分类: Summer

16 Best Things to Do in Seward, Alaska (A First-Time Visitor Guide)

7/8/2026

Seward is one of the most visited cities in Alaska, and for good reason. From incredible mountain views and unforgettable marine wildlife encounters, to fun outdoor adventures and delicious local restaurants, there's truly something for everyone in this small, coastal town. I believe Seward deserves a spot on every Alaska itinerary, and if you're planning your first visit, you might be wondering what the best things to do are. Below, I'm sharing some of my favorite experiences in Seward, along with a few tips to help you make the most of your visit.

My Essential Alaska Travel Resources :
There are plenty of travel companies out there, but these are my favorite websites and resources for planning an unforgettable trip to Alaska. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Car rentals, arguably the best way to see Alaska, are best through Discover Cars!

I always use Expedia's to compare the best rates & stays in the state.

If you're traveling internationally, I use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required).

For fun things to do, I recommend Viator or Get Your Guide to find the best tours in the area.

Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use for travel insurance.

Lastly, my packing list for your travels to the great state of Alaska.

Planning Your Trip to Seward, Alaska

Getting to Seward + Exploring Town

Getting to Seward is pretty straightforward, and you actually have quite a few options if you're coming from Anchorage. Your first option is to drive. You might have to rent a car, which can be pretty expensive in the summer, but personally I think it's worth it. You'll be able to go at your own pace and get out to explore or take in the views wherever you want. Your second option is to take the Alaska Railroad! Personally, I don't recommend unless you're getting on or off a cruise and only need one way transportation. The train can be extremely slow, and I think the views are better from the car. Your third option is to book a transfer from Anchorage to Seward, and depending on which you book, you may or may not get to stop at various viewpoints.

During your drive, make sure to take in the views. The Turnagain Arm, Portage area, and Moose Pass are all excellent areas to stop for a stretch break on your way to Seward. Once you get to town, getting around is pretty easy too. If you have your own car you can park on the streets (as long as it's not a restricted area) or pay for parking in lots like the North Lot and South Lot, which are both $15 a day. If you don't have your own car, you can either take advantage of the Free City Shuttles (small white buses) or call the Seward Taxi at 907-224-5678, however they aren't always as reliable. As of right now, there aren't any Ubers or Lyfts in town.

Where to Stay + How Long

If you're visiting Seward, I highly recommend staying for longer than one day (although a day trip is technically possible). Depending on how long you're in Alaska, I recommend staying in Seward a minimum of 3-4 days. There's lots of options on places to stay in Seward, but if you're visiting in the summer it's essential that you book your stay months ahead of time. I recommend booking summer dates about 6 months out if you're able.

Like I mentioned above, you have lots of options on places to stay in Seward. If you have a car, I recommend heading towards Lowell Point and staying at Salted Roots. They have a few different options, from a cute retro bus-cabin to a-frames to more rustic cabins next door. They sit right on Resurrection Bay and have a sauna onsite, so they're super cozy. If you don't have a car, you'll want to stay closer to town. I recommend checking out the Harbor 360 Hotel, which is where all the Major Marine Glacier & Wildlife Cruises depart from. If you're camping or RVing, you can check out the Harborside Campground in town that is right on Resurrection Bay, or the KOA on the Exit Glacier Road - which is honestly great facilities and views, but it's right next to a dog sled kennel, and it can get pretty loud.

My Favorite Tours from Seward :
- Alaska Railroad Roundtrip to Seward
- Full Day Kenai Fjords Cruise

16 Best Things to Do in Seward, Alaska

1. Look for Wildlife

The wildlife in Seward is unlike many other places in the entire world, and Resurrection Bay is one of the best areas in Alaska to see marine wildlife. From areas like Lowell Point, or even in the harbor, you can see animals like whales, orcas, seals, sea lions, puffins, etc. Personally, I think the best way to see these animals up close is to join a wildlife cruise (which has it's own spot on my list too). If you want to look for land mammals like bears or moose, I recommend heading out to Exit Glacier or driving down to the end of Nash Road for your best chance.

2. Join a Wildlife + Glacier Cruise

Like I mentioned above, the wildlife in Seward is truly incredible, and if you want to do a glacier & wildlife cruise while in Alaska then I highly recommend joining one in Seward. We've been out with Major Marines multiple times and Kenai Fjords tours, but this is the one I recommend. You can never guarantee wildlife sightings, but my husband and I have had some amazing ones on Major Marines day trips - including when an entire pod of orcas swam right under our boat. Depending on how long you're visiting Seward, I always recommend joining the longest cruise you can fit into your itinerary (typically 7-8 hours).

3. Try the Local Food

One of my favorite things to do in any city is to explore the local food scene. Because Seward sits right on the water, many of their restaurants serve fresh, locally caught seafood. In addition to delicious fish 'n chips, there's plenty of other excellent options as well. Some of my personal favorites are the Lone Chicharron Taqueria and Woody's Thai Kitchen for lunches and dinners, and Resurrect Art Coffee House for a quick breakfast or coffee on the go, but you can check out all my favorite restaurants in Seward here.

