Seward is a town of roughly 2,700–2,900 people about 125 miles south of Anchorage, and the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park. Its top draws are Kenai Fjords glacier-and-wildlife day cruises, the Alaska SeaLife Center, and Exit Glacier with the Harding Icefield Trail. Plan at least one overnight — two to three nights is better. The classic mistake is attempting a full-day fjords cruise as a same-day round trip from Anchorage, because the drive is roughly 2.5–3 hours each way.
Two dates dominate the calendar: the July 4th Mount Marathon Race, the single busiest weekend of the year, and the August Silver Salmon Derby. Book summer lodging months ahead for either. And 2026 brought the biggest physical change to the waterfront in years — a brand-new $137 million cruise terminal that opened in June after a short delay.
You could treat Seward purely as a launch point, but the town rewards a slower visit — especially on a rainy day, or before and after a cruise. Here is the complete picture.
What Seward is, and how it got here
A working port with a deep-water harbor, a railroad terminus and a history written by an earthquake.
Seward sits at the head of Resurrection Bay on the Kenai Peninsula, about 125 miles south of Anchorage by road. The most recent estimates put the population at roughly 2,700–2,900; the 2020 census recorded 2,735. The city was founded in 1903 by the Ballaine brothers of the Alaska Central Railway as the ocean terminus for a proposed railway into the interior, and it is named for William H. Seward, the U.S. Secretary of State who negotiated the 1867 purchase of Alaska from Russia. Today it remains the saltwater terminus of the Alaska Railroad and is Milepost 0 of the Iditarod National Historic Trail.
The economy rests on commercial fishing, tourism, the cruise port, marine services and shipping, a state vocational college (AVTEC), a maximum-security prison, and the Alaska SeaLife Center. The town's ice-free, deep-water port has made it a strategic transportation hub throughout Alaska's history.
The 1964 Good Friday Earthquake
The event that reshaped the waterfront
- Magnitude 9.2 — the most powerful ever recorded in North America — struck at 5:36 p.m. on March 27, 1964
- It killed 131 people statewide per Encyclopedia Britannica, a toll kept relatively low “because of the low density of the state's population”; USGS and other sources cite around 139
- In Seward, a large section of the waterfront slid into Resurrection Bay, generating a local tsunami
- Ruptured fuel tanks ignited, creating a wave of burning oil; roughly a dozen people died in Seward
- Much of the waterfront was destroyed and later rebuilt. A locally shown documentary recounts the disaster, and remnants are still visible along the shore
Birthplace of the Alaska flag
Benny Benson, 1927
- Benny Benson, a young Alaska Native student living at Seward's Jesse Lee Home, won the 1927 territorial flag-design contest
- His design: “eight stars of gold on a field of blue” — the Big Dipper and the North Star
- He is historically cited as 13 years old; 2022 research indicates he may have been 14
- The Benny Benson Memorial stands near the entrance to town at about Mile 1.4 of the Seward Highway
Other experiences you might enjoy
Live availability for what actually departs Seward's Small Boat Harbor — Kenai Fjords glacier cruises to Aialik Bay and Northwestern Fjord, half-day Resurrection Bay wildlife sailings, sea kayaking at Bear Glacier Lagoon, guided hikes at Exit Glacier, Seavey's IdidaRide dog-sled kennel tours and flightseeing over the Harding Icefield.
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Seward's attractions, ranked by significance
Thirteen things worth your time, roughly in the order most visitors should consider them.
