Do you have any plans to explore Alaska on your next vacation? Ah yes! Then, I would say you must visit Seward there. It is a truly mesmerizing place situated on Resurrection Bay, a fjord of the Gulf of Alaska on the Kenai Peninsula. It is about 120 miles (190 km) by car from Anchorage, the state’s largest city. With Mile 0 of the Iditarod Trail inscribed on the beach at the southern end of town, it serves as both the southern endpoint of the Alaska Railroad and the historic beginning of the original Iditarod Trail to Interior Alaska.
Believe me, Seward in southern Alaska will give you complete bliss; it is generally accessed as a gateway to the astounding Kenai Fjord’s National Park. It offers outdoor adventure in national parks with wildlife and glaciers, as well as local art and delectable food. With mountains, ocean, fishing, glaciers, mountains, hiking, kayaking, and more, Seward is a typical Alaskan town. You can check the map below to get its exact location:
The Alaska Railroad Depot, the cruise ship dock, and the small boat harbor that provides boat trips into the Kenai Fjords National Park and fishing charters are all major transportation centers. So, if you have any doubts, about how to get there, I’ll clear all those.
If you have a car, you may easily travel from Anchorage to Seward on the incredibly beautiful Seward Highway. Driving time is 2.5 to 3 hours from Anchorage to Seward, which is 130 miles away. However, because there are so many incredible things to do before you even get to Seward, I highly advise giving yourself an entire day for this breathtaking drive!
There are still a few ways to get there if you decide against renting a car while you are in Alaska. You can travel to Seward by day or overnight on the Alaska Railroad from Anchorage. A bus service that provides motorcoach transportation to Seward is also available.
The majority of Seward’s attractions are within easy walking distance of both the town’s hotels and the public campsite. Exit Glacier, which is roughly 10 miles from town, is an exception to this rule. There is a shuttle service that you may use to get there, saving you the trouble of finding parking when you get there.
Okay, Now I Must Tell You the Things to Do in Seward
Well, Seward in Alaska is a complete holiday package for everyone. Have a look at the amazing spots there you can’t skip:
1. Kenai Fjord’s National Park
The first thing that I can suggest to you is to embark upon a complete educational tour of the beautiful Kenai Fjord’s National Park. Throughout the journey, you will learn about the history behind these guides. Enjoy your voyage through this beautiful historical place; you may stop to see the amazing Holgate glacier and also the engrossing Chiswell islands.
If you are a wildlife lover, I highly recommend you pave your way toward this glacier cruise and enjoy marine life by seeing sea otters, sea lions, humpback whales, eagles, and many more. The spectacular glacier view will add happiness to your adventure journey. There is plenty of spectacular beauty to see while you wait and watch for whales, in addition to glaciers and wildlife, in the mountains around the Kenai Fjords.
One of the most fantastic ways to explore the park is to take a boat trip to Kenai Fjords National Park. Day boat trips in the park provide a variety of alternatives, from half-day wildlife-focused excursions to full-day tours that include wildlife as well as visits to several of the tidewater glaciers in the park, including Bear Glacier and Holgate Glacier.
On the shorter journey, Bear Glacier might be visible if the weather is clear enough. If you’re not a fan of boats or get seasick easily, the shorter tour is a smart choice.
2. Alaska SeaLife Center
You must not skip visiting the Alaska Sealife Center. I suggest you take a ride to see the beautiful birds and seals, followed by the sea lions. This museum demonstrates to its guests the diversity of the state by gathering all of Alaska’s marine mammals and avian life in one location. The best part I like about the sea life center in Alaska is that they rescue birds and animals from all over Alaska and intend to provide them with life.
The huge aquarium compliments the beauty of the sea life center. In the touch tank, you can gently touch critters from tidepools along with viewing a variety of fish and other animals, including the Giant Pacific Octopus.
Due to the rarity of getting thus close to these shy birds, puffins are the main draw. However, the center’s main purpose is to inform visitors and conduct research to further the preservation and protection of Alaska’s priceless natural resources.
3. Resurrection Bay
You can also include Resurrection Bay in your list. I’m telling this due to its stunning views of petrels, puffins, fulmars, murres, auklets, and kittiwakes. yeah! I mean Resurrection Bay is a wonderful place for bird watchers and bird enthusiasts. So, if you are a bird lover and want to explore and see some amazing and rare birds, then book your tickets without a second thought! And then of course, you have Seward at the top of Resurrection Bay.
Again, a boat tour or cruise is the best way to appreciate the natural beauty and animals of this area fully. Beginner kayakers will love the tranquil, simple waters of Resurrection Bay. A terrific option to get a close-up view of these waterways is to take a kayaking excursion with a guide. It’s not unusual to witness a variety of marine creatures, including sea otters, seals, and bald eagles, while kayaking in this area.
