Seward, Alaska with Mt. Marathon in the Background

Seward Information
By Tom Ogg

Language and Currency
What is Seward Like?
What is the Weather Like?
Where Does the Ship Dock?
Where is the Shopping?
What is There to Buy?
What is There To Do?
Is There Anything of a “Don’t Miss Quality?
Are There Any Great Restaurants or Bars?

Seward Port Reviews

Language and Currency

The Official language of Seward is English and the currency is the U. S. dollar.

What is Seward Like?

Seward is a small town/port on the Kenai peninsula that is at the heart of the Kenai Peninsula's fabulous ocean and wildlife. One of the oldest towns in Alaska Seward's historic district is full of art galleries, local handicraft shops and other shops of keen interest to tourists. Its scenic location at the foot of Mt. Marathon whose snow capped peaks rise thousands of feet from Seward. It is very picturesque and quaint

What is the Weather Like?

Seward resides at the head of Resurrection Bay and is affected by the open pecan weather. Average summer temperature is 56 degrees but it can get chilly quickly if a wind comes up.  Definitely dress in layers when in Seward.

Where Does the Ship Dock?

The dock area of Seward is located about 1/2 of a mile from the town itself further up the bay. There is not much around the pier but it is a nice walk into town from the pier. There are limited taxis in Seward so if you get stuck in town with your luggage it could become an issue if you cannot negotiate it yourself..

Where is the Shopping?

The main shopping area is about a fifteen minute walk from the pier.  Simply make a left on Port Street as you exit the pier area and continue on Port Street until you hit 4th Avenue (aka Leirer Road). Turn left again and follow 4th Avenue into town. Many of the stores are on 4th avenue but once you get into the historic district you will find some additional shops on some of the other streets.

What is There to Buy?

Artwork, jade and ivory carvings, gold jewelry, Alaskan products and collectibles and other knick-knacks.

What is There To Do?

Oh boy! There is so much to see and do in and around Seward that it would well be worth spending at least a couple nights here before going up to Anchorage. First and foremost, if you fish, Seward is some of the best fishing in the world. halibut, world class ling cod, rockfish and salmon are just for starters. The interior lakes and streams also offer myriad opportunities for excellent fishing.

Cruise Kenai Fjords National Park to see the hundreds of islands, fjords, glaciers, and pristine
coves. One of the great beauties of America's national park system, Kenai Fjords provides the
adventurer a chance to view whales, seals, sea lions, otters, puffins, and many other wild
animals in their natural environment.

Visit the Alaska SeaLife Center and its underwater viewing rooms where you can sea all of the local sea life up close and personal is well worth the investment of time to experience it.  Funded by monies from the Valdez disaster it has recently opened to bring everyone closer to the delicate nature of the Alaskan ocean environment.

Of note is Seward's access to Chugach National Forest and specifically Exit Glacier. The National Forest offers numerous hiking trails (as does Mt. Marathon) and you can practically drive to Exit Glacier from Seward. By following a short trail you can visit the huge glacier for an easy but overwhelming experience. 

Is There Anything of a “Don’t Miss Quality?

I would give Seward's sport fishing this rating as it is simply the best in the world for the kind of fishing it is. Even if you are not a hard-core fisherman but want to give it a try, this is the place to say you did it.

Are There Any Great Restaurants or Bars?

A group of us had an excellent meal/wine/impromptu party at Chinooks Waterfront Restaurant by the small boat harbor. It could have just been the company but I would certainly give it another shot.

Seward Port Reviews
(Click on the Review you are Interested in Reading)

Eric Benshetler; Exit Glacier and Kenai Fjord Boat Tour
Ed Kocher; Resurrection Bay Wildlife Cruise
Jim Wesson; Exploring Seward and the drive to Anchorage

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