I ranked the drive from Anchorage to Seward as #1 on my best road trips in Alaska post, and for good reason—the Seward Highway is absolutely stunning. But as beautiful as that drive is, the real magic happens when you actually arrive in Seward. This charming fishing village sits on the edge of Kenai Fjords National Park with scenery that will blow you away. I’ve made the drive dozens of times and although I’ve never lived in Seward, I’ve visited enough to know you absolutely need to experience it. From whale watching and glacier cruises to world-class hiking trails, Seward offers countless outdoor adventures. Today I’m excited to share all the best things to do in Seward so you can see what awaits you in this incredible Alaskan destination!
Kenai is Pronounced “Keen+Eye or Key+Nye.”
The Best Things to Do in Seward, Alaska
How to Get to Seward, Alaska
The drive from Anchorage to Seward is about 125 miles and takes just over two hours. I keep talking about it because most people come to Seward via cruise ship since Seward is one of the main cruise ports in Alaska. If you’re fortunate enough to be driving, plan for at least three hours so you can make a few stops along this scenic highway.
However you arrive in Seward, you’ll want to spend as much time as you can here. I recommend staying at least 3 nights, especially since the weather can be unpredictable! If you’re visiting in summer, book your Seward Alaska lodging well in advance because it always sells out.
Seward Alaska Weather: What to Expect
Seward’s coastal location means you should be prepared for rain year-round – we’re talking over 200 rainy days annually. A beautiful sunny day can be in the 70s with record highs in the 80s, but summer tends to be in the high 50s and 60s. The good news is there is plenty of variety in Seward Alaska activities for all kinds of weather.
Top 10 Things to Do in Seward, Alaska
Ready to discover what to do in Seward? Here are my favorite Seward activities, from boat tours to hiking trails and everything in between.
1. Explore Kenai Fjords National Park
The number one thing to do in Seward is explore Kenai Fjords National Park. The fjords feature huge biodiversity for marine mammals, shorebirds, and large coastal mammals. On my dozens of days spent in Kenai Fjords I’ve seen bears, moose, orcas, humpbacks, fin whales, dall’s porpoises, bald eagles, golden eagles, puffins, oystercatchers, murres, mountain goats, sea lions, seals, and so much more! The stunning coastlines include countless mountains and more glaciers than you can remember.
Kenai Fjords National Park also has a dynamic land section with a stunning view of Exit Glacier as you drive in. Once you park, you’ll have the opportunity for ranger walks and interpretive signs to explain the natural history and sciences of the area. If you’re coming to Seward you should get on a boat and explore the fjords, but you’re prone to seasickness you simply have to go to Exit Glacier!
2. Northwestern Fjord Tour – Best Seward Alaska Boat Tour for Wildlife
Northwestern Fjord is more protected than the Aialik or Holgate Fjords, plus the distance from Seward means less human noise and pollution to scare wildlife away.
There are many tidewater glaciers calving into Northwestern Fjord and I’ve seen whales each time I’ve gone out that way. Wildlife is never a guarantee but if I’m trying to hedge my bets on a wildlife excursion I’ll spend as much time as possible out there. In Seward that means going on a Northwestern Fjord Tour.
The Northwestern Fjord Tours tend to be at least 8 hours long and both the most expensive and expansive of the Seward Alaska day cruises. Between family discounts and teacher trainings I’ve been to Northwestern Fjord three times, once spending two nights there. If you have the ability to spend a night out in the fjords you should jump at it!
I’ve seen more seals in the Northwestern Fjord than anywhere else in the park; watched orcas dive among icebergs and seen humpbacks fluking. You’ll have a chance to see all of the wildlife you can see within Kenai Fjords National Park on this tour; especially since you’ll have even more time on the water. The boat captains all talk to each other and will seek out whales and exciting species that you haven’t seen yet as long as there’s still time left making this all day excursion my top choice.
