Day Trips South
Neighborhoods
A little over an hour south, Girdwood is a small Alaskan mountain ski town that sits within a lush forest and is surrounded by the peaks of the Chugach Mountain Range. A perfect day trip from Eagle
River or a great place to stop on your way to Seward or
Homer. Great berry picking in the late summer & some excellent hiking & dining options!
89 locals recommend
Girdwood
A little over an hour south, Girdwood is a small Alaskan mountain ski town that sits within a lush forest and is surrounded by the peaks of the Chugach Mountain Range. A perfect day trip from Eagle
River or a great place to stop on your way to Seward or
Homer. Great berry picking in the late summer & some excellent hiking & dining options!
Hiking
Hike the The North Face Trail, if you are up for a bit of a challenging hike and for panoramic views of 7 glaciers once at the top. Enjoy a drink or dinner at the Seven Glaciers Restaurant. Hikers are rewarded with a free ride down the mountain on the aerial tram.
alyeskaresort.com/mountain/summer-hiking
133 locals recommend
Alyeska Resort & Hotel Alyeska
1000 Arlberg AveHike the The North Face Trail, if you are up for a bit of a challenging hike and for panoramic views of 7 glaciers once at the top. Enjoy a drink or dinner at the Seven Glaciers Restaurant. Hikers are rewarded with a free ride down the mountain on the aerial tram.
alyeskaresort.com/mountain/summer-hiking
This 1.4 mile trail near Whittier offers an easy walk for all ages. It allows a close-up view of a glacier with rugged, mountains in all
directions.
www.alaska.org/detail/byron-glacier-trail
21 locals recommend
Byron Glacier Trail Head
1500 Byron Glacier RdThis 1.4 mile trail near Whittier offers an easy walk for all ages. It allows a close-up view of a glacier with rugged, mountains in all
directions.
www.alaska.org/detail/byron-glacier-trail
Just after the Whittier Tunnel on the right, Portage Pass Trail is a 5.4 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail. It remains the only easy way to see Portage Glacier on foot. After cresting Portage Pass, the trail drops through glacial scrub before popping out on the wide gravel shores of Portage Lake, directly across from Portage Glacier.
alltrails.com/trail/us/alaska/portage-pass
12 locals recommend
Portage Pass Trail
Portage Pass TrailJust after the Whittier Tunnel on the right, Portage Pass Trail is a 5.4 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail. It remains the only easy way to see Portage Glacier on foot. After cresting Portage Pass, the trail drops through glacial scrub before popping out on the wide gravel shores of Portage Lake, directly across from Portage Glacier.
alltrails.com/trail/us/alaska/portage-pass
Food scene
Our favorite place to eat in Girdwood and one of our favorites in the State! Featuring seasonal organic ingredients, local produce and outdoor seating. Be sure to check out Mother Hubbards Cupboard next door, a whimsical fine home goods and local gift store.
111 locals recommend
Jack Sprat
165 Olympic Mountain LoopOur favorite place to eat in Girdwood and one of our favorites in the State! Featuring seasonal organic ingredients, local produce and outdoor seating. Be sure to check out Mother Hubbards Cupboard next door, a whimsical fine home goods and local gift store.
On the Mountain Top of the Alyeska Resort, Seven Glaciers is a unique Alaskan fine dining experience with an emphasis
on locally available produce, seafood and game. Open for
dinner. Advanced reservations recommended and come
with a complimentary gondola ride.
55 locals recommend
Seven Glaciers Restaurant
1000 Arlberg AveOn the Mountain Top of the Alyeska Resort, Seven Glaciers is a unique Alaskan fine dining experience with an emphasis
on locally available produce, seafood and game. Open for
dinner. Advanced reservations recommended and come
with a complimentary gondola ride.
A 3,040 square foot brewery and taproom serving locally
brewed craft beer with panoramic views, outdoor seating
and a rotating selection of local Food Trucks for dining.
67 locals recommend
Girdwood Brewing Company
2700 Alyeska HwyA 3,040 square foot brewery and taproom serving locally
brewed craft beer with panoramic views, outdoor seating
and a rotating selection of local Food Trucks for dining.
Things to do
About a 20-minute drive from Girdwood and a regular stop for us, AWCC is a sanctuary dedicated to preserving Alaska’s wildlife, taking in injured and orphaned animals from around the state. The Center maintains over 200 acres of spacious habitats for animals to feel at home and display their natural “wild” behavior. Visitors may see brown and black bears, moose, wood bison, elk, lynx, muskox, wolves and more.
