The small coastal town of Seward is known for its scenic views, numerous visitor attractions, and as the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park. Seward is located about 125 miles south of Anchorage, about 3 hours by road. The town is the southern terminus of the Alaska Railroad, dating back to its origins in the early 1900’s. Seward has over 3,000 year round residents, however that number swells considerably during the summer visitor season. The town is famous in Alaska for its Fourth of July celebration that features a grueling foot race to the top of the 3,000 foot Mt. Marathon. You won’t be disappointed with Seward’s fine selection of shops, restaurants and lodging choices.

Seward Lodging
A great choice for Seward lodging is the Seward Windsong Lodge. The lodge is one of Seward's finest full-service hotels and offers first class facilities and great values as well. The Seward Windsong Lodge is located on the edge of town in a forested setting with river and mountain views. There are several very nice hotels in the town of Seward as well. The Hotel Edgewater Seward is located downtown just across the street from the Alaska SeaLife Center. The Holiday Inn Express Seward Harbor Hotel is conveniently located at the Seward Small Boat Harbor near the departure point for Kenai Fjords day cruises. Plan to spend a couple of nights in Seward, and book early for the summer months, particularly mid-June through the end of August. Check out our Seward Hotels page for a complete list.

Seward Tours and Attractions
Seward offers a great selection of tours, cruises and activities to choose from. By far the most popular trip is a day cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park. Abundant marine wildlife and awesome glaciers make this an Alaska cruise you do not want to miss. Our favorite cruises include one that stops at Fox Island and another that takes you to the park by catamaran. Other list toppers include a stop at Exit Glacier, kayaking and a visit to the 52 million dollar Alaska SeaLife Center. Seward is also a great place to do some fishing. Monster halibut weighing over 300 pounds are caught each year in nearby waters, and the town is host to the popular Seward Silver Salmon Derby held each year in mid-August. See more information on our Seward Tours page.

Seward Transportation
Although Seward does have a small airport, the majority of visitors reach Seward by rental car, bus line, cruise ship or via the Alaska Railroad. The Park Connection Alaska bus line offers two trips each day between Anchorage and Seward, with connecting service through to Talkeetna and Denali National Park. The Alaska Railroad also offers daily summer service between Anchorage and Seward, and many consider this segment to be the most scenic train trip in the state. The highway to Seward is a national scenic byway as well, so we recommend traveling one direction by rail and the other by bus. Seward is a main port for Gulf of Alaska cruises that travel to and from Vancouver, BC. Many cruise passengers never even spend one night in Seward, a definite mistake in our opinion. A full list of the options we offer is available on our Seward Transportation page.

[graphic version Seward Alaska]