Everyday Alaska

Everyday Life in The Last Frontier

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The Everyday Alaska Journal: Year 1, Weeks 4-8

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Whew, time has really flown by lately! I just got in from shoveling our recent dumping of snow. I think we’ve had about nine inches fall in the last twenty-four hours, which isn’t too bad, but the shoveling took awhile. Now seems like a good time to have some tea and catch up on journaling.

We had a late start to the snowy season this year. It only started sticking a couple days ago, and it was even warm for Halloween. It was great to see trick-or-treaters without snowsuits on; it’s not often that you really get to see the costumes because we usually have snow by then!

We managed to get our Christmas pictures done in early October, so we didn’t have to freeze for our photos as we did in the below zero temperatures of last year’s bunny boot photo session. It was so much nicer out and there were still some fall color showing. I highly recommend taking your Christmas card photos in the fall, it’s much nicer when it’s above zero! (P.S. If you’re looking for an easy way to create and order beautiful Christmas cards, check out Minted.)

Please note that this post contains affiliate links which I may earn commission from. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Commissions from these qualifying purchases help support Everyday Alaska at no extra cost to you. Please follow the instructions on all of the recommended items. All of the information provided is my personal opinion, unless otherwise cited or noted.

Freezing for last year’s Christmas photo.

It wasn’t long after our photo session that you could really start to tell that the daylight hours were steadily going down. I started thinking about some projects to do over the winter and came up with an arts and crafts list for small spaces. Since our house is fairly small it’s hard to have huge craft projects going all the time, but I love crafts, and they’re so fun to do on bitterly cold winter days that I thought it would be beneficial to round up some ideas to do. Hopefully you can enjoy some of those ideas as well.

Once again, we’ve spent some time around Cooper Landing glassing for animals. Normally when we head out it’s been foggy here but clears up once we get closer to Cooper Landing. I’ve been checking the Alaska 511 Highway Cameras (super handy for any travel around Alaska) before we go, too, to see whether the fog has lifted enough to see some sheep. We really lucked out on our last excursion and saw a band of rams near the top of one of the mountains. One of them was near full curl and it was so fascinating to watch them interact with each other. We’ve also seen a brown bear, many swans, and goats.

Along with spotting some beautiful animals, I’ve spotted our next summer project: a picnic table! They have some heavy duty picnic tables at Quartz Creek Campground in Cooper Landing, just like what we’d like to build. I took a ton of photos of them to use for inspiration when we get started on one next summer.

Picnic table inspiration.

Aside from our trips to Cooper Landing we took a weekend trip to Palmer/Wasilla for my birthday. It was a fantastic weekend. We attended the Alaska Outdoor Council/Alaska Gun Collectors Association banquet where David won an Accubow, which I’m pretty excited to test out. I also went to Poppy Lane Mercantile in Palmer, which has a ton of cute things, including many items that are made in Alaska! We ate at the Noisy Goose, spent some time at the Extreme Fun Center, and found a great place called Bushes Bunches Produce Stand where we got some birch caramel.

There was some beautiful weather in Palmer.

Other than that I’ve just been walking with the pup and eating birria tacos from Yo!Tacos, which is pretty dandy! But now it’s time to get some rest and get ready for more shoveling tomorrow!

Out with the pup before the snow really fell.

How to Take Care of Wild Game Meat in the Field

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We’re just coming off a successful September moose hunt, so I thought what better time than now to impart some knowledge I’ve gained over the years with you regarding wild game care in the field. Some has been gained through friends and family. Others from books and videos, and yet more from trial and error. So, let me save you some time and break down these simple tips below so you can take care of wild game in the field the best way possible.

Please note that this post contains affiliate links which I may earn commission from. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Commissions from these qualifying purchases help support Everyday Alaska at no extra cost to you. Please follow the instructions on all of the recommended items. All of the information provided is my personal opinion, unless otherwise cited or noted.

Where can I learn how to field dress game and take care of wild game meat?

Taking good care of your wild game meat is just as much about knowledge as it is about having the right gear. But, how do you gain that knowledge without ruining your meat in a trial and error process? Luckily, there are a number of great resources you can use to learn about gutting and field dressing animals.