4. Explore Kenai Fjords National Park

One of the most popular (and easiest to access) National Parks in Alaska actually surrounds the city of Seward. There are two main ways you can explore Kenai Fjords National Park, by hiking or by taking a cruise. The easiest option is the wildlife cruise we mentioned above, which brings you through the fjords of Kenai Fjords National Park. If you're looking to explore more on your own, then I recommend heading towards the Exit Glacier area. You can explore the Visitor Center & gift shop, and head out on some hikes! The two I recommend are :

Exit Glacier Hike - An easy 2.2 mile loop to an incredible glacier viewpoint. Even though this glacier is retreating fairly quickly, you can still see the glacier at the overlook and enjoy the multiple signposts showing how much larger the glacier was in previous years. The majority of this hike is flat, but gets more steep the closer you get to the overlook. (pictured above)
Harding Icefield - A very difficult hike, about a 9 mile loop with over 3,200 feet of elevation gain. It leads to some incredible views overlooking the Harding Icefield, but it took us almost an entire day to complete. I'm a slow hiker and we took many breaks, but you'll want to bring water, bear spray, and snacks before you head out on this one. (pictured below)

5. Go Hiking

Even though I mentioned two of the most popular hikes above, there's lots of other trails in and around Seward that are great for hiking too. Tonsina Creek Trail is an easy hike that follows the coast of Resurrection Bay. You'll have to pay $5 to park in the lot, but it's about 3 miles long and gains 600+ feet of elevation. Mount Marathon is much more challenging, and is about 4 miles long with 3,000 feet of elevation gain. Lost Lake Trail is just on the outskirts of town and is a full day, 14-15 mile hike, gaining about 2,600 feet of elevation. Caines Head is another popular day hike at just under 15 miles, and gains 2,600+ fee of elevation as well.

6. Head out on a Kayaking Tour

One of the best ways to see glaciers and marine wildlife up close is to head out on a kayaking tour! Even though I love my glacier & wildlife cruises, you can often get closer to certain viewpoints on a kayak. There are plenty of guided kayak tours in Seward, and if you've never been before or are a little nervous, I'd recommend looking into going on this 3 hour guided kayaking group tour!

7. Visit the Adventure Park

If you're looking for a family adventure, I recommend visiting the local adventure park! They have everything from a kid-friendly ropes course, zorbing, axe throwing, and many more activities to choose from. You can either get an all day pass or just pay per activity. While you're there, keep an eye out for wildlife. When I was there we saw a moose right in the zorbing lake!

8. Explore Downtown + Go Shopping

For how small Seward is there's surprisingly lots of cute, local shops. Near the harbor you can find AK Starfish Co. and Forest Tides & Treasures, closer to downtown you can find The Alaska Shop and Dreamland Books & Yarn (not the best for souvenirs, but my personal favorite). In between, there's lot of art galleries and cafes, making it the perfect place for a little stroll.

9. Visit the SeaLife Center

Honestly, I'm not usually the type to enjoy (or recommend) zoos and aquariums, however, the Alaska SeaLife Center focuses on rescue and rehabilitation of their animals. Even though I encourage you to do something more unique while in Seward, if you end up having a rainy day or are traveling with kids, it's a great activity. They have lots of interactive exhibits, including a tidewater touch pool.

10. Ride the Alaska Railroad

If you've read my other blog posts on the Alaska Railroad, you know I'm not a huge advocate for the Alaska Railroad. A few years ago I surprised my mom with a roundtrip ride from Anchorage to Seward, and we really just weren't that impressed. However, it is still ranked as one of Alaska's top attractions, which is why I included it on my list. You can either book a same day roundtrip ride that I linked above, or you can book a one way train ride if you have a cruise you'll be catching.

11. Stay Off Grid

If you're in Seward for more than just a few days, one experience I highly recommend is spending a few nights at an off-grid cabin! There's lots around Resurrection Bay that are just a short boat ride away and they're incredible. In the past we've stayed at Granite Point, which are off grid and more rustic cabin stays, and at Shearwater Cove, which are a set of cozy yurts. They're both incredible, and it's a great way to really get the feel of Alaska.

12. Fishing Charter

Until recently, I had only ever gone deep sea fishing out of Homer, but turns out the fishing from Seward is just as good! We went out on an all day "Captain's Choice" fishing charter with Pro Fish n Sea, similar to this one, and were able to limit out on our Halibut and Ling Cod (the "captain's choice" fish of the day). Similar to wildlife, you can never really predict when you'll have a good day. On our way out to the Gulf of Alaska we even saw two whales bubble feeding on the way out!

13. Dog Kennel

When visiting Alaska, one of the most sought out things to do is to head out on a dog sled ride! Even though it's a completely different experience in the summer vs. in the winter, There's a few different sled dog tours you can book in Seward, but I recommend going on this one with IdidaRide - home of Mitch Seavey, who's won the Iditarod 3 different times. Plus they usually have puppies you can snuggle with. :)

14. Helicopter Tour

One of the most unique ways to experience Seward is from above, on a Helicopter Tour! To be honest this can easily be one of the most expensive excursions in Alaska, but I do think it's worth splurging on once (especially if you've never ridden a helicopter before). There's a variety of tours and helicopter operators to choose from in Seward, but the best way to book is by combining the helicopter ride with a dog sled ride!

15. Rent an E-Bike

If you're tired of walking or just want a quicker way to explore Seward, you can now rent an E-Bike or Moped! There's a few different companies in town, but I recommend going with Seward Bike Shop mainly because they have multiple locations throughout town, including rentals at the Train Station, Downtown, and out at Lowell's Point.

16. Enjoy a Local Event

Seward has plenty of unique events throughout the year, from the famous Mount Marathon Race to the more chill Seward Kite Festival. No matter when you're visiting, there's almost always something to do, and the Seward Community is so nice and welcoming. A few of my favorite annual events in Seward are :