VALDEZ
MOTHER NATURE’S PLAYGROUND
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aldez is a year-round playground and is a destination that needs to be on every visitors list of must do’s. It has a spectacular mix of tidewater glaciers, forests and mountains unequaled in the State and offers incredible recreational opportunities throughout the year. After you see the breathtaking mountain scenery and experience glacier and wildlife viewing in Prince William Sound, you will see that even Mother Nature has her favorites. Located on the north shore of a deepwater fjord in Prince William Sound, Valdez is only 120 air miles east of Anchorage but is a 305 mile drive via the Richardson and Glenn Highways. It is also the southern terminus of the Trans-Alaska oil pipeline. The area was named in 1790 by Senor Fidalgo for the celebrated Spanish naval officer Antonio Valdez y Basan. In 1898 it became a debarkation point for prospectors seeking a route to Dawson City and the Klondike gold fields. Gold was soon discovered in the area and the city was incorporated in 1901. The March 1964 Good Friday earthquake in Prince William Sound was the second most powerful earthquake ever recorded (9.2 magnitude) , which resulted in a tsunami that destroyed the original city, killing 30 people in Valdez. The City was rebuilt in a more protected location about 4 miles from the original site. 104
Southcentral Alaska
Construction of the Trans-Alaska oil pipeline terminal and other cargo transportation facilities brought rapid growth in the 1970s. Valdez is a travelers dream with excellent campgrounds, hotels and restaurants. It has several incredible tours that makes it difficult to choose a favorite. However, any tour that gets you up close to the nearby glaciers in Prince William Sound is bound to be a highlight of your Alaska vacation.
Visitor Info Valdez Convention & Visitor Bureau is an excellent place to begin your stay in Valdez. 309 Fairbanks Drive. Open year-round. 907-835-2984
ACCOMMODATION Downtown B&B Inn Cozy, clean rooms, private bathrooms, Wi-fi, and great continental breakfasts during the summer. Perfect for visitors interested in a home base while fishing, sightseeing or taking a glacier tour to Prince William Sound. 113 Galena Drive. 1-800-478-2791 or 907-835-2791 Bell’s Travel Guides