185 locals recommend
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
43520 Seward HwyAbout a 20-minute drive from Girdwood and a regular stop for us, AWCC is a sanctuary dedicated to preserving Alaska’s wildlife, taking in injured and orphaned animals from around the state. The Center maintains over 200 acres of spacious habitats for animals to feel at home and display their natural “wild” behavior. Visitors may see brown and black bears, moose, wood bison, elk, lynx, muskox, wolves and more.
Located at mile 4 of the Portage Highway (road to Whittier), which intersects the Seward Highway 45 miles southeast of Anchorage. Williwaw Creek is one of only a few anadromous (supporting salmon) tributaries to Portage Creek. In late summer through early fall, visitors can observe spawning sockeye, chum and coho salmon. The site features an accessible boardwalk and viewing platform and is situated in the developed Williwaw Campground.
Williwaw Fish Viewing Platform
Located at mile 4 of the Portage Highway (road to Whittier), which intersects the Seward Highway 45 miles southeast of Anchorage. Williwaw Creek is one of only a few anadromous (supporting salmon) tributaries to Portage Creek. In late summer through early fall, visitors can observe spawning sockeye, chum and coho salmon. The site features an accessible boardwalk and viewing platform and is situated in the developed Williwaw Campground.
Located just outside of Whittier. Cruising across Portage Lake on the mv Ptarmigan, you'll stand just 300 yards from a relic of the Ice Age and watch for fractures of ice break off the glacier and crash into the water below. Visit the website for more information and a discount in booking. https://portageglaciercruises.com/
11 locals recommend
Portage Glacier Cruises
1500 Byron Glacier RdLocated just outside of Whittier. Cruising across Portage Lake on the mv Ptarmigan, you'll stand just 300 yards from a relic of the Ice Age and watch for fractures of ice break off the glacier and crash into the water below. Visit the website for more information and a discount in booking. https://portageglaciercruises.com/
Near the Whittier Tunnel entrance, the Visitor Center offers an unique opportunity to learn about the Chugach National Forest, America's farthest north national forest.
8 locals recommend
Begich Boggs Visitor Center
Portage Lake LoopNear the Whittier Tunnel entrance, the Visitor Center offers an unique opportunity to learn about the Chugach National Forest, America's farthest north national forest.
City/town information
Whittier was built as a deepwater port and railroad terminus
to transport fuel and supplies during WWII. Today, this
charming seaside community is a great day trip, with easy
access to rich ocean waters of Prince William Sound.
Charter a halibut or salmon trip or try some fresh fish and
chips in town. There are great hiking trails, a few small
shops and the town museum, with an excellent display on
the Whittier Tunnel, the longest combo vehicle-railroad tunnel
in North America.
The Whittier Tunnel
You will drive through the single-lane Whittier Tunnel on your
way into town. The tunnel is open for 15 minutes every hour
in each direction (on the half hour to Whittier, on the hour to
return). For more information on the Whittier Tunnel and toll
prices visit:
dot.state.ak.us/creg/whittiertunnel/index.shtml
73 locals recommend
Whittier
Whittier was built as a deepwater port and railroad terminus
to transport fuel and supplies during WWII. Today, this
charming seaside community is a great day trip, with easy
access to rich ocean waters of Prince William Sound.
Charter a halibut or salmon trip or try some fresh fish and
chips in town. There are great hiking trails, a few small
shops and the town museum, with an excellent display on
the Whittier Tunnel, the longest combo vehicle-railroad tunnel
in North America.
The Whittier Tunnel
You will drive through the single-lane Whittier Tunnel on your
way into town. The tunnel is open for 15 minutes every hour
in each direction (on the half hour to Whittier, on the hour to
return). For more information on the Whittier Tunnel and toll
prices visit:
dot.state.ak.us/creg/whittiertunnel/index.shtml
We love Seward but it is about a 3 hour drive so a long day-trip--we recommend an overnight there (and/or in Homer). Great kayaking, hiking, cruises and deepwater fishing.
125 locals recommend
Seward
We love Seward but it is about a 3 hour drive so a long day-trip--we recommend an overnight there (and/or in Homer). Great kayaking, hiking, cruises and deepwater fishing.
We love, love Homer and recommend you visit for more than a day trip (about a 4.5 hour drive). The deep sea fishing is awesome, especially for halibut and ocean king salmon. We love spending time on the spit and visiting the art shops and enjoying great local seafood on the water.
93 locals recommend
Homer
We love, love Homer and recommend you visit for more than a day trip (about a 4.5 hour drive). The deep sea fishing is awesome, especially for halibut and ocean king salmon. We love spending time on the spit and visiting the art shops and enjoying great local seafood on the water.
Traveler advice
Getting around
Carry bear spray
We recommend you always have a can of bear spray with you when you're hiking or otherwise recreating outdoors in Alaska. We have a can for you at the cabin--we've seen many bears while outdoors in Alaska, including dozens every year around the house and cabin.