3. Seward Wildlife Cruise – Affordable Kenai Fjords Experience
I put the generic Seward wildlife cruise at number three because I want to highlight how great the wildlife can be and a shorter 4-hour cruise fits into more budgets than the northwestern fjord tour. I went on the wildlife cruise as my first ever Seward boat ride and have been back on it with visiting friends and for a science field trip with two classes and park rangers.
These shorter cruises have an opportunity to see every single animal but won’t go as deep into the national park. With less time on the water you’ll have less time to see wildlife but will almost certainly still see plenty of animals. Sea lions, harbor seals, and bald eagles are almost guaranteed alongside countless shorebirds. Depending on the season and your luck you’ve still got a chance to see whales, porpoises and much more on the wildlife cruises.
You’ll likely still have the opportunity to view Bear Glacier and beautiful scenery but won’t make your way to any tidewater glaciers for a chance to see glacier calving.
4. Aialik or Holgate Glacier Cruise
I lumped both Aialik and Holgate glacier cruises together because the tour companies tend to bring you to either one or the other based on weather and other conditions. Both Aialik and Holgate are stunning to see and likely have wildlife around. Both are tidewater glaciers and regularly calve into the bay.
Both glaciers are surrounded by beautiful landscapes and the journeys give you plenty of opportunities for wildlife viewing. These tours tend to be between 6 and 7 hours long and the boat captains know how to make the most of it. They’ll look for wildlife on the way to the glacier; spend plenty of time looking for calving glaciers and then on the ride back to Seward listen for sightings of any wildlife you missed.
Major Marine and Kenai Fjord Tours are the main operators for Seward Alaska boat tours and they have a few different options for length of tours that both go to Aialik and Holgate. Pick the one that works with your budget and calendar; you won’t be disappointed!
5. Hike the Harding Icefield Trail
The Harding Icefield Trail is one of my all-time favorite hikes in the world! You start at the ranger station in Kenai Fjords National Park near the toe of Exit Glacier. You’re practically at sea level and then hike parallel to the glacier, following the lateral moraine until you get to the snowy Harding Icefield that stretches for miles in every direction.
The Harding Icefield feeds every glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park and a few others further north in the Kenai Mountains for a total of 38 different glaciers.
From the top you’ll see mountain vistas and have a chance to see wildlife. My friend Chris hiked to the shelter at the top of the Harding Icefield last summer and saw a wolverine! Although I haven’t seen a bear here I’ve seen plenty of bear prints in the snow and mud and have a number of friends who’ve seen bears on the trail. Please make sure you bring bear spray!
This is easily one of the best hikes in Seward Alaska but it can be quite gruelling covering over 8 miles with over 3,000 feet of elevation gain.
6. Hike the Exit Glacier Trail
The Exit Glacier hike used to go all the way to the toe of the glacier but now there are a series of signs marking the annual recession of Exit Glacier. This trail is mostly flat with minimal elevation gain making it a family friendly way to see a glacier and enjoy a stroll through beautiful landscapes.
Even though there is an awesome glacier view as you drive into the park I still recommend the Exit Glacier trail for it’s chance to get immersed in nature. The annual signs showing how far Exit Glacier has receded in recent years are a stark reminder to the climate changes our planet is facing.
7. Hike Lost Lake Trail
Lost Lake is a stunning mountain vista great for a long day hike, trail run or overnight camping trip. There is a public use cabin that you can book here but will need to reserve it months ahead of time. Every summer there’s even a trail race that goes from the Primrose trailhead past Lost Lake and down to the Lost Lake Trailhead near the Bear Creek Fire Department.
Hiking to Lost Lake brings you above the treeline with mountain panoramas abound, babbling brooks, and smaller tarns. Summer brings blueberries to many spots on the trail and if you’re hiking back down towards the fire department, you’ll catch a great view of Resurrection Bay before you enter the trees again.
8. Kayak in Kenai Fjords
Kayaking around Kenai Fjords was one of my absolute favorite experiences in Alaska! I was able to kayak close to icebergs and seals with majestic views all around in both Northwestern and Aialik Fjords on an Alaska Geographic teacher training. Opportunities like that are harder to come by with daily tours but you should look into Liquid Adventures if you want to kayak in Kenai Fjords National Park!
