The Seward center is around the area of Alaska SeaLife Center and 1 mile south of Port of Seward Ship Terminal.
The months of May to September, when the temperature is at least 40 degrees, are when most people choose to visit. Outside of this tourist season, many lodgings and other businesses in the city remain closed. Commercial fishing and seasonal tourism are the two big industries in Seward and much of what is on offer locally reflects this.
If you are planning on making your trip outside of the usual tourist season, you will have much less choice when it comes to hotels, many of the main attractions are only open at certain times of the year. In fact, for much of the year, most of Seward's businesses remain closed. Restaurants, shops, and hotels will all shut down once the tourist season is over.
The May to September season is when Seward experiences its mildest temperatures, but you can still expect things to remain in the low-40s for the most part. The city experiences nice, warm days during the summer months, but there's no getting around the drop in temperature that evening brings. As long as you pack plenty of layers, you shouldn't find the temperatures to be intolerable.
If you plan on setting out to see some glaciers or explore the fjords, you are going to want to wrap up extra warm. If you're brave enough to visit in the off-season then be prepared for sub-30 temperatures.
Visiting in the off-season requires a little extra preparation, and some additional flexibility when you arrive. There will be fewer attractions open and services available during the long Alaskan winter. However, the lodgings that are available during the off-season are much more affordable than the rest of the year. There are also plenty of indoor activities available during the off-season, many of them operate a reduced timetable rather than closing altogether.
Some travelers will qualify for special discounts, potentially turning an already good-value trip into an exceptional one. AAA members can save around 10% on the regular rate at most hotels in the area. Hotel Seward, located in downtown Seward, is one of the most consistently highly-rated hotels in the area and is unparalleled in the convenience it offers guests. In addition to complimentary Wi-Fi, coffee makers, and all the usual features you would expect of an upmarket hotel, Hotel Seward also boasts dedicated staff who go above and beyond to keep their guests happy.
Meanwhile, senior travelers can enjoy better rated at the Van Gilder Hotel. The building housing the hotel was originally built in 1916 to house offices but was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. One of the few hotels in Seward that is open the year-round, the Van Gilder Hotel offers some of the fastest hotel Wi-Fi speeds around, as well as complimentary cable TV in every room.
Midrange hotels provide travelers with a balance between cost and quality and Seward is home to several. Seward Sea Treasures Inn is a beachside hotel with a homey and laid-back feel that offers access to a community playground and park that are great fun for kids. Sea Treasures is a self-catering non-hosted hotel. The on-call manager lives a few blocks away if guests need any assistance.
If you prefer something a bit more traditional, the Best Western Plus Edgewater Hotel is an excellent middle of the market option. Guests have the choice of a bay view or a mountain view, some rooms also feature a dedicated seating area where guests can take in their chosen landscape.
Most of the activities available around seaward are nature and wildlife-related. There is a whole host of companies offering guided tours of the local, national parks and the opportunity to explore the Kenai fjords. Exploring this arctic wonderland is a truly breathtaking experience, and a unique opportunity to get up close with one of the areas of the U.S. most vulnerable to global warming.
There is also the Alaska SeaLife Center, which is the ideal way to experience the local wildlife when you have children in tow. The center itself is not particularly large but is home to a wide range of wildlife that he won't find elsewhere.
Whatever it is that initially draws you to Seward, you will need to find the right hotel if your trip is going to be at all bearable.
Below are reviews of the city of Seward, AK from an actual visitor's perspective.
All the hiking we were able to do!
My favorite thing about Seward was the Sea Life Center but I also enjoyed walking along the beach and walking through the marina. The views from just about anywhere in town are breathtaking.
Nice hotel, location was great lots of things to do here.