Carli
Carli
Seward is a must visit destination for anyone visiting Alaska. Read along as I share the best things to do in Seward Alaska.
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- Getting to Seward Alaska
- #1 things to do in Seward: Kenai Fjords tours
- Things to do in Seward Alaska: Fishing
- Visit the Alaska Sealife Center
- Things to do in Seward: take a dog sled tour
- Walk along Waterfront Park
- Things to do in Seward FAQs
Getting to Seward Alaska
Before you can enjoy all the things to do in Seward, you have to get there first. There are no flights to Seward, so you’ll need to make your way there from Anchorage. You can drive, take the Alaska Railroad, or get a transfer to Seward. For more information read How to Travel from Anchorage to Seward Alaska
#1 things to do in Seward: Kenai Fjords tours
You can’t go to Seward without taking a tour of the Kenai Fjords National Park. This is absolutely the top of the list for things to do in Seward. Here you’ll be awestruck by the size and scale of the mountains and glaciers within the fjords. Beyond the beauty of the natural setting, you’ll see an extensive amount of wildlife.
The highlight of these Seward excursions are hands down seeing whales in their natural habitat. If you’re lucky, you’ll get a gray whale breaching out of the water. Even without a breach, seeing these majestic creatures is a sight in itself. In summer you may be able to see humpback whales, gray whales and orcas among others.
While seeing whales is definitely at the top of the “things to do in Seward” bucket list, they aren’t the only marine life you will see. Along with the bald eagle, there are countless species of birds for the twitchers or bird enthusiasts.
There will be mountain goats scaling the sheer cliffs along Resurrection Bay. Watching them scale the vertical face of the mountain is an astonishing feat.
There are sea lions lounging and battling for position on the rock formations along the shores of the cliffs. Keep an eye out for sea otters floating and snacking in the marina.
What to expect from your tour
The tour companies have their boats docked at Seward Boat Harbor where you’ll check in at either the Breeze Inn or Harbor 360 hotel.
Once on the boat there are multiple decks to sit and take in all the scenery. The front deck has tiered seating, with the most unobstructed views, but tends to get cold and windy. Don’t be afraid to hang out in the interior spaces. Even the shortest tours at 4 hours get long if you’re outside the whole time.
The crew and captain do a fantastic job of calling out the different wildlife and where to spot them. They also have professional binoculars on board to use for the duration of the tour. You will have plenty of warning to step outside, or just stay in the warm cabin and view through the windows.
The full day (6-8.5 hour) tours include complimentary deli lunches, but the half day tours do not. So either plan ahead to eat before you board, bring food with you, or buy snacks on the ship. There is complimentary coffee and tea available, with soda and alcoholic beverages available for purchase.
Motion sickness
If you’re like me and get motion sickness, being on a boat for even a short period of time can be worrisome. Thankfully, on my trip we had smooth waters and no issues. Between the easy access to the outside for fresh air, and windows throughout the interior, there are plenty of ways to mitigate any potential seasickness. The staff also has natural remedies like ginger candies on board that they offer to any guest in need.
If you are concerned with seasickness during these Seward activities, I’d suggest picking up any of the items linked below to use prior to boarding.
motion sickness essentials
Where to book your Tour
There are two main tour operators for Kenai Fjord tours. You really can’t go wrong with either as you’ll see incredible sealife with both.
Things to do in Seward Alaska: Fishing
Aside from the jaw dropping scenery, Alaska is also famous for Fishing. Fishing season in Alaska, takes place over the summer. If fishing in Alaska is on your bucket list then add it to your list of things to do in Seward AK.
The benefit to taking a fishing charter is not only do you get to partake in world class fishing, but you also get the bonus of viewing the mountains and fjords. You basically get a marine tour and fishing excursion in one.
Seward offers options for Halibut, Salmon and Rockfish charters which may vary based on the season.
Keep in mind fishing charters start very early in the morning and typically last the whole day. Be prepared to be on the boat for up to 12 hours and make sure to bring food with you.
Visit the Alaska Sealife Center
The Alaska Sealife Center (ALSC) is an incredible facility to learn more about the local Alaska marine life. The ALSC is one of the best things to do in Seward with kids, but is a great spot to visit at any age.
The ALSC is located at the edge of downtown, right on Waterfront Park looking out over Resurrection Bay.
Here you’ll learn all about the local marine life residing in Resurrection bay and within the Kenai Fjords. Beyond that, you’ll be able to see a number of the animals. Here they have some resident harbor seals, sea lions, and my personal favorite, the Puffin. In addition to the mammals, they have all the classic aquarium species like starfish, sea urchins and sea anemones.
Visiting the ALSC is also one of the least time consuming Seward Alaska activities. You should plan to budget a minimum of an hour to visit, but ideally plan for 90 minutes.
The ALSC is only open from May through September, and hours vary based on time of year. They also offer discounted tickets for early booking, so if you can, book early. Check hours and ticket prices here.
Things to do in Seward: take a dog sled tour
While most dog sled tours are reserved for the winter months, you can get the experience in Seward in the summer without the frigid cold. Dog sledding is a quintessential Alaska experience, and this offers one of the more fun and unique things to do in Seward.
The dog sled tours are small group (15 or less) tours where you learn about the history of dog mushing. You’ll be able to see the kennels, meet the dogs and if you’re lucky, puppies, then get a sleigh ride through the Alaskan wilderness trails.
This is a great family friendly activity, and at only 90 minutes (plus transportation) won’t take up the whole day.
Walk along Waterfront Park
While most of the top things to do in Seward are outside of the city or off land, don’t miss out on taking in the views from the city itself. The Waterfront Park offers sweeping views of Resurrection Bay and the mountains surrounding the water. Whether you want to take a run or walk, or just sit and enjoy the view for a while, you’ll be struck by the incredible beauty of the area. Also, this is one of the only free Seward attractions to enjoy.
Camping/RV Parking at Waterfront Park
If you have your own RV or van, or are renting for a bucket list adventure, you can wake up to some of the best views Seward has to offer from the Seward Campgrounds.
Camping is only available late spring through late summer. You can book your campsite directly through the City of Seward.
Things to do in Seward FAQs
How many days do you need in Seward, alaska?
You should plan a minimum of two full days in Seward. Any fishing or marine tour will take up most of a day, so you should plan at least one more day to explore another part of the region or enjoy the small town shops and restaurants.
Is Seward, Alaska worth visiting?
Yes, Seward is work visiting as it is full of natural beauty. It’s also a wonderful place to see whales and other wildlife.
Why is Seward Alaska famous?
Seward Alaska is best known for its proximity to the Kenai Fjords National Parks and glaciers. The city is located on Resurrection Bay, which has a huge diversity of marine and wildlife including otters, whales, sea lions, eagles, and mountain goats.
What are things to do in Seward with kids?
The Alaska Sealife Center is a must visit location for anyone with kids, but is great to visit at any age. A dog sled tour is also very family friendly. Marine tours are great for older kids/ teens, but not recommended for young kids as many are full day tours.