1. Kenai Fjords day cruises
The signature Seward experience
- Glacier-and-wildlife boat tours departing the Small Boat Harbor into Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park
- Covered in depth in our boat tours guide
2. Alaska SeaLife Center
301 Railway Avenue, on the waterfront
- Alaska's only public aquarium and its only permanent marine-mammal rescue and rehabilitation facility, at Mile 0 of the Seward Highway
- Steller sea lions in a large tank, harbor seals, a puffin and seabird aviary, a touch tank and underwater viewing windows
- Behind-the-scenes tours and animal encounters (puffins, sea lions, octopus) have limited capacity — book encounters well in advance
- Summer hours run roughly 9 AM–7 PM at peak; winter about 10 AM–5 PM, with the center noting it reserves the right to adjust dates and hours
- Most visitors spend two to three hours
3. Exit Glacier & the Harding Icefield Trail
The road-accessible national park
- The only part of Kenai Fjords National Park accessible by road, via Herman Leirer (Exit Glacier) Road about 8.4 miles off the Seward Highway
- Easy, largely flat trails — including the wheelchair-accessible Glacier View Loop — lead toward the glacier's outwash plain
- The Harding Icefield Trail is strenuous: roughly 7.8–8.2 miles round trip with about 3,000–3,500 feet of gain, taking 6–8 hours, ending at an overlook of the 700-square-mile icefield
- An Exit Glacier Shuttle runs from downtown for those without a car; cell service is unreliable at the trailhead, so arrange pickup times in advance
- See our Exit Glacier guide
4. Mount Marathon & the race
3,022 feet, straight above town
- Climbable by fit hikers via a steep, rough trail — genuinely steep and hazardous, with cliffs, scree and waterfalls; not a casual stroll
- The Mount Marathon Race each July 4 is one of the oldest mountain races in North America, run as an organized event since 1915
- The 2026 edition was the 98th running, starting downtown at 4th and Adams, with up to 30,000 spectators packing Seward (per Lake.com's Mount Marathon 2026 guide)
- The 2026 men's race was won by David Norris of Steamboat Springs, Colorado — his seventh entry and sixth straight win (per KBBI)
- A grueling roughly-5K climb and descent that draws elite mountain runners
5. Waterfront & Small Boat Harbor
The hub of town
- Tour operators, fishing charters, restaurants and the Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor Center
- A paved waterfront trail connects the harbor to the SeaLife Center
- The harbor walk is free and pleasant
6. Lowell Point, Tonsina Point & Caines Head
Tide-dependent coastal hiking
- South of town at Lowell Point, a coastal trail leads to Tonsina Point (about 2 miles) and on to Caines Head State Recreation Area
- Caines Head is the site of WWII-era Fort McGilvray, with intact gun platforms and an underground bunker maze — bring a flashlight
- A key stretch of beach between Tonsina Point and North Beach is passable only at low tide (roughly +3 feet or lower)
- Total distance to Fort McGilvray is roughly 7+ miles one way
7. Sea kayaking
Calm bay paddles to iceberg lagoons
- Beginner-friendly calm-water paddles in Resurrection Bay
- Guided trips in the fjords, and the spectacular Bear Glacier Lagoon — an iceberg-filled lagoon reached by jet boat or helicopter
- A bucket-list paddle among blue icebergs, with a maximum of a few guests per guide
- Bear Glacier is the largest glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park
8. Fishing charters & the Silver Salmon Derby
Nine days every August
- Halibut, salmon, rockfish, lingcod and combo trips depart the harbor
- The Seward Silver Salmon Derby is Alaska's second-oldest fishing derby — started in 1956, after Valdez's 1952 derby — and one of its largest, running nine days each August; the 71st edition ran August 8–16, 2026 (confirmed by Alaska Sporting Journal)
- Prizes include a $10,000 grand prize for the heaviest silver ($5,000 and $2,500 for 2nd and 3rd), plus tagged cohos worth up to $20,000 (per KBBI, Aug. 7, 2026)
- In 2025, more than 1,200 anglers weighed in over 14,000 pounds of coho (Alaska Sporting Journal)
- One of Seward's busiest stretches — book charters and lodging far ahead
9. Dog sledding & kennel tours
Seavey's IdidaRide
- Summer wheeled-sled rides and kennel tours at the homestead of the Iditarod-champion Seavey family, with puppy visits (typically late May–September)
- Helicopter glacier dog-sledding on snow is also available
10. Museums & memorials
Local history
- The Seward Community Library & Museum holds the Resurrection Bay Historical Society collection, covering the 1964 quake, the Iditarod Trail and local history
- The Benny Benson Memorial honors the designer of the Alaska flag
11. Other adventure activities
Beyond the water
- ATV tours, ziplining, rafting, flightseeing, and glacier hiking or ice climbing are all available through local operators
- See our things to do guide for the full activity roundup
12. Hiking near town
Beyond Mount Marathon
- Two Lakes Park — an easy ~1-mile downtown loop around two lakes and a waterfall at the base of Mount Marathon
- Lost Lake Trail — a strenuous alpine trail, about 7.3 miles one way and part of the Iditarod National Historic Trail, with snow lingering into July
- Plus the trail network at Exit Glacier
13. The Seward Highway itself
An attraction in its own right
- A National Scenic Byway and All-American Road — the drive from Anchorage is worth building time around
- See getting there below for the stops
The Alaska SeaLife Center
On the Seward waterfront at 301 Railway Avenue, at Mile 0 of the Seward Highway, the Alaska SeaLife Center is the state's only public aquarium — and its only permanent marine-mammal rescue and rehabilitation facility, home to a stranding network that rescues injured marine animals.