The best way to learn how to field dress and quarter out animals is first hand experience. How do you get that experience without fumbling your way through your first few animals though? Mentors. If you have friends and family that hunt, they’ll most likely be happy to have you tag along. You might not be the one doing the shooting those first few times, but putting in the grunt work, watching, participating, and learning from people who have hunted for years will give you a ton of insight into how to take care of wild game meat.

Moose meat pole Alaska hunting
Moose meat hanging up to stay dry and cool.

But, what if you don’t know anyone who hunts? Who can teach you then? Check out your local hunting and shooting organization chapters (SCI, NRA, groups local to your state like the Alaska Outdoor Council and Resident Hunters of Alaska for us northern folks). Getting involved in these organizations will help you meet like minded people who are interested in helping new hunters learn. You can also check local Facebook hunting groups to find people who are looking for hunting partners and to get more information.

Another great source of information is videos. There are a variety of great YouTube channels that discuss how to field dress and/or quarter game. The Bearded Butchers YouTube channel is a great resource, along with these videos by Outdoor Edge. Most hunting shows and how-to videos online will give you a great insight into what you’ll be seeing when you’re in the field.

Last, but not least, reading can help you learn how to take care of wild game meat in the field. Blogs (like this one!), books, and even cookbooks like this one can give you some great first hand information on game care and processing.

What gear do I need to take care of wild game meat?

The gear you need to field dress and quarter game is pretty minimal. Below, I’ll list the items we keep in our kit, along with the uses for these items.

Knives

Clearly you’ll need some good sharp knives to get the job done. One of my favorites is this one with replaceable blades. It’s so convenient and cuts through hide very well. This Outdoor Edge kit also has a variety of knives and other important tools that we have used for multiple seasons now. I would highly recommend getting both the knife with replacement blades and the knife kit. Just be aware that these are incredibly sharp, which leads me to my next item.

Making that important first cut: the tag.

First Aid Kit

As careful as you think you are or as you may try to be, accidents can happen to anyone. It’s best to be prepared incase you, your hunting partner, or anyone you come across in the field gets injured while hunting or while you’re taking care of your game in the field. These handy medical kits are great to take with you incase of any mishaps or injuries.

Knife Sharpener

A dull blade is a dangerous blade. For the knives without replacement blades you’ll need a knife sharpener to keep things running smoothly and safely. Grab the Outdoor Edge Field Dressing Kit which includes this and many other things you’ll need.

Having good quality, sharp knives make field dressing much easier and safer.

Rib Spreader

I wasn’t sure how useful or necessary a rib spreader would be until our last couple hunts. This past hunt especially sold me on the idea of this handy item since it was just the two of us gutting the moose in the field. It was an immense help to have the spreader (which is included in the above mentioned Outdoor Edge kit) for propping the ribs open while getting the guts out and cooling off the meat. I highly recommend it.

Keeping gear separated and organized will help your game processing in the field go smoother.

Bone Saw

It takes a bit of elbow grease to use, but a bone saw really comes in handy for cutting ribs and likely for other bones if an animal is smaller. The Outdoor Edge kit comes with one of these as well.

Tarps

Grab at least one or two inexpensive tarps for your field dressing and quartering. These are incredibly useful when trying to keep meat clean. Once the quarters and other meat are off the animal you can transfer it to a clean tarp to check and bag, which keeps your meat almost spotless.

Having a tarp to transfer skinned quarters to will help keep meat clean.

Citric Acid, Spray Bottle, Water

Why do you need this interesting combination of items? Flies. Mix citric acid with water and spray it on your wild game meat to create a protective crust that will keep flies at bay. It works extremely well, and we’ve never had any issues using it. We even spray it on the game bags after the meat has been placed in them.

Protecting the meat with some spray.

Game Bags

It probably comes as no surprise that we use the Alaska Game Bags. We have tried others, but these work the best. They are sturdy, strong, stretch well, and are easy to clean. They come in a variety of sizes for whatever your target animal may be.

Our stash of game bags ready to go.

Gloves

It’s really personal preference whether you want to wear gloves or not while field dressing your animal, but it’s highly recommend that you do use gloves.

Thermacell

Once an animal is down the bugs go absolutely wild. You’ll want a Thermacell around to keep the bugs at bay while you process your kill.

