Seward

About Seward (SugpiaQ: Qatalleq)

Beautiful Seward, flanked by rugged mountains on one side and sparkling Resurrection Bay on the other, has a way of luring visitors. Like most cities in Alaska, there is no shortage of attractions in and outside of town. With nearby hiking, a quaint downtown, the Alaska SeaLife Center, access to Kenai Fjords National Park, and excellent in-town camping, you are sure to find the adventure you're looking for.

Located at the terminus of both the Alaska Railroad and the Seward Highway, and a port of call for many cruises, this town of about 2,700 residents is easily accessible from Anchorage yet can serve as a base for anybody who likes kayaking, hiking, fishing, and whale and glacier viewing. This small town boasts a rich history and culture and is home to bustling shops and restaurants on the charming Main Street and the Small Boat Harbor area.  

History of Seward

Seward was founded in 1903, when settlers arrived to plot construction of a northbound rail line. By the time the Alaska Railroad was completed in 1923, this ice-free port became the most important shipping terminal on the Kenai Peninsula. The city also served as the southern terminus of the 1,200-mile Iditarod National Historic Trail to Nome, an important dogsled thoroughfare connecting to the Interior and Alaska’s remote bush communities. Like many towns in Southcentral Alaska, Seward began a new era in 1964 after the Good Friday Earthquake caused fires and tidal waves that destroyed 90 percent of the town.

Getting to Seward

Seward is located at the end of the Seward Highway on the Kenai Peninsula, 120 miles south of Anchorage. The town is also the southern terminus of the Alaska Railroad, with daily train trips available in the summer. Many cruise ships that cross the Gulf of Alaska end or start their itineraries in Seward, making it a popular spot to start pre- or post-cruise land-based tours.

Things to Do in Seward

City attractions

DOWNTOWN & THE SMALL BOAT HARBOR

While most people arrive in Seward to explore Kenai Fjords National Park and the area’s endless outdoor recreation opportunities, the bustling town has a lot to offer. There are two main areas to explore: the Small Boat Harbor area, which is home to a string of shops, tour companies, restaurants, and lodging options nestled along the harbor, and Downtown, which is about 1.5 miles south of the harbor at the end of the Seward Highway, home to more stops, restaurants, hotels, and the fantastic Alaska SeaLife Center.

ALASKA SEALIFE CENTER

You can’t be in Seward and not spend time at the Alaska SeaLife Center, one of Alaska's finest attractions. The center is great for families who want to see Alaska’s wildlife up close, including harbor seals, puffins, sea otters, octopuses, sea lions, and much more. This marine research and wildlife rehabilitation center rescues and rehabilitates injured marine animals found throughout the state, many of which are released back into the wild.

The center’s exhibits range from aquariums holding colorful fish and jellyfish to educational displays and a tidepool touch tank, where you can touch sea anemones and starfish. The highlight for most visitors is a series of two story, glass-sided tanks where you get above and below-water views of seabirds, harbor seals, and Steller sea lions. The center also offers behind-the-scenes tours focusing on specific species like sea otters and puffins.

Waterfront Park           

Connecting the SeaLife Center and the Small Boat Harbor is the Seward Waterfront Trail, a paved multi-use path that travels alongside the shore of Resurrection Bay through Waterfront Park. This gorgeous park has beaches, picnic areas, a skate park, waterfront campgrounds, and a playground. Stretching a mile, the area is a fantastic spot to view bald eagles, sea otters, harbor seals, sea lions, sea birds, and sometimes whales. History buffs also love the park because of the Founder’s Monument, Old Rail Depot, and other distinct points that showcase Seward’s rich past.

Murals

Officially titled the ‘Mural Capital of Alaska,’ Seward has over 30 large murals throughout town – each one painted by a local artist. The murals show wildlife, scenery, and different landscapes near Seward, such as Kenai Fjords National Park and Exit Glacier, while some depict historic events.

SEWARD MUSEUM

Exhibits at the Seward Museum range from an excellent Iditarod exhibit and a rare 49-star US flag to relics of Seward's Russian era, the 1964 Good Friday Earthquake, and 1989 oil spill. Most surprising to many visitors is a 'cow raincoat' designed for the oft-drenched cattle at the now-defunct Seward dairy.

