Seward, Alaska Information

Incorporated in 1912, Seward is one of Alaska's oldest towns and is known as the Gateway to Alaska. Situated 125 highway miles from Anchorage on the Seward Highway, at the southeast tip of the Kenai Peninsula where Resurrection Bay meets the Pacific, Seward is the also the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park.

Seward may be one of the most charming places in Alaska. The town has about 3,000 permanent residents that are involved in the lucrative industries of fishing and tourism. In fact, Seward is the seventh most lucrative fishing spot in the United States. Everyone fishes and enjoys the ocean. The docks of Seward are a bustling place for sport fishermen, whale watchers, commercial fishermen, clammers, and tourists. And the docks are only a short distance from the quaint downtown of shops, art galleries, and fine dining.

The ocean may be where Seward makes its money, but the wilderness surrounding Seward is what makes it Alaska. The town's backdrop is Mount Marathon, a 3,022-foot peak that rises out of the seas. Mount Marathon is famous for its Fourth of July race to the peak.

Beyond Mount Marathon is Kenai Fjords National Park. The park is 699,983 acres of icefields, coastlines, mountains, fjords, and wildlife. Inside the park is the Harding Icefield, which spans 35 miles by 20 miles - eight of its many glaciers end at the waters of the Pacific on the southern end of the Kenai Peninsula. There are also private cabins to base out of, endless beaches to wander on, and tidewater caves to explore.

As part of the Kenai Peninsula, Seward is also a close flight on a bush plane to the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Where nearly 5,000 mountain goats and 1,500 dall sheep live. The Wildlife Refuge is huge at 1.92 million acres.

Did You Know?
Seward is Alaska's Saltwater Sport Fishing Capitol.

Trips into the wilderness around Seward are epic. You'll see Sitka black tail deer, mountain goat, grizzly bear, and moose in huge numbers. You may choose to venture overland to hunt for trophy caribou or seek out your prey from the comforts of a boat.

If you're not into the venturing into the forests and mountains, the ocean is a giant playground. Sailing, kayaking, whale watching, and sport fishing are just the start of the activities. The ocean is home to all sorts of creatures like salmon and halibut. They are so numerous they'll bump into your boat as they swim by. You may see sea otters, harbor seals, killer whales, sea lions, or bald eagles as your kayak glides across the sparkling waters of Resurrection Bay.

Town Information:

Seward Conference & Visitors Bureau
2001 Seward Hwy. (PO Box 749), Seward, AK
(907) 224-8051
http://www.sewardak.org/

Population: 3,016 (2005 census)
Location: At the head of Resurrection Bay
Annual Precipitation: 71.82 in.
July Averages: Temperature - 62*F; precipitation - 2.24 in.

Lodging:

Holiday Inn Express Seward Harbor
(907) 224-2550 / (800) HOLIDAY
http://www.hieseward.com/

Hotel Edgewater
200 5th Ave., Seward, AK
(888) 792-6800
http://www.hoteledgewater.com/

Murphy's Motel
(907) 224-8090 / (800) 686-8191
http://www.murphysmotel.com/

Ballaine House B&B
437 3rd Ave. (PO Box 2051), Seward, AK
(907) 224-2362
http://www.superpage.com/ballaine

The Breeze Inn
1306 Seward Hwy (PO Box 2147), Seward, AK
(907) 224-5237 / (888) 224-5237
http://breezeinn.com/

Seward Windsong Lodge
½ mile, Exit Glacier Rd., Seward, AK
(907) 224-7116 / (888) 959-9590
http://www.sewardwindsong.com/

Van Gilder Hotel
308 Adams St. (PO Box 609), Seward, AK
(907) 224-3079 / (800) 204-6835
Price: call for rates

Moby Dick Hostel
432 3rd Ave., Seward, AK
(907) 224-7072
http://www.mobydickhostel.com/

Camping:

Exit Glacier Campground
Mile 8.5 on Herman Leirer Rd.

Waterfront Park
On Ballaine Blvd.
(907) 224-4055
http://www.cityofseward.net/parksRec

Forest Acres Park
(907) 224-4055
http://www.cityofseward.net/parksRec

Did You Know?
Within 10 minutes of Seward is Alaska's most accessible glacier - the Exit Glacier.

What to See:

Iditarod Trail Head
East of the SeaLife Center

Seward Museum
3rd & Jefferson, Seward, AK
(907) 224-3902

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
(907) 224-3975
http://www.stpeters-seward.org/

Alaska SeaLife Center
301 Railway Ave. (PO Box 1329), Seward, AK
(907) 224-6300 / (888) 378-2525
http://www.alaskasealife.org/

Restaurants & Bars:

Apollo Restaurant
229 4th Ave., Seward, AK
(907) 224-3092
http://www.apollorestaurantak.com/

Christo's Palace
133 4th Ave., Seward, AK
(907) 224-5255

Ray’s Waterfront
At the small-boat harbor
(907) 224-5606

Chinooks Waterfront Restaurant
1404 4th Ave., Seward, AK
(907) 224-2207

Railway Cantina
1401 4th Ave., Seward, AK
(907) 224-8226

Transportation:

Seward Bike Shop
(907) 224-2448

PJ’s Taxi
(907) 224-55555

Ferry Terminal:

Alaska Marine Highway System
http://www.ferryalaska.com/

Chamber of Commerce:

Seward Conference & Visitors Bureau/ Chamber of Commerce
2001 Seward Hwy., Seward, AK
(907) 224-8051
http://www.sewardak.org/

Local Newspaper:

Seward Phoenix Log
301 Calista Crt. Ste: B, Anchorage, AK
(907) 348-2463
http://www.thesewardphoenixlog.com/

Hospital:

Providence Seward Medical Center
417 1st Ave., Seward, AK
(907) 224-5205
http://www.providence.org/alaska/seward/

Fish & Game:

Fish & Wildlife Protection, Seward Office
5th & Adams, Seward, AK
(907) 224-3935

Did You Know?
The five-mile trail to Caines Head along the coast is one of Alaska's top 10 hikes.

Forest Service:

USDA Forest Service, Seward Ranger District
334 4th Ave (PO Box 390), Seward, AK
(907) 224-3374
http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/chugach/pages_district/seward.html

Internet Access:

Seward Public Library
238 5th Ave., Seward, AK
(907) 224-3646
http://www.cityofseward.net/library/

 

Seward is an incredible place to visit, and certainly a fisherman's paradise. The natural setting is breathtaking. The easy access to both the ocean and the wilderness is spectacular. Don't miss Seward, Alaska during your trip through the Kenai Peninsula.