Thermacell on a hunt
Putting the Thermacell to work while we process a moose.

What are some tips for taking care of game meat?

One of the best things you can do to take care of game meat is to know how to quarter and field dress it correctly, which you can learn by checking out the above tips. The next thing is to keep it clean and dry, which I’ll go over in these next few tips.

Keep It Clean

Pick off any leaves, hair, or other debris ASAP. The meat will be sticky and the tackiness of it will pick up any little thing it touches, so clean it off as quickly as possible because once the meat starts to cool off the debris will become adhered to the meat.

Keep It Dry

Keeping your meat dry will help prevent spoilage. Using one of the aforementioned tarps will help with this, along with hanging it on a meat pole or at least placing it up off the ground so your game bags aren’t resting on wet ground.

Meat staying cool, dry, and ventilated after the hunt.

Keep It Cool

This may be one of the harder meat care tips to keep depending on how remote your hunting area is and what the weather is like. Try to store your meat in a shaded area, hang it from a meat pole if possible, and get it back to a freezer as soon as you can.

Keep It Ventilated

Keeping airflow around the meat will help to keep it dry, cool, and keep it from spoiling while you’re in the field. A meat pole does the trick for this, but also keep ventilation and the other tips in mind when transporting meat out of your hunting area. If you’re moving it in the bed of a truck, keep it on a pallet or have something between the meat and the bed. This will keep good ventilation going and prevent the heat from the truck from spoiling your meat.

The last thing you want to do is waste any of your wild game meat, so I hope these tips I’ve learned through the years help you learn how to best take care of your wild game meat and get the most out of your harvest. If you’re looking for more hunting tips, check out our hunting tips, tricks, and lessons post. Happy hunting!

Totes of tasty moose burger after some hard days of work.

The Everyday Alaska Journal: Year 1, Weeks 1-3

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Welcome to September in Alaska, or, as it is commonly referred to, “moose hunting season”, which is a busy time in our household. We normally head north, with at least a full day’s travel ahead of us to get to our hunting spot, but this year David drew an any bull tag near our house on the Kenai Peninsula, so we were hunting close to home this season.

Moose hair found during moose hunting season.
There was a lot of moose sign around, including some clumps of moose hair.

Please note that this post contains affiliate links which I may earn commission from. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Commissions from these qualifying purchases help support Everyday Alaska at no extra cost to you. Please follow the instructions on all of the recommended items. All of the information provided is my personal opinion, unless otherwise cited or noted.

The season started September 1st, but we avoided the Labor Day weekend crowds and headed out to Clam Gulch on the fifth. The areas we normally hunt are private land and fellow hunters are few and far between. Hunting this new area was a whole different ballgame. The parking area where we left the truck and unloaded the side by side wasn’t too busy most days, but once we struck out on the trails there were camps and four wheelers in every turn out.

Alaska State Troopers checking moose hunters.
Our first time getting checked by the Alaska State Troopers. The area is a popular local spot, so they come out to check licenses. Had a great chat with our local AST.

The first day was mostly spent exploring and getting a lay of the land and trail system. The roads were decent and people brought their vehicles way back in to road hunt, camp, or unload their ATVs. Main roads just kept branching off left and right, and there were many off shoots to check out. We found a more open area that seemed to be ideal for sitting and calling or waiting for moose pass through, which is where we sat for a few of the days.

A cow and calf frequented this area, but didn’t seem bothered by us, other four wheelers, or any calling. And she didn’t have a bull trailing her yet, so she and her little (but still big!) calf leisurely walked through the small meadow and the calling, waiting, raking, and more waiting didn’t produce any bull sightings during our time in that spot. It was definitely too early for the rut to be starting, so we realized that we’d just have to happen upon a bull while checking out the trails or spot one over the brush on the side of the trails to get a chance at filling the freezer. This determination led to David creating an addition for the Ranger: the boat seat viewing platform.

