Alaska SeaLife Center, Alaska’s only public aquarium and world-class cold water marine research facility is situated on the shores of Resurrection Bay. Visitors to this “window on the sea” have close encounters with puffins, octopus, sea lions and other marine life while peeking over the shoulders of ocean scientists studying Alaska’s rich seas and diverse sealife. Nearly 2,000 invertebrates, fish, seabirds, and marine mammals are on exhibit – approximately 177 different species. Most of the animals on exhibit come from the nearby Gulf of Alaska. Highlights include Steller Sea Lions, Harbor Seals and much more! The Alaska SeaLife Center is dedicated to understanding and maintaining the integrity of Alaska’s marine ecosystem through research, rehabilitation, conservation, and education. Open year round. Located at 301 Railway Avenue at mile 0 of the Seward Highway. Admission: Adults $20, Students (ages 12-17) $15, Children (ages 4-11) $10, and age 3 and under free. Military, AK Resident, AARP and AAA discounts available. Ask about puffin, octopus, and marine mammal encounters and behind-the-scenes tours. Call 888-378 -2525 to reserve a specialty tour that fits your needs today.

Fish House Halibut & silver salmon fishing charters, fishing tackle, ice, bait, RV supplies, fishing & hunting licenses & information. ATM 1-800-257-7760 or 907-224-3674.

Kenai Fjords Tours, Inc. 907-224-8068 offers a wide variety of itineraries ranging from a 3-hour Resurrection Bay Tour to the incredible full-day Northwestern Fjord Cruise. For over 20 years Kenai Fjords Tours has been recognized as “the must do tour” in Seward.

Major Marine Tours, cruise with a National Park ranger and receive a free full-color guide to the Kenai Fjords National Park. Half-day and full day cruises feature up-close viewing of otters, eagles, puffins, whales and three types of glaciers. Cruise’s features an all-you-can-eat salmon and prime rib meal and reserved table seating inside the cabin. 800-764-7300.

Sunny Cove Sea Kayaking Experience the beauty and wildlife of Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park. Paddle through bergy bits while watching glaciers calve. Have a chance to observe sea otters, seals and even whales from water level. See why Outside, Backpacker,National Geographic Adventure, and others have profiled Sunny Cove tours . Since 1996 we have introduced thousands to paddling. We offer everything from 3 hour introductory tours to 12 day kayaking expeditions. Join us for a combination paddle and wildlife cruise to remote Fox Island. Check out tour details and pictures of the area at our website or call us at 1 800 770-9119.

Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor Center has displays, books, and  a slide show. Open daily 8am to 7pm. it is in the small boat harbor. 907-224-3175.

Historic Railcar, at the corner of Third and Jefferson, was built by the Pullman Company as a dining car for the Northern Pacific Railroad in 1916. In 1935, the Alaska Railroad purchased it and converted into a club car. It was used as such until shortly before the earthquake of 1964, when  it was given to Seward. The railcar is open daily in summer 9am to 5pm.

Mt. Marathon Race, Alaska's biggest Independence Day celebration is  held in Seward every Fourth of July. The combination running-climbing race to the top of 3,022-foot Mt. Marathon and back is believed by many to be the most strenuous and rugged of the five cross-country-mountain-climbing races in the world. The current record is 43.23 minutes set in 1981. Contact Seward  Chamber of Commerce, Box 749 Seward, AK 99664 for information.

Seward Community Library, Fifth and Adams, (across from City-State  Building) presents a movie and slide show depicting earthquake, fire and tidal wave damage resulting from the 1964 earthquake. This movie is shown daily  at 2pm in summer. A noteworthy attraction is the Seward Heirloom Quilt. Completed  in 1976 by 28 local women, the quilt contains 36 blocks, each depicting a  historical building or landmark in Seward. Also on display, one of the original  Alaskan flags.

Seward Museum, at the corner of Third and Jefferson, is maintained by the Resurrection Bay Historical Society. On display are native artifacts,  relics, early-day mining tools and a collection of rare baleen and porcupine quill baskets.

Seward Silver Salmon Derby, takes place in the middle of August. It is one of the largest single sporting events in Alaska, thousands of sportsmen vie for more than $150,000 in cash and merchandise prizes. Tagged and released  at the beginning of the derby are salmon worth $10,000 and more. In addition,  there are daily prizes, a sweepstake prize and a prize for the first fish entered. Seward Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 749, Seward, AK 99664 for further information.

Nearby Attractions
You'll find many recreation, sightseeing and photography opportunities in  Seward.

Caines Head State Recreation Area, scenic site of an abandoned World War II fort, can be reached by boat or on foot (at low tide) from Seward. Its headlands rise 650 feet above Resurrection Bay, against a backdrop of high peaks, and give a sweeping view of the ocean.

Early in World War II, as the territory of Alaska was attacked and occupied  by Imperial Japanese ground forces, Caines Head and other Resurrection Bay  vantages became strategic spots for defending the Port of Seward. As the southern  terminus of the Alaska Railroad, the port was a critical supply line for the war effort and for Alaskans.

Visitors are invited to explore the remains of Fort McGilvray, and the many  natural attractions of this 6,000-acre state recreation area.

The fort is open to explore, but take a flashlight to find your way through  the maze of underground passages and rooms. The cliffs around the fort are  dangerous. Stay on the concrete pads and trails.

Decayed structures are unsafe. (Do not walk on, or disturb them). In Case  of an Emergency 911.

Harding Icefield Trail A 3 1/2 mile trail from the Exit Glacier area leads up to the Harding Icefield. It is a very strenuous, all day hike and visitors should check with rangers at the visitor center for up to date trail information/conditions.

Kenai Fjords National Park is one of Alaska's newest national parks  and covers the fjordland of the Harding Ice Field. (See "National Parks section" for detailed information.) Some of the wildest, most isolated,  uninhabited and least-known country in Alaska can be found here.

Kenai Fjords coastline is home to seabirds and marine mammals. For example,  you'll find that the Chiswell Islands, which lie several miles south of the Aialik Peninsula and not far from the mouth of Resurrection Bay, swarm with life. Tufted puffins, black-legged kitiwakes, thousands of murres and Stellar  sea lions live in and around the ragged collection of rocks rising some 600  feet out of the Gulf of Alaska.

Mount Marathon Trail leads to Race Point on Mt. Marathon, the site  of a world-famous foot-race There are actually two trails, the Hikers' Trail  and the Runners' Trail, both of which are steep. The Hikers' Trail, although not marked quite as well, is somewhat less steep and provides excellent views of Seward and Resurrection Bay. You may choose to go up Hikers' Trail and  down Runners' Trail. Round trip, three miles. Hiking time, 43-1/2 minutes to six hours. Hikers' Trail begins at First Ave. and Monroe St. park here and walk up the dirt road marked "Marathon Municipal Water Supply." Runners' Trail begins near First Ave. and Jefferson St.

Exit Glacier. Ten miles from Seward is one of the more accessible  glaciers in Alaska. Turn at mile 3.5 Seward Highway and drive 8 miles to parking area. You can cross the newly constructed bridge and park within 1/2 mile  of the glacier. One can walk to within 15 yards of this glacier. Do not go  beyond warning signs onto glacier. Camping allowed. Editor's Note: Please be careful around the glacier and observe warning signs. Half a mile from the end of the road is a public campground, 10 tent sites, water and toilets.