20 Excited Things To Do In Seward, Alaska

1. Visit Kenai Fjords National Park

Welcome to Kenai Fjords National Park, at the top of the list when you are in Seward, Alaska. Featuring breathtaking glaciers and numerous wild animals, this beautiful park provides a great option for both wildlife enthusiasts and thrill seekers.

Humpback whales, sea otters, and puffins have all been spotted on boat tours that use the icy waters to access spectacular landscapes. The Exit Glacier Nature Center also hosts ranger-led tours and has fully accessible trails, which give visitors a chance to learn about the changing landscapes of glaciers and how they provide ecological services in a rapidly transitioning forest.

2. Discover Marine Life At Alaska SeaLife Center

Without a doubt, this amazing institution is not just an aquarium, but also a marine research and conservation facility focused on conserving Alaska's fascinating coastline ecosystem.

You get the opportunity to get up close with playful Steller sea lions and curious sea otters, as well as iconic species like puffins! The center has a touch tank where visitors can feel the textures of sea stars and anemones.

These can include excursions such as behind-the-scenes tours or hands-on interactions with the animals, which data shows have become more important to guests during their visits than ever before.

3. Catch A Local Event

If you are wondering what to do in Seward Alaska, become a part of an event that represents stepping into the lively local tradition. During the winter, visit the Seward Winter Carnival for an experience full of family fun games and races celebrating a wonderful time of year.

You also must make a pit stop at the Summer Solstice Festival during the summer, which features bonfires, art fairs, street performers, and concerts throughout the night under a midnight sun.

Keep note of the regularly scheduled events like their monthly community potluck lunch, where residents gather to share homemade dishes, or the Third Friday Music and Market Series.

4. Kayak or Take A Scenic Cruise To See Resurrection Bay

Resurrection Bay is an absolute gem, with its clear waters, towering glaciers, and variety of marine life. Here, you will witness sea otters and seals splashing in kelp beds, usually visible only from anchorage coves.

If you want a more in-depth experience, then I highly recommend joining one of the kayak tours that let you get much closer to the beautiful landscapes this bay has to offer.

You could find yourself paddleboarding into hidden coves, watching wildlife in its natural environment, or even witnessing the spectacle as a glacier calves. Seward cruise and boat tours are for those with limited time or looking to take it slow.

5. Dive Into Seward Community Library & Museum

Offering the quaint appeal of a library combined with museum allure, this one-of-a-kind facility is for visitors of all ages. Within walking distance of the waterfront, the museum provides a nice space to relax while reading in the library or learning about area history through Native artifacts (and its involvement in Alaska's 1964 earthquake).

There are always a ton of exciting events and programs throughout the year, such as summer movie nights! Also, be sure to take a picture in front of the bright mural painted on the building; it is one of popular Seward things to do.

6. Hike To The Base of Exit Glacier

Strap on your hiking boots and get ready for one great walk to Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park! No trip to Alaska is complete without witnessing the beauty of one of its most accessible yet incredible ice giants, mere miles from Seward.

This is an essential hike for any visitor and provides you with a view of the brilliant blue hue on the ice as well as the opportunity to hitch up breathtaking vistas from surrounding mountains.

Walk on the nicely built trails and along them read about how the glacier has been retreating rapidly, interpretation signs will show it, and this is dramatic evidence of climate change.

7. Join Guided Wildlife Tours

A wildlife guide will be able to help you understand the animals who call this town home, and there are a variety of Seward tours available to view them in their natural habitat. The team of guides who operate these tours are local pros and provide epic experiences in the crystal-clear waters surrounding Resurrection Bay, separate from Kenai Fjords National Park.

As you move about, watch for humpback whales breaching the water and sea otters playing while curious seals pop up heads out of the clear blue waters with colorful puffins flying in formation high above.

8. A Relaxing Day At Fourth of July Beach Resurrection Bay

With sunrise over the majestic Kenai Mountains, it shed light on Fourth of July Beach. Only a short drive from the bustling town center, this tranquil cove is a real hidden gem and offers an ideal retreat for those looking to enjoy some peace by the sea.

The beach itself is wide open and covered in smooth stones, as well as lots of driftwood for free-form seating, making it a great place to go looking for a beautiful spot to just plop down and take in the serene surroundings.

Teeming tide pools, filled with colorful starfish, crabs, and anemones, keep people young at heart, while the occasional appearance of a sea otter or seal adds to that excitement.

9. Experience Alaskan Fishing By Chartering A Boat

One of the best adventures you can take while in Seward is to hire a fishing boat. From the breathtaking vista of the mountains surrounding Resurrection Bay's sparkling waters, you'll cast for an incredible variety, which is some of Alaska's best sport fishing.

From halibut to rockfish and salmon fishing trips, you never know what each experience will entail, as it is in constant discovery with the wildlife that surrounds us. Several Seward Alaska charter fishing options provide environmentally responsible options, and your fishing trip can be not just exciting but also friendly to the earth.

10. Take A Self-Guided Tour To See Seward's Murals

Did you guys know Seward is the Mural Capital of Alaska? Visitors should take a self-guided mural tour, with more than 30 murals on buildings around the city. You might start at the Welcome to Seward mural on the cruise ship terminal and move forward to the Gateway to Alaska mural at the railroad's southern terminus.

Look for the mural at Kenai Fjords National Park, celebrating 100 years of US National Parks. Ranging in style and color, these massive pieces give us a hint of Seward's history as well as contact with the present-day aesthetic, presenting just right behind what may become your next favorite Instagram post.

