1. Take a Day or Multi-Day Cruise in Kenai Fjords National Park
A glacier and wildlife cruise is one of the most popular options for how to spend a day in Seward, and it’s easy to see why.
Sailing out on these majestic waters filled with marine wildlife and surrounded by dramatic mountains is a thrilling way to experience the area.
Pressed for time? No problem: Even a shorter cruise in Resurrection Bay is incredibly dramatic.
If you have more than a day, you can really experience the majesty of the area on an overnight or multi-day cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park.
These are often private charters, with just your group, and adventures are customized to you.
2. Visit Exit Glacier
Located just a 10-minute drive from Seward, Exit Glacier is not only a gorgeous wall of blue ice, but also one of the state’s most accessible roadside glaciers.
It’s an easy way to experience the thrill of seeing a glacier and hear it crackling.
Choose from a couple solo hikes to get close to the glacier.
You can also take a guided ice-hiking or ice-climbing excursion and walk right out on the ice!
3. Hike One of Seward's Trails or Go With A Guide
Whatever kind of hiker you are and however challenging (or not) you like your hikes, you’ll find the perfect scenic trail in Seward.
Some take you past gorgeous lakes, through lush forests, or past glaciers.
In fact, one of the most popular hikes leads right up to the face of the blue wall of ice that is Exit Glacier. Want a view? Check out the Seward waterfront. And if you want a view and a challenge, take on the steep slope of Mt. Marathon.
If you prefer not to go alone, you’ll find some great options for guided hiking in Seward.
Choose Your Seward Guided Hike or Browse Our List of Seward Trails
4. Take a Water Taxi to Remote Trails or Cabins
In Alaska, car-accessible trailheads are just the beginning of the adventure—after all, most places in Alaska are only accessible by boat or plane.
So hop on a water taxi in Seward—it’s an easy, inexpensive way to expand the range of potential destinations.
One place to go is Caine’s Head, which has an abandoned WWII fort that’s ripe for exploring. You can even spend the night there in a cabin.
For an even more adventurous option, book remote yurts out in Resurrection Bay.
5. Visit the Alaska SeaLife Center
Seward’s famous SeaLife Center is truly an institution—and with good reason: It’s a great place to see Alaska’s unique wildlife up close.
You can check out harbor seals, Steller sea lions, puffins, giant octopuses, and much more.
Kids will be thrilled at the hands-on displays.
Plus, it’s much more than just a zoo—it’s also a wildlife rehabilitation and research center, so you’re supporting a good cause by visiting.
6. Go Fishing for Salmon or Halibut
Experience what makes the fishing in Alaska truly world-class on a Seward fishing charter.
Go out with experienced captains who know where to find the fish and cast for halibut, king salmon, and silver salmon.
Spend a half-day or full-day out on the water.
Captains will do everything they can to help you catch your limit, and will recommend a place that can process and ship your prized fish so you can enjoy it back home!
7. Go Flightseeing Over Harding Icefield and Kenai Fjords
Almost every town in Alaska offers the opportunity to get in the air and see Alaska's dramatic landscape from above.
But from Seward, you're incredibly close to the action. In under an hour you can see the massive Harding Icefield as well as the tidewater glaciers that touch the waters of Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park.
Do a day cruise to see the glaciers from the water, but get up in the air to really appreciate their enormity.
8. Stroll the Seward Waterfront Park & Downtown
Seward comes ready-made for walking. Downtown, you’ll find lots of charming shops and restaurants to duck into for a bite or to pick up a souvenir.
Then check out the gorgeous Seward Waterfront Park, which extends out over 5 miles—from the small boat harbor to the SeaLife Center.
Shimmering water backed by snow-capped peaks make for an iconic Alaskan view, and you’ll pass many monuments and landmarks along the trail.
Look for bald eagles, sea otters, and even sea lions and harbor seals along the way!
9. See the Murals in Seward
How do you make a pretty seaside town even prettier? Add some gorgeous murals!
Seward has officially been the “Mural Capital of Alaska” since 2008, thanks to 12 large murals painted by local artists, and you’ll find examples around town of how the town achieved this designation.
Paintings depict epic natural nearby sites, like Exit Glacier and Kenai Fjords National Park, as well as historic achievements like the Alaska Railroad (of which Seward is the southern terminus) and events like the Iditarod and Mt. Marathon race.
10. Discover Seward's History Through Landmarks & Monuments
Seward’s strategic position has made it the centerpiece of a lot of historical events, and exploring them adds insight to your visit.
