Valdez - Alaska.
How long can you stay? I know people who came to visit Valdez and never left.
1 Day in Valdez:
Visit the Valdez City Museum & the Annex’s 1964 Earthquake …take a stroll on the boat harbor and enjoy the fishing excitement of the daily catches or maybe see sea otters or harbor seals feasting in the harbor, or take an 8 hr wildlife cruise to Meares Glacier where you can see the glacier calving or a 6 hr wildlife cruise to Columbia Glacier the largest tidal glacier in Alaska.
2 Days in Valdez:
Every year guests who stay for one night say "I wish we had more time to stay." Two days allows Valdez. visitors to enjoy at a leisure pace the sights and to breathe in the majestic beauty that surrounds Valdez and Prince William Sound. On day two one can start with a morning hike on the Shoup Bay trail, hike pass the meadow filled with wildflowers, hear the waterfalls, stroll on Gold Beach. Or hike or drive back to Mineral Creek Trail to the old stamp mill, or go salmon fishing, or enjoy our two museums. Valdez City Museum has historical artifacts on Prince William Sound, and the Whitney Museum is the largest private collection of Alaska Native Arts. An all day cruise or halibut charters are a great way to see Prince William Sound and spot wildlife. End your day with a tasty dinner, and take a stroll on Dock Point Trail by the harbor.
3 Days in Valdez:
Sea kayaking Prince William Sound is an incredible experience paddling in bay waters with fijords surrounded with snow capped mountains. You can walk on the bike trail along the shoreline on Dayville Road. Picnic on one of the benches on the trail and enjoy the view of town across the bay, keeping an eye out for walruses or sea otters. The bike trail is beside some of the best places to fish on shore for salmon, yet, be cautious of bears that may eating salmon in the ponds. Shopping for outdoor equipment, or Alaska mementos at Annie's Sugar & Spice, can be restful as you watch free movies such as the 1964 Earthquake. Or rent a bike & ride the bike trail starting from town to the Valdez Glacier, or take a guided trek across the Worthington Glacier. Order deli sandwiches and head up to one of our favorite places, Blueberry Summit Lake campground in Thompson Pass where you can roam freely on mountain paths covered with alpine moss, listen to the quiet, feel the stillness, as you gaze at rugged peaked mountains formed from the glaciers thousands of years ago. In September one can gather low bush blueberries and crowberries where autumn colored lichen in bold reds and oranges cover the ground, its sunset goldenness will take our breath away.
More things to do:
Cruising - Cruise Pr. Wm. Sound -wild life and glacier cruise - 6 hr or 8 hr
Kayaking - day guided trips Columbia Glacier, Shoup Bay
Hiking - several trails with moderate hiking to easy - 1-3 hr hikes. My favorite is 1899 Old Military Trail.
Stroll the Valdez Boat Harbor & see daily catch or playful sea otters
Museums - Valdez Museum & Alaska Cultural Heritage Museum
Shops -alaska mementos, sports wear or sports gear, alaska Native arts, paintings, photographs, Anadyr Art Gallery
Fishing - On shore on Dayville Road or charter boats for salmon or halibut
Biking or roller blade - paved bike trail, including new 2006 bike trail Dayville Road
Mountain bike - Mineral Creek Trail or Thompson Pass
Picnic - Worthington Glacier or sunset picnic on Dayville Rd
Birding - Mud flats, Mineral Creek Trail or Shoup Bay Trail
Wildflowers - Shoup Bay Trail, Old Town Valdez, Mineral Creek Trail
Events:
- June: Annual Last Frontier Theatre Conference
- July: Annual 4th of July Street Fair
- Aug : Gold Rush Parade & Fish Fry & Air Force Band
- Sept/Oct: Valdez Arts Council Fundraiser - Music & Cruise Pr. Wm Sound
- Oct : VCVB Oktoberfest
- Feb/Mar : Snow Machine Races
- April: Snow Board & Snow Machine Hill Climb
Valdez Alaska... Come see why we call Valdez home
Planning a vacation in Alaska can be exciting & overwhelming, feel free to contact us or check out our links.
Happy vacation planning!
Yours truly - Rose