Seward, Alaska is a common starting or ending point for one-way Alaskan cruises. Spend a little extra time in port with these ideas on how to have an amazing pre- or post-cruise day!
For information on how to get to and from Seward and Anchorage (the closest major airport), check out this blog post: How to Travel Between Anchorage and Seward, Alaska.
Alaska SeaLife Aquarium
Part educational aquarium, part rehabilitation center for injured sea animals, and part science research station…the Alaska SeaLife Center has something that will appeal to everyone in the group. They even offer special behind the scenes tours (additional charge) that let you feed puffins or get up close and personal with their giant octopus! Before you go, check out Alaska Animal Rescue and see all the good work that the Alaska SeaLife Center is up to. (Check out this blog post on visiting the other sites of Alaska Animal Rescue.)
Explore Kenai Fjord
Explore the beautiful Kenai Fjord National Park with a variety of cruises. There are wildlife focused excursions that stay in the calm Resurrection Bay and those that venture deep into the wilderness to view spectacular tidewater glaciers. Some tours even include a stop on Fox Island for a meal. Two popular operators in Seward include Kenai Fjords Tours and Major Marine.
Exit glacier
Just outside of town is the Exit glacier. You can enjoy a leisurely hike around the visitor’s center and see markers showing how much the glacier has receded over the years…or be more adventurous and head up on the ice! Exit Glacier Guides and Kenai Backcountry Adventures both offer guided ice hikes for those who are up for a challenge.
Go dog sledding
Dog sledding is often on the top of people’s to-do lists when they’re headed to Alaska. Both Seavey’s Ididaride and Turning Heads Kennels offer dog sled experiences in Seward. During the cruise season, you’re likely to be riding in wheeled training carts…though there are opportunities to head up to a glacier if dog sledding on snow is a must. Be aware, not all sled dog experiences are created equal–some have much better standards of animal welfare than others. (Look for a future post on how you can evaluate a sled dog experience as a tourist.)
Iditarod starting point
Long before it was a dog-sled race, the Iditarod trail (or the Seward to Nome trail) was a lifeline that connected communities in the Kenai Peninsula (and all the way to the Iditarod mining district) during the winter. (Learn more about the history of the Iditarod trail here!) To commemorate the town’s part in this rich history, Seward has designated a marker dedicated to the start of the Iditarod trail. It can be found near the parking lot of the SeaLife Center.
Eat and Drink
Seward offers a nice selection of places to eat and drink. Grab coffee and tasty baked goods while perusing the work of local artists at the Resurrect Art Coffee House or have coffee in an old train car at 13 Ravens. Sit down for a fabulous dinner at places such as The Cookery, Seasalt, or Mermaid Grotto.
Other Port Towns
For port day ideas for other common stops on an Alaskan cruise, check out:
Ideas for an Amazing Port Day in Ketchikan
Ideas for an Amazing Port Day in Juneau
Ideas for an Amazing Port Day in Skagway
Ideas for an Amazing Pre- or Post- Cruise Day in Vancouver
How to Travel Between Anchorage and Seward
If your cruise starts or ends in Seward, you’ll likely need to travel from Anchorage. Thankfully there are several convenient options! Check out this blog post for ideas on how best to travel between Anchorage and Seward.