11. Visit The Local Skate Park

Built to reflect the levels of skaters that use it, this newly erected Seward park at Waterfront Park is a hidden gem for both locals and tourists, where all types can feel safe. For those who are experienced or just getting into it, you have ramps, rails, and bowls for everyone.

It is also a perfect spot to gather some tips or tricks from skaters in the area. With skateboarding maintaining an ever-growing place in popular culture, this spot has always played a great part of the colorful Seward youth scene.

So grab a board, let the Alaskan air fill your lungs, and ride with us as we take you through this picturesque coastal town.

12. Stroll Along The Seward Boat Harbor

As you walk the dock, you will be stunned by the colorful fishing boats and the backdrop of the Kenai Mountains. More than a home for fishing charters and wildlife tours, the picturesque harbor is also an animated meeting space where sea otters play and seals bask in the sun.

There are restaurants and shops on the waterfront if you want to get a bite to eat or buy a special memoir. If you are a boat person or just want to get out and see some people, this is the harbor that never sleeps during your Seward adventure.

13. Enjoy Local Craft Beers And Hearty Meals At Seward Alehouse

This cute downtown bar features a fun selection of local brews, including beer from nearby Seward Brewing and Stoney Creek BrewHouse. It has a relaxed, happy vibe and serves draft beer in Mason jars.

The Alehouse does not have a kitchen, but patrons are encouraged to bring food from the likes of popular street-taco vendor Lone Chicharron and others nearby. This unique blend of ingredients and hometown pride make Seward Alehouse an ideal beverage destination for post-adventure relaxation.

14. Stay At Harbor 360 Hotel

This hotel is situated on the waterfront of Seward Small Boat Harbor and provides rooms overlooking Resurrection Bay and the majestic Kenai Mountains through a full 360-degree view. Imagine waking up to the sound of lapping waves and sitting down for breakfast as you gaze at your stunning backdrop. This makes it one of the top Seward hotels.

If the adventure of boat tours, like glacier and wildlife cruises, is what you seek, or maybe just a little relaxation, the indoor pool and hot tub amenities are perfect for anyone. What's more, it is located right next to Seward downtown, which means delicious restaurants and shops are just a stone's throw away.

15. Savor Fresh Seafood At The Cookery

Opened in 2015, this delightful eatery with a focus on local ingredients has since become the local's preferred dining choice under Chef Kevin Lane and his wife Stacey. The daily delivery of fresh oysters and wild-caught salmon, as well as other Alaskan specialties, make for delicious eats throughout a menu full of craveable dishes.

The welcoming atmosphere of The Cookery, coupled with its dedication to sustainability, makes it one of Seward Alaska best restaurants. Highlighting seasonal fare and an extensive wine selection, this is more than just a dinner.

Therefore, if you are in the seafood area of interest or maybe looking for something new, The Cookery will not disappoint.

16. Take A Water Taxi

A water taxi is one of the unique and memorable ways you can explore Kenai Fjords National Park. With some of the most reputable water taxi services based in Seward, you can book custom trips to near locations with companies like Bear Glacier or Thumb Cove, as well as far-off spots at Caine's Head.

Customize your adventure to your preferences and skill level with single-day or overnight options. A water taxi ride is one of the funniest things to do in Seward, whether you enjoy nature or adventure sports like us or are a music festival junkie looking for peace and quiet.

17. Explore Resurrection Campground & Rv Park

Located along the beautiful Resurrection Bay, this campground is perfect for camping with stunning views and outdoor adventure. Also serving as one of the Seward Alaska RV parks, it is a clean, well-landscaped site that encourages community living.

And you're a short walk from downtown Seward for fresh seafood and shops. Resurrection Campgrounds is located within walking distance of both hiking trails and Kenai Fjords National Park, making it a perfect place for your Alaskan adventures.

With a plethora of scent-filled natural surroundings, be it while you are fishing or on your way to hike and take in the beauty, this campground proves that there is no shortage.

18. Experience Dog Sledding

Dog sledding in Seward is one such activity, where the excitement of mushing crosses paths with heavenly glacial backdrops. This event is available year-round, with summer tours being a great variation of the classic winter fun.

Over the course of your ride, you will get to feel what it is like behind the sled and see some incredible views from around the Kenai Peninsula. Besides, many also offer the option to cuddle cute little sled dogs, making it more relishable.

Regardless of where you are in your adventure, Seward dog sledding is a staple experience that harnesses the Alaskan wilderness and history unique to musher culture.

19. Spend A Night At Seward Military Resort

Seward Millitary Resort is one of the top Seward Alaska places to stay if you are a military person or have family members who served the country. Nestled in the heart of Alaska's Kenai Peninsula, it is a vacation spot that fits every budget.

The resort has private rooms, townhomes, and log cabins, so you can come with any accommodation arrangement covered, even RV and yurt space. Discount tickets, and tour assistance with their most popular sites, include Kenai Fjords National Park, Exit Glacier, or Alaska SeaLife Center.

20. Go Snowmobiling

It sounds like you are ready to lace up your skates and soar on some iced-over panoramas past the sprawling, untouched Alaska outdoors. There's no better illustration of that vibrancy than in Seward Snowmobiling, an exciting look at the state's beauty during a winter chill.

You might see moose and wolves in their environment, with very experienced guides to lead the way. Or, make your way up to an actual glacier face and enjoy stunning blue caves and crevasses.

If you are a snowmobile enthusiast or planning to ride for the first time, then nothing can beat touring on one of these vehicles when in Seward, as it would be an awesome experience.