A family vacation travel guide to fun activities and adventures in Valdez, Alaska, including fishing, kayaking, wildlife viewing, restaurants, art and culture attractions.
FISHING
If you belong to a fishing family then Valdez has lots to offer. From May to August various fishing derbies are conducted to see who can catch the biggest fish. There is a guaranteed $60,000 in cash and prizes offered to participants, and weekly winners receive $10,000 for the largest Halibut or Silver Salmon. The Halibut Derby takes place between May 24 to August 30, and the Silver Salmon Derby takes place in August. Make sure you bring your fishing poles and try your hand at catching the big one, and maybe you'll real in $10,000 or even $60,000 in prize money on your vacation. If you don't know where to start you can hire a fishing charter. These charters can cater to families and offer a local point of view on sites, fish, history, and wildlife. And while you're at it you may catch a 300 lb. Halibut off the side of the boat.
WILDLIFE ADVENTURES
If you just want to view the wildlife then kayak excursions are your best option. Anadyr Adventures offers guided tours of Prince William Sound for beginner and advanced kayakers. If you have smaller children you can even hire a professional paddler so you can bring the kids along and enjoy the scenery.
You may also want to visit the Solomon Gulch Fish Hatchery for an educational field trip to learn about the life cycle of the salmon.
Daily guided tours of Prince William Sound offer in-depth experiences with wildlife, geology, glacier viewing, whale watching, and bird watching. Bring your cameras and be dazzled by the beauty of this area.
If you are more adventurous, guided raft trips are also available that can take your family through the Keystone Canyon and past spectacular waterfalls.
HISTORY, ART, AND OTHER TOURS
If history is what the family enjoys then taking a tour of the TransAlaska Pipeline Terminals is highly recommended. Guided tours take place daily throughout the summer.
Gold Rush Days are held annually during August and boast a full docket of family fun including dances, concession booths, a beard contest, a complementary fish fry, and so much more.
The Valdez Museum hosts displays that tell the history of the town, hosts antique fire apparatus, and also is home to a salt-water aquarium. This museum is open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays 12 noon until 4 p.m. Admission price is $3 for adults and $2.5 for seniors over 65. Children under 14 are free.
Finally Valdez Tours offers a historical tour of Valdez and lasts about an hour and a half. It chronicles the life in Valdez from the Gold Rush to the Present.
WHERE TO EAT
Valdez offers a wide range of restaurants that cater to every taste. For a taste of family fun try No Name Pizza for an informal atmosphere and the world famous "Pizza Bomb"! If you would like something a little more formal then try the Totem Café, which has a fireplace to warm you after a long day of site seeing and wildlife viewing.
