Seward & Kenai Fjords
A harbour town on Resurrection Bay and gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park—cruise to see tidewater glaciers calving, humpback whales and sea otters, and walk right up to Exit Glacier.
Seward sits at the head of Resurrection Bay on the southeastern tip of Alaska's Kenai Peninsula. It's the terminus of the Alaska Railroad and the Seward Highway, and the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park. With fewer than 3,000 residents, the town is backed by Mount Marathon and faces glacial fjords ringed by snowy peaks; in summer it's a busy port for cruise ships, whale watching and sport fishing, and historically it was the starting point of the Iditarod Trail. Highlights: first, a fjord cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park to watch tidewater glaciers calve and spot humpback whales, orcas, sea otters and puffins—the number-one reason to come to Seward; second, a drive to Exit Glacier and an easy trail to its face, with the Harding Icefield Trail as a challenge for fit hikers; third, the Alaska SeaLife Center, kayaking on Resurrection Bay, fishing from the small boat harbour, and hikes such as Mount Marathon and Caines Head. On the drive north you can stop at Kenai Lake and Russian River Falls to watch the salmon run. The tourist season is essentially mid-May to mid-September, with Jun–Aug best; the weather is cool and rainy (daytime around 12–18°C), so bring a waterproof jacket and warm layers; in winter most cruises and services shut down. Getting there: about 2.5 hours' drive from Anchorage along the Seward Highway (exceptionally scenic), or about 4.5 hours on the summer Coastal Classic train, and there are buses too. Plan on 2–3 days, booking accommodation and cruises ahead in peak season; be bear-aware during outdoor activities.
Top sights
- Kenai Fjords National Park Glacier & Wildlife Cruise – A fjord cruise from Seward to watch tidewater glaciers calve up close, with humpback whales, orcas, sea otters and puffins along the way.
- Exit Glacier – The only glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park that can be reached by car. An easy trail leads to its face, and signs along the way mark it…
- Alaska SeaLife Center – Alaska's only public aquarium and marine animal rescue center, where you can get close to Steller sea lions, seals and puffins.
- Harding Icefield Trail – A climb of about 1,000 m from Exit Glacier to the edge of the icefield, where nearly 2,000 square km of ice stretch out before you.
- Resurrection Bay Sea Kayaking – Paddling sea kayaks in a fjord ringed by snowy peaks, where you may pass sea otters and seals. It is one of Seward's most popular outdoor a…
- Seward Small Boat Harbor & Waterfront – The departure point for fjord cruises and sportfishing boats. In the evening, you can watch fishing boats unload giant halibut, and a water…
- Mount Marathon – A steep peak behind the town and the course of one of America's oldest mountain running races. From the summit, you can look down over Resu…
- Caines Head State Recreation Area – A coastal trail and WWII fort ruins at the mouth of Resurrection Bay. Plan around the tides. You can reach it on foot or by water taxi.
- Lost Lake Trail – An alpine lake hike just north of Seward. It passes through forest and then opens onto high alpine tundra, which is covered in wildflowers…
- Alaska Railroad Coastal Classic – A sightseeing train between Anchorage and Seward that follows Turnagain Arm, glaciers, and forested valleys. The trip takes about 4.5 hours.
- Seward Sled Dog Tours – Visit a kennel run by the family of an Iditarod champion, ride a wheeled sled pulled by sled dogs through the forest, and play with husky p…
- Kenai Lake – A long lake of turquoise water, colored by glacial flour, with the Seward Highway and the railway running along its shore. It is a must-sto…
- Russian River Falls – A viewpoint where schools of red salmon leap up the falls in summer. If you're lucky, you may see brown bears fishing in front of the water…
Where to eat
- The Cookery – Seward's most highly regarded restaurant, serving Alaska-farmed oysters and seasonal seafood, with long lines in peak s…
- Ray's Waterfront – A longtime seafood restaurant at Resurrection Bay's small boat harbor, open since 1986, where you can eat halibut and s…
- Gold Rush Bistro – A seafood casual eatery in Seward's historic downtown, where the halibut tacos and salmon burger make good lunch choice…
Itineraries
- Alaska Southcentral Highlights 7-Day Self-Drive – A self-drive from Anchorage, connecting Kenai Fjords cruises, Talkeetna flights, and Denali buses.
- Alaska Railroad North-South Traverse – Travel entirely by train from Seward to Fairbanks, including fjords, Denali, and an Arctic Circle day tour.
- Kenai Peninsula & Prince William Sound – Connect a Whittier glacier cruise with Seward and Homer to cover the Southcentral coast.
- Alaska Grand Loop 13-Day Self-Drive – An in-depth loop connecting Denali, Kennecott, Valdez, Seward, and Homer.