As part of my 2-month trip to Alaska, I spent three full days in Seward, Alaska. Seward is the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park. Unfortunately, it rained two of the three days, but I still found plenty of things to do in Seward, AK.
Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor Center
Most of this National Park in inaccessible to automobile traffic, but you can visit the visitor center located on the west end of the Seward Harbor. They have a really good film and some interesting historical photos of the glaciers.
Do a Wildlife and Glacier Cruise to Kenai Fjords National Park
A top activity, and one of the more expensive ones, is to do a wildlife and glacier Cruise. There are two major cruise companies here, both with great reviews, but the reviews slightly gave an edge to Kenai Fjords Tours so I went we them and have no regrets. Luckily, I got to do this on the one sunny day in Seward. I enjoyed the weather, views, animals – including sea otters, Steller Sea Lions, Harbor Seals, Puffins, and Orcas jumping out of the ocean! There were also views of glaciers including time enjoying the view and calving at the Northwestern Glacier. The cruise included breakfast and lunch so it was a great day out! They offer several cruises of varying lengths, the Northwestern Glacier is their longest tour and I enjoyed the extra time on the water. The glaciers are retreating quickly – go there soon if you want to see them. Read about my awesome time on the Kenai Fjords Northwestern Glacier Tour.
Visit the Alaska Sealife Center
The Alaska Sealife Center is the premier attraction in Seward. They have Steller Sea Lions, Harbor Seals, many types of sea birds, and many types of fish from the Alaska region. There’s a small theater with various sea and sea life films that loop all day. There are also multiple life shows where a biologist explains and feeds the animals. The entry fee was $32 with tax, but the ticket allows you to come back throughout the day so you can see any of the live programs you want. Especially for a rainy day, it’s a decent attraction.
Watch 2 @ 2 Films at the Library/Museum
At 2:00 in the afternoon, they show two movies at the library – one about the Iditarod trail, the historical trail that starts in Seward. I only knew of the dog race but this gives you the historical origins. The other film is about the 1964 world’s second strongest earthquake on record. Seward had devastating tsunami and fires, and this film interviews some of the people that were there on that day.
Go Hiking – From Easy Walks to Serious Hikes
There’s a foot race each year to race to the top of Mount Marathon but if you want something easier, there is a really pleasant walk along the waterfront, which is part of the historic Iditarod trail.
Watch the Sea Otters
Seward is one of the best places in the state to view Sea Otters from the shore. A great place to view them are near the city tenting campground, near the children’s playground.
Check out the Exit Glacier
The Exit Glacier is one of the most accessible glaciers in the state, and part of the Kenai Fjords National Park. It’s about a 10 mile drive plus a one hour hike to get to the glacier and if you’re not up for hiking, there are a couple of great viewpoints from the road.
Hit a Dive Bar
One of the best things to do in Seward is visit one of the dive bars, like the Pit on the outskirts and the Yukon Bar in the heart of downtown. They have cheap drinks and you might be sitting next to a fisherman.
Where to Stay in Seward
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Since Seward is a frequent passenger cruise terminus, there are lots of hotel rooms in town, as well as B&Bs. Most hotels are concentrated near the harbor, the departure place for the wildlife and glacier cruises, or the downtown area, home of the Alaska Sealife Center. But Seward is quite small so it is possible to walk between the harbor or downtown, or catch a shuttle. (Check Rates and Availability in Seward). If you’re camping, most people camp at one of the municipal sites, many of them right on the water. There are multiple municipal campsites that stretch from the harbor to the Sealife Center.
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