Visiting Seward, Alaska in the Winter (Things to Do + Best Tips)

Seward is hands down one of my favorite places to visit in Alaska, no matter the season. While most visitors plan their trip during the busy summer months, winter offers a completely different experience - one that I honestly like better. You'll trade the large cruise ship crowds for quiet streets, snow-covered mountains, and a much more relaxed atmosphere. If you're planning a winter trip to Seward, I'm sharing what you can expect, the best things to do, and a few tips to help you make the most of your winter 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.
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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 Winter Trip to Seward, Alaska​

Weather & Driving Conditions

Because Seward sits right on Resurrection Bay and has a more moderate temperature than more inland cities in Alaska, winter weather is typically a bit easier to handle than places like Fairbanks. The average temperature usually sits just above freezing, so depending where you're visiting from it might not be too cold. Personally, I usually wear a layer with a sweater on top (unless it's really windy and then I'll throw on another jacket) - but if you're from somewhere a bit warmer then you might want to layer up and check out my list of winter gear. If it is icy, make sure to throw on a pair of crampons to prevent any injury from slips and falls.

Because of this warmer winter weather, Seward usually gets less snow than the rest of Alaska. Sometimes parts of the marina & harbor might freeze over, but usually the water in Resurrection Bay doesn't completely freeze. Roads are also usually clear of snow and ice, but you can expect wet patches as any snowfall melts. If you end up driving from Anchorage, the mountain passes can be a bit snowy so you'll want to go slower in these areas.

Where to Stay + What's Open

Although Seward's weather is more mild than other parts of Alaska, they still get limited daylight during the winter months. The shortest day has about 5.5 hours of daylight - so I recommend choosing a place to stay that's extra cozy where you can snuggle in when it gets dark. My personal favorite cozy stay in town is Salted Roots. They have multiple options onsite, including A-Frames, Cabins, and a Retro Bus Cabin. They're located near Miller Landing, so they're private & secluded, while still sitting right on a beach on Resurrection Bay - plus they have a sauna right onsite to make your winter stay even cozier.

As for what's open in the winter, it's a bit limited. Many restaurants and shops (especially around the harbor) close down in the winter months - so it's best to check each restaurants website before actually stopping by. Some of my favorites restaurants in Seward that also have winter hours are The Cookery, Woody's Thai Kitchen, Rowdy Radish, and Lone Chicharron Taqueria.

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

9 Best Things to Do in Seward During the Winter

1. Alaska SeaLife Center
Alaska’s most famous aquarium is one of the places in Seward that's open year round. You can head inside to see all kinds of marine animals up close - seals, sea lions, puffins, salmon, even tiny tidepool sea creatures. They have lots of interactive exhibits for kids and it's the perfect way to learn about their marine rehabilitation efforts and a bit about local history. Inside you'll also find a giftshop with some adorable souvenirs, and they've newly opened up The Porthole Cafe, a grab-and-go version of one of my favorite food trucks in Seward.

*Pro Tip : If you're an Alaska Resident, make sure to mention it at the ticket counter for a reduced rate.

2. Visit Exit Glacier
Even though the road to Exit Glacier is closed in the winter, the area actually remains open for winter activities like hiking and cross-country skiing. The winter closure gate is around mile 1.3, so if you want to explore the Exit Glacier area in the winter you'll need to either hike, snowshoe, fat tire bike or cross country ski the last 7 miles to the parking area (plus one additional mile of hiking to get to the glacier overlook). Even though the road is closed to public vehicles, Adventure 60 North also offers a winter shuttle to the Exit Glacier parking lot under their commercial license.

*Tip : Don't expect Exit Glacier to look as melted and green as the photo above, that's a shot from July, when Exit Glacier is as melted and green as it's going to get.

​3. Charter a Winter Wildlife Cruise
Even though the larger glacier and wildlife charters like Major Marines are closed in the Winter, you can still charter a smaller boat with Seward Ocean Excursions to explore the waters of Resurrection Bay. You still have the chance to see wildlife like sea lions, seals, and even whales in the winter, and it's a much quieter and more peaceful time in the bay.

