Things to do in Seward, Alaska

It has been a month since we returned from Alaska, and we are still completely amazed by the trip! What can I say about this month-long road trip through the Yukon and Alaska? It was an extraordinary experience. I’m starting this series by sharing what to do in Seward, Alaska. I have since also written a short guide to things to do and see in Haines, a magical place where we were lucky enough to spend a few days!

To be honest, we had not originally planned to travel this far into Alaska, as we arrived by road from Dawson City (in the Yukon) via the famous Top of the World Highway. It is a particularly well-known route for crossing the border from the Yukon and entering northeastern Alaska for the first time.

After a full day of driving from the border, we reached the famous Kenai Peninsula in the southern part of Alaska. We considered several other destinations, but decided to spend about ten days on this peninsula, exploring several remarkable sites and natural attractions around the town of Seward.

Here’s a round-up of what we did and what not to miss when visiting Seward!

We spent four days in and around Seward, and took the time to explore the town on foot. To be honest, we were not very lucky with the weather, as it was pouring when we arrived, which did not exactly make us want to wander around downtown. The city of Seward is actually divided into two parts. The first part is at the airport and along the road, and and frankly, it’s not much to write home about. Here you’ll find shops and supermarkets, as well as the Seward Visitor Center, which is worth stopping at.

As you continue along the waterfront, you will reach the town’s harbor on your left, which is definitely worth exploring. It doesn’t have the charm of Homer (where we also spent a few days), which I’ll tell you about later, but it’s well worth walking around and admiring the beautiful boats. It’s also the starting point for most boat trips, kayaking, paddleboarding, deep-sea fishing, and other excursions. It was from here that we set off on our day trip to explore the Kenai Fjords National Park (an unspoiled park with remarkable natural scenery).

The city center, and especially the waterfront, is pleasant to walk around, but not extraordinary. When the weather was good, we were able to enjoy some great views of the surrounding area, but although the constantly changing weather did not always cooperate. Take the time to wander these streets for an hour or two and discover all the little nooks and crannies. If you’re looking for souvenirs, there are plenty of shops selling plenty of tourist souvenirs, although they are not always particularly authentic.

We did not visit it ourselves, and between you and me, this type of attraction is not really our thing, but you can visit the Alaska SeaLife Center, which is located directly on the waterfront. The feedback I’ve had and read is pretty good. It is an accessible way to learn more about the region’s wildlife (humpback whales, sea lions, seals, otters, puffins, etc.). Admission is around $30. You can observe a range of marine animals and learn more about their environment.

To be honest, this was probably the most extraordinary boat trip I have ever taken. I won’t take the time to describe it in detail here, as I’ve written an entire article about exploring Kenai Fjords National Park. I strongly recommend reading it and taking a look at the photos—you may quickly find yourself wanting to experience this unforgettable day for yourself.

The excursion combines wildlife watching with magnificent views of the surrounding landscapes. The highlight for us was approaching the glacier, and hearing the striking sound of blocks of ice crashing into the icy water below, in what felt like an almost unreal setting. You’ll feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere, with one impressive landscape after another.

I’m repeating myself, but I’m sure that if this cruise fits your budget, you won’t regret it. Between the glaciers, cliffs, and open water, you’ll discover Alaska’s wide open spaces! Here is the incredible excursion we had the chance to do.

The small town of Seward is also a paradise for hikers and nature lovers. Of course, we did not hike as much as we would have liked because we also wanted to explore other parts of Alaska. But if you have the time and enjoy walking, hiking, and outdoor adventures, you will have plenty of options.

Here is a hike I was tempted to do when I was there, but after a bit of research, but after some research, it seemed too demanding with two children… This challenging hike covers more than 6 km with over 900 m of elevation gain starts from the town of Seward towards Mount Marathon along the Skyline Trail. From the top, you can enjoy remarkable views over the town of Seward and Resurrection Bay. However, I’d only recommend this hike to experienced hikers because both the ascent and descent can be exhausting. Dogs are not allowed on the trail.

For our part, we went to one of the region’s must-sees. I say “must-see” because it’s very well-known and therefore very popular—perhaps even a little too popular. We went in the late afternoon but it was still very busy. The walk takes you from the visitor center to several viewpoints on the Exit Glacier. What’s special about this hike is that you can actually choose between several hikes, depending on the level of difficulty you are comfortable with.

