Travel Tips

First Friday In Seward: Celebrating Art

Sarah Stokey · Feb 20, 2017 ·

If you happen to find yourself in Seward on the first Friday of the month, don’t forget to check out the First Friday Art walk!

What Is The First Friday Art Walk in Seward?

The First Friday Art Walk is a way for the town of Seward to celebrate and to promote local artists. The artwork on display comes in all sorts of different mediums: photographs, pottery, painting, woodworking, and mixed media. We have a lot of locally talented artists and this way they get to showcase their new art pieces to the town. Often, these pieces are also listed for sale so if you are hoping to take home a memento to decorate your home with, then this is a great event.

Each month has a unique “theme” that artists can follow, though they do not have to. The theme is to help inspire the artwork.

When is the First Friday Art Walk in Seward?

The First Friday Art Walk in Seward occurs on the first Friday during the summer months, May – September. New art pieces are installed that week and are ready for a public viewing the first Friday where the artist will be on hand to talk about their work, answer questions, and hang out. The Art Walk typically goes from 5:00pm to 7:00pm on Friday evening. Many venues will serve light refreshments too.

The art work is left up for the entire month so regardless of when you come to Seward, you still have a chance to enjoy the local artwork.

Who Puts On The First Friday Art Walk in Seward?

The First Friday Art Walk in Seward is loosely organized between artists, local business owners, and the Seward Arts Council.

What Businesses in Seward Typically Are Involved in the First Friday Art Walk in Seward?

A lot of businesses have traditionally been involved with the First Friday Art Walk in Seward — though it can change month to month. Businesses involved in the Art Walk generally will have a hand out saying which other businesses are involved that month.

Five Things To Remember When Planning A Trip to Seward, Alaska

Sarah Stokey · Feb 16, 2017 ·

#1 Seward Tour Operators are Seasonal

Most Tour Operators in Seward generally run from May 15th to September 15th. If you happen to find yourself in Seward outside of those dates don’t worry; this small town is jam-packed with fun things to do like hiking, kayaking, cross country skiing, and biking. If you aren’t sure if someone is going to be operating, call first.

#2 There Are Lots Of Awesome Hikes To Do

Looking for something budget friendly? Consider one of the many amazing hikes in Seward. Seward has beautiful walking trails on the waterfront if you are looking for something low-key or venture into the mountains for something a little more challenging. Hikes can range from a short 45 minute hike to Exit Glacier or 2 mile round trip Hike to Tonsina Bridge or can be a full day adventure up the Harding Icefield trail or Mount Alice.

#3 The Mount Marathon Race is Held July 4th

On 4th of July the Mount Marathon race is held and Seward has a street fair with a few local Alaskan artists and food vendors. Fireworks are at Midnight. This is a big event for the small town and can be a lot of fun. Don’t like crowds? Don’t worry, all the locals will be watching the race so you’ll be safe visiting the harbor or going out on a tour.

#4 Wildlife is Spotted More Frequently at Dusk

The best place and see wildlife is in Kenai Fjords National Park near dusk. Drive along the road slowly once you are in the park and keep an eye out for bears and moose. Another great place to also look for wildlife is along Nash road. On Nash Road, drive to Mile 1 and look to the right. Sometimes Moose can be seen in the large swamp. Another great location to look for wildlife is at the Seward Airport. The large fields make for excellent grazing for moose. If you are looking for marine life, walk the harbor docks for a chance to spot sea otters and sea lions. Marine life is also frequently spotted by driving down Lowell Point Road. Be careful driving this road as it is narrow and has moderate traffic.

#5 Watch Salmon Leap Upstream at the Bear Lake Weir

The Bear Lake Weir is a little-known secret to out-of-towners. Drive a short way down Bear Lake Road to visit a small picnic area where you can watch salmon swimming upstream to spawn. The Bear Lake Weir collects salmon eggs and harvests them for local hatcheries. They also do various study on the salmon to ensure a strong, healthy salmon stock.

And Our Extra Secret

Hobo Jim, Black Water Railroad Company, and many other awesome bands are featured Thursday-Saturday nights at the local bars. There is nothing more Alaskan than dancing the night away to your favorite folk-band. If you are in Seward on a weekend, make sure you check out the local watering holes for some fun live music and a unique Alaskan scene.

The Essential Alaskan Vacation Packing List

Sarah Stokey · Feb 13, 2017 ·

For most summer excursions, you will not need any additional clothing than what you are already packing. That being said, when you visit Alaska it’s important to keep in mind that even though it’s summer, we can still see very cold temperatures. During rainy days in Seward we can see temperatures plummet to as low as 40 and, though unlikely, its been known to snow in Denali national park.

More common to see, however are temperatures ranging from about 55-85 degrees. Because of this, we strongly recommend packing the following items for your trip:

Sunglasses – these are a must have for any excursion that will bring you out on the water or out on the snow

Rain Jacket & Rain Pants – when it rains, it pours. Don’t let bad weather discourage you, be prepared for it. You’ve invested a lot into your trip, so don’t skimp out here. Get high quality stuff that will keep you dry. Rain jackets also double as great wind protection. And, you know what they say — if you have it, you won’t need it!

Light Weight Gloves – these are more important if you plan on spending a lot of time outdoors, hiking, or on the water. They can be picked up cheaply enough once you are here but are worth mentioning because they sometimes can be hard to find.

Long Johns – Chances are you won’t need these but if you do, you’ll be glad you have them. They don’t take up much room in a suitcase either. If you don’t already have them, don’t purchase them additionally unless you plan on doing a lot of fishing, kayaking, or other excursions that will keep you out on the water.

Fleece – We can’t emphasize the importance of having good layers enough. The ability to put on or remove layers is essential because weather changes quickly. Bring both a medium weight and heavy weight fleece to layer over your t shirts.

Walking Shoes / Hiking Boots – So much of the Alaskan experience is getting out into the wilderness. Have comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots that have been broken in.

Hand Warmers – you generally won’t find these in Alaska this time of year but If you tend to run cold, consider picking up a few of these to have “just in case” in your luggage. Great for rainy days, kayak trips, and wildlife cruises.

Backpack – you want to be able to carry a few layers and any other odds and ends when you go out on an excursion or out hiking. You don’t need anything fancy but it should fit 1-2 layers and a water bottle for yourself. Depending on the number of people in your group, it may be worth having more than one backpack.

Sunscreen – Longer days mean

Alaska is a blast in the summer regardless of the weather. We like to say that there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad gear. Come prepared and don’t let a little bad weather stand between you and having a great time. Put a smile on your face, layer up, and don’t be afraid to get out in the elements — it’s the Alaskan way.

Besides clothes, there are a number of fun things you should consider bringing. First, Alaska is a big state. If you plan on doing a lot of driving like visiting Seward, Homer, and Denali or even Fairbanks, consider getting a good audiobook or podcast to listen to and help keep everyone entertained. Alaska is a big state. It’s about a six hour car ride from Seward to Denali, longer with traffic. Train rides are generally longer than vehicle rides too, so plan accordingly.

Our long days can throw off even the soundest sleepers, so consider bringing a sleeping mask to help drown out the light. We also recommend setting an alarm to remind yourself to go to bed. Trust us, it’s easy to lose track of time when it’s so light out.’

If you haven’t upgraded your camera in awhile, consider getting a digital camera or GoPro for taking movies.