Seward, Alaska

Seward, Alaska is a small town located on the majestic Kenai Peninsula in southern Alaska. This historic town is one of Alaska’s most popular tourist and vacation destinations. Seward, located at the head of Resurrection Bay and the foot of Mount Marathon, was originally a gold rush encampment, officially becoming a town in 1903 when it was settled by the Alaska Central Railway. Seward boasts a busy harbor, bustling downtown historic district, world-famous Alaska SeaLife Center, and is the gateway to the Kenai Fjords National Park. Whatever it is you are looking for in a great Alaska vacation, you can find it here in Seward.

One of the most popular attractions in Seward is the Kenai Fjords National Park. Spanning over 1700 miles of wilderness, much of the park is inaccessible by car, except for the awe-inspiring Exit Glacier. Hiking trails and ranger-led walks take you right to the edge of an active glacier, allowing you to experience one of nature’s most amazing and powerful forces. The road is closed to cars in winter, but snow machines, dogsleds, and skiers still enjoy exploring this area during the winter season. Another wonderful way to enjoy Kenai Fjords National Park is a boat tour out of Seward’s harbor. View tidewater glaciers, and a stunning array of wildlife from orcas and other whales, to puffins and sea lions.

Kayaking, fishing, mountaineering, and hiking are all popular activities in this unspoiled natural area. There are many companies offering scenic flights over the vast expanse of the park. View the Harding Ice fields, spot a pod of orcas, or see the mountain goats, bears, and moose that call Kenai Fjords National Park home from a unique perspective high above the park. Another popular attraction is the Alaska SeaLife Center, a public aquarium and marine wildlife rescue center located in Seward, along Resurrection Bay. The Alaska SeaLife Center has many public exhibits that allow visitors to see native Alaskan sea life in simulated natural environments, learn about the research and rehabilitation efforts of its staff and volunteers, as well as experience up close encounters with native species such as octopus, puffin, sea lions and more. If you have an interest in the native sea life of the Pacific Northwest, the Alaska SeaLife Center is not to be missed.

The wealth of outdoor activities is what makes Alaska such a popular tourist destination. Seward offers some of the best fishing around including the world renowned Seward Silver Salmon Derby, as well as whale watching, sailing, kayaking, hiking, dogsled rides, rafting, and even scuba in the summer. Be sure to check out the massively popular Fourth of July festivities including the famous Mount Marathon Race that starts and ends in Seward, with the halfway point at the top of beautiful Mount Marathon. As many as 40,000 visitors pack the streets for this one of a kind event. For the hardier visitors, winter activities include snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and dogsled riding. Exploring in Seward isn’t limited to the wilderness. Seward has a quaint, historic downtown district where you can explore art galleries, antique shops, museums, shopping, theatre, and dining in one of the most picturesque settings in Alaska. Enjoy the warm, friendly hospitality awaiting you in Seward, Alaska.