Things to do in Seward
-
A
Sunny Cove Sea Kayaking
Though the best and most impressive paddling in the region is within Kenai Fjords National Park, getting there requires a costly water-taxi. If you're looking to save money and don't mind foregoing the park's tidewater glaciers and more ample wildlife, kayaking right outside Seward in Resurrection Bay can still make for a stunning day on the water. Sunny Cove Sea Kayaking conducts guided trips.
reviewed
-
Ray's Waterfront
Hands down, this is Seward's culinary high point, with attentive service, picture-postcard views and the finest seafood above water.
reviewed
-
Mt Marathon Trail
According to (rather suspect) local legend, grocer Gus Borgan wagered around US$100 in 1909 that no-one could run Mt Marathon in an hour, and the race was on. Winner James Walters clocked in at 62 minutes, losing the bet but becoming a legend. The 3.1-mile suffer-fest quickly became a celebrated 4th of July event and today is Alaska's most famous footrace, pitting runners from all over the world against the 3022ft-high peak. In 1981 Bill Spencer set the record at 43 minutes, 23 seconds. Many runners take twice as long, and each year several end up with broken bones after tumbling during the hell-bent descent.
You can trek to the top several ways. At the end of Monroe St, …
reviewed
-
Iditarod National Historic Trail
Though the celebrated Iditarod Race to Nome currently departs from Anchorage, the legendary trail actually begins in Seward. In 1995 Mitch Seavey mushed from Seward along this well-worn path into Anchorage, where he continued with the regularly scheduled Iditarod; he finished 20th. At the foot of Ballaine Blvd, an unprepossessing sign and lonely dogsled mark Mile 0. Nearby, a paved bike path heads 2 miles north along the beach.
A far more interesting segment of the trail for hikers, however, can be reached by heading east 2 miles on Nash Rd, which intersects the Seward Hwy at Mile 3.2. From here you can follow the Iditarod National Historic Trail through woods and thick b…
reviewed
-
Lost Lake Trail
This challenging 7-mile trail to an alpine lake is one of the most scenic hikes the Kenai Peninsula has to offer in midsummer. The trailhead is in Lost Lake subdivision, at Mile 5.3 of the Seward Hwy. After 3 miles you come to the summer trail that winds 1½ miles south to the Clemens Memorial Cabin. The final 2 miles are above the tree line, making the shores of Lost Lake a wondrous place to pitch a tent.
If you'd rather not return the same way, continue around the east side of Lost Lake to the Primrose Trail, an 8-mile alpine trek ending at Primrose Campground at Mile 17.2 of the Seward Hwy. Plan on seven to 10 hours for the round-trip to Lost Lake, and bring a camp sto…
reviewed
-
B
Harbormaster's Office
The interesting small-boat harbor, at the northern end of 4th Ave, hums during the summer with fishing boats, charter vessels, cruise ships and a number of sailboats. At its heart is the Harbormaster's Office. Look for the huge anchors outside. Radiating outward from the docks are seasonal restaurants, espresso bars, tourist offices, hotels and almost any other service the visitor might want. There are also picnic tables and a free sighting scope overlooking the harbor and the bay. A paved bike trail leads to the (other) city center.
reviewed
-
C
Benny Benson Memorial
This humble monument at the corner of the Seward Hwy and Dairy Hill Ln honors Seward's favorite son, Benny Benson. In 1926 the orphaned 13-year-old Alaska Native boy submitted his design for the Alaska state flag, arguably the loveliest in the Union. His stellar design (you can see one of his first at the library) includes the North Star, symbolizing the northernmost state, the Great Bear constellation for strength, and a blue background for both the sky and the forget-me-not, Alaska's state flower. Seward will never forget.
reviewed
-
D
Exit Glacier Guides
For those not satisfied with merely gazing up at Seward's backyard glacier, Exit Glacier Guides gives you the chance to tread upon it. Its five-hour ice-hiking trip gears you up with ice-axes and crampons, ascends part-way up the Harding Ice Field Trail and then heads out onto the glacier for crevasse exploration and interpretive glaciology. By the time you read this, Exit'll likely offer overnight treks as well.
