Located at the head of Resurrection Bay on Alaska's southern coast under the shadows of the surrounding rugged mountains, Seward is the historic start-point of the original Iditarod dogsled race and the southern terminus of the Alaska Railroad. The colorful fishing boat harbor and the high peaks reflected in the bay make it one of the most picturesque towns in Alaska. Seward is also home to the Alaska SeaLife Center, a premier public aquarium highlighting Alaska’s local marine life.
With its proximity to Anchorage and accessibility by road, rail and sea, this seaside village is the gateway to the splendor and wildlife of the 669, 984-acre (270,000 hectare) Kenai National Park, as well as the terminal port for many Alaskan cruises during the summer season.
The site was originally settled in 1793 as a fur trading post by Alexander Baranov, of the Russian Shelikov-Golikov Company. Seward is now home to one of Alaska’s most lucrative commercial fishing fleets.