Inside you can watch Steller sea lions in a large tank, harbor seals, a puffin and seabird aviary, a touch tank and underwater viewing windows. Behind-the-scenes tours and animal encounters are offered but have limited capacity, so book those well in advance. Most visitors spend two to three hours. It's open year-round and makes an easy rainy-day or pre-cruise stop, with a café and gift shop on site.
The center weathered a near-closure during COVID in 2020, saved by an emergency fundraising campaign, and in January 2025 flagged concern over a federal grant-funding freeze while assuring the public that animal care would continue. It remains open — confirm current hours and admission before you go.
The harbor & historic downtown
Two walkable hubs, about 1.5 miles apart along Resurrection Bay.
The small boat harbor
Where the cruises depart
- Launch point for every Kenai Fjords day cruise and many charters
- Home to the Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor Center
- Restaurants, outfitters and the Alaska Railroad depot nearby
- The cruise-ship terminal sits at the head of the bay — see our cruise-port guide
Historic downtown
About 1.5 miles south of the harbor
- Shops, galleries, breweries and dining
- One of the region's largest collections of public murals
- The Alaska SeaLife Center anchors the waterfront
- Mile 0 of the historic Iditarod Trail
Hikes & outdoors near Seward
From a leg-burning summit to an easy shoreline stroll.
| Spot | What it is | Effort / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mount Marathon | A 3,022-foot peak straight above town; site of the July 4 race, run as an organized event since 1915 | Strenuous, steep — cliffs, scree and waterfalls; for fit hikers only |
| Tonsina Point & Caines Head | Coastal trail from Lowell Point (~2 miles to Tonsina Point) into Caines Head State Recreation Area, with WWII-era Fort McGilvray | Moderate; roughly 7+ miles one way to the fort. The beach between Tonsina Point and North Beach is passable only at low tide (~+3 ft or lower) |
| Two Lakes Park | An easy ~1-mile downtown loop around two lakes and a waterfall at the base of Mount Marathon | Easy, family-friendly |
| Lost Lake Trail | A strenuous alpine trail, part of the Iditarod National Historic Trail | About 7.3 miles one way; snow lingers into July |
| Lowell Point | A beach and small community south of town; a water-taxi launch and the Caines Head trailhead | Easy; short drive from downtown |
| Exit Glacier | The national park's road-accessible glacier and the Harding Icefield Trail | Easy to strenuous — see Exit Glacier |
Trail conditions, tides and access change — check locally before setting out, plan tide-dependent hikes around the tide tables, and see our safety guide.
Neighborhoods, campgrounds and how far ahead to book
Seward's lodging spans downtown hotels, harbor-area properties, inns and B&Bs, cabins, vacation rentals and campgrounds.
Downtown hotels include Hotel Seward, Hotel Edgewater and the historic Van Gilder; harbor-area properties include Harbor 360 and the Holiday Inn Express on the harbor wall; cabins include Abode Well Cabins and Salted Roots.
