Let’s be honest, Seward Alaska is a touristy cruise ship town. You’ll feel it the moment you’re downtown in July, shoulder to shoulder with people shuffling off the ships. But ya know, that’s fine, it earns the popularity. Resurrection Bay is stunning, the wildlife you can see in a single afternoon boat trip is genuinely incredible and ridiculously easy to access, the food is solid, and the bars are fun. Touristy and good aren’t mutually exclusive, and Seward is proof.
I first came here on my first ever trip to Alaska, back in high school, and the wildlife absolutely blew me away, as a kid from Georgia, I had never seen anything like it. A decade later, on an off day during my first real TV gig in the state, I did the exact same wildlife viewing cruise. It was somehow even better the second time around, we saw more than a dozen humpback whales. AND, I was old enough to actually drink at the Yukon Bar afterward. Throw in a hike on Exit Glacier and you have a pretty unforgettable Alaskan experience.
Quick Facts: Seward, Alaska
| Population | ~2,700 year-round |
| Known For | Kenai Fjords National Park, Mount Marathon, the Alaska SeaLife Center, deep-water port |
| Getting There | Drive the Seward Highway (125 mi / ~2.5 hrs from Anchorage), or the Alaska Railroad |
| Named For | William H. Seward, the U.S. Secretary of State who negotiated the Alaska Purchase in 1867 |
| Founded | 1903, as the ocean terminus of what became the Alaska Railroad |
| Iditarod Trail | Mile 0 of the historic Iditarod Trail starts in Seward |
| Best Time to Visit | June–August for weather and full tour/charter operations |
Seward, Alaska: History & Now
People have used Resurrection Bay for thousands of years, it’s the traditional home of the Qutekcak people, part of the Alutiiq/Sugpiaq. Russian fur traders arrived in 1793 and built a small post here, one of the earliest European footholds in the region.
The town as it exists today dates back to 1903, when it was founded as the ocean terminus for what became the Alaska Railroad. A deep water port with a straight shot to Alaska’s interior made it strategically valuable, and Seward boomed as a result.
Today, Seward runs on cruise ships, tourism, commercial fishing, and its role as the practical doorway to Kenai Fjords National Park.
Getting to Seward, Alaska
Seward does technically have a small local airport, but it has zero scheduled commercial flights. They only operate charters and air taxi traffic. So there’s no flying directly into Seward the way you would Ketchikan or Homer. Everyone gets here the same way: fly into Anchorage first, then drive, ride, or take the train the rest of the way.
By Car
The Seward Highway connects Seward to Anchorage, about 125 miles, roughly 2.5 hours, and I think it’s one of the most beautiful drives in the state, if not the country. It’s also officially recognized as a National Forest Scenic Byway, so the drive itself is a real part of the trip.
By Rail
I’ve always wanted to do this. The Alaska Railroad’s Coastal Classic runs a seasonal daily route between Anchorage and Seward, May through September. It departs Anchorage in the morning, arrives Seward mid morning, and heads back in the early evening. A slower, scenic alternative to driving, and a great option if you don’t want to deal with a rental car.
By Shuttle
If you’d rather not drive or rent a car, companies like Red Eye Rides run regular shuttle service between Anchorage and Seward.
Getting Around Seward, Alaska
Seward itself is small and walkable. The harbor, downtown, and most restaurants and shops sit within easy walking distance of each other. You’ll want a car or a tour booked with transport included to reach Exit Glacier.
The Seward Trolley
A local shuttle loops around the main part of town roughly every 30 minutes between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. in summer months, free to ride as much as you want.
Seward Taxis
Several small local companies operate, called rather than hailed:
- Seward Independent Taxi — (907) 224-3958
- Red Taxi — (907) 224-2727, also runs trips out to Exit Glacier and even Anchorage
Rideshares in Seward
There is no reliable Uber or Lyft in Seward, Alaska. Uber’s own site lists Seward as “covered,” but I wouldn’t count on it. Call a taxi instead of waiting on an app that may never find you a ride.
Top Things to Do in Seward, Alaska
Kenai Fjords National Park Boat Tours
This is Seward’s single biggest draw, and what always stands out in my mind when I think of Seward. Tidewater glaciers calving directly into the ocean, humpback and killer whales, sea otters, sea lions, and puffins, all from a boat that leaves right from the harbor. Companies run half day tours that cover Resurrection Bay itself; full-day tours push further out into the actual fjords, where the glaciers are.
Alaska SeaLife Center
Alaska’s only public aquarium, right on Seward’s waterfront. Steller sea lions, harbor seals, puffins, king crab, and a serious marine research and rescue operation behind the public facing exhibits. An excellent stop if the weather’s not cooperating with your boat tour plans or if you’re prone to sea sickness.
Mount Marathon
Every 4th of July, the Mount Marathon Trail hosts one of the most storied footraces in North America. Local lore says it started as a bar bet between two prospectors over whether the mountain could be summited and descended in under an hour. Sounds like something me and my buddies would do half drunk and bored in the bush.
Race day is every July 4th, and the town’s population swells from around 2,700 to tens of thousands. You don’t have to race to summit the trail. You can hike the trail any other day of the year.
We have a full article on the biggest races in the Last Frontier: Marathons in Alaska
Exit Glacier
The only part of Kenai Fjords National Park you can actually drive to, a short spur road off the Seward Highway. A network of trails leads right up to the glacier’s edge and, for the more ambitious, all the way up to the Harding Ice field itself. It’s open and accessible year-round. Snow machines, fat bikes, and cross-country skiers take over once the road closes for winter.
I did this hike in 2014 and was blown away by the devastating visual of a receding glacier. Dated markers line the path all the way back to the 1800s, each one showing exactly where the glacier’s edge stood in that year, so you’re literally walking the distance it’s retreated, one signpost at a time.
Where to Eat in Seward, Alaska
The Cookery
The Cookery is a spot to book ahead for. Farm to table fine dining Alaska style. I’m talking a cold bar with oysters and scallop aguachile, local seafood entrees that change with whatever’s running, or should I saying swimming. It’s widely considered the best restaurant in town, arguably on the entire Kenai Peninsula, and wait times reflect that.
Ray’s Waterfront
Ray’s is a classic albeit kitschy Alaska experience. Huge windows looking straight out over the boat harbor and Resurrection Bay, wood paneling, a beluga whale mount on the wall, and otters playing in the water while you crack into king crab legs. Rain jacket and Xtratufs are welcomed attire.
Those are just two. We broke down all 12 of our favorite spots in Seward in our Full Seward Restaurant Guide.
Where to Drink in Seward, Alaska
The Yukon Bar
A proper dive in a building dating back to 1904, a bar since 1942, dollar bills stapled to the ceiling, and live music most summer nights. Affectionately referred to as the Salty Dawg of Seward, which I can attest to, it’s got the same dive bar vibe, just with a few more tourists. Cheap drinks and a rowdy crowd right on 4th Avenue downtown.
Seward Brewing Company
Seward Brewing Company is a family owned brewpub downtown with a taproom looking out over Resurrection Bay. The lineup runs wide: a milk stout, a fruited saison, a boozy seltzer, and seasonal high ABV specialty brews. Open May through September.
We ranked all our favorite watering holes in the state: Best Alaska Bars
Where to Stay in Seward, Alaska
Seward breaks down into three real areas. Stay in the harbor for early boat departures, downtown for walkability, or out toward Exit Glacier if you want more of a national park lodge feel.
Harbor 360 Hotel
Right on the water at the Small Boat Harbor, where every Kenai Fjords tour and fishing charter departs. This is the pick if you’ve got an early morning boat and don’t want to think about logistics. Real waterfront views over the harbor and the Kenai Mountains, and it’s the closest thing Seward has to a full service hotel.
(907) 865-6224 // harbor360hotel.com
The Breeze Inn
Downtown, a one-minute walk from the harbor, and the more budget-friendly of the harbor-adjacent options without giving up the location. A solid, no-frills pick if Harbor 360’s rates are more than you want to spend.
(907) 224-5237 // breezeinn.com
Seward Windsong Lodge
A few miles out on Exit Glacier Road, tucked into the Resurrection River valley near the glacier itself. The vibe is more park lodge than hotel. It runs a shuttle into town for dinner or the Yukon Bar.
(877) 777-4079 // sewardwindsong.com
Bell In the Woods B&B
Homemade breakfasts, a warm small scale experience, and a practical bonus for anglers, they offer fish processing and storage on site. They also offer their own deep sea fishing and Kenai Fjords wildlife tours. About 10 minutes from the park.
(907) 491-1066 // bellinthewoods.com
Fishing in Seward, Alaska
Resurrection Bay and the surrounding Gulf of Alaska waters hold an awesome variety of species. Halibut averaging 20–40 lbs, king salmon, rockfish and epic silver salmon run. Several operators run combo trips that pair fishing with a Kenai Fjords tour in the same day.
The town’s Silver Salmon Derby is held every August, and is one of the oldest fishing derbies in the state, dating back to 1956.
Our full guide to Seward fishing charters covers species, seasons, and charter recommendations in more depth.
When to Visit Seward, Alaska
June through August is peak season by a wide margin. Full charter and tour operations are available, the mildest weather, and both of Seward’s signature events are held. Mount Marathon on July 4th, and the Silver Salmon Derby in August.
Outside that window, a lot of the boat tour and charter infrastructure that Seward runs on scales way back or closes entirely, so plan around summer unless you have a specific reason not to.
| Month | Avg. High Temp | Rainfall | What’s Happening |
|---|---|---|---|
| May | ~52°F | Increasing | Tour season ramping up, fewer crowds, good rates |
| June | ~58°F | Driest month | Full swing, best weather odds of the summer |
| July | ~62°F (warmest) | Low, but crowds peak | Mount Marathon (July 4th) — the town’s biggest weekend by far, book far ahead |
| August | ~60°F | Rising | Silver Salmon Derby, still full tour operations, slightly thinner crowds than July |
| September | ~52°F | Wettest month of the year | Tours winding down, most operators still running early in the month |
| October–April | Well below freezing at times | Snow, heavy rain in fall | Most charters and tours closed; Exit Glacier road closes to cars, still accessible for winter recreation |
Seward, Alaska FAQs
Is Seward worth a day trip from Anchorage?
Yes. A shorter Resurrection Bay cruise works fine as a day trip. A full day Kenai Fjords tour is a long day from Anchorage and pairs much better with actually staying in Seward overnight.
How far is Seward from Anchorage?
About 125 miles, roughly a 2.5-hour drive.
Do you need to book a Kenai Fjords tour in advance?
Yes, especially in peak summer. Boats have limited capacity and popular departure times fill up.
What’s the best month to visit Seward, Alaska?
June through August, with July offering both the best weather and the Mount Marathon spectacle, if you don’t mind the crowds that come with it.
Is Exit Glacier open in winter?
The road closes to cars once snow arrives, usually in mid November. The area stays accessible for snowmobiles, fat bikes, and cross-country skiing.