Seward, Alaska, Guide

The gateway city to Kenai Fjords Nationwide Park, Seward is among the most important tourism hubs on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula. Indicators for fishing charters and scenic excursions dot the buildings on one finish of city (the Seward Small Boat Harbor); memento outlets are frequent on the opposite. Guests come by the 1000’s, typically by the use of the Alaska Railroad, to board cruise ships, see glaciers, and fulfill their desires of watching a humpback whale breach within the wild.

However Seward can be a layered neighborhood—one the place historical past, artwork, and a deep appreciation for the pure world converge to kind an fascinating, and evolving, narrative. The 9.2-magnitude Good Friday Earthquake devastated the neighborhood in 1964—a lot of its results on the land are nonetheless obvious 60 years later—and it’s Mile 0 for the Iditarod Nationwide Historic Path, initially often called the Seward–Nome Route.

All through city, work by native artists graces espresso outlets, tour check-in areas, and outside areas. Seward is even referred to as the “Mural Capital of Alaska,” with round 30 vivid, large-scale murals offering a pop of distinction to the oft-gray, misty mornings.

“Seward is located inside a northernmost temperate rain forest, and it may be a wet place, however that’s precisely what makes [it] distinctive,” Stephanie Millane, the proprietor of Sunny Cove Kayaking, tells Journey + Leisure. “Come ready to embrace the rain, and you will have an unimaginable go to.” As I got down to uncover the story of Seward, I packed accordingly, with my waterproof gear and heat layers in tow.

The place to Keep

Salted Roots

Vacationers who need to embrace the artwork of gradual journey in Seward ought to browse the varied stand-alone cabin choices at Salted Roots. Owned by locals Matt and KellyAnn Cope, the hospitality group has outposts in each Anchorage and Seward, however the latter was their first foray into an “anti-tourist” sort of visitor expertise; every of the cabins is extra house than resort. The flagship glass-front A-frame can match as much as six folks and shares entry to the on-site sauna, hearth pit, and personal beachfront.

Gateway Resort

Gateway Hotel is nothing fancy—not quite a bit is in Alaska—but it surely’s clear, comfy, and conveniently situated to Small Boat Harbor. The 74-key property opened in 2021, and it’s a strong alternative for anybody spending simply a few nights in Seward between mid-Might and late October (it’s solely open through the peak tourism season). A easy breakfast is included, and there’s complimentary Wi-Fi, baggage storage, and an environment friendly shuttle service to the Alaska Railroad Depot. The linens, tub towels, and blackout shades additionally obtain my stamp of approval.

Harbor 360 Resort

Harbor 360 Hotel is a year-round lodging possibility that comes really useful by Millane. Its checklist of facilities is much like its sibling property, the Gateway Resort, but it surely additionally options Seward’s solely resort pool, in addition to an enviable location proper on the Seward Small Boat Harbor; a few of the harbor-view rooms even include non-public balconies.

Finest Issues to Do

Discover Kenai Fjords Nationwide Park on a scenic cruise.

“An absolute must-do is visiting Kenai Fjords Nationwide Park, which is essentially accessible by boat,”  says Millane. ”Lacking a glacier and wildlife tour is nearly like lacking the purpose of visiting Seward.” Major Marine Tours has a number of choices for passengers, with half- and full-day excursions.

Wildlife sightings embody sea otters, harbor seals, sea lions, orcas, puffins, and humpback whales. Whereas recognizing the aforementioned animals isn’t assured, glaciers are promised—I did see all of them on a cruise in early September, although. On longer excursions, the passenger boats head as much as Holgate Glacier and Aialik Glacier. All is quiet whereas your entire tour group awaits the sound of a giant ice chunk breaking off from the glacier’s edge, a frequent incidence often called calving.

Ebook a kayak tour or fishing constitution.