KENAI FJORDS NATIONAL PARK

Seward is the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park. Created in 1980, Kenai Fjords spreads over 587,000 acres and is crowned by the massive Harding Icefield, the source of countless tidewater glaciers that pour down into coastal fjords. The impressive landscape and an abundance of marine wildlife makes Seward a favorite jumping off point for whale watching excursions and kayaking trips in the park. Many visitors take a day cruise along the coast south of Seward to watch tidewater glaciers calve into the sea and look for whales, sea lions, and sea otters.

Another popular attraction in Kenai Fjords National Park is Exit Glacier, which lies just north of town. This road-accessible glacier offers an impressive up-close view of the glacier and is the starting point of the only established hiking trails in the park. National Park Rangers lead hikes to the edge of the glacier, or you can challenge yourself on the Harding Icefield Trail, which ascends 1,000 feet over four miles and rewards with expansive views over the impressive icefield.

The Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor Center is located in Seward's Small Boat Harbor area and has interactive displays on the park. Visitors can get information on hiking and camping or pick up maps and field guides to the area. The Exit Glacier Nature Center is located about 12 miles from the boat harbor, featuring interpretive displays on the natural history of the glacier, a small gift shop, and information on hiking trails.

Whale Watching

Whale watching in Seward offers passengers the chance to view the many species of whales that are attracted to the nutrient-rich waters of Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park, including humpback whales, gray whales, orcas, fin whales, and minke whales. As these incredible mammals migrate to Alaska’s waters from the warmer waters of the Pacific Ocean, visitors can enjoy viewing large pods, family groups, and cows with calves (mother and baby whales). Whales can be seen exhibiting a wide variety of exciting behaviors including breaching, spouting, lunge feeding, tail slapping, bubble net feeding, and more. You can sometimes even hear these incredibly intelligent animals’ vocalizations right at the surface of the water or through hydrophones (underwater microphones) that are carried on some day cruise boats. 

The best time of year to go whale watching in Seward is spring and summer, typically April-September. Gray whales migrate through the area in the spring, with the best viewing in April and early May, as they migrate north along the Gulf of Alaska to their summer feeding grounds in Arctic waters. Orcas can be seen year-round, but the best time to view them is in May and June when they are most regularly seen in the Seward area thanks to early summer salmon runs. Humpback whales spend the summer months in Alaska before heading south to the warmer waters of Hawaii and Mexico in the winter. While they are viewable in Alaska from May – October, the best time to see them is June – September. 

The best way to view whales in Seward is on a glacier and wildlife day cruise. Visitors can choose from a selection of local whale watching day cruises, offering everything from full and half-day cruises on larger boats, to smaller boats and private cruises with fewer people. These whale watching tours explore Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park and vary in length from 3 hours to 8-10 hours. Food is often included or available for purchase on the day’s adventure, as is onboard narration by park rangers and boat captains. Some cruises include stops for onshore meals, hiking, or kayaking. Beyond day cruises, you might spot whales on kayaking tours, fishing trips, and any activity or destination on the water. Whales can even be seen right from town – so make sure to keep an eye out for humpback and orca whales in Resurrection Bay when you’re along the coastline in Seward.

Kayaking in Seward

The fjords and protected bays outside of Seward offer endless opportunities for kayaking. Visitors can hire water taxis to venture out to remote fjords in Kenai Fjords National Park to view the tidewater glaciers and marine wildlife found in the heart of the park. Others choose to kayak right outside of town in Resurrection Bay, or paddle among the icebergs at the end of Bear Glacier in the nearby Bear Lagoon. In town are several outfitters that rent kayaks, provide water drop-offs, and offer a wide range of guided trips.

It’s important to note that it isn’t recommended for kayakers to depart directly from town; however, visitors can launch from nearby locations. Miller’s Landing, located at the end of the road just beyond Seward, is a popular launching point for kayaking day trips and water taxis. Several companies in Seward offer water taxi services that take you out to destinations both near and far for day trips or multi-day adventures. Some companies run their water taxis on a set schedule to specific locations, while others book custom water taxi charters just for your group. 

