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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.

Our Favorite Seafood Dishes in Seward, Alaska

Sarah Stokey · Feb 9, 2017 ·

It’s no secret that we absolutely love our local Seward cuisine – and what better than the awesomely fresh seafood that Seward has to offer. Whether we are enjoying grilled silver salmon, baked halibut, or a round of fresh Alaskan oysters, we think that Seward has some absolutely amazing seafood. Here are our ten favorite seafood dishes from around town.

#1 Smoked Scallop Mac & Cheese – Chinook’s
This is, without doubt, the best mac and cheese we have ever had. It is rich, delicious and everything you could ask for in a dish. The smoked scallops are the perfect seafood touch to a hearty, Alaskan meal. If you aren’t hungry, consider splitting it with someone. Our personal favorite is to split this and the Beef Chopped Salad.

Another perk? Chinook’s is located in the Seward Boat Harbor and is on the waterfront. Guests can enjoy watching for seals, sea lions, and otters at they dine. We’ve been there many a time and watched the wildlife.

#2 Salmon Bake – The Salmon Bake
If you are in Alaska, experiencing fresh salmon should almost go without saying. But be warned: once you have fresh Alaskan wild salmon, you’ll never want any other kind. The Salmon Bake’s namesake dish the “Salmon Bake” is a heaping portion of Copper River Red Salmon that has been flash frozen. The only fresher fish you could get is if you pulled it out of the river yourself.

The salmon prepared at the Salmon Bake is absolutely fantastic — you’ll be amazed that fish could taste that good. With the “Salmon Bake” dinner you also get to choose two sides. Our personal favorites are the sautéed corn and the baked potato.

Looking for a lighter fair? Consider The Salmon Bake’s “Salmon Sandwhich” or a salad with grilled Salmon instead.

The Salmon Bake is located on Exit Glacier Road.

#3 The Halibut Basket – Thorn’s Showcase Lounge

It’s hard to say they have the best fried halibut in town (there are so many delicious options!) but Thorn’s Showcase Lounge certainly is somewhere at the top of the list. Locals rave about their food. They have a unique interior featuring hundreds of old uniquely shaped bottles — with their collection rumored being worth thousands of dollars.

This is a great place to catch a bite to eat, catch up on sports, and grab a drink. It definitely has more of a bar vibe than other establishments on this list but is still kid-friendly. Consider going here if you want to catch a baseball game or for a quick bite to eat in the afternoon. They have fast, friendly service and, more importantly, excellent dessert.

Thorn’s is located in downtown Seward a few blocks up from the Alaska Sealife Center.

#4 The Crispy Halibut Wrap – The Alaska Seafood Grille
One of the things we enjoy about the Alaska Seafood Grille is that everything is a la carte and they have very reasonable prices. Their specialty is in deep fried food so if you are looking for a healthier alternative know that their menu may be rather limited. What they do do, they do well and they do quickly.

We often combine one or two things of fried fish or clams, skipping out on french fries. I like the freedom their menu offers and quick service. For a small group, their service tends to be exceptionally quick. They serve up their dishes as soon as they are ready so for larger groups don’t plan on sitting down and eating all at once.

These guys are located in the Seward Harbor and are a great choice to go to before getting on a wildlife cruise or a half-day fishing trip.

#5 Oysters – The Cookery
Anything you have at the cookery is going to be amazing — but they oysters are truly excellent. The cookery advertises itself as an oyster bar. Whether you opt for the oysters raw or broiled you will be in for a real treat. The Cookery has made our list twice, so read on to check out more of their amazing menu!

We’d definitely say that the Cookery is a must-visit restaurant for foodies! The Cookery is located in downtown Seward. It always features rotating local artists as its artwork too.

#6 Seafood Chowder – The Seward Brewery
This chowder is absolutely awesome. It’s got a little bit of everything and is the perfect way to end a chilly day spent out on the water or out on the trail. They’ve got unique food and great locally brewed beer. Opt for the sampler to try it all, then get a glass of your favorite brew. If you like the beer, consider getting a growler to take on your journey. If you do that, you can actually refill it at other brewery’s along your roadtrip.

#7 Fruitti Dimarre – Apollo’s Restaurant
This seafood pasta has a little bit of everything. Apollo’s really specializes in seafood pasta’s so if that’s your thing, look no further! They also will cook your “catch of the day” so if you go fishing, feel free to bring it in! Apollo’s does great pizza as well — always a hit with the kids.

#8 Catch of The Day – The Cookery
We’d rave about every dish here if we could. If you really want to indulge your taste buds, opt for the catch of the day at the Cookery. It changes daily so we can’t say much except that their baked halibut is buttery, melt-in-your-mouth amazingness. Their salmon is equally good. You can’t go wrong with the seafood here. You never know what tasty surprise Chef Kevin Lane will concoct but you can be sure it will be delightful! This is a definite “repeat” and it’s worth visiting the Cookery more than once during your visit to Seward. Chef Lane is legendary and has won cooking awards both locally in Alaska and nationally. His cooking is worth the visit.

We’d recommend adding on their “Warm Cashews” as a starter. You’ll be amazed at how something so simple could be so good. For the grand finale, we recommend the “Hot Dutch Baby With Icecream and Blueberry Sauce” — words really can’t do this immaculate creation justice!

#9 Shrimp Pineapple Curry – Woody’s Thai Food
If you like Thai Food, you will love Woody’s. It’s hard to pick just one dish here as they really do a great job in specializing in Thai food. Whatever you will get, you will love. Their pineapple curry is our personal favorite. We frequently order takeout from here on a nice day and take it to one of the many beautiful places to picnic in town.

Other must order items are the “Swimming Rama” and the “Cream Cheese Wontons.”