Seward has one thing for each outside curiosity. In the event you’d choose a peaceable paddle round Resurrection Bay, with river and sea otters popping up right here and there, ebook a kayak tour with Sunny Cove Kayaking, provided Might via September. Fishing charters are plentiful, and Alaska Northern Outfitters, ProFish-n-Sea Charters, and Crazy Ray’s Adventures deliver friends out to the Gulf of Alaska to catch silver salmon, king salmon, and halibut.

Hike as much as Exit Glacier.

“Extra adventurous vacationers will get pleasure from mountaineering round Seward, the place a lot of our trails result in panoramic views of Resurrection Bay and big glacier-carved valleys,” says Millane. Nearby hikes vary from simple to strenuous.

In the event you’re after a comparatively leisurely trek, reserve a $20 Exit Glacier shuttle ticket. The timed van brings friends to the Exit Glacier Nature Center, the one a part of Kenai Fjords Nationwide Park that may be reached by automotive. From there, the one-mile, wheelchair-accessible Glacier View Loop Path results in panoramic vistas of the dynamic (and receding) Exit Glacier; you may as well tack on a further 0.6 miles with the Glacier Overlook Loop.

Tour the Alaska SeaLife Heart.

These touring with youthful children will respect the hands-on academic expertise on the Alaska SeaLife Center. The one everlasting marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation facility in Alaska, it features as a public aquarium in addition to an area for analysis, schooling, and wildlife response. The Steller sea lions, ringed seals, and noticed seals flipping and diving of their outside enclosures are the true spotlight of the house.

Finest Eating places

Cookery

Considered one of Millane’s favorites, Cookery has made a reputation for itself each in Seward and the bigger culinary neighborhood. Proprietor and government chef Kevin Lane was nominated for a 2025 James Beard Award within the Finest Chef: Northwest & Pacific class, and his menu options contemporary oysters on the half shell, Alaskan spot shrimp and grits, and a carrot cake parfait topped with cream cheese ice cream.

Flamingo Lounge

After a busy day of mountaineering, kayaking, or admiring a pod of orcas from behind a pair of binoculars, deliver your journey companions all the way down to Flamingo Lounge. Billed as a “basic steakhouse with native seafood,” the restaurant can be owned by the Copes, who introduced the property into its latest chapter in 2022. The menu nods to the institution’s roots as Thorn’s Showcase Lounge—its “Bucket of Butt,” a dish that includes chunks of deep-fried halibut, was a Thorn’s staple—however this present period is a decidedly unique take. In the event you’re within the temper for one thing extra informal (or you may’t get a desk), there are a number of meals vehicles parked proper outdoors the restaurant.

Firebrand BBQ

You may not count on Texas barbecue in Alaska, however I can say from firsthand expertise that it’s the precise sort of delicacies you’ll crave following an tour on the water. Firebrand BBQ, owned by Texans Chad and Stephanie Higgins, operates seasonally—so that you’ll want to go to between mid-Might and mid-September if you wish to order a plate of pulled pork, slaw, pinto beans, and potato salad. The fast, informal service on the outside barbecue joint can be appreciated once you’re feeling (and searching) a bit of worse for put on on the finish of the day.

Resurrect Artwork Espresso Home

There are a couple of totally different locations to get your caffeine repair earlier than a day of adventures in Alaska, however Resurrect Art Coffee House, open year-round, tops the checklist. Technically, it’s greater than only a espresso store; it’s a bakery, an artwork retailer, and a neighborhood house. It’s additionally housed in an previous church, which dates again to the early 1900s. You’ll be able to definitely order your standby drink, however I’d additionally encourage you to strive one of many home concoctions, just like the Snickers latte or a breve made with home made brown sugar and sage syrups.

Miller’s Touchdown Cafe

The waterfront views are the point of interest at Miller’s Landing Cafe. The native eatery is the perfect spot for a pre-paddle breakfast or dinner following a profitable fishing constitution. Plus, because of the lined deck overlooking Resurrection Bay, you may get pleasure from outdoors seating even when the frequent drizzly climate makes an look.

