Seward, located on the Kenai Peninsula south of Anchorage, is a well-liked vacationer vacation spot.
Whereas most individuals are likely to finances one or two days in Seward on their first Alaska journey, there may be trigger to remain a bit of longer you probably have the time.
The quaint small city has quite a bit to supply! Plus, there are a plethora of day journeys you may take pleasure in within the Seward space. Whether or not you wish to drive into city, take the Alaska Railroad, or select so as to add Seward to the top of your Alaska cruise, you received’t be disillusioned!
Through the years, Seward has transitioned from a tiny little fishing hamlet to a significant Alaskan vacationer attraction. You might be positive to seek out an outing all the household will take pleasure in with a lot to do and see.
So, beneath, I listed the finest day journeys from Seward you may take. Let’s discover!
1. Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise
If you’re going to do just one factor in Seward, make it a ship tour of Kenai Fjords Nationwide Park! It’s a implausible technique to discover the park, and it’s simply a wonderful technique to journey and see Alaska typically.
Day boat journeys in Kenai Fjords Nationwide Park present quite a lot of choices. From half-day wildlife-focused excursions to full-day excursions that embrace visits to a number of of the tidewater glaciers within the park, you may’t go incorrect!
Orca whales, sea lions, sea otters, seals, puffins, and varied seabirds are among the many wildlife that may be anticipated to be seen whereas out within the water. Plus, it’s seemingly you will note a bear or moose on the shore.
Longer journeys will embrace views of Bear Glacier and Holgate Glacier, however even shorter journeys (throughout clear climate!) might permit you to catch a glimpse of those shimmering beauties.
Shorter journeys are advisable for these nervous about getting seasick. The boats journey near the opening of the Gulf of Alaska, and even calm days can really feel a bit of uneven to these not used to the waters within the frozen north.
I might advocate dressing warmly, bringing waterproof clothes, and sporting gloves on this cruise.
- Distance: About 12 miles (19 km)
- Methods to get there: Boat
- Time to get there: Departs from Seward
- Time to spend there: Half/complete day excursions accessible
- Costs: Examine right here the most recent costs: Full-day journey – Half-day journey
2. Climbing Exit Glacier
You may hike as much as the Exit Glacier within the Kenai Fjords Nationwide Park after a brief 15-minute drive from Seward. Witness the thick, blue ice crackle whereas seabirds soar overhead.
The glacier is in the one space of Kenai Fjords Nationwide Park that’s reachable by highway. You’ll discover its exhausting ice, fluted and crevassed, adjoining to a customer heart.
Exit Glacier is among the world’s most visited glaciers, beloved by backcountry hikers. It drops 3,000 toes in a couple of kilometers, creating an unimaginable, unmanicured slope for mountaineers to discover. The atmosphere feels just like the prehistoric previous with its eroded bedrock, jagged ice, gushing water, and thriving cottonwood bushes.
You’ll discover a number of paths you may hike your self, together with the wheelchair-accessible Glacier View Loop. For those who would really feel extra snug utilizing a information, a few corporations provide guided hikes and ice-climbing lessons.
- Distance: 12 miles (19 km)
- Methods to get there: Automobile
- Time to get there: quarter-hour
- Time to spend there: 3+ hours relying in your path
3. Guide a Fishing Constitution
You’ll adore Seward when you like to fish! From the shore, you may fish unaccompanied, however you will want an Alaska fishing license.
Nonetheless, when you actually wish to really feel like an genuine Alaskan fisherman, you must embark on a fishing constitution from Seward. Quite a few constitution companies are working out of the harbor, and relying on the season, you may go fishing for salmon, halibut, rockfish, and lingcod.
Relying on the size of the tour and what you’re fishing for, the worth per individual ranges from $300 to $400. For a lot of, halibut, which you’ll work to attract up from the underside of the deep fjords, is the primary intention largely as a result of vacationers can have a big wrapped and despatched house!
- Distance: Charters depart from Seward harbor
- Methods to get there: Stroll, automobile
- Time to get there: Lower than 10 minutes
- Time to spend there: 4+ hours
4. Go Sea Kayaking
For many who love the ocean, kayaking is a must-do sport in Seward! It’s an unforgettable expertise due to the breathtaking environment and the potential of seeing the state’s distinctive wildlife up shut and private.