reviewed
-
Mt Alice Trail
Seward Hwy near Bear Lake marks the trailhead for the Mt Alice Trail, a fairly difficult and highly recommended 2½-mile climb to the alpine summit. Bald eagles, blueberries and stunning views can be had elsewhere, but it's the solitude - this trail is relatively unused - that makes Mt Alice great. Back at Bear Lake, you can either backtrack to town or forge on another 11 miles to rejoin the Seward Hwy.
reviewed
-
IdidaRide
Hey, this is where the Iditarod started. Why not meet the dogs? IdidaRide is cheesy, but it's more like Stilton than Velveeta: after touring Iditarod veteran Mitch Seavey's kennels and hearing junior mushers discuss their experiences with subzero sleep deprivation, delicate doggy feet and cutthroat competition, you'll be strapped in for a 20-minute training run in a cart hitched behind a team of huskies.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
E
Seward Museum
The eclectic Seward Museum has an excellent Iditarod exhibit, a rare 49-star US flag, and relics of Seward's Russian era, the 1964 Good Friday Earthquake and 1989 oil spill. There are also lots of amusing antiques, including an ancient electric hair-curling machine and a 'cow raincoat' designed for the oft-drenched cattle at the now-defunct Seward dairy.
reviewed
-
F
Alaska Sealife Center
Alaska SeaLife Center is the only cold-water marine-science facility in the western hemisphere. It's home to a thousand fish, nearly all from Alaskan waters, and is the top attraction on the Kenai Peninsula. Plan to spend an afternoon here watching puffins, otters and 2000lb Steller sea lions glide past the two-storey viewing windows.
reviewed
-
Two Lakes Trail
This easy 1-mile loop circumnavigates pleasant Two Lakes Park (cnr 2nd Ave & C St), through woods and picnic grounds, across a salmon-spawning creek and around the two promised lakes at the base of Mt Marathon. Unsatisfied hikers can access the Jeep Trail nearby, which climbs Mt Marathon, for a much more intense climb.
reviewed
-
Caines Head State Recreation Area
Caines Head State Recreation Area was fortified during WWII to guard the entrance of Resurrection Bay after the Japanese bombed the island of Unalaska. Exploring the bunkers, gun emplacements and surrounding alpine country makes for an intriguing way to spend a day.
reviewed
-
Pit Bar
Just past Exit Glacier Rd; this bar's interior has color to spare and good grub, as well as pool tables, a horseshoe pit and the second-oldest shuffleboard court in Alaska. Closing time is late.
reviewed
-
Le Barn Appetit
In this unorthodox eatery off Exit Glacier Rd there's not really a fixed menu - except for crepes, which are so sinful that, as chef Yvon Van Driessche says, 'you must go to confession.'
reviewed
-
G
Crab Pot
All the locals will tell you: If it's crab you crave, nestle into the red-leather booths of this low-lit restaurant. Expect to pay top dollar for the 1lb of king crab.
reviewed
-
H
Apollo
A wildly popular and slightly overpriced restaurant with plenty of pasta-and-seafood dishes. It'll cook up your cleaned, filleted fish to order - at a charge.
reviewed
-
I
Marina Restaurant
With burnt coffee, smoking locals, good gossip, lots of Formica and excellent breakfasts, this place has all the hallmarks of a classic small-town diner.
reviewed
-
J
Railway Cantina
Near the small-boat harbor; offers unorthodox quesadillas, burritos and tacos. Try the 'black-n-blue' quesadilla, with blackened chicken and blue cheese.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
K
Kayak Adventures Worldwide
- Seward, USA
- Activities › Other
You can access the recreational area on foot at low tide along the Coastal Trail, or paddle to it with Kayak Adventures Worldwide.
reviewed
-
L
Christo's Palace
Has a gorgeous dining room dominated by a 1950s Brunswick bar (featuring a great selection of beer on tap). The pizza and seafood get raves.
reviewed
-
Resurrection Roadhouse
This local favorite is home to 'halibut tsunami,' Thai seafood cakes and the best nachos in town. It also has a vast range of on-tap brews.
reviewed
-
M
Yoly's Bistro
The menu has a delicious blend of curries, seafood, and burgers, with a decent wine and beer selection. Listen to live music on weekends.
reviewed
-
N
Tony's Bar
It's not quite as festive (there are maybe seven dollars pinned to the ceiling), but locals consider it the best place just to hang out.
reviewed