In our usual hunting area glassing is king. You can take a spotting scope or binoculars and see for miles around you. At this year’s hunting spot in Unit 15 (Alaska’s hunting areas are broken up into a series of Game Management Units) that was not the case. The tall brush surrounding all sides of the trails made it difficult to see into the woods and spot moose, even if they were relatively close. After seeing many groups of hunters with one or more people standing in the bed of a sided by side to get a better viewpoint (think African safari with people standing in the bed of a Jeep for a good vantage point), David built a handy chair to see over the dense brush. But, before he put that together, we got another tip from a hunter in the parking lot.

Looking for moose from the Polaris Ranger.
Getting a view from the top as we cruised the trails.

This gentleman, who I’d assume had been hunting Unit 15 for some time, said we were missing a whole prime area, and he had seen some smaller bulls out there. Since we had the any bull tag it would be worth checking it out. So the next day we switched things up and took a new trail to explore the spot we’d missed.

The trail we took passed through a pretty well established camp. We were already told it was ok to drive through (which I would assume since it’s public land and all), but for the sake of being courteous and respectful we stopped and talked to the group at the campsite. These guys had a great setup and were very friendly. They told us there was an about twenty-five inch moose they’d seen back in the trail. The area is fifty inches or three brow tines (check out this Alaska Department of Fish and Game regulations page for details on moose antler restrictions) with the exception of the any bull tag, so we were in luck!

Our annual moose hunting picture.

While heading back to the truck as sunset was creeping in, David looked in a swamp and spotted the bull with a cow. It didn’t respond to calls and was deep in the swamp, up to its belly in water and a long enough distance from us that it would be difficult to recover. With light dwindling and the bull being too far away, we headed home to get some rest and try spot him the next day. We had seen many cows on our way to the hunting area (one precariously close to our bumper, which would have been number thirty-eight killed on Kenai Peninsula roads in the past couple months according to the road signs), so seeing this bull really got us amped up to get back out there and track him down the next morning. But, unbeknownst to us, our morning hunt would be rather short.

The next morning we cruised out to the hunting area. After unloading the Ranger and getting gear ready, we were prepared to head on back and spend the morning looking for the swamp bull. But, just a couple minutes from the parking area, I spotted two large creatures through the fog, standing in one of the few big open areas. I quickly motioned David and he pulled out his binos to see if it was a bull. Sure enough, there stood a bull with a cow, and off we went.

He stood there snacking on his breakfast as we walked closer, fairly unbothered by how close we got, just as the cows were. With two shots of the Ruger American .308 he was down and the work began. We got him field dressed and spend the next two days processing meat and filling the freezer. Our first hunt with just the two of us was a success, and we got to spend our fourth anniversary packing up moose meat. It may not be for everyone, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Bull moose on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula.
Time to fill the freezer.

Here a just a few gear notes regarding this year’s moose hunt. This year I got some new Lacrosse boots to try keep my feet a bit warmer when we’re out hunting. They are Lacrosse Women’s Alpha Thermals with neoprene, and a far cry better than my solid rubber boots I’ve been using in past seasons. Although my feet were still cold (because when aren’t they cold), they were much warmer and more comfortable than usual. I’m excited to get some more use out of these.

Next up, I tried out the Sofia Adventure Pant from Ditale. These truly are “ninja quiet” as advertised! They are also incredibly comfortable, and the adjustable inseam makes it so my short legs aren’t dragging the pant hem on the ground. The large pockets hold everything I need, including a good stash of HotHands. If you’ll be in the rain, layer lightweight rain pants over these, but other than that I think these pants are fantastic.

Aside from our adventures in hunting, winterization was the name of the game. Pulling the sparse carrots and potatoes we got from the garden, stashing Trapper’s pools in the greenhouse, unhooking hoses, winterizing the camper, and other pre-winter chores occupied our time towards the end of the month. September is a busy time of year, filled with chores of the fun and exciting variety and the less exciting and more necessary type as well. All said and done, it was a very successful and productive month, and I’m ready as one can be for a slightly early start to winter.

The Best Prime Day Deals

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Prime Day is the best time to snag deals on wish list items, home necessities, and amazing outdoor gear. This two day event includes some fantastic deals on millions of products from Amazon. All you have to do is be an Amazon Prime member (Get a free 30 day trial here!) to score these hot deals! Below are some of my favorite items that we use on our outdoor adventures, at home, and everywhere in between!

