Visitor Information -- The Cordova Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center (tel. 907/424-7260; www.cordovachamber.com) is at 404 1st St., north of Council Avenue (P.O. Box 99, Cordova, AK 99574). They're open Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm, with occasional Saturday hours.

The Cordova Ranger District of the Chugach National Forest, upstairs in the old white courthouse at 2nd Street and Browning (P.O. Box 280), Cordova, AK 99574 (tel. 907/424-7661; www.fs.fed.us/r10/chugach), has displays and provides maps and guide information that's indispensable for planning outdoor activities. The staff will sit down and help you figure out what you want to do.

Special Events -- The Cordova Ice Worm Festival, in late January/early February, is a winter carnival culminating in the appearance of the big ice worm -- or, to be precise, ice centipede -- in a parade. The Copper River Delta Shorebird Festival, the first weekend of May, revolves around the coming of dizzying swarms of millions of shorebirds that use the delta and beaches near the town as a migratory stopover. The whole community gets involved to host bird-watchers and put on a full schedule of educational and outdoor activities that lasts 3 days. The Old Time Downtown 4th of July Party includes a community salmon barbecue, games, music, dancing, parade, and pie social. Copper River Wild! Salmon Festival, in mid-July, has a marathon and a music festival. For details, contact the Cordova Chamber of Commerce (tel. 907/424-7260; www.cordovachamber.com).

Getting There

By Ferry: Cordova is served by ferry daily from Valdez and Whittier by the Alaska Marine Highway System (tel. 800/642-0066 or 907/424-7333 local dock; www.ferryalaska.com). It's a spectacular ride aboard the fast ferry Chenega. The passenger fare from Valdez is $50, from Whittier $89; children 5 to 11 pay half. Taking a vehicle under 15 feet one-way from Valdez to Cordova is $94, Whittier $105. You can also rent a car in Cordova.

By Air: Alaska Airlines (tel. 800/426-0333; www.alaskaair.com) flies daily each direction, from Anchorage to the west and Yakutat, Juneau, and Seattle to the southeast, with more flights from Anchorage operated by Era Alaska (tel. 800/866-8394; www.flyera.com).

Getting Around

You can easily walk around downtown Cordova, but that's not where the most interesting sights are. To get out on the Copper River Highway, you'll need a car, a bus, or, if you're vigorous, a bike. Cars are for rent from Chinook Auto Rentals (tel. 877/424-5279 or 907/424-5279) at Northern Nights Inn. Taxis are available from Cordova Taxi (tel. 907/424-5151). Water taxi and rental of bikes, kayaks, skiffs, canoes, and fishing and camping gear are available at Cordova Coastal Outfitters, south of the boat harbor near the Alaska Commercial grocery store (tel. 800/357-5145 or 907/424-7424; www.cordovacoastal.com). They also offer drop-off and pickup service on the Copper River Highway, allowing visitors to go for a canoeing or cabin trip without renting a car.

To get to remote cabins and fishing, try Fishing & Flying (tel. 907/424-3324), operated by Gayle Ranney, a warm and authentic Alaskan bush pilot. She has a choice of planes to get where you want to go and relationships with some other great businesses, including a lighthouse that's for rent in one of the most spectacular, rugged, and out-of-the-way spots in Alaska.

Fast Facts

Banks -- There are two banks on 1st Street, with ATMs.

Hospital -- Cordova Community Medical Center and Ilanka Community Health Center are located together on Chase Street (tel. 907/424-8000), off the Copper River Highway near the Odiak Slough.

Internet Access -- Find it at the Cordova Public Library (tel. 907/424-6667) and at Orca Book and Sound (tel. 907/424-5305), both on 1st Street.

Police -- For nonemergency business, call tel. 907/424-6100.

Post Office -- At Railroad Avenue and Council.

Taxes -- Sales tax is 6%; rooms and car rentals carry an additional 6% tax.

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