Downtown
Walkable to the SeaLife Center, restaurants and shops. The easiest base if you want to spend evenings on foot.
Best for first-time visitorsHarbor area
Best if you have an early cruise or charter — you can walk to the docks rather than driving and parking at dawn.
Best for early departuresLowell Point
Quieter, south of town, near the Caines Head trailhead. Miller's Landing is here, doubling as a campground and water-taxi base.
Best for quiet and trail accessNorth of town / Bear Lake
More spread-out lodges and B&Bs along the mile markers north of Seward. Best with a car.
Best with your own vehicleCamping
The popular Seward Waterfront city campground on Ballaine Boulevard puts RV and tent sites right on Resurrection Bay, run by city parks, with multiple sub-loops such as Marathon, Alice and Resurrection, dry and electric sites, and showers. Other options are Miller's Landing at Lowell Point, Stoney Creek and the Seward KOA. City campground reservations open around mid-January for the summer, and waterfront sites fill months ahead.
The remote Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge at Pedersen Lagoon is the only lodge inside Kenai Fjords National Park — an all-inclusive, multi-day, boat-access wilderness experience operating roughly early June to early September.
Booking guidance: for peak July–August, book several months in advance. For the July 4th Mount Marathon weekend, book as early as you can — often the prior year. Pricing runs from budget campgrounds and hostels up to premium waterfront hotels and luxury wilderness lodges. Our where to stay guide goes deeper.
Seward vs day-tripping from Anchorage
Staying in Seward makes sense if you want a Kenai Fjords cruise, Exit Glacier and the SeaLife Center without a punishing day. Day-tripping from Anchorage works only for a quick taste — a shorter Resurrection Bay cruise, say — and is a poor fit for a full-day fjords cruise.
Seward's dining, and the wait times nobody warns you about
A small town with limited restaurant capacity. Summer waits — especially on cruise-ship days and at dinner — can be long.
Reserve where possible and consider eating lunch early. Well-regarded spots, all worth verifying for current 2026 hours and status before visiting:
- The Cookery — acclaimed modern New American and oyster bar downtown; reservations strongly recommended. Its sister taqueria is The Lone Chicharron.
- Ray's Waterfront — classic harborside seafood and steak with marina views.
- Seward Brewing Company — craft beer and modern pub food downtown near the SeaLife Center.
- Resurrection Roadhouse — lodge-style dining north of town with Alaska classics.
- Woody's Thai Kitchen — popular Thai near the cruise terminal; one of the few open in winter.
- Resurrect Art Coffee House (in a former church), Seasalt Alaskan Bar & Grill, Zudy's Café and the Breeze Inn restaurant round out the options.
Many restaurants close October–April; the dining scene is fullest May–September.
Anchorage to Seward, four ways
Drive: about 125 miles and 2.5–3 hours from Anchorage along the Seward Highway, a National Scenic Byway and All-American Road. Scenic stops include Turnagain Arm (bore tide and beluga whales), Bird Point, Beluga Point, Girdwood/Alyeska, Portage Glacier, and Moose Pass/Kenai Lake. Expect summer construction delays — Alaska DOT has multiple Seward Highway projects; check 511.alaska.gov before driving.
Alaska Railroad Coastal Classic: runs May 15–September 13, 2026; departs Anchorage 6:45 AM, arrives Seward late morning around 11:20 AM, returns from Seward at 6:00 PM and reaches Anchorage about 10:15 PM. Adventure Class and GoldStar Dome service. The layover is designed for a Seward day cruise.
Park Connection motorcoach: twice-daily summer service, roughly May 14/15–September 15/16, 2026, between Anchorage and Seward, plus cruise transfers, with drop-offs at Windsong Lodge, Gateway Hotel and the Small Boat Harbor (the cruise dock on ship days).
Cruise ships: Seward is a major turn and embarkation port. See our cruise-port guide, and getting there for the full transport breakdown.