For example, you can see where the famous Iditarod race began—before it became an international event—at the historic Iditarod trail and monument.
You can also learn about the building of the Alaska Railroad, check out what the town was like before the 1964 earthquake, and even stop by Seward’s oldest continually operating business.
11. Check Out a Festival in Seward
Add some extra fun to your trip by timing your visit to coincide with one of Seward’s awesome festivals.
The 4th of July is an especially big deal here, with many parades (and fireworks of course) as well as a famous foot race up Mt. Marathon.
Or come for one of Alaska’s oldest and largest fishing derbies, the Silver Salmon Derby, usually held the second week in August, when anglers compete for the largest catch!
Love music?
Catch the Seward Music & Arts Festival, held in the fall, for the best in local music and arts, as well as amazing food!
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Seward & Kenai Fjords Day Tours & Excursions View All
See Alaska’s unique and authentic side by hiring a guide for a day and creating a custom, private adventure for yourself and up to 7 others. Tours depart from Anchorage or Girdwood. Excursions include Matanuska glacier hikes, ATV tours, gold panning, northern lights viewing, snowmobiling, and more.
When in Seward, head out on the water with Alaska Northern Outfitters on their comfortable 46-foot catamaran – the Sea Quest — for an epic day of fishing for halibut, salmon, lingcod, and rockfish. It’s the only charter vessel in Seward with an upper viewing deck. This lets you sightsee or have lunch on the upper deck while watching the action below. . Inside you’ll find a large and heated interior, indoor seating for everyone, tables, and ...more
Embrace Winter on an epic cold-weather snowshoe trek out of Moose Pass, a small town on the Kenai Peninsula, in the heart of the Chugach Mountains. Extend the experience with an overnight or 2‑night stay in a handmade, Mongolian-style yurt on the shores of remote Grant Lake.
Intimate catamaran cruises into Kenai Fjords National Park from Seward for just 22 passengers, or up to 30 on private charters. Cruise through Resurrection Bay, keeping an eye out for humpback whales, orca whales (killer whales), puffins, Steller sea lions, Dall’s porpoise, harbor seals, and a large variety of bird species. Then make your way into the national park, and stop at the face of a tidewater glacier. You’ll enjoy a delicious lunch ...more
For a closer, quieter, and more peaceful version of the Alaskan glacier and wildlife cruise, travel by sea kayak. Paddle the shoreline of Resurrection Bay, where encounters with sea otters, seabirds, and spawning salmon are common. Choose from a variety of three-hour excursions or take a full-day trip.
Visit Iditarod champion Mitch Seavey’s homestead, home to three generations of Iditarod mushers. Experience an exciting two-mile dog sled ride, tour the racing kennel, meet the dogs, cuddle adorable husky puppies, and listen to stories from the Iditarod trail. Then climb aboard a custom-designed sled; an Iditarod race finisher drives you through rainforest to a river-cut canyon surrounded by mountains.
The Coastal Classic train runs between Anchorage and the town of Seward — a four-hour trip that’s the most beautiful along the entire Alaska Railroad. You’ll see Turnagain Arm as the train departs Anchorage, then a panorama of mountains, glaciers, lakes, and streams. You may even see wildlife like Dall sheep, Beluga whales, moose, bear, and more! Day Trip from Anchorage: Seward, Girdwood Multi-Day Trip from Anchorage: Overnight Seward, or ...more
Get up close to the Alaskan glaciers and wildlife you came to experience by taking a cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park on a custom-built catamaran out of Seward. The difference from other cruises, is that you’ll then get off the boat and into a kayak, paddle around icebergs, and watch for wildlife from your own vessel.
Drive through Alaska with an audio tour guiding you along iconic routes. Audio Tour Alaska gives you an insider’s take on everything from points of interest to history, wildlife, and culture, along with captivating stories. Guides to popular routes include Anchorage to Talkeetna; Talkeetna to Denali National Park; Denali to Fairbanks; Anchorage to Seward; Tern Lake to Homer; and the Denali Park Entrance area and the Denali Park road.
Take a spectacular private guided hiking tour in Seward — where the mountains meet the ocean — to explore glaciers and alpine ridges. When you go with Seward Wilderness Collective, you get a great tour plus a dialogue with their knowledgeable guides about the impacts of climate change, with living examples right in front of your eyes.
Traverse the majesty of Exit Glacier by ice hiking or ice climbing, or opt for a nature hike in the gorgeous terrain around Seward, Alaska. Never ice climbed or hiked on a glacier? Not a problem. All trips include instruction to get you started.