Please note that this post contains affiliate links which I may earn commission from. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Commissions from these qualifying purchases help support Everyday Alaska at no extra cost to you. Please follow the instructions on all of the recommended items. All of the information provided is my personal opinion, unless otherwise cited or noted.

Thermacell

Check out sales on a variety of Thermacell products to keep those pesky bugs at bay.

Portable Solar Panel

We have a portable Renogy solar panel for our 5th wheel and it’s so handy. They’re on a super sale today, so now is the time to buy!

Mountain House

Check out sales on Mountain House as well, and add some more variety to your freeze dried meal options.

LifeStraw

Stock up on these to keep in your emergency kit, hiking pack, or to give as useful gifts.



Weights and Fitness Equipment

What do weights and fitness equipment have to with outdoor gear? Everything! Staying fit and healthy helps you enjoy your outdoor adventures longer and more often. Stock up on gear during Prime Days!

Yard Games

Have you tried Kubb? If not, give it a try soon! It’s my favorite outdoor game, and it’s easily portable. Great for camping or a weekend BBQ, Kubb is fun and entertaining for everyone.

Dewalt Lights and Tools

I’ve been told you can never have enough tools. I suppose that’s right since there’s always projects to do, especially in Alaska! Grab all the tools you’ll need here!

Don’t forget, these deals are for a limited time so get them while you can! Happy shopping, friends!

How to Prepare for Rainy Days on Your Alaska Vacation

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I guess it’s only fitting that I start writing this while it’s pouring rain outside. Today I’ve seen sun, wind, clouds, and pouring rain within the past few hours. Just another average weather day in Alaska! But, what can you do to prepare for these rainy days on your Alaska vacation and continue to enjoy your time in the 49th State? Well, being a born and raised Alaskan has given me some insight into how to best deal with inclement weather, and I’ll share those tips below.

Kayaking the Moose River in Sterling, Alaska.
One minute you’re kayaking in sun, and the next you’re warming up by the fire after a rain.

Please note that this post contains affiliate links which I may earn commission from. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Commissions from these qualifying purchases help support Everyday Alaska at no extra cost to you. Please follow the instructions on all of the recommended items. All of the information provided is my personal opinion, unless otherwise cited or noted.

What is the weather usually like in Alaska?

To sum it up in one word, Alaskan weather is unpredictable. You can start off your day kayaking in shorts. A few hours later you’re bundled up in a sweatshirt, raincoat, and pants trying to warm up by a campfire. It’s a mixed bag and you never know what you’ll be getting. But, that shouldn’t dissuade you from getting out and having an adventure!

A lot of the weather you’ll experience will obviously depend on what season you visit and which part(s) of Alaska you travel to. But, how you prepare for the rain will remain much the same. With the right clothes, attitude, and backup plans you can make a rainy day a bright spot in your trip. As I said in my post about things to consider when planning an Alaska vacation, the thing to remember about the weather is although it might dictate how some of your plans go, don’t let it dictate your mood!

A rainbow after some rainy weather in Alaska.
Looking for the sunshine and that pot of gold!

What activities may be cancelled or delayed due to rainy days on my Alaska vacation?

Inclement weather can change some of your planned activities on your Alaska vacation. If you have a flightseeing tour to explore surrounding glaciers and mountains, bad weather could cancel or postpone your flight. Rough seas can occasionally cause glacier and wildlife cruises and fishing charters to be rescheduled, and dangerous weather conditions may have you canceling your hiking plans. Those are a few of the activities that may be cancelled or rescheduled due to poor weather conditions.

When will I know if my activities are cancelled due to weather?

Unfortunately, with the rapidly changing weather, you may not know about your cancelled excursion until last minute. The ever changing weather can also be a positive thing, though. One minute you may find out your flightseeing tour is cancelled, and an hour later the clouds could clear and give you safe flying weather to go on your adventure! But, if the weather doesn’t clear and your plans get changed this is where having a backup plan comes in handy.

Our glacier and wildlife cruise boat for the day.

How do I plan for a change in my Alaska vacation plans?

