WHITTIER
Travel information on Whittier, Alaska and things to do in Whittier.
 |
 |
| Photo: © Frank Flavin - Alaska Travel Industry Association |
Named for the American poet John Greenleaf Whittier, the town of Whittier is known as the western gateway to the dramatic Prince William Sound and the surrounding Chugach National Forest.
The small boat harbor attracts thousands of cruise ship passengers and other tourists each year with the promise of exiting adventure excursions into Prince William Sound including day cruises to the glaciers, kayak tours, scuba diving and fishing charters.
Fishing is a favorite activity in Whittier, especially for anglers interested in the annual silver salmon run in the early Fall, not to mention the salmon and halibut derbies hosted by the Greater Whittier Chamber of Commerce every summer.
Whittier is also a paradise for bird watching. The Kittiwake Rookery, across the canal from Whittier, is famous for the nesting grounds for thousands of seabirds.
Chugach National Forest, surrounding the town of Whittier is the second largest forest in the United States and offers countless opportunities for hiking and trail discoveries including the Portage Pass, Salmon Run and Horse Tail Falls trails.
Winter activities include snow shoeing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.
Whittier is accessible by Alaska Railroad from Anchorage, by the Alaska Marine Highway ferry system, and by car via the Seward Highway and Whittier Access Road.
A feature of both the railroad and car approach to Whittier, and another attraction of the area is the the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, the longest highway tunnel in North America and the longest combined rail-highway use tunnel in North America. The tunnel is located on the Portage Glacier Highway and connects the City of Whittier and Prince William Sound to the Seward Highway and the rest of South central Alaska.
Getting to Whittier
Accessible by road via the Seward Highway and Whittier Access Road. Whitter is also reached by rail along the Alaska Railroad from Anchorage and by sea with the Alaska Marine Highway from Valdez and Cordova.
Whitter is also a stop for many cruise lines.
Whittier Time Zone
Alaska has its own time zone, which is one hour earlier than Pacific Time.
Current time in Whittier: