Seward, Alaska: Travel Guide & Itinerary with Top Things to Do

Thinking of visiting Seward, Alaska, but not sure how many days you need or how to plan your time? In this guide, I share a suggested Seward itinerary based on my recent trip. It includes all the musts that you can see in 1-2 days as well as additional recommendations for 3 days or a longer trip. It’s absolutely perfect for your first visit!

Best known as the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park and the iconic Harding Icefield, Seward should be a key stop when planning any visit to Alaska! It’s a truly unique place where mountains, glaciers, and oceans meet to create the most breathtaking scenery!

This small coastal town has it all: easy access to some of the most phenomenal landscapes, a diverse range of activities for all ages, and – last but not least – some of the best food in Alaska!

After spending two unforgettable days in Seward, I’ve put together this detailed itinerary packed with the highlights, top sights, and some incredible off-the-beaten-path experiences that will make your visit even more special.

Keep on reading for a complete travel guide with the best things to do, insider tips, and locals’ favorite restaurant recommendations to help you plan a truly memorable trip to Seward!

Disclosure: I visited Seward on an invitation by Visit Seward and Seward Chamber of Commerce, and was hosted by most businesses mentioned in this article. However – as always – all opinions are my own. If I sound overly enthusiastic, well, it’s because Alaska has that effect on you. Seward was the very first place I visited on my two-week trip and it was love at first sight.

 

Seward Itinerary Overview

Here is my recommended Seward itinerary in a nutshell:

• DAY 1:
  • Alaska Railroad from Anchorage to Seward.
  • Lunch.
  • An outdoor activity of your choice (we went rafting, but you can also choose summer dog sled ride, kayaking, hiking, helicopter tours, etc.).
  • Alaska SeaLife Center and waterfront.
  • Seward downtown and dinner.
• DAY 2:
  • Coffee/ breakfast.
  • Kenai Fjords National Park cruise (multiple options).
  • Unique sauna experience.
  • Dinner.
• DAY 3 or longer:
  • Harding Icefield Trail.
  • Exit Glacier hike.
  • Bear viewing.

Further below, you can read all the details with our personal recommendations for each of these places and activities, as well as the best restaurants in town. But first, some practical tips and useful info for your visit to Seward.

 

How Many Days Do You Need?

Seward is located less than a 2.5-hour drive from Anchorage. It’s also the end stop of the famous Alaska Railroad and a turnaround port for many Alaska cruises. Because of this strategic location, the majority of travelers visiting Alaska include Seward in their itinerary, even if just for a few hours.

However, Seward has so much to offer that it absolutely deserves a longer visit!

As a minimum, we recommend 2 full days in Seward. This will give you enough time to see the main highlights and experience the area just a bit deeper. However, if you like hiking and other outdoor activities, try to allocate 3-4 days for this beautiful area!

My experience: I stayed in Seward for two nights and two full days and those days were well filled without being too rushed. This itinerary could also be done on an overnight visit from Anchorage, spending just one night in Seward. But even with two full days and two nights, I wish we had stayed longer!

 

When To Visit Seward

The best time to visit Seward is between late May and mid-September. The weather is mild, everything is open, and you can enjoy all the best outdoor activities. Most tours are seasonal and only run in the warmest months.

The peak travel season is June-August. However, spring and fall can be magical in Alaska as well. Most summer tours run from mid-May through late September and some boat cruises operate until mid-October.

However, there are also so many amazing winter tours, such as snowshoeing, snowmobiling, dog sledding, ice climbing, etc. So you can find plenty to do in Seward outside of the main tourist season as well!

Take a look here for an overview of some of the best tours in Seward in any season!

My experience: I visited Seward in mid-September. Not only did we have the best possible weather and could enjoy fantastic fall colors, but I also saw the Northern Lights every night, which made the trip even more memorable. We also saw tons of wildlife on the boat tour, including dolphins and whales (but too far for photos).

Good to know: The itinerary that is described below can be done more or less between May and early October. You may have to adjust some details at the start and the end of the season depending on the availability of some tours or activities.

 

Where To Stay

Seward is not a big town, but two main areas are located about 1 mile apart: the harbor area and downtown. The SeaLife Center and some of the best restaurants are located in the center, whereas boat tours leave from the harbor.

I recommend staying in the harbor area which is also just near the railway station. It’s not only convenient for boat trips, but also makes things easier if you are arriving/leaving by train.

I stayed at the Harbor360 Hotel. Other nice options in this area include Gateway Hotel and Harborview Inn. The latter is located a bit closer to the center, so it’s a good option if you can’t decide between the harbor and downtown.

 

Getting Around

If you follow this itinerary exactly as we did it, and book guided tours (including transportation), you can manage without a car in Seward. If you are not taking a train, then it’s easier to simply rent a car from Anchorage Airport and drive. We personally use and recommend this website for car rentals anywhere in the world.

That said, if you arrive by train and for whatever reason need a car in Seward, you could rent it here as well. Hertz has an office close to the harbor/railway station, and I think there are also a few other companies.

Good to know: To get to Seward, we took the Alaska Railroad and you can also take the train back to Anchorage at the end of your visit. Alternatively, there are also transfer services between Seward and Anchorage. We used a local shuttle service from Seward called Red Eye Rides several times on this Alaska trip and they were great.

 

Here is my suggested itinerary for your first trip to Seward:

DAY 1

Based on my itinerary and personal experiences, this is what I recommend for your first day in Seward:

Alaska Railroad: Scenic Train Ride from Anchorage to Seward

While you can easily drive to Seward, I can’t imagine a better way to arrive here than on a scenic train ride on the famous Alaska Railroad. This particular trip is called Coastal Classic and it runs between Anchorage, Girdwood, and Seward.

We took an early morning train (6.45 am) from Anchorage and were in Seward at 11.20 am.

The scenery on this coastal journey is absolutely breathtaking! I heard nothing but wows around me during the entire 4.5-hour trip. See some pictures below, but believe me – it’s a thousand times more impressive in reality!

TIP: If your budget allows it, book the Gold Star tickets so you can enjoy the views through the glass roof as well as from an elevated outdoor terrace on the train. These tickets also include breakfast and several drinks. Otherwise, if you travel in Adventure Class, you can also purchase food and drinks on board.

Good to know: Just like many other experiences in Alaska, this railway trip is seasonal; it can only be done between mid-May and mid-September. Alternatively, you can rent a car in Anchorage and simply drive to Seward, or book a transfer.

Practical info: You have to check in your luggage in Anchorage before boarding the train, and they bring your bags straight to your hotel in Seward. So once you arrive, you can go sightseeing without having to worry about practicalities. However, if you need any special clothing or equipment for your afternoon activities, be sure to take those with you on the train!

 

Check-in Harbor360 Hotel & Lunch at Supaluck’s Bakery

Upon arrival in Seward, we headed to check in at the hotel. We were staying at the Harbor360 Hotel, which is literally just near the railway station, so it was very convenient. This is one of the nicest hotels in Seward and the location is perfect for this itinerary!

Our bags were not delivered from the train yet, but the hotel stored them in the storage room for the rest of the day until we were back from our adventures.

Time for lunch!

We picked up a light lunch from Supaluck’s Baker, which is located just a few minutes walk from the station and our hotel. They have a small selection of sandwiches, salads, various pastries, and some interesting drinks – perfect for a light lunch.

 

Rafting (or other adventurous outdoor activity)

There are so many fun outdoor activities to choose from in Seward! In the summer season, you can go hiking, rafting, kayaking, take a helicopter tour, or opt for a dog ‘sled’ ride, etc.

We went on this 3-hour rafting adventure on the Resurrection River with Kenai Backcountry Adventures. Their office is located a short ride from town, but they also offer hotel pick-up/drop-off.

This was one of the best things we did in Seward and everyone had so much fun!

We started rafting close to the Exit Glacier Viewpoint and paddled back in the direction of Seward. Many of the places we passed along the river are completely inaccessible otherwise, so it was a truly unique experience. The scenery is amazing with mountains, glaciers, and waterfalls all around you. Often, you can also see wildlife on these tours. We spotted a few bold eagles.

The Resurrection River changes all the time, so you never know in advance exactly what you get. But in general, you can expect Class I to Class III rapids here and quite shallow waters. This rafting tour is family-friendly and they allow children from 5 years.

My experience: Having done rafting in warm climates before, I was a bit anxious about rafting in a glacier river in Alaska in the fall. But it was such a scenic and fun experience that I quickly forgot all my worries. Our guides told us that in the whole season, nobody fell out of the raft, so that was reassuring. Most of the time, our trip was very relaxed and I think we didn’t experience anything over Class II on the day we went (which was more than thrilling enough for me ;)).

Good to know: Most outdoor tours I linked above take about 2-3 hours and have at least a few starting times. The afternoon rafting tour usually starts at 1 pm and ends around 4 pm. Some other tours, e.g. dog sledding or helicopter have more departure times throughout the day and are even shorter. So you can always find something nice to do in Seward depending on your interests and schedule.

 

Alaska SeaLife Center

The Alaska SeaLife Center is one of the top attractions in Seward. It’s both a research facility and an aquarium where you can get an up-close look at native Alaskan wildlife like sea lions, puffins, octopuses, and all kinds of fish, etc.

It’s a great stop for families and a must for anyone interested in Alaskan marine life and conservation. The kids (young and old!) will love the interactive exhibits and touchpools!

In addition to regular self-guided visits, they also have special experiences, animal encounters, sneak peeks, etc.

Since this itinerary is already quite busy, I would say simply go there when your schedule allows, get a regular ticket at the entrance, and explore the exhibits at your own pace. Count at least 1 hour for a visit, ideally a bit more.

Good to know: Alaska SeaLife Center is open year-round, but opening hours differ a lot depending on the season. In the summer months, they are normally open until 6-7 pm, so you could easily plan a visit here in the early evening of day 1 of this itinerary. Alternatively, depending on which boat tour you do on day 2, you could visit here the next day. For more practical information, please see their website.

 

Seward Historic Downtown & Waterfront

After visiting the SeaLife Center, you can explore the waterfront area a bit more. There are several interesting sculptures here and the views are great too.

Just across the street, you will find the historic downtown area with quaint galleries, quirky shops, and nice restaurants.

Seward also has lots of murals. If you have some time and energy left, walk around the city and you are sure to find some cool colorful paintings.

 

Dinner at the Cookery

Located on 5th Avenue, one of the main streets in the old town, Cookery is one of the best restaurants in Seward.

They specialize in local produce from the Kenai Peninsula. It’s a great place to try the best oysters, seafood, locally farmed meats, and Alaskan draft beers. They also have a great wine list.

Everything we tried was absolutely delicious. I especially enjoyed their baked oysters, smoky fish cakes, and roasted Brussels sprouts. I had fish of the day and it was great, and my friends were raving about their fried chicken. Just beware that the portions are quite large; we had no space left for dessert…

TIP: Make sure to make reservations well in advance, especially if visiting in the peak season!

 

Bonus – the Northern Lights!

First, let me make this clear. The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and can only be seen in the darker months. Plus, the conditions have to be right.

It’s not something you can expect to see if you are visiting Seward in the summer. But if you are traveling during the aurora season (+- late August to early April), there is always a chance that you can see them!

As already mentioned, I was visiting Seward in mid-September. The weather was amazing, and the skies were clear, and on the first night already, I saw a beautiful aurora display.

Ideally, you should go to a dark place where there is less light pollution. But I saw the Northern Lights from my window and simply went outside to the harbor, which was just at the back of our hotel. As you can see in the picture below, there was lots of light around me (and a super moon too), but auroras were well visible even with the naked eye. Sometimes you just have to make an effort to get out of bed.

READ ALSO: How to Photograph the Northern Lights

 

DAY 2

On the second day in Seward, we recommend that you visit the Kenai Fjords National Park. Here is what your day could look like:

Coffee at Summit Sips

Start your day with a good breakfast and some coffee. (You really don’t want to go on a boat trip on an empty stomach!)

We had breakfast at the hotel, but they only had regular coffee, so locals recommended Summit Cups. It’s a great place to get some really good coffee before you embark on your day trip!

This tiny coffee shop is set inside an old train wagon and is conveniently located between the railway station and the harbor. We stopped here before our boat tour and took the coffee on board.

Good to know: At this same location, you can also rent bikes. If you have more time in Seward or are looking for somewhat different activities than the ones described in our itinerary, you could rent bicycles here and explore Seward by bike.

 

Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise

If you do just one activity in Seward, it has to be a boat trip on Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park! It’s a great way to experience Alaska’s natural beauty and see some incredible places that are only accessible by boat.

Scenic cruises from Seward take you through the fjords of Resurrection Bay and the Gulf of Alaska. You have plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife like seals, sea otters, whales, eagles, and various birds. On some tours, the boats get very close to impressive tidewater glaciers and you can see them calve icebergs into the sea.

Good to know: There are different boat cruises to choose from, varying from half-day to full-day tours. What you get to see depends more on the duration of the tour rather than the company you go with, since they all have pretty much the same itineraries. Most boat tours of 6 hours or more include lunch. Further below, you can find more details and info about various boat tour options.

My experience: We did this 6-hour cruise with the Kenai Fjords Tour. It was an amazing trip! We saw lots of wildlife and stunning scenery, but the main highlight was the impressive Aialik Glacier, which was calving all the time when we were there. It’s such a spectacular sight and no photos can ever do it justice!

Even if you see how tiny big boats look next to this massive wall of ice, it’s hard to express in words how large the glacier really is and how small you feel in this vast scenery… It’s something you really have to experience first-hand!

Once again, if you are visiting Seward for the first time and have to be selective what to see and do, this is one experience you really don’t want to miss!

 

Here is an overview of the most popular Kenai Fjords National Park cruises:

• 4-hour cruises like this. These boat tours stay in Resurrection Bay and focus on wildlife and coastal scenery. They do not have enough time to get close to the glaciers. The main advantage of these tours is that they stay in calmer waters and are less bumpy, so if you are prone to seasickness, this is the best option. This is also a good option if you want to do more in Seward in a short time, since you have enough time left on the same day for other activities.

• 6-hour cruises like this. These boat trips are the most popular (almost among day-trippers) since they start soon after the train gets into town and end in time for the outbound train. Furthermore, these cruises give you a great overview of the best that Kenai Fjords National Park has to offer. Stunning coastal scenery, wildlife sightings, and an opportunity to get really close to one of the most impressive glaciers in the area.

• 7.5-hour cruises like this spend even more time on the water and visit not one but two glaciers. These tours are perfect if you want to start early in the morning and make the most of your time in Seward.

• 8.5-hour cruises visit more remote areas and multiple glaciers and spend even more time looking for wildlife. This full-day tour, for example, uses a much smaller boat than the shorter trips, allowing for a more intimate experience. Smaller boats can get closer to the coast and to the glaciers, and provide up-close views of wildlife. These trips are ideal for photographers, birders, and whale-watching enthusiasts.

Good to know: The longer the trips, the earlier they start, so no matter which tour you take, you will likely be back in Seward around 5-5.30 pm. If you opt for the shortest tour, you can do another activity on the same day. 4-6 hour tours could also fit on day 1 of this itinerary since they start after the train arrives.

Important: Dress in layers and bring something against seasickness. The sea can be very rough here, even in the summer. I took ginger chews and spent all the time outside on the deck and was ok, but many people got sick on our boat tour.

 

Mobile Sauna

If you are looking for something truly unique to do in Seward, check out Seward Saunas. This is a luxury sauna experience like nothing else I have ever seen! (And this comes from someone who grew up in a country where saunas are super common in the winter!).

What makes the Seward sauna experience so special is that they can deliver a mobile sauna to pretty much any location.

In our case, they set it up in a remote area by the Resurrection River. The idea was that you spend a few minutes in the sauna and then can cool off in the river. Let’s just say that dipping my toes in the river was enough, but some of my friends took a cold plunge and loved it!

But even just sitting in the sauna and enjoying stunning views through the huge windows was incredible. We had just one regret – because of dinner reservations, we couldn’t stay longer. Luckily, the dinner was well worth it – see below!

TIP: Depending on your schedule, you could reserve a sauna experience later in the evening, after dinner. That way, you can relax more without having to rush.

 

Cocktails & Dinner at the Flamingo Lounge

Located on 4th Avenue, the main street in the historic downtown, Flamingo Lounge is a restaurant with the oldest history in Seward. Its current name and owners are quite recent, but they manage to preserve the charms of this iconic place AND make it even better!

From the quirky retro interior with 1960s flair and cozy atmosphere to superb craft cocktails and classic foods, Flamingo Lounge is a must in Seward! Oh, and they recently won awards for the best bar and bartender in Alaska!

I was here with a big group of friends and we tried so much food that I couldn’t even start to choose my favorites. Without exaggerating, we tried pretty much all the food on their menu (not all the drinks, lol)… The cocktails were amazing, the salads and crab legs – out of this world, and every single dish was delicious.

Oh, and if you want to try an Alaskan Duck Fart shot (which tastes a lot better than it sounds), ask them!

TIP: Flamingo Lounge, aka Seward’s living room, is an extremely popular restaurant, among locals and tourists alike. Be sure to reserve a table in advance!

 

Northern Lights (yes, again!)

Also on the second night in Seward, we saw the Northern Lights. This time, we went to a darker place to see them after dinner. They were quite weak at that time, but still great.

I didn’t stay up long anymore, but those of us who did, saw a stunning display of vibrant green lights dancing over the sky. Also this time, auroras were clearly visible in town. But – once again – you have to make an effort and get out of bed…

 

DAY 3 or Longer

If you have three days in Seward or more, consider doing some hiking (to or on a glacier), go bear viewing, fishing, etc. The area is stunning, and there is so much more to explore!

If you are fit enough for a strenuous day hike, you could add Harding Icefield Trail to your itinerary. You can hike to Harding Icefield on your own or you can book a guided tour with a local. Going on a tour has the added advantage of not having to worry about transportation. Please note that this hike is about 8.2 miles round trip and is quite strenuous. Also, it doesn’t go on the glacier!

My friend did this hike in the pouring rain, and she described it as one of the ‘most challenging yet fantastic experiences in Alaska’. Despite the rain, she loved it!

Alternatively, if you want to actually walk on the glacier and not just hike toward it, check out this highly-rated Exit Glacier hike with experienced local guides.

Bear viewing is also popular in the summer months and is a must on any Alaska bucket list!

There are also fishing tours, all kinds of kayaking experiences, and so much more. See here for some of the best options for fishing and kayaking.

Either way, you will need a full day (6-8 hours) for any of these experiences.

 

So, this is our travel guide to Seward, AK. I hope that it gives you a better idea of what to expect, inspires you to spend more time in Seward, and helps you plan a truly unforgettable trip.

Have a great time in Alaska!

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