4. Seward Boat Harbor
Pave the way towards this beautiful boat port and boat tours in Seward, Alaska. You can watch waves of swimming jellyfish and possibly even spot seals in the harbor, where otters are known to frequent. It is a fantastic location to take in the beautiful scenery and lively ambiance.
You may also explore a variety of fishing boats and enjoy boating along with all the safety measures. While enjoying your boating journey, observe the fishing boats returning with their catches of the day and washing them.
The center of the community is this bustling harbor, where a wide variety of boats dock and interact. Along with the US Coast Guard and US Navy, there are hundreds of fishing charter boats, cruise ships, and freight vessels. I must say that it’s a fascinating marina to explore even if you are not participating in a tour because there are so many intriguing people and vessels to take in.
5. Bear Glacier
The Kenai Fjords National Park’s longest Glacier was created when two different ice falls joined together. It is a well-liked destination to check out while you are in Seward.
However, you cannot approach this glacier too closely because when the ice melts, rocks and other debris have been deposited there over time. It is a very unpredictable glacier because it is not a tidewater glacier that calves as it travels. Watching the ice slide into the freshwater lake below the face is an amazing sight. Hey! I must remind you not to forget your camera.
Enjoy the view of the enormous icebergs that were created in the park by a larger glacier as you explore this breathtaking location. Bear Glacier can be a great package for both the water adventure and ocean tour in Seward, Alaska. And if you love water sports, it is a must-visit destination for you. High tides and enormous icebergs will make your boating journey quite exciting.
However, this lake is not suitable for beginners, so think about taking a guided tour. These particular hazards may call for someone with knowledge of the area and experience.
6. Mount Marathon
Mount Marathon is one the most adventurous things to do in Seward. You will see some of the most beautiful views while you climb up.
Along with exploring sea tours and glacier views, one must not skip this treasure of hiking trails. So, I strongly recommend you enjoy hiking Mount Marathon overlooking the trees covered a little with ice.
Did you know that Mt. Marathon draws runners from all around the world because of an annual running race that started in 1915? Visitors run nearly 3,000 feet in less than three miles as they sprint up and down the mountain. Plan for this to be an all-day expedition if you decide to trek rather than run.
The Jeep Trail and the Runner’s Trail are the two trail alternatives available on this mountain. The Jeep Trail is a 4.1-mile loop with varying degrees of inclination, making it the more doable choice because the Runner’s Trail is a very challenging option.
7. Bear Creek Weir
It’s definitely a great place to explore the marine life of salmon if you want to explore the sockeye salmon, jam-packed in the river, running and enjoying their lives.
You may invest 20-30 minutes of your time in exploring these beautiful creatures of marine wildlife. Millions of smolts are first discharged into Bear Lake in May and June when they swim down Bear Creek to the saline water at the head of Resurrection Bay. Tens of thousands of sockeye salmon then migrate seven miles up the creek between July and September, followed by Coho salmon in late July and September.
You don’t need to book a tour or take a special trip. Bear Creek is easy to get to from Seward, a short stop whilst traveling in or out of town.
8. Helicopter Glacier Dogsledding View
Enjoy your day trips with this amazing helicopter tour to see the beautiful dogsledding view. With Seward Helicopter Tours, you may take a two-mile guided dog sledding adventure and take in the magnificent snowy landscape.
If you are a dog lover or want to know about sled dogs, you must not miss trying this fun activity. It’s all about sledding dogs, glacier view along with exit glacier, and wildlife whenever it comes to Alaska.
You can take a helicopter tour to the Godwin Glacier, where you will meet your dog sledding team, from the Seward airport. You may take in the breathtaking backdrop of snow fields, mountains, and lakes while riding. You will be transported across the snow fields by a team of huskies pulled by a trained guide. Along the journey, you will discover how dog sledding is employed in this area for competitive racing, travel, and hunting throughout the hard winters.
9. Seward Community Library and Museum
Are you a big fan of the library and museum? And don’t think answering honestly will make you a geek. It will only render you a lover of ancient beauty carried on for ages via books. Seward Community Library and Museum is an ancient place that dates way too far. This library is for the public and can be accessed by any visitor.
According to the seasons, the library hours may differ from time to time; from meeting rooms and Wi-Fi to other public access computers, the Seward community will provide all facilities. There are a wide variety of displays, artifacts, and movies about both ancient and modern history. This covers the tsunami of 1964.
There are some quite emotional movies made by Seward people that describe their experiences. Additionally, there is a kids’ section for tiny explorers where they can play and study interesting historical facts. The library and museum are located on Sixth Avenue in Seward, but be sure to check the hours before going as they change frequently.
I must say that Seward can be a blissful escape from your busy schedule. So, spice up your life with adventures and fun with glacier views, history, water taxis, and hiking the Alaska railroad. Go ahead and explore!
