Attractions for the Traveler in Seward, Alaska

♦ Routes (free): Detailed travel itineraries in USA

Seward is one of the oldest and most picturesque towns in Alaska. It is located on the shores of a long, narrow bay called Resurrection Bay and is surrounded on its other sides by towering mountains lush with green vegetation and snow-capped peaks. The most prominent among them is Mt. Marathon.

Although it is home to only about 2,600 residents, it is one of the largest communities on the Kenai Peninsula and is considered the main starting point for visiting Kenai Fjords National Park.

Seward is located about 200 km south of Anchorage at the southern end of the Seward Highway, and it can be reached by car, bus (about a three-hour drive), or train (about a 4.5-hour journey through spectacular scenery) from Anchorage (details in the Anchorage chapter). It serves as the starting (or ending) point for one-way Alaska cruises for the companies: Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Holland America, and Regent. The nearest international airport is Anchorage Airport.

♦ To book from Viator: Private transfer from Seward cruise port to Anchorage airport:

Private Transfer: Seward to Anchorage Airport (ANC)

The first white person to reach the bay area where Seward is now located was a Russian explorer named Alexander Baranov, who arrived by boat as early as 1792. The town was established in 1903 by railroad workers when it was decided to extend the railway line to the starting point at the sea and build a port in the bay. Since the bay on which Seward is built is ice-free throughout the year, it flourished and became a leading port for cargo and fishing ships.

The most significant event in the city's history was the "Good Friday" earthquake in 1964, the strongest earthquake in US history, which created a tsunami wave over 30 meters high that washed over the town and caused extensive damage to its houses. Fortunately, the town's residents, seeing the harbor almost completely drain of water, understood what was about to happen and fled to high ground, thus most were saved. The town was restored while maintaining its previous architectural style. The town relied mainly on commercial fishing and its port, which was the starting point for transporting coal to Asia.

Attractions in Seward

Guided Tours from Seward

Tours to book from GetYourGuide.com:

Tours to book from Viator:

♦ Half-day (4 hours) Fjord cruise to view glaciers, wildlife, and scenery:

Kenai Fjords and Resurrection Bay Half-Day Wildlife Cruise

♦ Kenai Fjord cruise to view glaciers, wildlife, and scenery:

Kenai Fjords National Park Glacier & Wildlife Cruise

♦ Helicopter flight from Seward and dog sledding on a glacier:

Helicopter Glacier & Dog Sledding Adventure Tour

♦ Kayaking in Resurrection Bay (Lasts 4 hours, departs from Seward by transfer to the launch point):

Resurrection Bay Kayaking Adventure

Today the town also earns a good living from tourism, both thanks to the many cruise ships arriving there and thanks to the many active vacation and travel options it offers tourists, including wildlife viewing cruises, kayaking, hiking, and cycling tours on the glaciers and surrounding mountains, fishing, and more. The compact center of Seward is within walking distance of the cruise ship pier. It is easy and convenient to tour on foot. It is also very recommended to tour it by bicycle or on the Seward Trolley.

Seward is a wonderful starting point for wildlife viewing cruises in Prince William Sound and also for trips by boat, foot, and car on the Kenai Peninsula, which is home to the Harding Icefield covering an area of about 800 sq km, breathtaking narrow fjords, and 32 glaciers. One can view glaciers, whales, otters, and sea lions. You don't have to rush to leave the town itself. It has several recommended attractions and it is definitely worth dedicating a full day to it. It is nice to visit the fishing boat marina, watch the fishermen returning with their vast catches and weighing the fish, and see the sea otters playing between the ships. A promenade with a visitor center, shops, and restaurants leads to the marina.

The two main attractions in the town are: Alaska SeaLife Center and Exit Glacier