Experience Seward
Looking up, mountain peaks seem to pierce the sky. Looking down, the bright green waters reveal abundant wildlife and a rich intertidal zone. In the middle is Seward – a small, seaside fishing town along the Alaskan coastline with great local charm. This is the place we call home, and we can’t wait to share it with you.
Seward is located 2.5 hours south of Anchorage, on the road system. This is considered one of the most scenic drives in the country, so leave time for stops and photos along the way. If you’re not going to have a vehicle, check out local transportation resources here.
We’ve listed resources and recommendations for lodging, activities, and restaurants below. We appreciate your support of small, locally-owned businesses!
Lodging
Salted Roots Alaska
Salted Roots Alaska offers 2 newly constructed, boutique cabins on the beachfront of Lowell Point. These Glassfront A frames are modern, sparkling with natural light, and lifted 6 feet off the ground floor for a forested, canopy view of Resurrection Bay. Each cabin includes a master bedroom downstairs, a loft bedroom upstairs, and a sofa couch in the living room for a comfortable max of 6 guests. A great recommendation for independent travelers looking for a high-tech, high-touch option for a vacation feel of being remote, without being remote.
Steller Inn
Steller Inn features a seven-room Inn and cabins located in the Old Exit Glacier neighborhood near Seward. This property is in a peaceful setting beside a creek where guests will enjoy beautiful perennial flower gardens. Many species of songbirds visit our feeders and salmon spawn in the creek behind the Inn in August. Barbecues, a bonfire pit and outdoor sitting areas provide a perfect place to relax after a day exploring Seward or the Kenai Fjords.
Coffee House Cottage
This brand new, adorable cottage is in the back yard of our local historic coffee house and right next door to Kayak Adventures! This custom tiny home was built to take in the grand, south-facing views and has everything you’ll need – a kitchen, queen-sized bed, and a cozy Vermont Castings heater to stay warm on rainy days. The cottage is in the perfect location in downtown, Seward, but also privately situated in the back yard and is protected from tourist traffic. Every detail has been considered when putting together this
Mystic Mountain
Nestled in the Chugach forest with its own private acre of land, this newly constructed 400 square foot tiny home offers the best of Alaska in a private atmosphere. This contemporary styled tiny house boasts stunning mountain views from its generous private deck and soothing sounds from the glacial creek running nearby. Located just 5 minutes outside of the City of Seward, this property offers a private and convenient sanctuary for your Alaskan adventure on the Kenai Peninsula.
Resurrection Lodge on the Bay
Resurrection Lodge on the Bay is located just 2.5 mi south of Seward on Lowell Point. Quiet and perfectly situated just steps from the beach, the lodge overlooks Resurrection Bay. They have a variety of accommodations to choose from, ranging from rooms or suites to private accommodations with the full amenities of a vacation house. The lodge also offers a full buffet breakfast every morning to start your day.
Angels Rest B&B
Angels Rest on Resurrection Bay offers waterfront lodging, cabins, and beautiful view rooms. Designed for couples and mini-suites perfect for 3 guests. The small retreat and conference center, along with the waterfront lodging, is just three miles south of town, on Lowell Point. Angels Rest is one of the most unique, and special lodging accommodations in all of Seward. The local owner Lynda is incredibly kind and knowledgable when it comes to planning adventures in Alaska!
Bell in the Woods B&B
Bell in the Woods is a luxury B&B filled with unique and special touches, from luxurious linens to featured Alaskan artwork. Owners Darrell and Chrissie are all-things Alaskan enthusiasts and take great pride in providing outstanding hospitality & warmth. Their robust & delicious breakfasts will have you wishing you could stay all summer long!
Bear Paw Lodge
Enjoy all the luxuries of a beautiful log home! You’ll have full access to the kitchen, living areas, high-speed internet, deck with grill and hot tub, etc. Let the cozy, yet gorgeous log home be your “home away from home” while you’re in Seward!
Log Dreamin' B&B
Come enjoy the peace and comfort of this beautiful, custom built Alaskan log home. Located on the Kenai Peninsula minutes from the unique town of Seward Alaska and Resurrection Bay. This two-level lodge offers over 2100 sq. ft of living space, 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths and can accommodate up to 10 people!
Moby Dick Hostel
This is Seward’s only hostel and is located right down the street from our kayak shop. They are happy to welcome travelers and backpackers from all over the world! The owners are great people, and the guests create a fun, and outdoor-focused environment.
Deo's Alaskan Cabin
Deo’s Alaskan Cabin is privately situated amongst the trees 130 feet behind Log Dreamin’ Lodge, just a short walk through the forest to Lost Creek, where exploring & sometimes catching a glimpse of wildlife is a favorite of owners Jasmine & Jared! The cabin was designed to be efficient & comfortable. This beautiful property can accommodate up to six guests.
The Burly Man Bunkhouse
This incredible little house is perfect for a quiet getaway. You will be surrounded by the fun artwork from the Mountain Men of Alaska calendar. As a 1 bedroom plus a loft, It sleeps up to 4 (5 if someone is will to sleep on the couch). It has plenty of space for parking and is surrounded by tall beautiful Spruce trees. It’s only 5 miles away from town and features great reviews from previous VRBO renters. The owner is a good friend of ours, who also runs Kenai River Dog out of Cooper Landing.
