A coastal Alaska town at the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park, known for its glacier views, fishing industry, and as the starting point of the historic Iditarod Trail.
Seward sits along Resurrection Bay in southern Alaska, with the Kenai Mountains rising around it. From this coastal town, you can walk up to Exit Glacier, watch humpback whales breach in Kenai Fjords National Park, and join the locals for the Mount Marathon Race. The Alaska SeaLife Center puts you face-to-face with sea otters and puffins, while fishing boats bring their daily catch to the harbor's seafood processors.
Getting to Seward
Drive 2.5 hours from Anchorage along the Seward Highway, which winds past glacial valleys and follows the coastline. The Alaska Railroad's Coastal Classic train takes 4.5 hours on the same route. Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, and other cruise lines dock in Seward as their Gulf of Alaska port.
Marine Life and Wildlife Viewing
Take day cruises into Kenai Fjords National Park to spot sea otters floating on their backs, harbor seals lounging on ice floes, and puffins diving for fish. Humpback whales swim these waters from May through September, while orcas hunt year-round. At the Alaska SeaLife Center, you'll find tanks where Steller sea lions glide past viewing windows, and rehabilitation areas where staff care for injured seabirds.
Exploring Resurrection Bay
Walk the Exit Glacier area on several marked trails: try the 1-mile Glacier View loop for an easy walk, or challenge yourself on the 8.2-mile Harding Icefield Trail with its 3,000-foot climb. You can walk on the glacier with guides or kayak in Resurrection Bay. Water taxis take kayakers to quiet spots like Thumb Cove and Caines Head. A 4.5-mile paved path connects downtown with the harbor and waterfront.
Mount Marathon and Local Events
Watch or join the Mount Marathon Race every July 4th, where runners sprint up and down the 3,022-foot peak above town in under an hour. The August Silver Salmon Derby draws anglers competing for the largest catch, while fishing vessels dock year-round with halibut, cod, and salmon.
Winter in Seward
Look for the northern lights and try winter sports when snow blankets the town. Seward has more fat-bike owners per capita than anywhere else in the world - these specialized bikes let you ride on snow-packed trails. Winter temperatures range from 17 to 38 degrees Fahrenheit, and the town typically gets 80 inches of snow annually.
