Craving a thrilling adventure, one filled with first-time experiences? Look no further than majestic Alaska!
Where do we even begin describing Alaska? Known as the land of many superlatives – biggest national park and state, longest coastline, and highest peak – Alaska is a treasure trove for avid adventurers. Given its impressive size and diversity, even a two-week stay won’t be enough for you to fully discover what it has to offer. Still, don’t let this discourage you – you’ll always have a reason to come back. And trust us, you definitely will!
Still, exploring Alaska for the first time may seem a little challenging considering how many places there are to visit. So, how about we offer a helping hand? If you want to discover the finest of what Alaska has to offer, turn your attention to Seward, one of the most beautiful places in the state!
Located at the base of Marathon with easy access to Kenai Fjords National Park, Seward is a place that will surely leave your breath away. This is the perfect place for adventurers to discover Alaska’s natural landscapes and wildlife and engage in some truly unique activities like dog sledding and helicopter tours.
Because this city deserves all the rave, we’ve rounded up some of the best things to do in Seward, Alaska. Whether you want to hike one of the many surrounding peaks, go kayaking, or simply enjoy a one-of-a-kind camping experience, Seward definitely has something for everyone’s taste!
Explore The City
As with every destination, one of the first things you’d probably want to do when visiting Seward, Alaska, is explore the surroundings. Luckily, this won’t take up a lot of time, considering all the thrilling activities are located a bit further away from the centre. Still, the city poses the perfect starting point for your upcoming adventures!
Seward is divided into two parts. The first is along the airport and has a distinct residential vibe. In other words, you won’t find many attractions, aside from the Seward Visitor Centre which is definitely worth checking out. Here, you can get familiar with the city’s history and Alaskan culture, and get insider information about which experiences are worth considering.
The second part is the city centre, with the port taking up most of its entirety. It’s pleasant to walk around and take in the natural surroundings, and you’ll need no more than two hours to fully explore it. The Alaska SeaLife Center is also around this area, but we’ll get more into that later.
Go On An Alaska Dog Sled Tour
When you ask the locals what the best thing to do in Seward, Alaska, is, dog sledding might be the most popular answer! Discovering glaciers while sledding with dogs is an experience like no other. That’s why so many adventurers have it on their Alaska bucket list!
If you decide to go on an Alaska dog sled tour (which we fully encourage you to do), you’ll be picked up by a helicopter and dropped off at camp. The ride lasts about 15 minutes, where you’ll get the opportunity to admire the majestic landscape of blue glacier ice and cascading waterfalls.
From there, you’ll get to experience an unforgettable ride! The dog sled ride lasts about 25 minutes and is led by a professional musher. You’ll go through the glacier’s pristine snowy terrain with stops along the way, so you’ll be able to take pictures and take in the gorgeous surroundings.
Of course, the Alaska dog sled tour doesn’t stop here! After the ride, you can stay for a while on Godwin Glacier and step onto snowy ice fields before returning to home base. Additionally, the huskies are very adorable and friendly, meaning you can definitely spend time cuddling and playing with them! Based on all of this, it’s pretty clear why this is a top attraction in Alaska!
Go For An Alpine Hike
When visiting Seward, Alaska, it’s most likely you’ll embark on numerous hikes. After all, the peaks will be all around you, so missing out on the chance will practically be a waste!
The reason why so many people opt for this thing to do in Seward, Alaska is the fact that everyone can do it! There are trails for different kinds of levels, so even if you don’t hike very often, you’ll still be able to do it without losing your breath.
However, you should also consider the weather since not all trails will be accessible. Namely, early in the season, you can hike low-elevation trails around Seward’s waterfalls and beaches. Once summer is in full swing, you can explore the higher ones and enjoy the alpine meadows.
Naturally, after this experience, you’ll most likely develop an appetite. For that reason, if you choose to hike with us, you’ll be treated to a gourmet dining experience before heading home!
Go Paddling
Want to discover marine wildlife uniquely? If so, paddling is definitely something you should include in your Alaska bucket list!
Most paddling excursions start from Bear Glacier, the largest glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park. You can access this glacier with a boat, where you’ll be able to see massive icebergs and surreal landscapes. And once you get in the paddle boat, the experience will be totally different! You will go through serene lagoon waters, allowing you to witness the wildlife up close. It truly doesn’t get better than this!
Additionally, we’ve included an exquisite lunch as part of our paddleboat tour. Before heading out into the crystal and icy waters, you’ll have a mountain butler attend to you, treating you to a luxurious experience.
Spend A Night At Bear Glacier
Once you see Bear Glacier for the first time, you’ll understand why it’s a must-see in Alaska. In fact, it’s so magical, it will make you wonder whether you can spend the night there.
Luckily, with us by your side, it absolutely is! After a thrilling helicopter ride, you’ll be dropped off at our fabulous camps where you’ll spend the night in a heated yurt. Once you arrive, you have many activities to choose from. Whether you want to go kayaking, hiking, or simply want to enjoy traditional Alaskan delicacies, you have the complete freedom to design your stay exactly as you wish.
Spending the night in Bear Glacier is the ultimate adventure for couples! With that said, if you wish to partake in something exciting, yet incredibly romantic, the Alaskan wilderness surely won’t disappoint you.
Explore Kenai Fjords National Park
Kenai Fjords National Park is undoubtedly one of the top attractions in Alaska. This magnificent piece of nature boasts soaring mountains, deep fjords, ice fields, and movie-like glaciers. On top of that, you can hop on a day cruise and see marine wildlife, including humpback whales, sea lions, sea otters, orca whales, and so much more!
Depending on how much time you have, you can choose between full- and half-day cruises. No matter which one you decide to pick, know that the sights you’ll see will be permanently etched in your brain. Trust us, you haven’t seen nature like this before!
Don’t want to cruise? You can also drive to the park and visit Exit Glacier. You can see the glacier from the road or do a short hike near the ice face. Fancy a full day hike? Do the Harding Icefield Trail. This 8 mile round trip loop will take you up to the edge of the ice field — but the hike is not for the faint of heart. This is a difficult hike and anyone attempting it should be well prepared.
Go Fishing
If you have a way with a fishing rod, a fishing charter should absolutely be on your things to do in Seward, Alaska list. You can head out to many fishing spots in Resurrection Bay and catch a variety of fish such as salmon, halibut, rockfish, and lingcod. Best of all, the charter company you choose will freeze your catch and ship it to your home address. Quite a unique souvenir, don’t you think!
For those of you who are into competitive fishing, you might want to plan your visit to Seward around August. The Seward Silver Salmon Derby takes place this month and offers hefty rewards for the best anglers. Namely, if you catch the biggest silver salmon, you’re in the running to win over $100,000!
Visit Alaska SeaLife Center
As you’ve probably gathered, Alaska is home to diverse marine wildlife. Given their significance in the state, the Alaska SeaLife Center is a valuable research and education center, providing response and rehabilitation to injured marine animals. Once nurtured back to health, they’re safely returned to their natural habitat.
As for why you should visit the Alaska SeaLife Center? Well, you’ll be able to see this process first-hand! Additionally, you can marvel at harbor sea seals and various seabirds, as well as encounter many experiences that teach you about the daily lives of these extraordinary animals. This place is a hotspot for families, so if you’re exploring Alaska together, a visit to the center is a must.
This is only a smidge of the things to do in Seward, Alaska, and there’s a lot more where that came from! This magnificent city provides the ultimate introduction to Alaska, its majestic landscapes, and unique wildlife. And with our tours, you will create memories of this place that will last for a lifetime.
Have any questions about our tours? Reach out!