Profish-n-sea Charters, out of Seward, offers salmon and halibut fishing with friendly, experienced Alaskan guides. Trips last a full day; you’ll motor 2 to 2.5 hours from Seward to the Gulf of Alaska, Montague Island, and other outer-coast hotspots. Profish-n-Sea knows the three keys to catching fish: boats, knowledge, and gear. That’s why the boats are always clean, the gear sharp, and the crew friendly, helpful, and fun.
Charter a sailboat out of Seward and hit the waters of gorgeous Resurrection Bay! Choose an afternoon tour if you’re just in Seward for the day, or opt for a multi-day cruise. Your charter comes with a seasoned captain, or experienced sailors can rent the boat and take the helm themselves. Surrounded by mountains, the bay offers ideal sailing conditions, and you’ll have plenty of chances to see wildlife and glaciers.
Iconic Alaskan fishing amid the stunning views of Kenai Fjords National Park: Go angling out of Seward with the experts at Crazy Ray’s Adventures and experience this winning combination for yourself. No experience necessary!
The area around Seward abounds in glaciers, making it the perfect place to go heli-flightseeing. Fly above town and Resurrection Bay, opt for a glacier landing, or longer flights over Kenai Fjords National Park. They can even drop you off on top of Seward’s famous Mt. Marathon to enjoy the amazing views.
This veteran tour operator runs a a fleet of fast, modern boats in Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park. You’ll visit tidewater glaciers as you watch for puffins, sea otters, Dall’s porpoises, sea lions, and more. Some tours are designed to please birders or shutterbugs, while others are perfect for families.
Get a bird’s‑eye view of one of Alaska’s most dramatic landscapes — Kenai Fjords National Park — on an unforgettable scenic flight out of Seward. Experience the extremely rare opportunity of a Glacier Landing on the Harding Icefield on this small group, intimate adventure.
Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords are great places to see wildlife and glaciers. And Major Marine’s vessels, which have cozy heated cabins and an outdoor viewing area, can take you out to see both. This family-owned tour operator has gone above and beyond to give guests an amazing day on the water since 1990.
$5,850+ (Inside Passage $2,650+)
5 days / 4 nights
Cruise Ship Type: Small Ship Cruises
Ship Name: M/V Sea Star
Set sail for 5 days and 4 nights with the crew of the M/V Sea Star for small ship adventure cruising in Prince William Sound, Kenai Peninsula or along the Inside Passage. The well-appointed yacht accommodates just 12 guests, allowing for a personalized experience where you are the explorer! Unplug from day-to-day life and soak up the wonders of Alaska’s amazing coastline. All meals prepared by an on-board chef and featuring fresh local ...more
Take a boutique, small-group kayaking trip with experienced guides at Liquid Adventures and get close to glaciers in kayaks or paddleboards while looking for whales and other marine mammals. You can even combine your adventure with a jetboat, helicopter, or wildlife cruise. There’s nothing quite like it in all of Alaska!
Members of 1% For The Planet, Kayak Adventures Worldwide strives to fulfill their mission to inspire an active stewardship of our natural world. Through small group sea kayak tours in Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park, they focus on safety, education, and connecting guests with the unique and fragile ecosystems you’ll visit.
Bald eagles are known to nest in this wooded spot near Resurrection Bay — and when you sign up for a tour with Stoney Creek Canopy Adventures, you’ll get to soar just like these iconic birds. This three-hour tour — the only canopy tour on the Kenai Peninsula — combines ziplines, rappels and sky bridges, with panoramic views of Mount Marathon, Resurrection Peaks and all the gorgeous scenery around you. It’s easy, and undeniably thrilling.
With Scenic Mountain Air and you’ll be flying over one of Alaska’s most beautiful areas from Moose Pass. Set on the Kenai Peninsula, 25 miles north of Seward, this central location makes it easy to explore iconic natural features — like glaciers, ice fields, and mountain lakes. Or, use their expertise to fly to remote public use cabins or lakes for fishing.
The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) is the only public aquarium in Alaska that is a combined marine research, education, and wildlife response facility. Explore an undersea kelp forest, meet the birds in the aviary, enjoy the antics of Steller sea lions and seals in the Rocky Coast exhibit, and more.