Getting around: a rental car is not essential if you stay near the harbor and rely on the SeaLife Center, cruises and the Exit Glacier Shuttle — but it adds flexibility for Exit Glacier, Lowell Point and day trips. Parking near the harbor and downtown is available but busy in peak season. Local shuttles and taxis operate, and a free Seward City shuttle loops the town in summer.
How long to spend, and when to come
The single most common Seward planning mistake is treating it as a day trip.
Day trip from Anchorage
A quick highlight only
- Works for a shorter Resurrection Bay cruise or the SeaLife Center
- Do not attempt a full-day (7–9 hour) Kenai Fjords cruise plus the round-trip drive in one day
One night
The workable minimum
- Enough for a full-day fjords cruise plus the SeaLife Center, or a harbor evening
Two to three nights
Ideal
- A fjords cruise, Exit Glacier or the Harding Icefield Trail, and the SeaLife Center
- Plus a kayak trip, the Caines Head hike or a dog-sled tour
- See our itineraries for day-by-day plans
| Season | What it's like | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| May | Quieter, some businesses opening, snow lingers on high trails; good value | Shoulder |
| June–August | Everything open, long daylight, warmest and (relatively) driest; busiest and priciest. July 4th (Mount Marathon Race) is the single busiest weekend; the August Silver Salmon Derby is the other peak | Peak |
| September | Fall color, fewer crowds, wetter; some closures begin late in the month | Shoulder |
| October–April | Very quiet. Many restaurants, tours and some lodging close; the SeaLife Center stays open on reduced hours. Snowy, dark and mild-to-cold, with wind and rain common | Winter |
For the park's own month-by-month picture, see our best time to visit guide.
What to pack, and who to call
Seward has a cool, wet maritime climate — the area is a temperate rainforest.
Weather & packing
Summer daytime highs are typically in the mid-50s to low 60s°F, and it rains often; September is the wettest month. Annual precipitation is high, commonly cited around 60–70 inches of rain plus heavy snow. Pack waterproof rain gear, warm layers, sturdy footwear and a hat and gloves for boat tours and the icefield even in summer — it can feel wintry at elevation or on the water regardless of the town-level temperature.
Visitor centers
The Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor Center at the Small Boat Harbor has exhibits, maps, a park film, an Alaska Geographic bookstore and rangers — a good first stop. The Seward Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center is at 2001 Seward Highway (907-224-8051), open daily in summer.
Medical
Providence Seward Medical & Care Center is a critical-access hospital with a 24-hour emergency department and a Level IV trauma designation.
Cell service & wifi
Generally reliable in town, but unreliable at the Exit Glacier trailhead and out on the water and in the fjords. Arrange shuttle pickup times before you lose signal.
Supplies & money
Groceries, ATMs and fuel are available in town. Most businesses accept cards, but carry some cash for small vendors and campgrounds.
Bear safety
Black bears — and occasionally brown bears — are present near town and on the trails. Carry bear spray, make noise and store food properly. See our safety guide.
Day trips from Seward
What's realistic from a Seward base — and what isn't.
| Destination | Distance / time | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Exit Glacier | ~12 miles / 20–30 min | Easy, essential — the road-accessible corner of the national park |
| Lowell Point & Caines Head | ~3 miles to Lowell Point | Beaches, kayaking and the tide-dependent WWII fort hike |
| Moose Pass | ~28 miles north | A tiny lakeside community; an easy half-day |
| Cooper Landing & the Kenai River | ~1 hour north | World-class salmon and trout fishing, and rafting on the turquoise Kenai River |
| Hope | ~1.5 hours | A small historic gold-rush community off the Hope Highway spur |
| Whittier | ~2–2.5 hours | Prince William Sound gateway, via the schedule-controlled one-lane Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel — check tunnel times before going |
| Homer | ~3.5–4.5 hours each way | Generally not realistic as a day trip — better as an overnight, because you must backtrack ~40 miles to the Sterling Highway junction, then drive south |
What's changed in Seward lately
The developments that actually affect a 2026 trip.
