I will check these out and make a plan.

 

Mapleleaves--we will be in Whittier on Sat, 6/23. It is the middle of our B2B from Vancouver leaving on 6/16.

 

Thanks again,

Burtie.

[mapleleaves]

Be very aware of the tunnel schedule. There's no leeway.

http://www.dot.state.ak.us/creg/whittiertunnel/schedule.shtml

 

I thought your trip was late August so I was going to recommend the salmon viewing platforms at Williwaw, but you're too early for the run.

There's enough to see and do to keep you busy.

If you have kids with you, there's an 'ice worm safari' which includes a one mile walk to the Harding Icefield. It's at 3pm, Ranger- led at the Begich Boggs Center.