Start from 19 curated places around Seward, AK, then choose the recommendations that fit your guests.
Restaurants & cafés
The Cookery
This neighborhood oyster bar and restaurant showcases the Kenai Peninsula's producers — local fishermen, ranchers, foragers, and the Jinhi Bay oyster operation — in a relaxed setting without pretension. The menu rotates around what's fresh and locally available, so the halibut on the board today might have been pulled from the boat this morning. No reservations means a potential wait on summer nights, but the crowd and vibe make it worth it.
Woody's Thai Kitchen
A Thai kitchen that would hold its own in any city, tucked into a small downtown space with art on the walls and genuinely big flavors. The curries and soups lean toward traditional Thai profiles with good heat calibration, and the portions are large enough that two dishes between three people is reasonable. It's become a go-to for locals who want something other than seafood after a week on the water.
Trails & outdoors
Harding Icefield Trail
The signature hike of Kenai Fjords National Park climbs 3,080 feet in 4.1 miles to the edge of one of the largest icefields in the United States. The route passes through cottonwood forest, alpine meadow, and bare rock before arriving at an overlook where the Harding Icefield stretches to the horizon — 700 square miles of ice with no visible end. Exit Glacier shrinks visibly below as you climb, giving the hike an almost geological sense of time.
Exit Glacier View and Overlook Loop
The accessible entry point into Kenai Fjords National Park, this 2.2-mile loop winds through young-growth forest that sprang up after glacier retreat and delivers views of Exit Glacier from multiple angles. Historic markers along the way show where the glacier's edge stood in previous decades — the retreat is striking and tangible. It works well as a standalone hike or a warm-up before attempting the Harding Icefield trail.
Things to do
Kenai Fjords Tours
Seward's original glacier and wildlife cruise operator has been running boats into Kenai Fjords for over 45 years, with a large fleet of catamarans that hold up to 150 passengers and heated indoor viewing decks. Half-day trips stay in Resurrection Bay while full-day itineraries push into the fjords past multiple tidewater glaciers, humpback whales, sea lions, puffins, and orca pods. On a clear day this is among the most spectacular boat rides available in North America.
Major Marine Tours
A family-owned Seward operator with over 30 years running glacier and wildlife cruises into Kenai Fjords National Park, known for smaller boats and a loyal following among repeat visitors. Wildlife sightings include humpbacks, orcas, Dall's porpoises, Steller sea lions, and multiple puffin species — and a deli lunch is included on longer sailings. Their captains navigate close to glacier faces when conditions allow calving to be seen safely.
Landmarks & sights
Alaska SeaLife Center
Alaska's only public aquarium and marine wildlife rescue facility sits right on the shore of Resurrection Bay. You can watch harbor seals, Steller sea lions, puffins, and octopuses up close through floor-to-ceiling viewing windows, with live animal encounters that go well beyond a typical aquarium visit. The rescue and research mission means the animals here have genuine stories behind them.
Seward Small Boat Harbor
The working harbor is the beating heart of Seward — a mix of commercial fishing boats, charter vessels, and tour boats that gives the town its personality. The harborfront boardwalk has seafood stalls, gear shops, and constant boat traffic, and on summer evenings the light on the surrounding mountains turns the whole basin golden. It's also the departure point for every glacier cruise and wildlife tour on the water.