The city of Valdez (pronounced Val-deez) lies at the head of the Port of Valdez, a deepwater fjord positioned off pristine Prince William Sound. History buffs and thrill-seekers alike will enjoy the charm of this seaside town.
The town of Valdez sprang to life during the winter of 1897-1898 when would-be gold miners came looking for a supposed (but non-existent) trail over Valdez Glacier to the Interior of Alaska and the Klondike gold mines. The gold rush brought industry to this port and Valdez was born.
Traveling to Valdez provides its own immersion into some of Alaska's stunning scenery.
Whether hitching a ride on the Alaska state ferry or driving the Richardson Highway, visitors will experience some of the most breathtaking views Alaska has to offer. The Alaska Marine Highway System takes travelers across Prince William Sound and offers views of Alaska's abundant aquatic wildlife. Driving from Anchorage to Valdez provides an equally spectacular trip through Thompson Pass.
VALDEZ ATTRACTIONS
This tidewater glacier, located in Columbia Bay, is one of the fastest moving glaciers in the world. Getting there requires a boat – check out local options such as Stan Stephens Glacier & Wildlife Cruises for tours and charters.
WHERE: 61°13'11"N 146°53'43"W
WHEN: Year-round
Fielding Lake State Recreation Area
The recreation area is located on a scenic campground at an elevation of 2,973 feet in the Alaska Range. Ice often stays on the lake until July due to the elevation. There are 17 camping sites in the area, a boat launch, and toilets. There are also public cabins available for use by reservation.
WHERE: Two miles west of the Richardson Hwy. at mile 200.5
What began as Maxine Whitney's private collection has evolved into a museum with natural history of Alaska exhibits, wildlife mounts and one of the largest collections of Alaska Native art and artifacts in the world.
WHERE: Prince William Sound Community College, 303 Lowe St.
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, May to Sept.; call ahead for winter hours
PHONE: 907-834-1690
Valdez Museum & Historical Archive
The Valdez Museum on Egan Drive contains exhibits of the history of Alaska Bush pilots, the founding of Valdez, the gold rush, the oil pipeline and the Exxon Valdez oil spill. The Valdez Museum on Hazelet Avenue contains the Remembering Old Valdez exhibit, which features a 1:20 scale model of Valdez right before the 1964 earthquake.
WHERE: Main Museum: 217 Egan Dr.; Remembering Old Valdez: 436 South Hazelet Ave.
PHONE: 907-835-2764
The Worthington Glacier State Recreation Site, located 28 miles from Valdez on the Richardson Highway, offers easy hiking trails for an up-close view of the the glacier.
WHERE: Mile 28.7 Richardson Hwy.
VALDEZ EVENTS
A festival celebrating Valdez's gold rush history and heritage, featuring a family fun day, fish fry, open air market, parade and other popular events.
WHERE: Locations around Valdez
WHEN: July 29 to Aug. 2
This information appeared in the 2015 Alaska Dispatch News Visitors' Guide to Alaska. Contact special sections editor Jamie Gonzales at jgonzales@alaskadispatch.com.