9. Explore the Seward SeaLife Center
The Seward SeaLife Center is a must-visit for anyone traveling to Seward with kids! Pilot the sea lion is a resident always happy to show off and the aviary is a once in a lifetime experience to get up close and personal with puffins and other shorebirds.
Consider booking a behind the scenes tour; they are worth it if in your family’s budget! If you’ve got a big enough group and plan ahead you can do a “nocturne” stay with kids and spend the night at the SeaLife Center too!
10. Explore Historic Downtown Seward
Historic Downtown Seward is a short strip near the SeaLife Center full of shops and restaurants. Mount Marathon makes a beautiful backdrop to downtown and this is where you’ll find some great Seward Alaska restaurants. My personal favorite is The Cookery and you’ll want to get in line early for this one. They have a few seating times but don’t take reservations. Almost every night you’ll see a line down the block start to form. It moves quickly and the food is worth it!
Downtown Seward is also home to a few breweries, some fun shops and the popular Resurrect Art Cafe. Girdle is a great food truck for burgers at a reasonable price around the corner and you’ll want to check out both the Seward Alehouse and the Lone Chicaron.
More Things to Do in Seward
Beyond the top 10, there are plenty more Seward Alaska attractions and activities to fill your itinerary.
Wander Through the Seward Harbor
The Seward Harbor welcomes smaller skiffs, yachts, large charters, and cruise ships making it a busy spot in the summer. Cruise ships dock further out and have a separate off ramp but can still be seen from the small boat harbor. If you take any charters into Kenai Fjords you’ll likely be meeting the crew at the harbor.
In addition to the unique boats be on the lookout for seals, sea otters and jellyfish swimming around. If you need to stock up on anything, the Seward Outdoor Store is nearby and is more affordable than expected for such a small, remote town.
Ray’s Waterfront is my favorite place to eat near the harbor and there are lots of Seward restaurants in the area too.
Walk the Historic Iditarod Trail – Free Wildlife Viewing
Between the SeaLife Center and the campgrounds you’ll find a statue and some signs indicating the start of the historic Iditarod Trail. Your path along the coast is a paved bike trail but take your time and enjoy the view. I often see seals and bald eagles when walking this stretch. This is one of the best free things to do in Seward, Alaska!
Enjoy Seward Alaska Fishing Charters for Salmon and Halibut
Let’s face it, many people come to Alaska with a goal of fishing for delicious wild-caught salmon and halibut. Seward is one of the best places in the world to catch salmon and halibut, so book a charter and enjoy a day on the boat! There are plenty of halibut and salmon charters to choose from. I recommend Captain T with Graylight Charters; I taught both her kids and you can tell her Mike sent you!
Hike Mount Marathon – Challenging Trail with Epic Views
Mount Marathon is worth the steep hike for a view of Seward and Resurrection Bay. If you’re really up for an adventure then train for the annual Mount Marathon race. Known as the “toughest 5k on the planet,” this race is both up and down a mountain and is held every year on July 4th. Spectators line the streets of Seward and post themselves along the trail for this truly unique Alaskan experience.
RV or Tent Camp at the Waterfront Park – Convenient Base
The Seward Waterfront Park has an RV and tent campground that is widely popular and within walking distance to just about everything you want to see in Seward. You can walk to many restaurants, catch a view of Resurrection Bay, bring your kids to the playground and skatepark, or have a home base before boarding a cruise into Kenai Fjords.
Camping in Seward Alaska Along the Seward Highway
There are four Seward Alaska campgrounds within 50 miles of Seward hosting almost 200 campsites. Even in peak summer you can often find a site at one of them but if you know your dates ahead of time they all have some reservable spots that open up about 6 months ahead of time. Primrose has 8 sites around mile 17, Ptarmigan Creek has 16 sites near mile 23, Trail River (our favorite) has 91 sites near mile 24, and Tenderfoot Creek has 35 sites near mile 46. There are also public use cabins at many of these campgrounds.