A new cruise terminal
Opened June 10, 2026
- The $137 million Dale R. and Carol Ann Lindsey Alaska Railroad Terminal is now Alaska's largest cruise terminal
- A 748-foot double-berth floating pier with a 41,500-square-foot enclosed terminal plus a 27,000-square-foot pass-through luggage area
- Shore power funded through an EPA Clean Ports Grant; the project financed by Alaska Railroad revenue bonds
- Royal Caribbean SVP Josh Carroll called it “the culmination of nearly a decade of efforts” (per PR Newswire, June 10, 2026)
- A May 2026 construction delay temporarily rerouted a couple of Royal Caribbean sailings to Whittier. Royal Caribbean is the anchor tenant on a 30-year agreement, and the facility is expected to handle 140,000+ cruise guests annually
Alaska SeaLife Center
Open, but confirm hours
- Weathered a near-closure during COVID in 2020, saved by a successful emergency fundraising campaign
- In January 2025 flagged concern over a federal grant-funding freeze, while assuring the public that animal care would continue
- It remains open — confirm current hours before visiting
Seward Highway construction
Plan for delays
- Ongoing Alaska DOT work — resurfacing near Seward, work near Girdwood, and multi-year projects
- Expect summer delays; check 511.alaska.gov
Mount Marathon rule changes
For 2026
- The “skip-a-year” deferral was eliminated, a change expected to create about 50 additional lottery spots (per KBBI, Mar. 4, 2026)
- A new “Race from the Base” event was added for 7- and 8-year-olds, after the junior minimum age was raised to 9 in 2024
How to plan a Seward trip that works
Six decisions, in the order they matter.
Book the big three first
A Kenai Fjords day cruise, your Seward lodging, and — if you want them — Alaska SeaLife Center encounters. All sell out in peak summer. For the July 4th weekend, book lodging as far ahead as possible.
Give Seward at least one night, ideally two to three
If your schedule only allows a day from Anchorage, take a shorter Resurrection Bay cruise rather than a full fjords cruise.
Use the train or motorcoach if you don't want to drive
The Coastal Classic layover is built for a day cruise. Rent a car only if you want Exit Glacier, Lowell Point and day-trip flexibility.
Plan tide-dependent activities around the tide tables
Caines Head in particular. Build in weather buffer days for kayaking and flightseeing, which cancel for conditions.
Pack for rain and cold on the water — even in July
Waterproof shell, warm layers, sturdy footwear, hat and gloves.
Check status before you go
2026 hours, event dates, restaurant open/closed status, train schedules and highway construction can all change. Verify the Alaska SeaLife Center's hours and encounter availability, Coastal Classic and Park Connection dates and times, cruise-terminal status, Silver Salmon Derby and Mount Marathon dates, the Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge season with Alaska Wildland Adventures, and the Exit Glacier road and shuttle status — plus 511.alaska.gov for road delays.
Seward questions
The signature experience is a Kenai Fjords glacier-and-wildlife day cruise from the Small Boat Harbor. After that: the Alaska SeaLife Center, Exit Glacier and the Harding Icefield Trail, Mount Marathon, the harbor and waterfront walk, the Lowell Point to Caines Head coastal trail with its WWII-era Fort McGilvray, sea kayaking including Bear Glacier Lagoon, fishing charters, Seavey's IdidaRide dog-sled kennel tours, the Seward Community Library & Museum and Benny Benson Memorial, ATV tours, ziplining, rafting and flightseeing, plus easy hikes such as Two Lakes Park and the strenuous Lost Lake Trail.
At least one night, and two to three nights is better. One night is enough for a full-day fjords cruise plus the SeaLife Center or a harbor evening. Two to three nights lets you add Exit Glacier or the Harding Icefield Trail, a kayak trip, the Caines Head hike or a dog-sled tour. Day-tripping from Anchorage works only for a quick taste such as a shorter Resurrection Bay cruise — do not attempt a full-day 7 to 9 hour Kenai Fjords cruise plus the round-trip drive in one day.