Other Activities
Seward Wilderness Collective
Our private hiking tours strive to inspire hope, answer tough questions, and foster climate action. Hike the best trails in Seward, Alaska, a landscape defined by the forces of a changing climate. Explore the mountains, fjords, and glaciers at your own pace with a passionate, knowledgeable guide. With a focus on climate communication, we’ll talk about the changes we are seeing, and what we, collectively, can do about it.
Boat Tours
Although we’re a bit biased and think that kayaking is the best way to view the glaciers, whales, and magical wilderness of the area – we know that it’s not for everyone. Another fantastic option is to take a boat tour of the area. There are many options – from short trips in Resurrection Bay, glacier tours out to Aialik and Northwestern fjords, and dinner cruises. We can book boat tours for you with Kenai Fjords Tours for a 10% discount! Check out their link below, and then give us a shout to let us know which tour you’d like to do. It’s as easy as that!
Kenai River Dog
Let our friends at Kenai River Dog take you on an intimate, custom rafting trip down the turquoise colored Kenai River. This small rafting company is owned and operated by Kayce James out of Coopers Landing, and is a must do while on the Kenai Peninsula. The section of river they raft contains no more than Class 1 rapids. All you just have to do is sit back and take in the scenery while the guide rows. Kayce wants her guests to see rafting on the river as an intrinsically rewarding way to spend your time while you are visiting. Join Kenai River Dog and enjoy the beautiful turquoise color, the wildlife, the people that you meet, and the amazing scenery.
Alaska SeaLife Center
The Alaska SeaLife Center is a wonderful resource that we are so fortunate to have in town. Much of the SeaLife Center is based on research and rehabilitation, but they also have terrific educational exhibits and displays for the public. There are tanks with sea lions and harbor seals, areas where you can watch puffins and other sea birds dive and swim, touch tanks, interactive learning displays, and so much more. It’s well worth the stop to learn about our area and the wildlife we share it with.
Seward Restaurants
The Lunch Box
The Lunch Box is a small food vendor focused on serving creative meals with nutrition in mind, and without sacrificing flavor. Fuel your body with the bounty of Alaskan soil! Parts of the menu change with the seasons to help support our local Alaskan farmers, and to bring the freshest ideas and ingredients together. Eat something you can feel good about inside, and out. The Lunch Box also provides the sandwiches for our full day trips!
The Lone Chicharron
In the tiny seaside town of Seward Alaska, there is a tragic taco void. Enter the Lone Chicharron Taqueria.
The Cookery
Since opening The Cookery in 2015, Chef Kevin Lane and his wife Stacey have been showcasing Alaska’s bounty: fresh oysters delivered daily, locally farmed meats, produce sourced from the Kenai Peninsula, foraged finds, fresh fish paired with wines from all over the world, and locals’ favorite beers on tap.
The Smoke Shack
The Smoke Shack is a great breakfast spot, located in an old train car in what’s known as the “Train Wreck” in the boat harbor. It’s a small and cozy atmosphere, but is interesting and a great way to start the day.
Woody's Thai Kitchen
Named after Seward’s beloved and iconic sea lion, Woody’s is just a short 5-10 minute walk south of the Seward Boat Harbor. They serve authentic, Bangkok-style Thai curries, soups, noodles, and rice dishes along with specialties that infuse Alaskan-Pacific Northwest and Pacific Rim ingredients with traditional Thai family recipes. The menu varies with a variety of mild and spicy dishes as well as vegan options.
Chinooks
Chinooks is a wonderful option if you’re looking for a nice dinner out with views overlooking the harbor. They feature local seafood and a great Alaskan beer selection. You’ll often see sea lions swimming by and eagles perched on the masts of sailboats as you enjoy your meal. The atmosphere is pretty laid back, the food is great and it is a local favorite!
Useful Links
We know how hard it can be to plan a trip to Alaska when you’ve never been here before. So many options, so much distance to cover, and how can you tell what’s best from just looking online? You’re not the first one to struggle with this. We’ve put together this list of useful links in hopes that we can help provide information about our local area and public lands. As always, don’t hesitate to give us a call or send us an email if you need more recommendations!
General Travel Info
Visit Seward
Local info, events, and advice from our city Chamber of Commerce.
Alaska Channel
Helpful travel information from Alaska.org covering the whole state.
Parks & Recreation
Kenai Fjords Public Use Cabins
Want to paddle in the fjords, but don’t want to camp? Check out this site for more info on cabin rentals.
Kenai Fjords National Park
Take a look at the areas we explore on our extended trips. This is our backyard!
Public Use Cabins in Resurrection Bay
Information about the cabins at Thumb Cove, Derby Cove, Callisto, and Caines Head. Look about half-way down this linked page for the appropriate cabins.
Alaska State Parks
Find your State Park cabins here.
Suggested Reading
We encourage visitors to check out some of our favorite books on Alaska and Kenai Fjords in particular. Start with this list of recommendations!