Planning for a hiccup in your travel plans is no different than planning for hiccups in daily life. You either have a backup plan or just wing it! Personally, I would do a little research and have a “plan B”. Let’s say you’ve got a flightseeing tour planned one day and a hike a couple days later. Before you leave for your vacation, check out some other popular activities in the area incase you need an alternate option due to weather. Alaska is full of adventure, so even on those days where the weather isn’t cooperating you can still find a variety of things to do!

What should I wear to enjoy my time outside even on inclement weather days?

Most Alaskan’s get outside in almost all weather conditions. If we didn’t, we’d be stuck inside a lot! To take advantage of all Alaska has to offer, in any type of weather, we wear layers. If your plans get cancelled due to weather, just layer up and give your backup plan a try, or check with locals to find a different activity to do. This summer packing list will give you some ideas of what to pack to enjoy your trip to the fullest, no matter the weather. Having a raincoat, warm socks, waterproof shoes (or a spare pair of shoes incase ones gets wet), a hat, and even HotHands will help keep you warm on those chilly, drizzly days.

Wearing layers on a windy glacier and wildlife cruise kept us warm.
Layering up can keep you enjoying the outdoors on cold and windy days.

What activities are best for rainy days in Alaska?

On rainy days you can layer up and head outside to spot wildlife, fish along lakes and rivers, view glaciers, visit the Reindeer Farm, Muskox Farm, AWCC, and more! Check out Alyeska and its Nordic Spa, or spend some time indoors at local gift shops (Check out our list of the perfect Alaskan souvenirs here!), museums, and educational centers such as the SeaLife Center.

No matter the weather there is always something exciting and adventurous to do in our great state! Just remember, just because the weather may be gloomy doesn’t mean you have to be! Go out, find adventure, and create lasting memories even when the Midnight Sun may not be shining!

If you have questions about traveling to Alaska feel free to leave a comment below, or sign up for the Everyday Alaska newsletter, and send me an email. You can also join the Everyday Alaska Travel Tips, Information, and Advice group, and/or our New to Alaska Tips, Information, and Advice group to ask any questions you may have. I’m happy to help you get the most out of your time in our beautiful Last Frontier!

Valdez, Seward, or Homer: Which Should You Visit?

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Should I visit Valdez, Seward, or Homer during my Alaska vacation? I’ve seen this question asked quite a bit in various groups, and the answer is dependent on many factors. How far do you want to travel? How much time do you have? Are you more interested in whale watching or halibut fishing? Do you like a small town feel or the hustle and bustle of a tourist town? Those questions and more will help you determine which costal Alaskan town to visit on your Alaska vacation.

Below, I’ll answer those question and give you local insight that will help you with planning your travel itinerary. If you’ve got limited time on your travels and need to decided between visiting Homer, Valdez, or Seward, this guide is a must read.

A serene day at the Valdez Harbor.

Please note that this post contains affiliate links which I may earn commission from. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Commissions from these qualifying purchases help support Everyday Alaska at no extra cost to you. Please follow the instructions on all of the recommended items. All of the information provided is my personal opinion, unless otherwise cited or noted.

How far do you want to travel?

This will be a big factor in determining which town to visit. If you’re basing yourself in Anchorage and don’t want to have a full day of driving to your destination, Homer and Seward will be your options. Seward will be the shortest of the two drives, being less than three hours, so you can even make a day trip there. Homer is about four hours away, so you’ll want to stay at least overnight there.

Valdez is about a six hour drive from Anchorage. If you have the time, this is the most beautiful drive of the three. Obviously, this is my personal opinion (And being born and raised in Valdez I may be a bit biased!), but the views and variety of scenery are breathtaking. If you are able to break the drive up and stay a night somewhere along the way that would be ideal. Also, with the drive being long, you’ll want to stay in Valdez long enough to explore.

Tip: Check out our local’s guide to Valdez to find some great spots to stop along your road trip.

If you’re traveling throughout Alaska and have no particular starting point or home base, but have time constraints that will allow a visit to only Seward, Homer, or Valdez, the next things to consider are activities you’d like to do and sights you want to see.

Tip: Be sure to factor in road construction, traffic, and weather conditions into these travel times. To learn more about things to consider when planning an Alaska vacation check out this article.

Welcome to Homer!

What activities would you like to do on your Alaska vacation?

