Glacier Bay, Alaska © National Park Service

A tiny town even in the busy summer cruise season, Whittier itself isn't much of an attraction with just more than 200 permanent residents. The town is a great base for exploring the pristine Alaskan wilderness however, and the region is filled with wildlife like bison, elk, moose, caribou, musk ox, bears, black-tailed deer, great horned owls and bald eagles.

Located just 34 miles (55km) from Anchorage, the town is a popular end point for Alaskan cruises as an alternative to the slightly larger Seward port. Cruise ships in Whittier dock at the Whittier cruise ship dock at the southern end of the town.

Contact

Whittier Visitor Information Center
+1 (907) 472-2379
www.whittieralaska.com

Transport

Whittier is a tiny town, and anywhere you need to get is accessible on foot. Visitors wanting to explore the mountains around the town will need to organise a tour, as there are no taxis. There is regular bus service to Anchorage.

Attractions

Whittier is a great place for nature enthusiasts, and offers outdoor activities like hunting and fishing, bird-watching, hiking, kayaking, dogsledding and even helicopter tours. The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is the best place to see the local fauna, and the Prince William Sound Museum has interesting exhibits on the history of Whittier and the Kenai Peninsula. If you have a bit of time and are in need of big-city amenities, Anchorage is only an hour's drive away.

Restaurants

Swiftwater Seafood Cafe - homey restaurant serving good halibut fish and chips

The Anchor Inn - serves hearty meals with big-screen sports playing

Lazy Otter Cafe - chili and chowder in a cosy cafe

Best Dish

Salmon

Shopping

There is very little shopping in Whittier, however cruise passengers will find several gift shops with a mixture of cheap souvenirs and handmade items.

Best Buy

Smoked salmon

Excursions

Try your luck at salmon fishing on a charter boat

Spot whales and otters from a hired kayak

Go dog sledding on a glacier

Get a bird's-eye view of Whittier on a helicopter tour

See moose, caribou and musk ox at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center