Seward in a Day

Photo courtesy of www.seward.com

It would be fairly easy for a person to spend a week exploring the Kenai Peninsula and barely scratch the surface. However, many individuals don’t have the luxury of time when visiting. In cases such as those, it is important to set priorities and plan wisely so that as much can be seen and done as possible. Seward is a favorite destination for my family when they are visiting Alaska, and we often only have one day in which to cram as much as possible. I’ve decided to share some of my local expertise about the area, and how to prioritize a trip to Seward in a day.

Seward Tip #1- Plan for rain

Clear skies in Seward are rare- most days are cloudy and rainy. That’s okay, because clear skies aren’t needed to see and enjoy what Seward has to offer. Be prepared and dress in layers.

Seward Tip #2- Arrive early

In order to take advantage of all that Seward has to offer, plan to stay a night or arrive early(ish) in the morning. Alaskans are not typically morning people, so most of the shops won’t be open before 9 or 10am. However, charter boats and Fjords tours will typically have early departures. If going out on the water isn’t for you, consider hiking Exit Glacier or the Harding Icefield first thing. An early start means more opportunity for adventure later in the day!

Seward Tip #3- Plan ahead

Have your eye on a Fjords Tour or a Dogsled Adventure? Book it in advance. Tourism is popular in Seward, and cruise ships regularly dock in the harbor. It would be a shame to miss out on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity due to a failure to obtain tickets in advance.

How to Prioritize a Day Trip

The sad truth is that no matter how well a person plans, there is just no possible way to see and do everything that Seward has to offer in a day. My advice is to make one thing top priority, then schedule around it with whatever else will fit.

For example, friends of mine recently visited from the lower 48 for their first time. They decided that their priority was a Fjords Tour to Fox Island. Check-in was at 11am and the boat returned at 4pm, so they scheduled their day around those times. They got up early and drove from Kenai to Seward, hiking up to Exit Glacier before going on their boat cruise. Upon returning from the cruise, they checked out the local shops, had dinner, and visited the Sea Life Center (which closes at 9pm in the summer months). It was a full day, and I think they managed to do fairly well for what they were able to experience in such a short amount of time.

Activities Worth Considering

There are several activities worth making the top priority list, depending on what you like to do and what you’d like to see. I’ve compiled a list of the most common things visitors like to do in Seward.

On the Water: Charter a fishing boat, Take a Fjords tour, Go sea kayaking, Hang out by the shore and look for sea otters and birds

The Great Outdoors: Visit Exit Glacier, Check out the dog mushing demonstration, Climb up Mount Marathon, Hike the Harding Icefield Trail

Educational: Visit the Alaska Sea Life Center

Shopping: There are two main hubs for shopping in Seward. One is by the harbor, and the other is in town towards the Sea Life Center, centered around Fourth Avenue. If it is a nice day, you could walk from the harbor to the shops along Fourth Avenue, but if you are in a car you might want to consider driving and parking along the street.

Like any other town, Seward has its share of shops geared toward tourists. For a more local experience, try and seek out more unique shops- you might be surprised at what you find! For example, Urbach's shoes and clothing store has been in Seward since 1915!

Food: Most of the dining choices in Seward are independently owned and run, and there are a number of good options. If you're feeling outgoing, ask a couple of shop workers where they like to eat- the locals always know the best places. 

Of course, any town in Alaska has its share of coffee shops as well. I personally like to visit the coffee shop that was built in an old church on Third Avenue, called Resurrect Art Coffee House.