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Alaska, United States

Seward

Spend two full days: one on a Kenai Fjords cruise, one at Exit Glacier and the SeaLife Center. Below: 2 sights, 4 activities and 2 places to eat, plus how Seward fits into a longer trip.

Plan Seward with friendsBrowse 9 places
Seward, Alaska, United States
Places
9

2 See · 4 Do · 2 Eat · 1 Drink

Curated routes
1

Alaska Glacier Route

Best season
Jun – Aug

from our route notes

Warmest month
August

15°C / 58°F avg high

Coolest month
January

0°C / 31°F avg high

Wettest month
October

about 297 mm rain

Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.

Things to do in Seward

9 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.

See

The landmarks we would not skip in Seward across Kenai Fjords National Park and Downtown Seward.

  • Exit Glacier in SewardPhoto: Dubhe · CC BY 2.5
    See

    Exit Glacier

    Kenai Fjords' only road-accessible glacier, with signs showing its retreat since 1815.

    Tip Nature center open summer only; road closes to cars in winter, then ski or snowmachine in.

    • Kenai Fjords National Park
    • Free
    • 2 hr
    • Morning
  • Alaska SeaLife Center in SewardPhoto: Alaska SeaLife Center · Google
    See

    Alaska SeaLife Center

    Aquarium and marine rescue center with Steller sea lions, puffins and harbor seals.

    Tip Good rainy-day plan; behind-the-scenes tours need advance booking.

    • Downtown Seward
    • $$
    • 2 hr
    • Rainy day

Do

Hands-on ways to spend time in Seward across Small Boat Harbor, Kenai Fjords National Park and Downtown Seward. 2 of them are free.

  • Kenai Fjords Tours in SewardPhoto: Kenai Fjords Tours · Google
    Do

    Kenai Fjords Tours

    Day cruises into Kenai Fjords National Park for tidewater glaciers, orcas, puffins and sea lions.

    Tip The 6–8 hour Northwestern Fjord routes reach the most glaciers; take seasickness meds.

    • Small Boat Harbor
    • $$$$
    • 8 hr
    • Jun–Aug
  • Harding Icefield Trail in SewardPhoto: Kathleen Herrold · Google
    Do

    Harding Icefield Trail

    Steep 8.2-mile round trip climbing 3,000 ft to views over a 700-square-mile icefield.

    Tip Upper sections hold snow into July; start early and carry bear spray.

    • Kenai Fjords National Park
    • Free
    • 8 hr
    • July–Aug
  • Sunny Cove Sea Kayaking in SewardPhoto: Sunny Cove Kayaking - Adventure Center, Seward, Alaska · Google
    Do

    Sunny Cove Sea Kayaking

    Guided kayak trips in Resurrection Bay, including paddles near Aialik Glacier.

    Tip Lowell Point trips suit beginners; glacier trips combine with a boat transfer.

    • Small Boat Harbor
    • $$$
    • 5 hr
    • Calm morning
  • Mount Marathon in SewardPhoto: J from Seattle, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0
    Do

    Mount Marathon

    Seward's town mountain, site of the July 4 race; the hikers' trail gives bay views.

    Tip Use the hikers' trail, not the steep racers' route.

    • Downtown Seward
    • Free
    • 4 hr
    • Clear day

Eat

2 places to eat across Small Boat Harbor and Exit Glacier Road, picked for groups who care about the food.

  • Ray's Waterfront in SewardPhoto: Ray's Waterfront · Google
    Eat

    Ray's Waterfront

    Long-running harbor restaurant for fresh halibut, salmon and crab.

    Tip Seasonal: open roughly April to September.

    • Small Boat Harbor
    • $$$
    • 1.5 hr
    • Dinner
  • Resurrection Roadhouse in SewardPhoto: Resurrection Roadhouse · Google
    Eat

    Resurrection Roadhouse

    Lodge restaurant at Seward Windsong Lodge on the road to Exit Glacier.

    Tip Seasonal: open roughly May to September.

    • Exit Glacier Road
    • $$$
    • 75 min
    • Dinner

Drink

1 bar or café in Downtown Seward for coffee, a round or a nightcap.

  • Seward Brewing Company in SewardPhoto: Seward Brewing Company · Google
    Drink

    Seward Brewing Company

    Downtown brewpub with house beers and Alaska-sourced food.

    Tip Grab a seat upstairs; it fills after cruise boats return.

    • Downtown Seward
    • $$
    • 60 min
    • Evening

How to fit Seward into a trip

Seward is stop 2 of 3 on our Alaska Glacier Route. Follow it as-is or lift Seward into your own plan.

Getting here and onward

Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.

Seward month by month

Average daily highs run from 0°C / 31°F in January to 15°C / 58°F in August. October is the wettest month, with about 297 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.

Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Seward weather and the best time to visit →

Near Seward

3 other destinations from our guides within about 250 km (155 mi), measured in a straight line.

Seward questions, answered

How many days do you need in Seward?

Our route notes suggest 2 days in Seward. On our Alaska Glacier Route it is stop 2 of 3 in a 7-day trip. The listed visit times for our 9 places add up to roughly 33 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is Seward best known for?

Spend two full days: one on a Kenai Fjords cruise, one at Exit Glacier and the SeaLife Center. Standouts on our list: Exit Glacier (Kenai Fjords' only road-accessible glacier, with signs showing its retreat since 1815); Alaska SeaLife Center (Aquarium and marine rescue center with Steller sea lions, puffins and harbor seals); Kenai Fjords Tours (Day cruises into Kenai Fjords National Park for tidewater glaciers, orcas, puffins and sea lions).

When is the best time to visit Seward?

Our Alaska Glacier Route is best Jun – Aug. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in August (15°C / 58°F), the coolest in January (0°C / 31°F) and the most rain in October (about 297 mm).

What are the best things to do in Seward?

Start with Kenai Fjords Tours, Exit Glacier, Harding Icefield Trail, Alaska SeaLife Center and Sunny Cove Sea Kayaking. Our guide lists 9 places in all, from 2 sights, 4 activities, 2 places to eat and 1 bar or café.

Where should a group eat in Seward?

Our picks: Ray's Waterfront (Small Boat Harbor); Resurrection Roadhouse (Exit Glacier Road). Seasonal: open roughly April to September (Ray's Waterfront).

What is near Seward?

The closest destinations in our guides are Anchorage (about 126 km / 79 mi), Homer (about 128 km / 80 mi) and Talkeetna (about 249 km / 155 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.

Plan Seward with your crew

Open the Alaska Glacier Route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 9 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.

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