What to do in Seward/Kenai Peninsula

[waunabcruizin]

OK, we have a stateroom booked on the Ryndam and get into Seward on Sunday morning, 09/09/07. Our flight leaves Anchorage at 5:20 PM on 09/10. We have a car reserved. Now... we need ideas for what to see and where to stay overnight on the 9th. Are there any 'do not miss' things we need to work around? Looking at the map, there are scads of wonderful looking places to explore......but only 1.5 days to do it in. Soooo, what should our priorities be in your opinion. We love wildlife, historical stuff, outdoors stuff and learning things.

 

Thanks much for any insights that any of you wonderful CCers can provide.

 

Carol (and Linda).

[ghouck2532]

In Seward, you can take a boat tour into Kenai Fjords National Park. In order to see the glaciers and wildlife you'd need a 6 hour tour that goes at least into Ailak Bay to Holgate Glacier. You'd need a 9 hour tour to get to Northwestern Glacier. Kenai Fjords Tours (kenaifjords.com); Renown Charters (reowncharters.com); Major Marine (majormarine.com) are the 3 major operators.

 

A longer tour 6 to 9 hours would take most of your first day. You could visit the Sea Life Center the same day. After overnighting in Seward, you could visit Seavey's dog kennel for a wheeled dog sled ride and Exit Glacier on your way out of town. You could also do a helicopter dog sled excursion to Godwin Glacier instead of Seavey's. Closer to Anchorage you could stop at Begich-Boggs Visitor Center and Portage Glacier and the Big Game Alaska Wildlife Center. It's a scenic drive along Turnagin Arm on your way to the airport.

[Budget Queen]

I would spend all the time in Seward, plenty to see and do. :) The Kenai Fjords boat trips are a top choice- do not miss and always my recommedation. Request their visitor guide http://www.sewardak.org

 

Exit Glacier, Sealife Center, Seavey's Sled dogs, Godwin's helicopters. etc etc

 

You can be off your ship very early and start your touring, I suggest the boat tour for that day and the smaller stuff for your last day. Allow at least 3 hours for the drive to Anchorage and a 2 hour window at the Anchorage airport.