In Seward, there are quite a few places the place you may rent kayaks and go on excursions for fast adventures and even guided multi-day treks into the backcountry.
Right here is the one I like to recommend essentially the most: Resurrection Bay Kayaking Journey
Costs for journeys lasting a full day or longer usually begin at roughly $150 per individual. Through the kayaking excursions you’ll study extra about defending Alaska’s waters, uncover the spirit of the rugged wilderness, and fall in love with the Final Frontier!
Many clothes shops provide journeys to Aialik Glacier, Caines Head, Fox Island, or Bear Glacier. You may seemingly handle with no prior expertise on a kayak, and adventures can vary from a half-day to a multi-day tour!
- Distance: Excursions depart from Seward harbor
- Methods to get there: Automobile, stroll
- Time to get there: lower than 10 minutes
- Time to spend there: 4+ hours
- Guide right here
5. Visit Iditarod Champion Mitch Seavey’s Housestead
Mitch Seavey received the 2017 Iditarod at age 57, the oldest individual to win the race! He beforehand received in 2004 and 2013 as properly. These spending a few days in Seward can go to Seavey’s homestead for up-close encounters with husky puppies and full-grown sled canine.
Using a canine sled is commonly on the prime of individuals’s Alaskan bucket listing, and Mitch Seavey’s Homestead is a good place to make your journey desires come true.
Mush by the Alaskan tundra and a tour of the homestead! Though Seward just isn’t on the Iditarod Path, you may nonetheless expertise the fun of canine sledding and study how tough the race will be.
- Distance: 4.6 miles (7.4 km)
- Methods to get there: Automobile
- Time to get there: About 10 minutes
- Time to spend there: 2+ hours
6. Hike Mount Marathon
The well-known Mount Marathon presents a wealth of magnificence for ardent hikers and daring vacationers. Many vacationers are unaware that the realm, recognized for housing a taxing racecourse, additionally offers a 2.25-mile trek to the highest that’s equally beautiful however a lot simpler to traverse. The trail leads hikers by three distinct trails, a glacier valley, and as much as the summit of the east buttress of the mountain. The view of Resurrection Bay is breathtaking from there, and people who attain the summit can breathe in crisp mountain air in contrast to every other.
Each Fourth of July, runners compete within the Mount Marathon Race in Seward. The 5k run beneficial properties and loses about 3,000 toes of elevation! However concern not. Racing just isn’t a requirement for having fun with Mount Marathon! The remainder of the 12 months, hikers can entry the trailhead located at Monroe Avenue and First Avenue intersection on Seward’s west aspect.
- Distance: Lower than 1 mile (1.6 km)
- Methods to get there: Automobile, stroll
- Time to get there: 7-10 minutes
- Time to spend there: 4+ hours
7. Go to Fox Island
Most cruise traces journey by the waters surrounding Fox Island — a picturesque location in Resurrection Bay — as they sail by Kenai Fjords Nationwide Park. But, many vacationers by no means understand they will sail straight to the island from Seward.
There are three strategies to get to Fox Island: by chartered boat, through guided kayak tour, or by water taxi. Spend a couple of hours exploring, climbing, birdwatching, and simply taking within the lovely Alaskan surroundings. For those who can’t get sufficient of Fox Island, you may keep the night time on the Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge!
- Distance: Excursions depart from Seward harbor
- Methods to get there: Automobile, stroll
- Time to get there: Lower than 10 minutes
- Time to spend there: 4+ hours
Seward Has One thing for Everybody!
Seward presents loads of enjoyable, views, and pleasure to those that make their technique to this pretty city perched alongside Resurrection Bay. You may discover the close by islands, fish for halibut, and hike up a marathon-worthy mountain.
For those who solely have time for one day-trip, you positively don’t wish to miss out on a Kenai Fjords National Park cruise, however heading to Seavey’s homestead needs to be on the prime of the listing for animal lovers and people with smaller youngsters.
Additionally don’t miss out on my choice of the very best inns in Seward
