A Guide to Seward, Alaska

7/18/2022

**Updated : September 2022**
Use the map to see a visual of all our recommendations - click the arrow next to our photo to have a pop up list! This post may also contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you purchase a product via these links, with no extra cost to you!

Check out our Alaska Packing List here!

Getting There

Getting to Seward is very straightforward, you simply drive south from Anchorage for about about 120 miles. We highly recommend taking your time enjoying the views along the way, especially near Turnagain Arm and Moose Pass, as well as the gorgeous blue water of Kenai Lake!

If you aren't able to get a car, you can also take the Alaska Railroad! I just took my mom down to Seward this way, and although it wasn't our favorite and very, very slow, it's always another (spendy!) option.

You can read our full review of the Alaska Railroad here!

If you're arriving to Seward in the Summer, chances are they will have the Free City Shuttle up and running! This is a great way to get around and it runs from the Railroad/Cruise Terminal area to the Sea Life center with various stops throughout downtown! (If it's not running, then try to find Beats Walkin Ebikes - the little pop up electric bike rental shop!)

Places to Stay

There are SO MANY amazing places to stay in Seward! We've only ever stayed at the Harborside Campground, but the stays at the top of our list (that we've also heard great reviews about) are :

Orca Island Cabins
Shearwater Cove
Salted Roots Cabins
Resurrection Lodge on the Bay
Harbor 360 Hotel - great if you're looking for a central location!
Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge
Seward Gateway Hotel

There are also many campgrounds in the area, including :

Seward KOA Journey - near Kenai Fjords National Park
City Campgrounds - a majority of these are right on the water!
Millers Landing

Places to Eat

In addition to many places to stay, there are also some great places to eat as well! Our personal favorites are :

Mermaid Grotto Cafe - a unique blend of yummy eats & a boutique shop!
13 Ravens Coffee & Books - super unique small cafe inside an old railcar
Alaska Seafood Grill - great seafood (fish 'n chips are delicious here!) and outdoor seating
Lone Chicharron Taqueria - delicious street tacos and paletas!
Seward Brewing Company - great food & drinks!
Harbor Street Creamery - amazing ice cream!

Other places to eat that we haven't tried yet (but have heard great reviews about) include :

Things to Do

Seward is one of the places in Alaska where you have plenty of options. Plenty of places to stay, plenty of places to eat, and plenty of adventures to be had.

Wildlife Tour with Major Marine Tours - you might be tempted to book the shorter tour, but coming from someone who's done both the 4 hour tour and the 7.5 hour tour you HAVE to do the longer one, the amount of wildlife you see doesn't even compare!

You can read our full review on Major Marine Tours here!

Sailing Tour with Resurrection Bay Sailing Charters - we haven't personally done this yet, but it looks absolutely incredible and have heard great reviews!
Kenai Fjords National Park
- Exit Glacier Hike - an easy 2.2 mile loop to an incredible glacier viewpoint
- Harding Ice Field - a more challenging 9.2 mile loop to some incredible views
Stoney Creek Canopy Adventures
Alaska Sea Life Center - we don't normally enjoy zoos/aquariums, but I took my mom here last month and she loved it! We were able to touch starfish & urchins and see how sea lions, seals, and puffins swim underwater!

Rent an Electric Bike from Beats Walkin Ebikes to explore town!
Seward Axe Company (no link) - last time we were there, they were located across the street from the brewery!
Wildlife Viewing - your best bet will be doing a wildlife tour, but if you have access to a car then we also recommend driving down Nash Road for a chance to see some bears!
Shopping - AK Starfish Co. is one of my personal favorites!

Fun Facts

Seward is named after William H. Seward, who negotiated the purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867!
Keep your eyes open when walking the marina area - they've had whales very close before and there's also a chance for sea lions and seals!