Valdez is our single most enjoyable place. We go up every second year (06, 07, 09, 11, 13, 15) and are leaving May 1st. At first look, Valdez is very small but a visit to the old town cite from before the earthquake and tidal wave, the two town museums, the Whitney Museum, and the waterfront are definite don't miss items. Watch the eagles being fed in the Bayside RV Park in early summer, take the Stan Stevens short and long boat tours, and perhaps a helicopter ride to walk on the glaciers is outstanding. We stay at Bayside and you can see 5 glaciers from the park. Walk to the waterfront and watch the fishing boats setting up to go out or unloading at the canneries. If you get there at Gold Rush Days (RV Park reservations recommended for that weekend) enjoy a free fish fry at the City Dock and sample the cooking at the Elks International dinner and the Eagles Pancake Breakfast as well as the town parade so you can see all the politicians dragged around town in the hoosegow (portable jail). Coming in and going out of town through Keystone Canyon lets you stop at the waterfalls, up close and personal and see the partially completed RR tunnel from the early days. Finally, from the City Dock you can watch the southern terminus of the Alaska Pipeline and may see a tanker coming in or going out (no tours of the terminal for security reasons)
We have been many places in Alaska from Prudhoe Bay to Homer on the Kenai, but we spend 75% of our time in Valdez. We shrimp, and fish and just enjoy the town and local people. Great hiking for those so inclined as well (we're past that now but did it years ago there)
My opinion, DON'T MISS VALDEZ.
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