Sea kayaking in Seward is an exciting and interactive way to see the area’s beautiful coastline, unique rock formations, and abundant wildlife including sea otters, harbor seals, whales, eagles, and more. Glacier kayaking brings you up-close to icebergs and other ice formations against a stunning backdrop of the towering faces of glaciers.  

Kayak Tours and Rentals

Kayak rentals are available from several outfitters in Seward for those with previous kayaking experience. Most rental outfitters are geared towards experienced kayakers who are embarking on independent multi-day kayaking trips. Outfitters can also organize water taxi drop-offs to various destinations in Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park. If you don’t have previous kayaking experience or are interested in a day trip, we recommend booking a guided kayaking day trip from Seward. 

Guided kayaking tours are a fantastic option for all visitors who want to get out on the water, whether you are interested in a half-day trip for beginners or a full-day glacier kayaking adventure. Guides take visitors to the best areas for easy launching, epic views, serene experiences, and more. Some kayaking tours include lunch on a beach or a short hike. In addition to leading the way and ensuring a safe experience, kayaking guides are local experts that share their knowledge about the area and help you find wildlife and points of interest. Kayaking tours are available for all skill levels, from peaceful kayaking on a lake to paddling among icebergs to ocean kayaking in remote fjords. If you’re looking for an even bigger adventure, join a multi-day guided kayaking adventure in Kenai Fjords National Park, where you’ll spend your days paddling among the scenic fjords and glaciers and camp in stunning beach locations at night. 

Outdoor Adventures

GLACIER AND WILDLIFE CRUISES

The most popular way to view Resurrection Bay and the dramatic fjords, glaciers, and marine wildlife of Kenai Fjords National Park is on a glacier and wildlife cruise departing from the Small Boat Harbor. Tours range from half-day wildlife cruises in Resurrection Bay to full-day outings that take visitors out to Aialik Bay or Northwestern Fjord to view tidewater glaciers and picturesque coves, islands, and rugged coastline.

In the spring, gray whales migrate through the area on their epic migration north and can be seen on tours that run specifically to view this impressive species. Humpback whales spend the summer feeding in the area’s nutrient-rich waters from May – October, and resident pods of orcas can be seen year-round. The abundant marine wildlife is a highlight of day cruises into the park, with opportunities to see Dall’s porpoises, Steller sea lions, harbor seals, sea otters, and many species of seabirds including puffins, common murres, kittiwakes, and cormorants.

CHARTER FISHING

Seward has a large charter fishing fleet that is well-suited to take visitors out into Resurrection Bay and beyond for some of the best saltwater fishing in Alaska. All five varieties of Pacific salmon can be found here, along with halibut, rockfish, and lingcod. Fishing charter companies offer a wide variety of trips to target specific species, or you can join a combo trip to target more than one species. Most companies can arrange for your catch to be processed, frozen, and shipped home.

The annual Seward Silver Salmon Derby is staged in mid-August and attracts anglers from around the country. The lucky anglers who catch the largest silver salmon divide a prize pot totaling more than $100,000.

MOUNT MARATHON

Overshadowing Seward is Mount Marathon, the scene of one of Alaska’s most famous and challenging foot races. A friendly wager in 1909 resulted in this annual 1.5-mile run up the mountain's steep slopes to the top of the 3,022-foot peak and then back down. The annual Mount Marathon Race attracts advanced runners from all over the world and is a highlight of Seward’s lively Fourth of July celebration, one of the best in Alaska, featuring booths, music, food, and fireworks over Resurrection Bay. 

If you’re not into racing, you can take a more leisurely approach to Mount Marathon by hiking up the Mount Marathon Jeep Trail, which takes a slightly less steep trail and leads you past a beautiful waterfall to an alpine bowl with stunning views of Resurrection Bay.

FLIGHTSEEING TOURS

For those limited on time, the best way to view the glaciers of Kenai Fjords National Park and the stunning mountain scenery that surrounds Seward is on a flightseeing tour. Several companies offer flightseeing and helicopter tours of the area, and some include glacier landings so you can get up-close glacier views.