#10 The Halibut BLT – Chinook’s

A classic reborn! The Halibut BLT is a great ode to summer. This is a truly awesome sandwich. We’re BLT fanatics so we really love this. Chinook’s has a great seafood but these dishes rotate a fair bit from year to year and season to season. They always do a great rockfish, which is another white fish and their halibut fish and chips are also awesome. You really can’t go wrong ordering seafood here. They’ve got the best calamari in town and also the only sushi bar. Their sushi is a newer addition and is highly Alaskan. Sushi is only available in the evenings but is well worth the adventure. They’ve got a great cocktail list too for those looking to unwind at the end of the day. Our personal favorites are the “Ginger Snap” and the “Spicy Thai Soda.”

Getting To and From Seward, Alaska

Sarah Stokey · Feb 6, 2017 ·

So, you’ve made the decision — You are coming to Seward! First of all, congrats. Seward is a beautiful small town nestled between the mountains and the ocean. On one side of town is the Kenai Fjords National Park and, on the other, is the Chugach National Forest.

The journey to get to Seward is reason enough to go. Whether you go by highway, take the train, or fly — you won’t be disappointed. Once you get there, there’s also plenty to do: hiking, biking, fishing, flying, dogsledding, and zip lining are just some of the excursions you can go out and do.

But, if you don’t want to drive, what’s the best method of transportation? First of all you have three different options: take the Seward highway via a bus, take the Alaska Railroad and go by train, or fly and go by plane or helicopter. What you choose to do is going to be largely dependent on your own personal preference.

The Seward Highway

Driving the Seward Highway never gets old. There’s plenty to please your eyes as you cruise the 126 miles from Anchorage to Seward: beautiful snow-capped mountains, flowing rivers, and fields of wildflowers will have you pulling over to take picture after picture or peering out your bus window. The Seward Highway is perhaps the most scenic highway in Alaska and is a designated scenic byway. For a great overview of the drive, check out National Geographic’s “Road Trip: Alaska’s Seward Highway.”

The benefits of taking a bus are that it is economical and fast. Travelling by bus or vehicle should take about 2 hours and 45 minutes. Construction, however, can cause delays.

Travelling down the Turnagain arm and looking out on the water at the snowcapped peaks across the bay is a true highlight. At low tide, expect to the tidal flats. Continuing along, you will eventually enter beautiful Turnagain Pass. This area is known for the impressive amounts of snow that can accumulate there during the winter. Depending on the timing of your visit, expect to see some snow there or, if later in the summer, fields of beautiful wildflowers. The highway goes by numerous lakes and the scenery is always inspiring.

Seward Express
(800) 266-8625
http://www.alaskacoach.com/routes/anchorage-seward.html
$65 per person
Morning Departure in Anchorage: 7:00am, 9:45am arrival
Afternoon Departure in Anchroage: 3:00pm with a 5:45pm arrival
Seward Express uses Coach Buses. It drops passengers off at either the Small Boat Harbor or the Windsong Lodge. The 7am departure is scheduled so that guests going with them can still make the later departure Glacier Cruises.

Seward Bus Line
(907) 224-3608
www.sewardbuslines.net
Normal Fare:$39.95
Tour and Sightseeing Fare: $54.95
Departs Anchorage: 9:30am, 2:00pm

The Seward Bus Line drops off at the Seward Bus Depot in downtown Seward, but with notice can drop guests off at local area hotels. These guys have great, friendly, hometown service.

Go Purple Shuttle
(907) 644-8098
866-813-5589
www.gopurpleshuttle.com
[email protected]
Go Purple Shuttle has great rates for large groups. Because this is more of a charter service, they offer customer departure times based on your needs. We recommend making reservations before your trip departure.

The Seward Chamber Of Commerce has put out some great resources on the Seward Highway for those who are either driving or taking a bus. It’s good information. Here are some links to ebooks they have created on the Seward Highway.

The Seward Highway Road Guide: Scenic Wonders
The Seward Highway Road Guide: Communities Along the Highway
The Seward Highway Road Guide: Recreation Opportunities
The Seward Highway Road Guide: History and Culture

The Alaska Railroad and the Historic Iditarod Trail

The Alaska Railroad offers a slow scenic train ride perfect for photographers or those who want to soak in the beauty of the Chugach National Forest. The Alaska Railroad travels down the historic Iditarod Trail, a trail that was once used by pioneers to help bring supplies that arrived by ship in Seward to the interior parts of the state. This a particularly scenic route. Along the way you will travel through beautiful mountain passes and enjoy some stunning views of glaciers. Passengers on the train are also able to look for wildlife. Bears and moose are common to see along this route, though you have to keep your eyes peeled as they can move quickly.

Alaska Railroad
(800) 544-0552
www.alaskarailroad.com
6:45am departure with an 11:05am arrival time in Seward.
$105 per person

Flying To Seward

Most people don’t fly to Seward, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. Flying to Seward is quick, efficient, and is a great bang-for-the-buck, but it is still expensive. It’s definitely not an option for everyone but if you can swing the price and are short on time, it’s a great way to combine a scenic flight with traveling.

Seward Helicopter Tours
(907) 362-4354
www.SewardHelicopters.com
Departures Available By Request
We are going to be the most expensive option. Helicopters are expensive to operate — but if you can get over the price tag, they are totally worth it! Helicopters are a great way to fly because they have unprecedented control. See something cool? Hover in place to snap a great photo. Think you saw a bear? Then let’s turn around. We can also change at what altitude we fly, going lower to the ground to sweep along the rivers and lakes or can go up high to cruise by the mountain peaks.

Scenic Mountain Air
(907) 288-3646
www.ScenicMountainAir.com

AA Seward Air Tours
(907) 362-6205
www.SewardAir.com/