About 125 miles, roughly 2.5 to 3 hours, south of Anchorage on the Seward Highway — a National Scenic Byway and All-American Road. The Alaska Railroad's Coastal Classic runs May 15 to September 13, 2026, departing Anchorage at 6:45 AM, arriving Seward late morning around 11:20 AM, and returning from Seward at 6:00 PM, arriving Anchorage about 10:15 PM. Park Connection motorcoaches run twice daily in summer. Expect summer construction delays on the Seward Highway; check 511.alaska.gov before driving.
Not strictly. If you stay near the harbor you can walk to the docks, the SeaLife Center and downtown, and use the Exit Glacier Shuttle, local shuttles and taxis, and the free summer city shuttle loop. A car adds real flexibility for Exit Glacier, Lowell Point and day trips. Parking near the harbor and downtown is available but busy in peak season.
The single busiest weekend of the year is the July 4th Mount Marathon Race, when up to 30,000 spectators pack the town — book lodging as far ahead as possible, often the prior year. The other peak is the nine-day Seward Silver Salmon Derby each August; the 71st edition ran August 8 to 16, 2026. June through August is peak season generally; May and September are quieter shoulder months, and winter from October to April is very quiet with many businesses closed.
For most visitors, yes. At 301 Railway Avenue on the waterfront, it is Alaska's only public aquarium and its only permanent marine-mammal rescue and rehabilitation facility. Exhibits include Steller sea lions in a large tank, harbor seals, a puffin and seabird aviary, a touch tank and underwater viewing windows. Most visitors spend two to three hours. Behind-the-scenes tours and animal encounters have limited capacity, so book those well in advance. Summer hours run roughly 9 AM to 7 PM at peak and winter hours about 10 AM to 5 PM; confirm before you go.
The 1964 Good Friday Earthquake, magnitude 9.2 and the most powerful ever recorded in North America, struck at 5:36 p.m. on March 27, 1964. It killed 131 people statewide per Encyclopedia Britannica — a toll kept relatively low, Britannica notes, “because of the low density of the state's population” — while USGS and other sources cite around 139. In Seward, a large section of the waterfront slid into Resurrection Bay and generated a local tsunami; ruptured fuel tanks ignited and created a wave of burning oil, and roughly a dozen people died in town. Much of the waterfront was destroyed and later rebuilt, and remnants are still visible along the shore.
It is strenuous. The trailhead is at Exit Glacier, about 8.4 miles off the Seward Highway on Herman Leirer Road. The trail runs roughly 7.8 to 8.2 miles round trip with about 3,000 to 3,500 feet of elevation gain, taking 6 to 8 hours, and ends at a sweeping overlook of the roughly 700-square-mile Harding Icefield. Easy, largely flat trails including the wheelchair-accessible Glacier View Loop lead toward the glacier's outwash plain if you want something gentler. Cell service is unreliable at the trailhead, so arrange shuttle pickup times in advance.
Downtown is walkable to the SeaLife Center, restaurants and shops. The harbor area is best if you have an early cruise or charter, because you can walk to the docks. Lowell Point is quieter, south of town near the Caines Head trailhead. Lodges and B&Bs north of town toward Bear Lake are more spread out and best with a car. Campgrounds include the Seward Waterfront city campground on Ballaine Boulevard, Miller's Landing at Lowell Point, Stoney Creek and the Seward KOA; city campground reservations open around mid-January and waterfront sites fill months ahead.
The Dale R. and Carol Ann Lindsey Alaska Railroad Terminal — a $137 million, 748-foot double-berth floating pier with a 41,500-square-foot enclosed terminal — opened June 10, 2026, and is Alaska's largest cruise terminal. Royal Caribbean SVP Josh Carroll called it “the culmination of nearly a decade of efforts.” A May 2026 construction delay temporarily rerouted a couple of Royal Caribbean sailings to Whittier. Mount Marathon eliminated its skip-a-year deferral for 2026 and added a Race from the Base event for 7- and 8-year-olds. Alaska DOT construction on the Seward Highway continues to cause summer delays.
Related guides
Base yourself in Seward
Combine a fjord cruise, Exit Glacier and the SeaLife Center over a relaxed two to three nights in town.