My Essential Alaska Travel Resources :
There are plenty of travel companies out there, but these are my favorite websites and resources for planning an unforgettable trip to Alaska. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. For flights, I recommend using Hopper to compare the cheapest dates to travel to Alaska. Car rentals, arguably the best way to see Alaska, are best through Discover Cars! I always use Expedia's easy-to-use platform to compare the best rates. To keep cell service if you're traveling internationally, I use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required), and NordVPN to stay safe while connecting to different wifi. For fun things to do, I recommend Viator or Get Your Guide to find the best tours in the area. Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use for travel insurance. Lastly, my Alaska packing list for your travels to the Last Frontier.
Getting to Whittier & Where to Stay
No matter where you're driving from, in order to get to Whittier you'll have to time your visit to coincide with the one way tunnel, which runs every half hour. It's important to note that it goes the opposite direction every half hour, so if you miss the time you want then you'll have to wait an entire hour before you get the chance to go through again. Last time my husband and I went through the price was $13 per small vehicle, and includes your return fare since you'll need to go back through the tunnelo on your way out of town. You can check the tunnel schedule here. If you're visiting from Valdez, then you also have the option to take the ferry, which will take a bit more planning and will be quite a bit more expensive, but you can check the schedule for the ferry here.
Finding a place to stay in Whittier can be a bit tricky, and typically my husband and I only take day trips from Anchorage. Because there aren't many places to stay in the area, we usually just camp at one of the pull-offs down Shotgun Cove Road. If you aren't able to camp or don't have the gear, then you'll want to look into the Glacier View Condo Suites. Unfortunately, the hotel portion of The Inn at Whittier hasn't reopened yet. Don't worry though, there's plenty of places to eat in Whittier - my personal favorites are Varly's Swiftwater Seafood Cafe and the Pizza & Ice Cream Parlour.
My Favorite Tours Near Whittier :
- 26 Glacier Cruise in Prince William Sound - Wilderness & Glacier Tour from Anchorage
11 Best Things to Do in Whittier
1. Explore Prince William Sound
Prince William Sound is one of the most peaceful bodies of water in Alaska. With incredible views and amazing chances to encounter wildlife, it's definitely one place you'll want to see for yourself. Even though you can enjoy the views from shore, the best way to experience the wildlife and glaciers is on a boat tour. If you're on a budget I recommend booking a cruise with Phillips Cruises on their 26 glacier cruise! If you're looking for something a bit more private that offers more "up-close" encounters with wildlife and glaciers, then I recommend Lazy Otter Charters for a truly top notch experience. 
2. Sea Kayaking
If you're visiting Alaska and looking for something a bit more relaxed, there's also a couple local companies in Whittier that offer guided sea-kayaking trips. It's another great way to experience the coastal areas of Prince William Sound around Whittier. Lazy Otter Charters is my go-to local company for guided kayaking trips! 
3. Explore Begich Towers
You might not have known before visiting Whittier, but the entire town of Whittier lives in one single apartment building, the famous Begich Towers. Originally a military barracks, it now houses everything from the local population to their post office, laundromat, a store, and even tunnels that lead to the school across the street. You'll be able to spot this building no matter where you are in town, and you can even go in to explore if you'd like with the first floor being set up like a museum.
4. Shopping (+ Fudge)
Most towns in Alaska have local businesses and shops along the main street and harbor, and Whittier is no different. My personal favorite is stopping at Sound Ideas for their delicious fudge, but you can also find a few other stores like Prince William Sound Salt Co., which offers locally produced, ethically sourced, pure Alaskan Sea Salt merch and bath & body products. 
5. Experience Alaska's Marine Highway
Alaska's Marine Highway is unlike any other. Criss crossing throughout the Southcentral and Southeast areas of Alaska, the Marine Highway allows access to towns that are otherwise unreachable by the road system. There are many areas you can get on and off the Marine Highway, but a popular route is starting in Whittier, boarding with your car, and making your way to Valdez before driving back! The experience itself is a bit spendy, but the views are beautiful - and it'll be an adventure unlike any other. If you plan on experiencing the Marine Highway, make sure to book ahead and check the schedule here.
6. Jet Skiing to a Glacier
Whittier is one of the only places in Alaska where you can jet ski right up to a glacier! There's actually a couple companies in town that offer this tour, but I've only ever gone with Glacier Jetski Adventures. Even though I had never ridden a jet ski before, the guides were great at coaching me through the process, and getting up close to a waterfall and glacier while on a jet ski felt absolutely unreal! 
7. Enjoy The Wildlife
Because Whittier sits right on Prince William Sound, the waters here are often much calmer than coastal towns like Seward and Homer, making it a haven for marine wildlife. If you keep your eyes peeled while exploring the coast you'll often see otters and seals nearby, and if you head out deeper into Prince William Sound on a tour you'll see even more like sea lions, puffins, and sometimes even whales and orcas.
8. Sound Cycle Bike Tours
This is an excellent way to explore a bit of Alaska without feeling rushed. If you're not too keen on getting out on the water, this is a great, easy way to get out around Whittier and still enjoy the great views! Especially if you don't have a car or are just visiting for a port day on a cruise, the town isn't as "walkable" as others in Alaska so this is a great alternative.
9. Go Hiking & Take in the Views (+ Waterfalls)
The views in Whittier are some of my favorite. With incredibly tall mountains and glaciers just about everywhere you look, just trust me when I say the views themselves are worth a visit. If you're able to, I would take a drive down Shotgun Cove Road and do some hikes out towards that end of town! There are plenty of hikes in and around Whittier that are worth a stop, but it's worth noting that they'll typically be pretty muddy. Some of my favorites are Emerald Cove Trail (a 3.3 mile hike that brings you along the coast) and the Portage Pass Trail (a 4.2 mile hike that brings you up and over to views of Portage Glacier). In addition to stunning hikes, the waterfalls in and around Whittier are some of the best. You can see my entire list of my favorite waterfalls in Alaska here, but two easy ones to visit in Whittier are Horsetail Falls (a 2 mile hike) and 2nd Salmon Run Falls (about a 1 mile hike). The waterfall pictured above is the 2nd Salmon Run Falls!
Watch My Whittier Adventures Here!
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Hi, I'm Deborah! In 2021 my husband Tyler convinced me to move to Alaska. After living here for a year (then leaving to take a year long world trip) we realized there was no place we loved more. So now we're back - and I'm here to share all my best tips and hidden gems to make Your Alaskan Adventures the best they can be. \\\ My blog is free to read, but some links may be affiliates. This means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you. Learn more here. \\\ |
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