Fox Island Tour – Easy Day Trip from Seward
Fox Island is close enough to Seward that even those who hate boats can probably stomach crossing Resurrection Bay. Full of history and a great opportunity for low-key whale watching, Fox Island tours usually include a delicious meal. You can spend the night on Fox Island at the Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge for the most comfortable rustic Alaskan stay you can ask for!
Hike to Lowell Point or Caines Head – Coastal Hiking Trail
Caines Head State Recreation Area is a popular spot for hiking in Seward. The initial trails are well maintained and generally flat with minimal elevation change. You can hike out to a wide beach at Lowell Point or time the tides just right and make it all the way to Caines Head for an overnight backpacking trip.
Take a Water Taxi to a Public Use Cabin in Kenai Fjords
Both Aialik and Holgate bays have a public use cabin that is available for rent. You’ll need a water taxi to get there but are guaranteed to have a true Alaskan experience if you make it out there. I’ve been wanting to book one of these ever since I knew they existed but haven’t yet. So if you manage to snag one let me know how it is! Thumb Cove also has a public use cabin and is a great day trip by water taxi.
Whale Watching in Seward, Alaska
The first part of this post was all about getting out on the water but whale watching deserves its own section. Although you can see whales from the shore, the best way to go whale watching in Seward is to book a boat tour and I recommend Major Marine Tours, they have been locally owned for over 25 years and what better way to give back to an amazing destination than to support the locals! The other popular option is Kenai Fjord’s Tours and you can always charter a smaller yacht for your small group.
Wildlife sightings are a gamble anywhere you go but if you come to Seward in the summe there’s a high chance you’ll spot whales with five species frequenting these waters. Orcas, humpbacks, gray, fin and minke whales are all common with bluewhales and even belugas being less common but still possible to see in Ressurection Bay. The longer you’re on the water the higher the chance for you to see whales which is why I always say the longer the boat tour the better!
Gray and minke whales start to come back to Seward before the tourists, arriving as early as April or May and some species stick around until September. The nice thing about a Seward whale watching tour is that you’re guaranteed to see some wildlife even if it’s just a bald eagle, sea lions, puffins or sea otters. Most of the Seward Alaska cruises stop by a glacier and will give you a fantastic view of Kenai Fjords National Park but in truth, you can’t go wrong with any Seward whale watching tours.
Where to Stay in Seward, Alaska
Finding the right place to stay is essential for enjoying your visit to Seward. Hotels in Seward book up quickly during summer, so I always recommend reserving your lodging at least 3-6 months in advance. Whether you’re looking for a hotel, campground, or something more rustic like the Fox Island lodge, there are options for every budget and travel style. The Waterfront Park campground is convenient if you’re traveling by RV or tent, while downtown hotels put you within walking distance of restaurants and the harbor.
Budget Accommodation in Seward – Breeze in Hotel & Motel
Midrange Accommodation in Seward – Seward Hotel
Luxury Accommodation in Seward – Ressurection Lodge on the Bay
Final Thoughts on Visiting Seward, Alaska
The truth is most of the things to do in Seward Alaska are actually in Kenai Fjords National Park. The whale watching tours, glacier cruises and glacier hikes that you’re reading about on this list are all part of Kenai Fjords National Park. You can find up-to-date information about Kenai Fjords National Park on the National Park Service website.
Whether you’re planning hiking adventures, looking for the best Seward boat tours, or simply wondering what to do here, this incredible fishing village has something for everyone. From the famous Harding Icefield Trail to fishing charters, from downtown restaurants to wildlife cruises through the fjords, you’ll find endless activities to fill your days. Can you see whales from downtown Seward? Absolutely, but should you count on it and skip the whale watching tour? Absolutely not! Book those tours, plan your hikes, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure in one of Alaska’s most spectacular destinations.
