Alaska is a dream destination for so many people. Make your dreams come true by visiting this gorgeous state with Princess, the #1 Alaska cruise line. Princess provides you with award-winning cultural enrichment programs and shore excursions that get you up close with nature and wildlife. It’s the perfect way to take in this jaw-dropping place. 

When you book a 17, 20 or 22 day Alaska cruise with Princess, you’ll get to stop in a truly unique port city: Seward, Alaska. This is a coastal town just south of Anchorage, and it sits at the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park. There’s a reason it’s a stop on our ultimate Alaska cruises. During your day in the area, these are all the best things to do in Seward, Alaska.

One of the reasons people come from all corners of the world to Alaska is to see ancient glaciers and the beautiful ice floes. Seward is the perfect place to experience the icy side of Alaska and to get up close and personal with these frozen wonders. Princess gives you a few great ways to see these Seward glaciers. Spend the day on the Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise. On this narrated journey, you’ll travel from Seward to Resurrection Bay and get close to the park’s glaciers. Listen and you might even get to hear “calving,” when the glacier sheds giant blocks of ice. Plus keep an eye out for whales and other marine life while you sail to this glacier. 

You could also spend your Seward day by taking a scenic drive and cruise with the Portage Glacier Scenic Cruise & Drive. You can see the town and the surrounding area from the roads and then hop on the cruise to get close to the glaciers in the national park. This tour is wheelchair accessible and lets you experience the best of Portage Glacier. 

Want to see the legendary Exit Glacier from the water? Take the day and float Resurrection River, and you’ll pass directly by this glacier and get to stare up at it from your raft. Enjoy the 5,000-foot high ramparts and the beautiful blue ice from one of the best views around. 

Seward is right on the coast, so there’s no better way to see what it has to offer than by boat. Rent a kayak or paddleboard and explore this beautiful coastal stretch of scenery. Check out Resurrection Bay and do a little whale watching or try Kenai Fjords and check out 40 tidewater glaciers that are visible there. 

With Princess, you can do a full kayaking experience that will take you to some of the best sites near Seward. Hop on a ferry and explore some of the stunning fjords on your way to Haines. Watch for whales on your journey. From there, you can kayak Chilkoot Lake and take in one of the most treasured natural gems of Alaska. Keep an eye out for bald eagles and bears as a sea-kayak guide leads you through the waters. The kayaks are stable and the perfect platform to spot some spectacular wildlife.

Seward is known for its sea fishing. You can head to the Kenai Peninsula and see if you can spot some dazzling wildlife as you wait for a nibble on your line. The Seward area is a great spot to catch salmon and halibut. Anglers can catch King salmon that can weigh well over 50 pounds, along with smaller ones like silver, chum, pink, and sockeye salmon. 

If you’re not into fishing, stop in at Ray’s Waterfront or the Cookery in town to eat some delicious salmon and walk around downtown. 

Seward is a fantastic place to take a hike and get out into nature. If you’re looking for some good spots to hit the trail, try these hikes: 

• Mount Marathon Race Trail
• Mount Marathon Jeep Trail
• Resurrection River Trail
• Carter Lake Trail
• Lost Lake Trail
• Tonsina Creek Trail
• Lost Lake Trail
• Primrose Trail

While these hikes take you through some beautiful nature, our top pick is to hike Exit Glacier. This excursion takes you up-close to a giant and ancient glacier. A naturalist will take you along the 2.5-mile walking trail through a forest to this stunning glacier. You’ll learn all about the topography, vegetation and natural habitats as you make your way up to the glacier. At the glacier, you can enjoy the jaw-dropping blue ice Alaska is known for. 

Alaska is home to some of the best wildlife watching in the world. On your day in Seward, you can get an in-depth look at all Alaska has to offer. One way to get up-close and personal with wildlife is to take the Alaska SeaLife Center tour. This is Alaska's premier aquarium, marine mammal rehabilitation facility and cold water marine research and wildlife rescue center. Come face-to-face with ​​Alaskan king crab, sea stars and the Giant Pacific octopus. 

Another great place to see wildlife is the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. This is where animals unable to survive in the wild live. You can safely get close to moose, bison, bears and musk ox here. You can also stop in at the Potter Marsh Bird Sanctuary to see rare migratory birds. On this excursion, you’ll also get to take a tram that will show you Turnagain Arm and the surrounding valley from 2,300 feet above its floor. It’s a day packed full of unique wildlife and the stunning scenery of Seward.

If you’re looking to see some larger wildlife, the Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise is a fantastic way to get out onto the ocean and whale watch. Kayaking or paddleboarding along the coast and in the fjords is another great way to spot a whale and maybe some moose, bears or bald eagles.

On your day in Seward, you can enjoy the heart of Alaska culture. Explore historic Seward with a walking tour. For this, you only need some good walking shoes and binoculars for wildlife viewing. You’ll get to experience all of the best things this town has to offer and explore the culture. After your walking tour, enjoy some iconic waterfront shopping and try a local cafe or brewery. 

You could also get into the local culture and experience the Iditarod trail. Take a wilderness sled dog tour. Sit in a comfortable wheeled sled and let the powerful team of 15 dogs show you this iconic part of Alaska culture. The Iditarod race is so big that it’s been called Alaska’s Superbowl, and you can try it for yourself and tour the kennels.

Seward is a beautiful place to get to explore some of the most interesting parts of Alaska. It’s a place where you can spot unique wildlife, get close to amazing glaciers and take a tour through a dazzling national park. Alaska has so much to offer, and Princess is the perfect way to get to see it all. 

Plan your Alaska cruise and get ready to make priceless memories.