Activities and excursions are somewhat similar in all these beautiful towns, but they vary enough to help narrow your decision down. Below, I’ll list some popular activities and which towns I’d recommend for each.

Glacier and Wildlife Cruise

Glacier and wildlife cruises are a popular excursion when visiting Alaska. Valdez and Seward are your options for these, and both are incredible. You’ll have the opportunity to see whales, puffins, otters, seals, glaciers, and more on cruises out of either location.

Our glacier and wildlife tour boat out of Seward.

Fishing

Homer is known as the “Halibut Fishing Capital of the World”, so you can correctly assume that the halibut fishing there must be good. But, you can also catch great halibut in Valdez and Seward.

All three locations also have salmon fishing. In Valdez you can fish for salmon off the rocks at Allison Point or on a charter. In Seward and Homer you can do the same; either fish on a charter boat or from the shore.

To narrow your choice down, consider the species of fish you’re after, when and what fish runs are occurring during the time you’ll be here, and which places still have charters available during the dates you want. The timing of your trip and your target fish species will help you narrow down the area you’d like to visit.

Tip: Book you fishing charter ASAP as they are very popular and book up well in advance.

Wood carving of man with halibut in Homer, Alaska.
Reel in a whopper like depicted in this Homer wood carving.

Hiking

I’d love to give you insight into the best hikes in Valdez, Seward, and Homer, but I don’t hike much so my qualifications in this category are null. But, I can suggest using AllTrails to view lists of popular trails, difficulty levels, and more.

Are there any specific sights you’d like to see on your Alaska adventures?

Although all of Alaska is beautiful, there are some places you’ll want to visit to see certain sights. From glaciers and moose to National Parks and boat harbors, I’ll suggest the best of the best below.

Wildlife

This is a bit of a tricky one since there is no guarantee of wildlife sightings, but some of these places will increase your chances of seeing certain animals. After living in Alaska over thirty years, I have a pretty good idea of where you’ll have the best chances to see specific critters.

Tip: Keep in mind that what season you visit will effect what animals you’ll see. Check out a complete Alaskan wildlife bucket list here!

If you want to see whales, head to Seward or Valdez and hop aboard a glacier and wildlife cruise. This goes for most marine life, as I’ve had some great wildlife sightings on these cruises. You can usually spot otters and check out tide pools in Homer, but if you want to have a better chance of seeing the bigger animals, I’d opt for Seward or Valdez.

Moose. A popular highlight of many people’s trip! You may see them along the road to Valdez, but you likely won’t see them in town. You’ll have a chance to see them on your way down to Seward, and you’re almost (but not quite!) guaranteed to see them while driving to Homer and in Homer itself.

Bears can be spotted along the way to any of these places if you’re lucky. But, your best chance of seeing bears in the wild is in Valdez. You can see them on the way to town, in town, and at Allison Point eating salmon.

Look up for eagles! You can see eagles in Homer, Valdez, and Seward. Where there’s harbors and fish, you’ll find the eagles!

A bear hanging out after dinner across the bay in Valdez.

Harbors

Speaking of harbors, which one is the best? They’re all fun to check out, so no matter which town you choose to visit, I’d make time to walk around the harbor. You’ll likely see a sea otter, and it’s pretty entertaining to read all the boat names, too!

Checking out the Homer Harbor with our pup.

Glaciers

There are tons of glaciers around Alaska, so you have a vast amount of options to view them. Comparing Valdez, Homer, and Seward for glacier viewing experiences, though, I would rate Valdez first. You can see Worthington Glacier when driving into Valdez, view Valdez Glacier by kayak, and take a glacier cruise. Seward would be my next choice, with glacier cruises and a visit to Exit Glacier being popular ways to view these colossal mounds of ice.

Tips: Are you looking for the best ways to see glaciers around Alaska? My glacier viewing guide can help you find the best ways and places to see these magnificent sights.

A blue glacier on a clear day out of Seward, Alaska.
A glacier we viewed on a cruise out of Seward.

National Parks

If you want to check another National Park off your bucket list, visit Seward. You can explore the beautiful Kenai Fjords National Park from there. Or, on your drive to Valdez you can stop at a Wrangell St. Elias National Park visitor center and view a slice of America’s largest National Park.