Finest Procuring

Forests, Tides & Treasures

“Forests, Tides & Treasures is a good store for items and outside gear,” says Millane. So in the event you by chance forgot a raincoat or a sling bag for mountaineering, otherwise you’re trying to find the right memento out of your Seward journey, that is the place to go.

Primrose Provisions

Millane can be keen on Primrose Provisions, a multipurpose store that doubles as a market and wine bar (she recommends ordering the burrata plate). The idea is exclusive to Seward, and so is its location; you’ll store the choice of handmade jewellery, native artwork, and classic finds within the city’s unique practice depot overlooking Resurrection Bay.

Alaska Store

As you stroll down Fourth Avenue—the “beating coronary heart of Seward,” as an indication on the town reads—you may’t miss the Alaska Shop. Millane describes the shop as a “go-to for items,” and also you’ll discover a vary of crafts, mugs, T-shirts, magnets, and paintings to peruse earlier than or after lunch at a neighboring restaurant.

The Ranting Raven

There’s no scarcity of locations to purchase native artwork in Seward—you may uncover a lot of them on a First Friday Art Walk from Might via September, in case your journey aligns with the month-to-month occasion. However don’t miss The Ranting Raven, a quaint cease on the town for playing cards, stickers, stationery, and different easy-to-transport memorabilia.

Finest Time to Go to

Whereas Millane says the best time to visit Seward is relative, there’s no query the months of June, July, and August are the preferred—and, as such, essentially the most crowded and costly. However in the event you don’t thoughts skipping Seward’s peak whale-watching season in July and August, you’ll be capable to get pleasure from a quieter facet of the city, and one that also comes with a substantial amount of causes to go to.

“I typically encourage folks to go to in Might or June, when we now have nice wildlife viewing and usually good climate, however we do not but have the crowds,” she says, including that winter can be a “magical” time in Seward. “Visiting Seward in winter provides folks a glimpse into life right here, and you may nonetheless eat at unimaginable eating places, discover Resurrection Bay on a small boat tour, take a snow machine (a.okay.a. snowmobile) tour to Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords Nationwide Park, and discover our trails on our intensive cross-country snowboarding path community.” In the event you do journey to Seward within the shoulder season or offseason, simply make sure you do your analysis on what’s and isn’t open—and word that your transportation choices could also be restricted. For instance, the Alaska Railroad Coastal Traditional practice doesn’t run within the winter.

The way to Get There

In the event you’re beginning your journey in Anchorage, like I did, you’ve three strong choices for attending to Seward: bus, automotive, or practice. The seasonal Park Connection Motorcoach makes two journeys to Seward every day in the summertime—one within the morning, one within the afternoon—and the journey takes about three hours. Vacationers who determine to make the drive themselves ought to plan for a roughly three-hour scenic street journey, though it’s possible you’ll need to cease at locations like Portage Glacier or Girdwood alongside the way in which.

Whereas the longest of the three choices (about 4 hours from finish to finish), the Alaska Railroad’s Coastal Classic practice is an expertise in and of itself. Operating seasonally, the practice leaves Anchorage at 6:45 a.m. and arrives in Seward simply after 11 a.m. When reserving, passengers will select both the Adventure Class or the premium GoldStar Dome service, the latter of which incorporates breakfast on this specific route. The principle good thing about the GoldStar Dome service, although, is entry to views. The practice snakes via a few of the most superb backcountry surroundings, and people within the GoldStar Dome class can observe it from the glass-dome ceilings of the railcar in addition to an outside viewing platform.

The way to Get Round

Seward is well navigable on foot; it’s solely a few 20-minute stroll from Seward Small Boat Harbor to the extra central industrial space (the place you’ll discover the Alaska SeaLife Heart). Many of the tour meetup areas are in Small Boat Harbor, so having your personal automotive isn’t mandatory. There’s additionally a free shuttle that runs on a continuous 30-minute, five-mile loop through the day from Might 1 to mid-September. The shuttle stops are marked all through city with blue and white indicators, and the bus has pink “free shuttle” messaging.