Choose between the 3.5‑hour Resurrection Bay Tour or the 7‑hour Kenai Fjords National Park Expedition, either way, you’ll be treated to spectacular views of glaciers, sea cliffs, and iconic wildlife such as orcas, puffins, and bald eagles. With a maximum of six guests per tour, enjoy a personal and unobstructed view of the natural wonders.
Start with a dramatic flightseeing trip in either a helicopter or ski plane and then get out onto an ancient river of ice for a thrilling glacier exploration either hiking or climbing.
Hop on board the all-season Missing Lynx and Lost Lynx, the vessels bound for whatever Seward Ocean Excursion suits your fancy. Want to whale watch, see glaciers, go bird watching or just check out hidden coves? Captains Bixler and Krystin McClure will help your small group plan an outing catered to your preferences. No matter the season, you can always catch some excitement in Resurrection Bay!
Seward & Kenai Fjords Parks & Trails View All
This trail is also called the Primrose trail at the north end. It begins in a beautiful rainforest and eventually takes you up to a multiple of beautiful lakes in high meadows. Anglers can fish for rainbow trout in the lake.
Don’t expect to run very much of this world-famous race route, which begins 2.5 hours south of Anchorage and climbs nearly 3,000 feet from downtown Seward. Though the first part of the route is very runnable, the next 1.5 miles climb Mount Marathon and are too steep and rocky for most to run. Just the hike itself makes for a very intensive workout.
Your best bet for this trail is to go out on one low tide, spend the night — in either a forest service cabin or campsite — and then return the following day or several days later on another low tide. Great forest-to-beach hiking trail.
Many people know of the grueling Mount Marathon racecourse in Seward, some 130 miles south of Anchorage. However, most people don’t know that there’s also a hiking path to the top at Race Point — and it’s far less demanding. This 2.25-mile route, which entails hiking three different trails, takes you up the mountain and lets you to explore a glacial valley along the way.
The hike to Tonsina Creek, a scenic 3 mile trail that takes about 1 hour in each direction, is a local favorite. Locals and visitors alike walk out to the creek itself, and some continue on to Caines Head State Park.
You can hike right up to Seward’s Exit Glacier and feel the dense blue ice while listening to it crackle. Walk the lower trail to get a good photo in front of the glacier face. Or, choose the more challenging 7‑mile round-trip Harding Icefield Trail. There is a short ranger-led walk daily at 11am and 3pm, from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
This trail extends from the Caine’s Head North Beach through rainforests and alpine meadows to several linked beaches that are great for picnicing and beach combing.
If you want a taste of dim spruce forest along a wild river bottom, try the first few miles of this mostly level route into the Resurrection River Valley. From the trailhead Mile 7 of Exit Glacier Road, the trail runs 4.5 miles to Martin Creek and is suitable for mountain biking or skiing after snowfall. It features two primitive campsites and occasional access or views of to the river.
Access the park from behind the State of Alaska Seward Job Center complex. Walking trails link two small lakes through the old growth trees.
This trail is a spur off of the main trail that connects the North and South Beach trails in Caines Head State Recreation area. This is a really good hike for the whole family with gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains. Also, because it is part of a trail system, this makes for an excellent day trip. There are many trails to hike and opportunities to get some great pictures!
Much like the Mount Marathon trail, this hike is a little strenuous. Luckily, the Jeep Trail gives you more benches and opportunities to rest. The trail goes from rain forest to alpine, passes by beautiful waterfalls, and small mountain lakes, and ends with the beautiful Marathon Bowl.
These popular trails lead to two beautiful, pristine lakes. Even better, they’re both easy hikes, which makes them perfect for people of all ages. Bring a fishing pole and angle for stocked trout in Meridian Lake or grayling in Grayling Lake.
This steep hike is a bit of a challenge, but it pays off. The trail winds through a spruce and hemlock forest into the sub-alpine and alpine zones, with breathtaking panoramic views of Resurrection Bay and Seward. Be sure to bring a camera and plenty of water!
The trail begins at mile 12.1 of the Seward Highway. Watch closely for the sign and pull into the off-highway parking area. The trail begins as the Iditarod Trail, and many improvements have been made to this section. The Troop Lake Trail branches off of this famous trail approximately 1 mile from the start, reaching the lake about a half mile later.
Seward Waterfront Park extends from the small boat harbor to the SeaLife Center and contains paid tent and RV camping, playgrounds, a skate park, picnicing areas, beach access, and a trail lined with historical landmarks.
Easily accessible and not very difficult
Known to locals as the Divide Ski Area, this trail was built by dedicated community volunteers from the Seward Nordic Ski Club.