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Whittier


moki'smommy
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Whittier has likely changed since we were there in 2001 ... back then no cruiseships sailed to/from there ... just small boats for glacier cruising. We did one to Blackstone Bay and enjoyed it quite a bit. There may be other options to consider now. As someone suggested, check the AK ports forum for more info.

 

If you can rent a car, you can drive over to Portage Lake (very close) ... maybe do a boat tour out to the glacier. There are hikes in that area that are nice. Also, you can drive further to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. You could even drive to Seward ... plenty to see and do there, including Exit Glacier, which can be reached by car and then a short hike, or the SeaLife Center.

 

http://2totravel.blogspot.com/2010/08/playing-in-snowfield.html

 

http://2totravel.blogspot.com/2010/08/awcc-not-so-wild.html

 

http://2totravel.blogspot.com/2010/08/exit-glacier-sewards-own-river-of-ice.html

 

http://2totravel.blogspot.com/2010/08/alaska-sealife-center.html

 

Back when we went to Whittier ... 2001 ... the tunnel was shared with the train so we had to consider the train schedule and time our arrival/departure accordingly. It was easy enough to do. Don’t know what the situation is now ... make sure to check it out first if you decide to drive out to one of the places mentioned above.

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The Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel is still shared : http://www.alaska.org/detail/whittier-tunnel Timing passage for cruise departures is essential during the summer.

 

There still isn't much to do in Whittier itself. We made the mistake of staying at the Inn at Whittier several years ago - ugh. Here's an article which sums up Whittier https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/visit-town-where-every-resident-lives-same-building-180959081/

 

Portage Lake is awesome as is the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. A bit north up the Seward Highway is the turn-off for Girdwood, a lovely town with a ski resort. The tram for the resort runs year-round (https://www.alyeskaresort.com/) and the view is spectacular. If you go to Girdwood, check out the Bake Shop (http://www.thebakeshop.com/) for their awesome homemade bread and soup.

 

If there are no ship excursions that suit, best to rent a car (Avis is located at the dock) and explore on your own, keeping in mind the tunnel schedule for your return to the ship.

 

Enjoy, it's a gorgeous area - I love Alaska in summer!

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