Everything is clearly explained in the visitor center. We opted for the classic family walk, the Exit Glacier View and Overlook Loop, which is a 3.5 km loop that is fairly easy, even for children. The Harding Icefield Trail, on the other hand, is a much more demanding hike, but apparently worth the effort as it takes you to higher ground and offers broader views of the glacier and surrounding landscape. You can do it on your own or with a guide.

Either way, it’s a very pleasant walk, even if we would have preferred it to be much less crowded. This was also the case with another walk we preferred because it felt more secluded: the trail to Byron Glacier, not far from Whittier.

I’ll tell you more about this in our article on the Exit Glacier hike.

The Tonsina Creek Trail is a popular 5 km round-trip hike that starts at Lowell Point State Recreation Site (just south of Seward, accessible by car). The trail is easy and fairly flat and can be walked year-round or explored on snowshoes in winter. The trail leads through a beautiful forest to a secluded beach with panoramic views of Resurrection Bay.

If you want to stretch your legs in the middle of the forest, this short 1.5 km trail offers a peaceful break from town!

Just north of the town of Seward, this hike starts near Bear Creek and covers more than 20 km through a magnificent spruce forest. The photos I’ve seen are superb, and the views of the surrounding mountains are particularly impressive. Keep in mind that this is a very long hike, but the difficulty is fairly moderate given the gentle incline. Depending on the weather, the trail can get muddy.

From Lowell Point State Recreation Site (south of Seward), this long coastal hike covers around 20 km that follows the waterfront for much of its length. The photos and feedback are excellent too, and if you’ve got the time, it’s definitely worth considering. You do have to pay attention to the tides, though, because some sections of the beach become inaccessible at high tide. The views along the coast are particularly impressive, and the forested sections also appear to be very enjoyable. You can ask locally for the tide schedule before setting out.

I think I’ve given you the basics of what to do in Seward, but if you’d like to consider other outdoor activities, here are a few more ideas:

• Take a scenic flight: We weren’t lucky enough to do this, but from what we saw while driving through the area, it seems well worth considering a flight over the fjords and glaciers by plane or helicopter. From experience (in Polynesia), the views from the air can be incredible;
• Go on a fishing trip: Let’s face it, we are not particularly interested in sport fishing, but Alaska, and this region in particular, is renowned for its fishing. So if you’re interested, Seward is a great place for salmon or halibut fishing (the halibut is excellent, by the way);
• Take a summer dog-sledding tour: Here is an activity and excursion that can be great fun for the whole family, and offers a different way to explore the area at a relaxed pace, for example for an hour or two.
• Rafting on the Resurrection River: This is definitely an activity I want to try on my next trip, without the kids of course. The feedback I have seen about this activity in Seward has been excellent.
• Snowmobiling in the area: In winter, you can take a snowmobile tour of the area for several hours, for a very different winter experience.

As we’ve always done, here’s what you need to know about getting to Seward, Alaska.

That depends on where you are coming from, of course. We came from the island of Guadeloupe, so getting there involves quite a journey. Seward and the Kenai Peninsula were not our original destination. We flew from Pointe-à-Pitre airport to Montreal, then on to Vancouver and finally to the capital of the Yukon, Whitehorse, Canada. We then continued by campervan, which I’ll tell you more about below.

But if you’re in France, for example, it’s easy to find flights from Paris to Alaska with a stopover.

To be honest: I would not rely heavily on public transportation in such a vast area. We decided to rent a campervan for the first time in our lives and, frankly, it was an extraordinary experience.

Alternatively, check out DiscoverCars, which also has some good deals at competitive prices!

I will not go into detail here because we’ve put together a comprehensive guide to the best places to stay in Seward. I’ll leave it to you to check it out, but you should know that there’s something for everyone: beautiful villas away from the busiest areas, comfortable properties or even camping in the middle of nowhere! It all depends on the type of vacation you’re looking for: authentic, unusual, comfortable and so on. Whatever you choose, you’ll have stunning views over Resurrection Bay.

Written by Sylvain PONS

Twice, over a period of about 2 months, I had the opportunity to explore several corners of the United States, taking advantage of the best it has to offer. I decided to share some of my experiences with you!

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That brings us to the end of this article about Seward. You now have the essential information and a good overview of the main sights, activities, and routes. See you soon for another article on this beautiful northern destination: Alaska.