Valdez Guest Guidebook

Jessa
Valdez Guest Guidebook

Food scene

Open in the summers and called "NT" by the locals. It is a favorite among Valdezians. They have soft serve ice cream, and espresso. We love the milkshakes. All outdoor/to-go.
Northern Treats
118 Meals Ave
Open in the summers and called "NT" by the locals. It is a favorite among Valdezians. They have soft serve ice cream, and espresso. We love the milkshakes. All outdoor/to-go.
Best customer service, large servings, and delicious food. They also deliver!
7 paikallista suosittelee
Fu Kung Chinese Restaurant
207 Kobuk Dr
7 paikallista suosittelee
Best customer service, large servings, and delicious food. They also deliver!
Valdez's best burger. Classic breakfast food with larger than life portions and fair prices.
7 paikallista suosittelee
Old Town Diner
139 East Pioneer Drive
7 paikallista suosittelee
Valdez's best burger. Classic breakfast food with larger than life portions and fair prices.
Outdoor eatery on the harbor. Artisan tacos and southwestern fare. Open in the summer only.
8 paikallista suosittelee
Nat Shack
239 N Harbor Dr
8 paikallista suosittelee
Outdoor eatery on the harbor. Artisan tacos and southwestern fare. Open in the summer only.
Local favorite! Health food store, as well as smoothies, coffee, and weekly lunch specials. They also carry specialty cheeses, and have fresh baked goods. We love the snickerdoodles :)
18 paikallista suosittelee
Rogue's Garden
354 Fairbanks Dr
18 paikallista suosittelee
Local favorite! Health food store, as well as smoothies, coffee, and weekly lunch specials. They also carry specialty cheeses, and have fresh baked goods. We love the snickerdoodles :)
New in 2019, this is Valdez's first brewery. They have outdoor seating in the summer. Great atmosphere, and house made soda for the kids!
7 paikallista suosittelee
Valdez Brewing
141 Galena Dr
7 paikallista suosittelee
New in 2019, this is Valdez's first brewery. They have outdoor seating in the summer. Great atmosphere, and house made soda for the kids!
Best fries. Best breakfast burrito. Extensive beer menu and outdoor seating in a fantastic harbor location. Summer only.
13 paikallista suosittelee
Roadside Potatohead Valdez
255 N Harbor Dr
13 paikallista suosittelee
Best fries. Best breakfast burrito. Extensive beer menu and outdoor seating in a fantastic harbor location. Summer only.
Delicious thin crust pizza and beer. They deliver as well!
The Stampmill
328 Egan Ave
Delicious thin crust pizza and beer. They deliver as well!
One of the oldest restaurants in Valdez. Extensive menu, beer, and wine. Good for large groups. Conveniently located on the harbor.
Mike's Palace
205 N Harbor Dr
One of the oldest restaurants in Valdez. Extensive menu, beer, and wine. Good for large groups. Conveniently located on the harbor.
Eclectic menu, nice beer selection, great views of the harbor and mountains, and outdoor seating.
12 paikallista suosittelee
The Fat Mermaid
143 N Harbor Dr
12 paikallista suosittelee
Eclectic menu, nice beer selection, great views of the harbor and mountains, and outdoor seating.

