begich, boggs visitor center at portage glacier

This place is good to stop on your way to Whittier, waiting for the tunnel, but if you want to really see the Visitor Center you have to pay to go to the exhibits. Luckily, the glass "observatory" (maybe) which let you see through the glass onto the lake, and the shore (and on a moderately clear day), and the glacier. Pretty good service...

If you're going to be staying in the Seward/Girdwood/Anchorage area for several days, this is a good activity for really rainy days because it's indoors and parking is relatively close. You probably only need like 2 hours to go through the center and watch the film. At a $5 entry fee for adults and my 7-year-old was free, it's a steal of a deal! Exhibits are well maintained. It wasn't crowded when I went on a Friday late morning so was able to walk right up to all displays, videos, and recordings. They have lots of recorded "talks" you can watch/listen too via little phones. We didn't do all of them but you could probably spend 3 hours if you did.

Visited the center on a rainy day when the wind had blown a huge berg which grounded itself in front of the center. What a sight. The center is a gem with many exhibits, storyboards, and a wonderful introductory film. Staff is knowledgeable and friendly.

We were planning on doing the Byron Glacier hike, but unfortunately it was very rainy the morning we were here. We instead went into the Begich and Boggs Visitor Center and we enjoyed looking around and checking out the exhibits. It was full of interesting information and history of the area and Alaska. We thoroughly enjoyed the stop. The drive to the visitor center off of the Seward Highway was amazing!

Beautiful outside walkway in first parking lot with great views.Don't miss the stops on the spur road in to look at the other glaciers.The visitors center has a free foul weather observation area and information center.The exhibits are $5 for adults or free of you have a national park pass(good for4 persons).I found informative and lots of kids around enjoying the telephone 1 to 1 question and answer exhibits.Just the drive along the arm with its spectacular views , the many glaciers on the road spur road in and at the portage Glacier makes a great trip. Don't miss the wildlife center nearbyI I t is outstanding. Drive you car and get out whenever. Walk the 2 miles or take the free shuttle around.

This is a good place to visit on a rainy day, otherwise i think it is better to enjoy the views outside It is very well laid out and has informative displays. Most of it has recorded audio to accompany the displays and you are able to choose what you what to listen to A five dollar entrance covers the displays as well as an amazing movie

Please remember that this visitor center does NOT have a view of the portage glacier anymore. The visitor center has some information on the glacier and a good video. I got in for free with a national park pass which if this is the case, then its worth the stop. To view the glacier continue down the road to the long 1 way tunnel and you'll see it before the tunnel.

Portage Lake and the surrounding mountains is very, very scenic. But this is the only visitor center I've ever been to where they want to charge you for it. We couldn't make ourselves do it when the best part of the place was free to just go outside and drink in the beauty.Actually, the best part of our visit to Portage Glacier was that we saw our one and only bull moose of our Alaskan trip along that road you drive from Seward Hwy to the visitor center. We literally spent more time standing on the side of the road taking pictures and watching the moose than we did at the visitor center.

The visitor center was a great stop on the trip between Anchorage and Seward. It was free to go in and look around. There were things to see and do and a nice gift shop inside the center, but the location was spectacular. It is situated between majestic mountains, next to a lake filled with icebergs (in late May). It offers the perfect view of the Portage Glacier. There are restrooms at the center, and there are several places to hike and see wildlife in the area. Definitely worth a stop.

After the wonderful boat ride to Portage Glacier and a great walk on the Byron Glacier trail, we stopped briefly at Begich Boggs Visitor Center. The video was very informative, and the displays are nicely done. Some of it is more geared to families and children, but we were satisfied with our short time here, especially since our Senior National Park Pass was honored for admission.

The visitor center has good exhbits for adults and kids as well. The movie is very informative, and afterward they pull the heavy curtains apart and there it is, Portage Glacier - beautiful. Get your picture with Smokey the Bear!

This visitor center is about 5-6 miles off the main highway, but worth a visit if you want to see the glacier. The visitor center overlooks the lake. For a $5 fee (no charge for kids) you can see more displays and a movie about the area and glaciers. There are bathrooms and a small gift shop here too.

I visited the visitor center according to other people's reviews and guide book. It's $5 per adult for a small exhibit and a movie. The ticket is not expensive but I don't think it's worth the time.

This one hour tour in a relatively small boat on a smooth lake was our best sightseeing experience in three days in the Anchorage to Seward area. The glacier was a beautiful blue and white color and ice from it calved into the lake while we watched on our cruise at three p.m. There is seating for all passengers inside the boat and ample deck space with a few benches on the open top deck. Turn left from the highway to the visitor center where you exchange a pre-paid voucher for a ticket or buy your ticket. Take the side road toward the lake. Do not stop at the first large parking area, but continue through the open blue gate to the lakeside parking area.Our boat was only about a quarter full. It would not have been pleasant if it were full.It stopped for almost half an hour right in front of the glacier which calved several times as we watched. A ranger provided a very interesting narration.This was a much more enjoyable and less expensive glacier experience than the six-hour boat trip from Seward to Kenai Fjords National Park.

Mike, the ranger at the Center rocks! Very neat guy with some good suggestions.We did the hike to the Byron glacier which is a mostly level walk, along a glacier stream with beautiful trees that shimmer in the sunlight and snow capped mountains to each side. It is an easy walk to the Glacier and wear boots if you want to go beyond the snowline-but you get a fine view at the snowline spot on the trail if you don't want to continue. Then move onto the viewing area of Portage Glacier lake or take the short boat trip.