Scenery

This is really a subjective category. Personally, I have to put Valdez first. Maybe I has to do with my bias after living there most of my life, but it’s one of my three favorite places in the world. The mountains, waterfalls, glaciers, and the drive in really seal the deal for me. Homer would be second. The views of the bay, surrounding mountains, and beaches are quite amazing. Next up would be Seward. You can’t beat those big, beautiful trees, mountains, and costal views. No matter which you choose, you’ll have fantastic scenery to view since you’d be hard pressed to find a bad view in Alaska.

Sunset in Thompson Pass on the way to Valdez.

Of the three, does Valdez, Seward, or Homer have better weather?

The weather you’ll have on your vacation, and the scenery that’s visible, will vary greatly depending on which season you visit. Weather in Alaska is unpredictable, though, no matter what time of year. I’m writing this in June. It just got warm enough to plant my garden, and some areas recently had snow, so you never know what you’ll get.

If you’re in any of these towns for any length of time, you’ll see rain. Valdez and Seward tend to see more rain than Homer, though, so you may have a better chance of sunny days in Homer.

During the winter you’ll see snow in all these towns, but it varies depending on the area. Valdez is one of the snowiest towns in the world, Seward also gets an abundance of snow, and Homer tends to get a bit of snow, but it doesn’t get too snowy there.

Mural of whales in Seward, Alaska.
A mural in Seward by the SeaLife Center.

Are there things to do in these places year round?

Seward, Homer, and Valdez are seasonal, as is the rest of Alaska, as far as tourism activities go. They are all very busy and bustling in the summer, but when the snow and cold start to creep in seasonal business and activities close up.

Seward and Valdez are less “touristy” than Homer, though. Of the three, Valdez is likely the most popular during the “off season” due to the immense amount of snow making it a famous destination for winter sports such as snowmachining (snowmobiling), skiing, and snowboarding. Homer has the popular Winter King Salmon Tournament in March, and there are winter fishing options in Seward as well.

Plan a visit to the Seward SeaLife Center.

Which has the best food: Valdez, Seward, or Homer?

As mentioned above, all of these costal Alaska towns are seasonal. There are restaurants in each place that are open year round, but many of the food trucks and smaller restaurants you’ll see are just open during summertime.

I would say Homer has the best variety of food options. There are a number of great places to eat, and a handful of them stay open all year. Many of the places you’ll find on the Homer Spit are only open for summer, though. There’s a tie for Seward and Valdez being second. Very few places are open during winter, but food trucks and seasonal vendors widen your options during summertime.

Captain Pattie’s In Homer
Visiting Captain Pattie’s for halibut in Homer.

Are you looking for the journey or destination?

Now, I have a question for you! Are you all about the journey or destination? If a long, scenic drive through the vast beauty of Alaska doesn’t intrigue you, choose between Homer or Seward. Both of these destinations will likely be shorter drives for you, depending on where your starting point is. They are both scenic trips through the Kenai Peninsula, but much shorter than the drive to Valdez.

There are more “tourist” type activities on the Peninsula than there are in Valdez, but personally I think the journey to Valdez, and the scenery you’ll experience there beats any type of paid excursions you could do elsewhere. So, if you’re looking for a beautiful journey and destination, choose Valdez. If you’re wanting a shorter trip and a few more activities, choose Seward or Homer.

Would you choose to visit Valdez, Seward, or Homer?

If someone asked for my opinion on which of the three to visit, I would choose Valdez first, Seward second, and Homer third. Consider this a very biased opinion, though, as I was born and raised in Valdez. The drive there, the people, the views, and the wildlife are unmatched. Although I live on the Kenai Peninsula now, and enjoy visiting Seward and Homer just as much as the next person, there’s no place like home.

I know this is a lot of information to digest, but I hope it give you the insight you need to plan the best trip for you! If you have questions about traveling to Alaska feel free to leave a comment below, or sign up for the Everyday Alaska newsletter, and send me an email.

You can also join the Everyday Alaska Travel Tips, Information, and Advice group, and/or our New to Alaska Tips, Information, and Advice group to ask any questions you may have. I’m happy to help you get the most out of your time in our beautiful Last Frontier!