​4. Winter Kayaking
Kayaking along Resurrection Bay is a popular winter activity. Even if you don't know where to start, there's a few different companies that offer guided kayaking tours in the winter. From February to April, Miller's Landing offers a guided kayak tour along the coast as a half day trip. Adventure 60 North also offers a similar half day, guided kayaking trip.

5. Winter Hikes or Cross Country Skiing
Winter hiking is one of my favorite things - it's so peaceful and quiet and you don't have to worry as much about bears. If you've never been before it can feel a bit overwhelming, but the most important thing is to wear properly fitted gear and lots of layers. You'll likely also want to bring some crampons with you incase the trail gets icy. I've listed some hikes you can check out below, and linked any that you can book as a guided hike. Some of these also double as cross-country ski trails, so if that's more your vibe you'll want to check with the Seward Nordic Ski Club for trail conditions. If you don't have gear, you can rent cross-country skis from Seward Parks and Recreation.

• Two Lakes Trail (easy) - 1 mile loop near town that takes you on a flat path to two lakes
• Lost Lake Trail (difficult) - 14 mile out and back trail with 2,600+ feet of elevation gain
• Tonsina Beach Hike (easy) - 3.3 mile out and back trail that starts at the parking lot for Tonsina Beach and follows the coasts of Resurrection Bay (there is a $5 parking fee)
• Bear Mountain Hike (difficult) - 3.6 mile out and back trail that covers 2,600+ feet of elevation gain, this hike can be extremely steep and dangerous in the winter
• Mount Marathon Bowl Hike (difficult) - 4.5 mile loop that gains nearly 3,000 feet of elevation gain, similar to Bear Mountain this hike can be extremely steep and dangerous in the winter
• Divide Ski Area - located on Mile 12 on the Seward Highway, just north of Seward, this area is maintained by the Seward Nordic Ski Club and has multiple trails for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing,
• Bear Lake Ski Area - a 5 mile groomed route that accesses the Iditarod National Historic Trail

6. Cozy Up Inside
No visit to Seward is complete without spending time to just relax and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, especially in the winter. If you've booked a cozy cabin or stay like Salted Roots, then this is the perfect chance to get the sauna started, enjoy a cup of tea or hot chocolate, or find a puzzle or good book to enjoy. If your stay isn't so cozy, there's a few cafes in town that might be just as good. Try Resurrect Art Coffee House or Rowdy Radish.

7. Snowmobiling/Ice Climbing
One of the most popular winter tours in Alaska is a snowmobiling/ice climbing combo. And if you're someone looking for a bit of excitement and adrenaline, then these are the tours for you. Availability really depends on recent weather and ice conditions, so you'll need to check their website for updates, but Kenai Backcountry Adventures has a few different winter tour options.

8. Look for Wildlife
For visitors searching for marine wildlife, then you're in luck too. As you drive down the Lowell Point Road you'll often see plenty of seals, sea lions, and cute adorable otters - not to mention all the eagles you'll see! Walking the harbor is another great option. If you want to explore the outdoors, you can also head out on multiple winter hikes or go fat tire biking to Exit Glacier!

9. Local Winter Events
Even in the winter you can find unique events in Seward, especially around Christmas and New Years. If you're visiting during the third week of January, you might want to sign up for their annual Seward Polar Bear Jump - where people jump into the harbor for a fun cold plunge! There's also an Annual Luminary Ski event on New Years Eve hosted by the Seward Nordic Ski Club.

So, Is Seward Worth A Winter Visit?

Personally, I think a visit to Seward in the winter is much more enjoyable that a visit to Seward in the summer. Restaurant choices might be more limited, but you don't need a reservation and you can go wherever you feel like. Weather is chilly, which to me is perfect sweater weather. Even though not all activities and tours are available, winter creates the perfect chance to enjoy the peaceful side of Seward, and provides more opportunities to explore areas on your own.

*Pro Tip : Although viewing the Northern Lights might be on your Alaska bucket list, and you do have a small chance to see them in Seward, your chances increase greatly the further north you go - like in Fairbanks.

Watch my Adventures in Seward here!

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Other Alaska blog posts you might be interested in : 
-> 7 Reasons to Visit Seward
-> My Honest Review of Major Marine Tours
​-> Best Places to Eat in Seward

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