What Seward is known for

One of the biggest attractions in the Seward region is the Kenai Fjords National Park. One of the largest icefields, the Harding Icefield, is located within the park. Visitors come for the scenic view of the glaciers, mountains, and islands.[4] 60% of the park is covered in snow. The park became a national park in 1980. Activities typically done while visiting the park include kayaking, fishing, hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. Other unique activities are dog sledding, boat tours, and flightseeing.[6] 

Kenai Fjords National Park is known as an ideal place for viewing wildlife. Bears and moose are frequently spotted throughout the park.[9] The region is also known for the various cruise lines that come into the port. Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Holland America, and Celebrity Cruises are a few of the cruise lines that come through the area.[5] An additional thing the destination is known for is the vast amount of sportfishing and fish that are in the area. In 2016, around 13,500 tons of fish and shellfish were offloaded.[5] The Bear Creek Weir is an aquaculture farm where tourists can see a vast amount of jumping salmon.[9] 

Alaska sees the most tourists during the summer months. Tourist season in Alaska typically lasts from May through September. During the summer months, Alaska has 16 to 24 hours of sunlight (depending on the location), warm weather, and a little bit of rain during the peak months. Alaska offers a wide range of adventures, as well as plenty of time to see it all because of the long summer days. Tourists can find farmers' markets, fishing opportunities, hiking trails, and more. The winter season in Alaska attracts fewer tourists but is a "winter wonderland." Skiing, dog sled riding, ice fishing, and the northern lights are just a few of the activities that tourists can enjoy during the winter season.[8] 

Alaska is known for the high amount of seafood that is produced in its rivers, lakes, along its coast, and further out to sea. Alaska fishers catch billions of pounds of seafood each year.[10] Those visiting the region can visit Northern Alaska to see the Northern Lights. The Northern Lights are a very highly desired event to see while in Alaska. Though it is difficult to predict, the Northern Lights season is from mid-September to late April. Travelers should keep an eye out on clear night skies for the best chance to see the Northern Lights. The lights are usually seen around midnight.[13]

Geography

The Seward Region is located in Alaska. Seward, Crown Point, and Primrose are some of the cities situated in the destination. Kenai Lake also flows into the region. The area offers vast amounts of outdoor recreation, as well as wildlife viewing. Kenai Fjords National Park is one of the prominent attractions in the destination. Alaska is well known for its variety and abundance of wildlife. Salmon, moose, caribou, bears, and bison are just a few of the animals that can be found in the region. Alaska and fish go hand in hand. The area is known for a wide variety of fish, including Pacific salmon, halibut, rockfish, and lingcod. Visitors can experience a guided freshwater fishing trip.[3] 

The weather in Seward varies, with summers reaching up to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The low in the summer is around 50 degrees Fahrenheit. December, January, and February are the coldest months in the destination, with a low being around 21 degrees Fahrenheit and a high around 33 degrees. The most precipitation is seen during September and October, averaging around 14 days of rain per month.[11] Seward, Alaska, gets about 75 inches of snow every year and 64 inches of rain. This is a relatively high amount compared to other states in the U.S.[12] 

There is not a shortage of plants found within the region. Forget-me-nots are Alaska's state flower, and their blossoms often grow up to 12 inches across in meadows. They are blue flowers with five pedals. Forget-me-nots are most easily found during June and July.[14] The Kenai Fjords are located within the region and hosts various plant communities, such as the Sitka spruce tree. The Sitka spruce tree is the tree that dominates the Kenai Fjords and is the fourth tallest tree species in the world. Mountain hemlock is another tree that grows in the forest. There are many similarities between the two trees, but differences include the coloring and the trees' sizes. For example, mountain hemlocks are usually smaller than Sitka spruces and are brighter in color. The Kenai Fjords get around 80-150 inches of precipitation each year, adding to the extent of wildlife in the area.[15]

History

Seward, Alaska, is located on the southern coast of Alaska. The city is named after the former U.S. Secretary of State, William H. Seward. William H. Seward played a significant role in the purchase of Alaska from the Russian Empire, making it a part of the United States. Seward is located on Resurrection Bay, a bay with cliffs, glaciers, and wildlife. Resurrection Bay was named by Alexander Baranof, who was a Russian explorer and trader. During a storm, the bay served as a shelter for Baranof.[16]

Groups of settlers started arriving in Seward during the early 1900s. The early settlers constructed the Alaskan Railroad between 1915 and 1923. The area continued to grow throughout the coming years. Today, Seward serves as a supply center for Alaska.[16] 

Seward has a population of 2,693 people. The demographics of Seward include 72.12% being white, 2.44% Black or African American, 16.68% Native American, 1.84% Asian, .18% Pacific Islanders, .88% from other races, and 5.87% are from two or more races.[5]