Set amid dramatic mountains and glaciers at the head of Prince William Sound, Whittier is an excellent launching point for exploring Alaska’s pristine beauty. A boating or kayaking expedition through the icy fjords provides scenic views of the glaciated inlets and may also offer glimpses of sea otters, seals and breaching whales. Hikes along the local trails lead into the surrounding mountains and to waterfalls cascading from the icefields into the sound. A marvel of modern engineering and one of the longest highway tunnels in North America, the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel traverses the rugged wilderness and opens onto the charming harbor of Whittier. Once a military outpost, the tiny town does have a story to tell. Stop into the Prince William Sound Museum to learn about Whittier’s history as a naval port and rail terminal and discover the role Alaska played during World War II and the Cold War.