I have a choice to make in a few weeks of whether to go to Seward or Valdez. I can't do both. Which is best for (1) side trips to the fiords, (2)RV parks, (3)local attractions, and (4) drive from Anchorage. Will be in a 36 foot motorhome with toad.
Valdez would be my choice. Better weather, prettier views, fishing, glacier trips, white water rafting. I think it is one of the prettiest places in Alaska. In Seward you could run/climb to the top of Mt Marathon - but it is on the cloudy side of the penninsula.
For us personally, it is Seward. Valdez is about 6-7 hours away from Anchorage and Seward is only about 2 1/2.
Both have RV parks available. In Seward there is the first come, first serve water front park. It is run by the city and is right on the bay. It is 25.00/night with elec. and water. There is a dump station across the street from the park. There are many other nice campgrounds in the Seward area.
You can fish both places but in Seward there are more trips out to the Kenai Fjords. I highly recommend the Kenai Fjords Cruises Northwestern Glacier Cruise. We took the cruise the end of May and saw orcas, humpbacks, dall porpoise, a black bear, several mountain goats, harbor seals, sea lions, and of course otters and many type of sea birds, the puffins are my favorites.
Valdez has a nice museum.
Seward has the Alaska Sealife Center, a small museum, a beach that is rocky but can be walked on. About 6 miles out of town is Exit Glacier that is a nice area. There is a small gift shop there and you can walk almost to the face of the glacier (within 10 feet, there are warning signs to not get too close). At the Miller's landing area, south of Seward, there is a nice hiking trail, if you like to hike.
Seward can be cloudy and breezy but so was Valdez when we were there last summer.
DH and I
2 teenagers
Buddy (dog) and Boo (cat)
'08 Dodge 3500 Megacab w/Cummins Diesel
'09 Heartland Big Horn 3400RE
Ditto to what JCGibson said. We have been to both and Seward has more of what you want. The Fjords tour with salmon dinner on the glacier cruise is well worth it.Whales and other marine mammals galore and a calving glacier!!Don't miss Exit Glacier. We will be going home this time from the Kenai by taking the fast ferry from Whittier to Valdez but won't see much of a glacier except chunks of icebergs floating in the bay(went the opposite direction on the slow ferry last time). Every other time we have been to Valdez (twice, both in July) the mountains were socked in so we are hoping for a miracle this time.
Gandalf12(copilot Kathy and the doggies)
2003 Silverado 3500 Duramax; Ride Rites; Rancho 9000x; Helwig rear swaybar;2003 Citation Supreme 10'4"/slider
Valdez is nice to see, but is off the beaten path. Seward is much closer to Anchorage, and of course the rest of the Kenai peninsula. there are a lot more options from there.
Dave & Rose C
90 Safari Ivory 34' DP 04 Saturn VUE V6
Seward is my favorite place in all of Alaska. Love to get a site in the city lots only yards from the water.
States I have spent the night in my current rig, bought three years ago.
Have RV'ed through 49 states and been in all 50, just short of my half-century.
How unfortunate for you that you must choose. Both are outstanding and both have many sights and things to recommend them. We spent a lot of time in each the last two summers. But given your parameters I'd recommend Seward. But I could make a case for Valdez, too.
Spent about 5 days at both Seward and Valdez. I vote for Seward.
Knick Knack
2004 Laredo 27RL
2004.5 Dodge Ram 2500 4X4 Long bed Quad Cab Auto HO CTD
1986 Rinker 21 foot cuddy cabin & 12 foot Porta Bote
1984 Chrysler LeBaron woody convertible
Two Brittanys
LOL!! I think the weather influenced my opinions: Valdez, when sunny (which we had!) is glorious and the drive there over Thompson Pass was, IMO, the Most Beautiful Place on Earth. THAT drive takes forever, because you drive 300' and stop to take pictures. Round a corner, and stop to take pictures. Drive another 300' and spot a waterfall..... we were parked on the Harborfront at Bear Paw II and within an easy walk of the business/restaurant area. We really enjoyed the Stan Stephens 1/2 day boat tour (dress warm for ANY boat tour!!!)
Sadly, when we visited Seward, the roads were torn up and it was raining like crazy, the waterfront park was a sea of mud. We opted to stay a little inland, instead. It looked like a fun town.....in drier conditions.
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