Sightseeing

Local favorite place to picnic, swim, catch trout, and hang out! There are picnic tables, a small toddler park area, a trail on the back of the pond, public restrooms, great views.
Ruth Pond Park
Meals Avenue
Local favorite place to picnic, swim, catch trout, and hang out! There are picnic tables, a small toddler park area, a trail on the back of the pond, public restrooms, great views.
Fun loop trail that overlooks the "beach". Nice views, pretty easy and quick hike. Sometimes there are salmonberries along the trail. It is well maintained. Please be bear aware!
Dock Point Park & Trail
200 Kobuk Dr
Fun loop trail that overlooks the "beach". Nice views, pretty easy and quick hike. Sometimes there are salmonberries along the trail. It is well maintained. Please be bear aware!
A great way to see Valdez! The views are spectacular. Just take the stairs all the way up. Not a wilderness hike.
Civic Center Overlook Trail
110 Clifton Ct
A great way to see Valdez! The views are spectacular. Just take the stairs all the way up. Not a wilderness hike.
We always take visiting friends and family here. Often we can watch sea lions from shore, lots of spawning fish, and the occasional bear or two. Locals don't go out on the rocks near the hatchery or approach bears :) There is a bike path that begins near your rental that you can take all the way over. It's not a quick ride, about 10.5 miles from your location, one way.
6 paikallista suosittelee
The Solomon Gulch Hatchery
1561 Dayville Rd
6 paikallista suosittelee
We always take visiting friends and family here. Often we can watch sea lions from shore, lots of spawning fish, and the occasional bear or two. Locals don't go out on the rocks near the hatchery or approach bears :) There is a bike path that begins near your rental that you can take all the way over. It's not a quick ride, about 10.5 miles from your location, one way.
To reach the trail from downtown Valdez, head north on either Hazelet or Meals Avenue, and turn left onto Hanagita Street. Turn onto Mineral Creek Drive, and follow the road through a residential neighborhood until you reach the gravel path that marks the beginning of Mineral Creek Trail. Trail is moderately difficult, and takes about 6 hours roundtrip on foot (12.2 miles). Lots of waterfalls and beautiful scenery! At the end is an abandoned stamp mill. Please be bear aware.
Mineral Creek
To reach the trail from downtown Valdez, head north on either Hazelet or Meals Avenue, and turn left onto Hanagita Street. Turn onto Mineral Creek Drive, and follow the road through a residential neighborhood until you reach the gravel path that marks the beginning of Mineral Creek Trail. Trail is moderately difficult, and takes about 6 hours roundtrip on foot (12.2 miles). Lots of waterfalls and beautiful scenery! At the end is an abandoned stamp mill. Please be bear aware.
A cooperative operated by local artists. Furniture, apparel, prints, key-chains, and more. Conveniently located near the harbor.
Valdez Art Co-Op
122 Kobuk Dr
A cooperative operated by local artists. Furniture, apparel, prints, key-chains, and more. Conveniently located near the harbor.
Difficulty: Moderate Time: 2 to 2.5 hours, round trip Distance: 3.8 miles, round trip Elevation Gain: 700 feet Amenities: Picnic tables and covered pavilions are provided at the end of the trail at Solomon Lake. This trail begins 4.6 miles down Dayville Road just before Allison Point (parking is on the left). The trail starts up a steep hill before joining the Alyeska Pipeline Maintenance Road. There is a sign-in sheet at the gate. The trail follows the road 0.8 miles up another steep hill and then down to a bridge over Solomon Gulch. A short 0.13 mile trail to the left leads to a viewing area for the Port of Valdez. The large penstocks overhead carry water to the new power station at the bottom of the gulch and are made from surplus Trans Alaskan Pipeline pipe. After passing under the penstocks, follow the hiking trail sign and turn right (away from the road and up the hill). The trail winds through a pipe storage yard and crosses another bridge before reaching Solomon Lake and its two dams. By looking up the lake, the access road to the mines can be faintly seen on the left side. Please be bear aware!
Solomon Gulch Trailhead
Difficulty: Moderate Time: 2 to 2.5 hours, round trip Distance: 3.8 miles, round trip Elevation Gain: 700 feet Amenities: Picnic tables and covered pavilions are provided at the end of the trail at Solomon Lake. This trail begins 4.6 miles down Dayville Road just before Allison Point (parking is on the left). The trail starts up a steep hill before joining the Alyeska Pipeline Maintenance Road. There is a sign-in sheet at the gate. The trail follows the road 0.8 miles up another steep hill and then down to a bridge over Solomon Gulch. A short 0.13 mile trail to the left leads to a viewing area for the Port of Valdez. The large penstocks overhead carry water to the new power station at the bottom of the gulch and are made from surplus Trans Alaskan Pipeline pipe. After passing under the penstocks, follow the hiking trail sign and turn right (away from the road and up the hill). The trail winds through a pipe storage yard and crosses another bridge before reaching Solomon Lake and its two dams. By looking up the lake, the access road to the mines can be faintly seen on the left side. Please be bear aware!
"Valdez Glacier provides breathtaking sights and a glimpse into the local history and culture of the area. Known as the All- American Route, gold seekers traveled over the glacier into the interior of Alaska during the Gold Rush of 1898. Valdez Glacier is a 20 mile valley glacier located in the Chugach Mountains and terminates in Valdez. The runoff of this gorgeous glacier is so vast it creates a lake in front of the terminus. During summertime Valdez Glacier Lake becomes a beautiful area to kayak on. Please be sure to wear your lifejacket, as this glacier-fed lake is approximately 640 feet deep. There are various outfitters in Valdez who will guide visitors on kayak tours. In the winter, Valdez Glacier Lake becomes a frozen wonderland, where massive icebergs form into amazing natural sculptures. Ice skating, snowshoeing, skiing, or snowmobiling are also possible on this lake during certain times of the winter. Please be sure to check and make sure this lake is completely frozen before going on it. Safety first and have fun exploring." Get there: Take Airport Road out to Valdez Glacier Lake. Kayak tours of Valdez Glacier and Valdez Glacier Lake are available with our local kayak guides.
Valdez Glacier Lake
"Valdez Glacier provides breathtaking sights and a glimpse into the local history and culture of the area. Known as the All- American Route, gold seekers traveled over the glacier into the interior of Alaska during the Gold Rush of 1898. Valdez Glacier is a 20 mile valley glacier located in the Chugach Mountains and terminates in Valdez. The runoff of this gorgeous glacier is so vast it creates a lake in front of the terminus. During summertime Valdez Glacier Lake becomes a beautiful area to kayak on. Please be sure to wear your lifejacket, as this glacier-fed lake is approximately 640 feet deep. There are various outfitters in Valdez who will guide visitors on kayak tours. In the winter, Valdez Glacier Lake becomes a frozen wonderland, where massive icebergs form into amazing natural sculptures. Ice skating, snowshoeing, skiing, or snowmobiling are also possible on this lake during certain times of the winter. Please be sure to check and make sure this lake is completely frozen before going on it. Safety first and have fun exploring." Get there: Take Airport Road out to Valdez Glacier Lake. Kayak tours of Valdez Glacier and Valdez Glacier Lake are available with our local kayak guides.