DOG SLED TOURS

Seward is home to sled dog kennels where you can listen to stories from veterans of the state's famed Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race and then hop on a sled or wheeled cart to experience the power of these amazing canine athletes. For an even bigger adventure, hop on a helicopter for a flight to a glacier sled dog camp where you can cruise across the glacier’s ice and snow pulled by a dog team.

Best Time to Visit Seward

If you’re coming to Seward for the first time, it’s best to plan your trip for the summer months (May to August) when the temperatures peak in the mid-60s and sunlight can last for 19 hours per day. Alongside glorious blue skies and mountains everywhere you look, the sparkling waters of Resurrection Bay are a playground for all sorts of adventures in the summer. Many restaurants in Seward are only open in summer, so this is the best time to sample all the great local cuisine Keep in mind, however, that summer is the high season, so town is busier and accommodation prices will be higher.

For people who are more familiar with Seward, fall (September to early November) is also a nice time to visit. Temperatures range between the 30s and 50s and autumnal colors fill Seward’s breathtaking landscapes. September is the rainiest month, but if you don’t mind getting wet, fall is cheaper and quieter, allowing visitors to really take in Seward’s beauty and local atmosphere.

Where to Stay in Seward

Seward is a full-service community with a wide range of accommodations, restaurants, stores, and gas stations. Visitors can choose from large hotels nestled in the forest or overlooking the water, small boutique hotels and lodges, scenic waterfront cabins, B&Bs, and vacation rentals. These areas are just a few of the wonderful and welcoming accommodations in this scenic community:

Downtown

Travelers who want to be in the heart of Seward, close to many great restaurants, shops, and main attractions should book accommodations downtown. Waterfront Park is located in this area, where you can walk along bay and soak in the stunning scenery, along with the Alaska SeaLife Center. Downtown is a popular place to stay, so book ahead of time to secure your reservation. Hotels, cottages, and apartments are a few popular lodging options.

Seward Harbor

Seward Harbor is a beautiful place to stay and wake up to boats coming and going and regular sights of sea otters and bald eagles. The quaint area has artisan shops lining the harbor, locally-owned restaurants, tour companies to help your explore Seward, and it’s the launching point for glacier & wildlife cruises and fishing charters. It’s also home to the Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor Center. There are several hotels in the harbor area, some with waterfront views.

Lowell Point

Just north of Seward is Lowell Point, where outdoorsy folk flock all year round. Here, you’ll find a number of hiking trails, viewpoints, and wildlife viewing. The area is quieter than downtown and doesn’t have restaurants or shops, so is ideal for visitors who want to truly unwind in nature. Cottages, cabins, inns, and B&Bs are the most common property types in Lowell Point.

Camping

There are plenty of camping options right in town including several campgrounds and RV parks. Surrounding Seward are a number of public-use cabins that can be reserved for a wilderness getaway. The remote, rustic cabins are reached by paddle, float plane, or on foot and are maintained by the Alaska Division of Parks at Caines Head State Recreation Area, the U.S. Forest Service in Chugach National Forest, and the National Park Service in Kenai Fjords National Park.

Where to Eat in Seward

Seward is packed with an impressive assortment of tasty foods to refuel your body after a long day of exploring. While here, you have to sample the seafood – many restaurants include a fresh catch of the day on their menus. Alaska salmon, cod, and halibut are a few of the highest-rated options. Some restaurants also feature locally-foraged ingredients like wildflowers, berries, and mushrooms. If you need a refreshing beverage, head to one of the local breweries or bars in Seward, where you’re sure to find cozy atmosphere, friendly locals, and some unique Alaska-themed drink flavors.

What Makes Seward Unique?

Mountains, ocean, glaciers, and fishing – Seward is packed with incredible nature and an authentic Alaska feel. What’s more, it’s the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park – one of the most striking national parks in the US. Not only is Seward a hub of fun events and attractions, but it also maintains a small-town culture, with friendly residents and locally-run businesses. It truly is a welcoming community that connects visitors to the big outdoors.

Looking for more inspiration? Read about the Top 7 Things to Do in Seward.