Cordova - the scenic fishing village
Cordova
hotels | Where
to eat
For a
completely different view of life on Prince William Sound
take the five-hour-or-so ferry ride from Valdez to
Cordova. You'll discover a small fishing town which does
not have road connections, marches to its own drummer,
and lives according to its own schedule.
Originally a copper town, founded by prospectors in
1884, Cordova now relies on fishing and canning to
provide employment for just about all of the local
residents. Many of the town's buildings were built in the
1908 copper boom.
A good place to start your walking tour of Cordova is
the Cordova Historical Museum, in the Centennial
Building at First and Adams. The Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center is on 1st St. next to the National
Bank (424-7260).
An unforgettable day-trip experience involves driving
the 50-mile (80.5-km) Copper River Highway, which
leads from Cordova along a former route to the Kennicott
Copper Mine. You'll find Forest Service picnic grounds
along the way. The absolutely spectacular scenery
includes mountains, glaciers, rushing streams and river
delta. At mile 48 (km 77.2) the Million Dollar
Bridge overlooks Childs Glacier and provides other
breathtaking vistas, including a view of Miles Glacier
and the iceberg-covered Miles Lake.
Article continues below 
Where to Eat
The Reluctant Fisherman Inn is a very
good dining room, at 407 Railroad Avenue, and a fine
place from which to watch the fishing fleet in Cordova
Harbor. This is not a rustic operation, and the
surprisingly sophisticated restaurant serves local fresh
salmon and halibut, along with other dishes.
The Powder House, a bar and restaurant at Mile
2.1 of the Copper River Highway, is a more likely place
to meet local residents than at the Reluctant Fisherman.
This informal place specializes in soup, sandwiches,
seafood (in season), summer barbecues, and even sushi.
Bluegrass and country music is often heard in the
evenings. A deck places you above Eyak Lake. This is the
site of the old Copper River Railroad's powder house,
built for railroad construction about 1906.
Where to
Stay
The King's Chamber
511 Fourth St., P.O. Box 965, Cordova, AK
99574
(907) 424-3373
Mark and Sandy King operate this B&B/lodging
facility. It was opened in the Fall of 1994. The
units include: a newly furnished 4-bedroom unit
with full kitchen, laundry, and bath -- open
year round; a new 3-bedroom suite with full
kitchen, laundry, and bath -- open year round;
and an efficiency unit with a private entrance
-- available April-October.
Blue Heron Inn
P.O. Box 958, Cordova, AK 99574
(907) 424-3554
Located on Orca Road (1.5 mile), north of
Cordova, the inn offers a spacious room with
private entrance and drive, queen brass bed, and
a loft with double bed, plus a fully equipped
kitchen, dining alcove, and a private bath. A
separate bedroom is available for groups of
three or more. The Blue Heron has a fine ocean
view with sounds from a waterfall, and sea
lions, eagles, and sea otters to see.
Hummingbirds are in residence in May and June.
Fishing for king and silver salmon is available
just across the road. Michael Noonan and Vicki
Hall are your hosts.
Cordova Rose Lodge
1315 Whitshed Road, Box 1494, Cordova AK
99574
(907) 424-7673
A B & B on a barge by a large mud flat makes
an unusual place to stay. Near the barge sits an
old lighthouse, maintained by the B & B's
owners, the Glein family. A full breakfast is
served. The Copper River Delta, of which the
Hartney Bay mud flats are a part, attracts
millions of migratory shorebirds each year, and
the jetty is close-by for walking.
Oystercatcher Bed &
Breakfast
P.O. Box 1735, Cordova AK 99574
(907) 424-5154
One of several B & B homes in Cordova, this
one is two blocks from town. A full breakfast is
served. For reservations, call late in the day.
The owner is a teacher.
Reluctant Fisherman Inn
407 Railroad Avenue, Cordova AK 99574
(907) 424-7446
This is a modern, well-equipped and well-staffed
hotel, sitting on a bluff overlooking the small
boat harbor. Ask for a room overlooking the
waterfront. The lobby contains Native American
art and artifacts, and the decor in the bar
needs to be checked out.
Cordova Camping
Municipal Campground
c/o City Hall, Cordova AK 99574
(907)424-6200
The city campground, with showers, is one mile
from town on Whitshed Road. Facilities include
RV and tenting sites.
Cabin Lake Campground
You'll find seven picnic sites and 12 camp
sites, reached by 3-mile road opposite the
Cordova airport.
