Things To Do
Child's Glacier. Accessible by plane or boat only.
This very active glacier forms a wall along the fabled Copper River near a historic railroad route that once serviced the world’s largest copper mine. The striated face looms over the roiling, silt-swollen river, directly across from a popular campground—a startling only-in-Alaska setting that has to be seen to be believed. Calving icebergs have been known to splash waves large enough to wash into the forest and strand migrating sockeye salmon flopping on the ground. Accessible by boat or plane only due to bridge washout at mile 36 on the Copper River highway. Consider going out to Child's on helicopter or small plane flight seeing tour with our friend, pilot Steve Richards. https://www.flyridgeline.com/
Sheridan Glacier
Easy to access, explore and close to town- a local favorite- Sheridan Glacier! Short walk from the parking area to the lake at the foot of the glacier. Take in 360 view of the glacier, chugach mountains and the copper river delta at the top of the Sheridan Mountain Trail.
Hiking in Chugach National Forest 1
• Eyak Mountain – follow the signs that say “ski hill” and keep driving up. Once you see the single chairlift, you’ve made it to the trailhead. There are a multitude of side trails, many connect back with the main trail, but stay on the widest path to avoid getting lost. There’s a rope at the top of Eyak to help folks up the last rockface; advised on a clear day • The Reservoir – also has a disc golf course if inclined, just a great place to hike straight up for a quarter mile and then wander aimlessly around muskeg ponds and meadows. Park by the blue-roofed building about half mile down Whitshed Road on your left and walk boldly past the yellow gate. • Crater Lake – awesome destination! Great spot for a picnic, 5 mi total. • Heney Ridge – a little over 8 miles roundtrip, upwards, takes you just to the side of Heney Peak at a saddle where you can see both the Sound and Gulf on either side. Good for a full day hike.
Hiking in Chugach National Forest 2
• Sheridan Mountain – advised on a clear day; about 6 miles total. Extremely pretty mountain saddle over the glacier, look out for mountain sheep! • Pipeline Lakes/McKinely Lake loop – accessed at mile 21 of the highway; I like to go in Pipeline and out McKinley for best mountain views, about 4-5 mile loop, mostly flat. • Haystack Trail – pretty overlook, 1.6 mile roundtrip, lots of moss. • Eyak River Trail- mostly flat trail that follows the Eyak river and goes into the forest some. 1.5 mi one way. Access trailhead on the Copper River Hwy, just before the bridge over Eyak River. • Saddle Bag- trailhead is at 24 mi out Copper River Highway. 3 mi out and back trail along a glaciated valley to Saddle bag lake and view of glacier. Mostly flat. • Chugach National Forest website, scroll down to Activities > Hiking: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/chugach/recarea/?recid=6598 More hiking info: https://www.cordovachamber.com/hiking/
Girdwood, AK- Stay at Alyeska resort or one the many cute Airbnb options
Girdwood is a cute ski/mountain town with lots of recreation and leisure highlights. It is 45 minutes from Anchorage and 15 minutes from Whittier (where you catch the ferry to Cordova), making it an easy side trip to add onto your Cordova visit. Highlights: Stay at Alyeska Resort and enjoy close access to several hiking trails, a tram up the mountain for sight seeing, dining at a fancy restaurant and mountain biking trails. Also noteworthy is the resort's Nordic Spa- several warm/hot/cold pools and saunas to enjoy. https://www.alyeskaresort.com/ There are many great restaurants in Girdwood- my fav is Jack Sprat https://jacksprat.net/ Take the train from Anchorage or Portage to the Spencer Glacier Whistlestop. There are awesome float/rafting spots from there! Tours will drop you off in nearby Girdwood after your float. https://alaskanrafting.com/product/spencer-glacier-placer-river-float/ https://www.alaskarailroad.com/travel-planning/destinations/spencer-glacier-whistle-stop
Baja Taco
Open daily from 7 am- 9 pm. Breakfast, veg options, fish tacos, milkshakes, expresso and more. It's a food truck but there is indoor/outdoor seating options.
The Reluctant Fisherman Bar & Restaurant
Our nice (ish) harborside restaurant. Has a cute bar and pool area and seating out on the deck. Come for a drink, apps or dinner. Open 3 pm-9pm Tuesday-Sunday.
Jen’s Pizzaria
Woodfired pizza, gyro's, bowls, salads and veg options. Nice indoor seating, can also get orders to-go. Hours vary, but generally open at lunch time through dinner time most days. Suggest calling ahead.
The Whale’s Tail
The Whale's Tail is a coffee shop at Orca Lodge. Open everyday except Wednesdays. Morning through lunch time. They serve expresso, processed (not made in house) pastries, bagels, and homemade soups daily. Its a nice place to hang out and has lots of outdoor seating (and some indoor seating as well). The homemade soups and ambiance are the highlight. Search on FB to find the daily soup special.
OK Restaurant
The name says it all. What days and times it's open is anyone's guess. It is asian-american food, take-out only.
Powder House Bar & Grill
Hmm, let's just say its a dive. Food is ok. Service friendly. Overlooking Eyak lake. Be forewarned it in cold inside there.
The Little Cordova Bakery
Small bakery on northside of harbor. Not your california type bakery. Meat heavy and savory focused items. Mostly biscuits and gravy and german/polish type food. A few sweet treats that will not appeal to hippy eaters. Expresso. Open daily Wed-Sun from 6 am to noon.
The Jump
Drive through food truck/expresso coffee hut with some breakfasty items. On northside of harbor at the end of Breakwater just before the ocean. Open weekdays 7-3 and weekends 8-3.
Food Trucks
There's a spot on the main drag in town (1st street) where there are 2-3 food trucks. Stanwiches is nothing fancy burgers and sandwiches. Coastal Cravings is seafood/fish taco type specialty. Sometimes there is a panini place. Worth checking out if you are hungry and close by.
Cordova Historical Museum
Cool little museum, worth checking out. Free. Open Tue-Fri 10- 5, saturday 12- 5.
Cordova Public Library
Nice view, wifi, cute place to peruse. Clear bathrooms are nearby inside the cordova center.