marlene_

We will be starting our cruise from Whittier this July after doing a land tour of Denali. The itinerary shows us arriving in Whittier at 2pm and the ship departs at 8:30pm. Anything we should or can squeeze in prior to our departure?

Thanks!

happytrailstoyou

There is a glacier cruise out of Whittier, but I don't know if you can squeeze it in. HTtY

kperaka

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center or Portage Glacier Hike. Both are not so time consuming.

tomfuller

Are you arriving in Whittier on a bus or will you have a rental car to use? DW and I drove down to Seward and then drove out to the end of the Exit Glacier road and hiked about a mile to the toe of the Exit Glacier.
There are some boat trips out of Seward but I don't know if you have the time to get back to Whittier if you did.
I'm typing this while we are in Homer. We have 2 more days in Alaska.

marlene_

We are on a bus to Whittier.

Thanks, kaperaka, I will check out your two suggestions as well as the glacier cruise that was suggested by happytrailstoyou.

jetset1

I think with the time frame, you will miss the cruises on the smaller boats. Most leave around noon, except for the sunset one. Best bet might be a relaxed walk around the area.

Being on the bus will limit the chance for stopovers on the way, unless they stop at Portage, and the wildlife refuge. Enjoy your trip. The weather is high 60's, sunny, and beautiful.

marlene_

Thanks, jetset1. In looking at the logistics, the time we have in Whittier isn't long enough to do a tour. We will do as you suggested and take a relaxed walk around the area.

Glad to hear the weather is beautiful for you today!

tomfuller

On Wednesday I drove from Portage down toward Whittier.
I turned around before the toll booth for the tunnel.
I was not going to pay $11 or more to see a glacier and Whittier.
I did get to see the toe of Exit glacier near Seward.
I'll work on the trip report tomorrow.

jetset1

tomfuller on Jun 10, 16 at 9:54pm


On Wednesday I drove from Portage down toward Whittier.
I turned around before the toll booth for the tunnel.
I was not going to pay $11 or more to see a glacier and Whittier.
I did get to see the toe of Exit glacier near Seward.
I'll work on the trip report tomorrow.


$11 to see Whittier, and a pristine bay, full of birds, sea life, lush green mountains, memorable glacier cruises on catamarans, with no seasickness.

Shaking my head. $11. Tom, tom, tom. You had a bargain, you were almost there. The tunnel itself is quite unique. But whatever. ~o)

tomfuller

Saw everything we wanted to see (birds, glaciers, moose, view of a bay, mountains etc. from Homer and the Kenai Penn.
We put 2650 miles on a Subaru Outback rental including at least 30 on gravel roads.

jetset1

Okay, that's a lot of driving. I guess I had to chuckle, as anyone would quibble over $11, as a tunnel toll in Alaska.

Whittier is fascinating, and it's role in WW2 was an important part of Alaskan history. Our boat Captain explained it very well, on our cruise a few weeks ago.

sdpryde

I love Whittier.

If:
- you've a place to leave your luggage
- you are walkers
- then head for a nice walk along the water front and to Lu Young Park
- google map link: https://goo.gl/maps/fwknYzyqoor

- After your walk, there's several places to get a cold drink and relax with great views.