7 Scenic Stops on the Drive from Anchorage to Seward

The drive from Anchorage to Seward wows travelers with its diverse and stunning scenery. It’s no wonder this route is designated as a National Forest Scenic Byway and one of the most popular routes in the country. While the entire way is scenic, there are some definite stops you should make along the way that really capture Alaska’s vast and unique beauty.

The distance from Anchorage to Seward is 127 miles. This stretch, known as the Seward Highway, connects Alaska’s largest city – Anchorage, to the beautiful port city of Seward, gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park.

Beginning in Anchorage

Visitors flying into Anchorage will find big city amenities among a backdrop of wild and rustic landscape. While the city of Anchorage provides exciting experiences of its own, including the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail and Alaska Native Heritage Center, many people soon head out to explore more of Alaska’s great outdoors – often venturing south toward Seward.

(Need help planning your entire Alaska itinerary? Read our article, Comparing Two Alaska Road Trip Itineraries.)

Drive From Anchorage To Seward

The drive time from Anchorage to Seward is roughly 2.5 hours, but with many scenic stops along this two-lane highway you could spend days traveling this route.

Here are 7 scenic sights worthy of a stop along your drive from Anchorage to Seward.

1. Flattop Mountain

Flattop Mountain is Alaska’s most-climbed mountain and only a half-hour drive from downtown Anchorage. Consider stopping here for an active 3-mile roundtrip climb culminating with breathtaking 360-degree views of Anchorage, Turnagain Arm, the Chugach Mountains and Denali in the distance. If a steep hike doesn’t interest you, there are easier loop trails to walk that still offer unbelievable panoramas. I dedicated a whole blog post to Flattop Mountain and what to expect when climbing it. Check it out here: What to Expect Climbing Alaska’s Flattop Mountain.

HELPFUL TIPS:

• Flattop Mountain trail begins at Glen Alps Trailhead in Chugach State Park 6.5 miles from the Seward Highway.
• Total elevation gain is 1300 ft. to the summit with most of it in the last half-mile.
• There is a .3-mile paved loop trail that is wheelchair accessible.

2. Turnagain Arm – Beluga Point

Turnagain Arm is a narrow waterway branching off the Cook Inlet south of Anchorage. It’s nearly impossible for you to miss this area’s dramatic views since the Seward Highway hugs the coast of Turnagain Arm for approximately 40 miles on your drive from Anchorage to Seward. With mountains sloping abruptly into the water on your right and dall sheep climbing steep slopes on your left, it will be hard to keep your eyes on the road.

That’s why you should stop off at the Beluga Point lookout. Not only will you be able to take in the impressive views of the Inlet, but you may spot harbor seals as they come in with the tide or beluga whales as the water gets deeper.

Turnagain Arm is known for its bore tide – the second highest in North America. In the right conditions, a wave up to 10-feet high rushes up the narrow waterway creating an incredible sight.

HELPFUL TIPS:

• The Beluga Point lookout is located near mile marker 110 on the Seward Highway (Hwy 1).
• At low tide, the mudflats along Turnagain Arm can stretch for miles. While they look easy to walk on, they’re actually very dangerous as you can easily get stuck in them.

3. Alyeska Aerial Tram

Just off the Seward Highway twenty miles south of Beluga Point is the town of Girdwood – a small community residing at the base of Mt. Alyeska. Travel through town to Hotel Alyeska where you can ride the Alyeska Aerial Tram to the top of the mountain – an elevation of 2,300 feet.

(Or for an even more adventurous experience, you can hike up the steep mountain on the Alyeska Northface Trail and then take the tram down – for free! Read all about it here: 5 of the Best Hikes in Alaska.)

Spectacular views from the top include Turnagain Arm, glaciers and endless Chugach mountain peaks. An observation deck and restaurant allow you to dine, relax and enjoy the stunning panorama. The Alyeska Aerial Tram is popular year-round as winter provides a white wonderland for skiers and snowboarders.

HELPFUL TIPS:

• The tram operates at different speeds in the winter than the summer. In the summer it moves slower so riders can enjoy the surrounding scenery. In winter, it travels faster to get the skiers to the slopes in a hurry.
• As you ride the tram in summer, look down for possible moose and bear sightings below.

4. Girdwood Brewery

This may not exactly qualify as a scenic stop, but Girdwood Brewery is just down the road from the Alyeska Aerial Tram and definitely worth a visit.

The craft brewery is nestled among a plethora of pine trees with a backdrop of snow-capped mountains. They serve up four core beers with a series of rotating taps. Girdwood Brewery has a spacious taproom providing panoramic views of the surrounding Chugach mountains, a fun beer garden with firepit and food trucks typically on-site daily during the summer.

And in case you think it’s in bad taste to recommend a brewery stop during a long drive from Anchorage to Seward, Girdwood Brewery sells their locally crafted beer ‘to go’ in addition to serving onsite. So you can safely drink later once you arrive at your final destination.

HELPFUL TIPS:

• To drink your beer at a later time, Girdwood Brewery sells their local brews in growlers and 25 ounce cans.
• Kids/minors are allowed if accompanied by an adult.

(For more Alaska craft breweries to add to your itinerary check out our related post, Tapping Into The Alaska Craft Beer Scene.)

5. Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

One of Alaska’s unique experiences is seeing wildlife like bears, moose, and dall sheep roaming about. But it can be hit-or-miss if you see any of these during your travels. While it’s fun to catch a glimpse of a bear or moose in the distance, an even greater thrill is seeing them up close. That’s why I recommend a stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center on your drive from Anchorage to Seward. This sanctuary is home to black and brown bears, bison, bald eagles, moose, elk, lynx, wolves, great horned owls, and more.

The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center encompasses more than 200 acres, so the animals have plenty of room to roam as if in their own wild habitat. That makes for a natural and fun viewing experience. Even more, you’ll learn the interesting stories behind how the sanctuary rescued and cares for these injured and orphaned animals.

HELPFUL TIPS:

• The AWCC is located at Mile 79 and is open year-round.
• All the animals are housed outside. Get close-ups of the animals by walking or driving a 1.5-mile loop.

(Thinking of heading to Denali National Park to see wildlife? You’ll want to read this first: Denali National Park: Trip It or Skip It?)

6. Portage Glacier

Just south of the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center on the Seward Highway, you’ll come to Portage Glacier Road. Take that road east for a slight detour to a spectacularly scenic stop-off – Portage Glacier. You can either hike or cruise to see the glacier. I’ve done both, and in my opinion the hike is more scenic and rewarding.

(Check out our detailed guide to hiking Portage Pass and other beautiful Alaska hikes here: 5 of the Best Hikes in Alaska.)

The rocky trail climbs 800 feet before venturing down through Portage Pass for gorgeous views of Portage Lake and Portage Glacier. The entire hike takes roughly 2-2.5 hours. Or if you prefer to cruise to the glacier, 1-hour boat tours run multiple times a day from mid-May to mid-September and take you right up to the glacier.

HELPFUL TIPS:

• The hike and cruise begin at two entirely different locations. Catch the boat tours on the west side of Portage Lake south of Portage Glacier Road. The Portage Pass trailhead begins farther down Portage Glacier Road just as you enter the town of Whittier.
• On your drive to the trailhead, you’ll go through a one-direction tunnel that costs $13 to enter Whittier (no charge on the way out of town). The tunnel allows eastbound traffic on the half-hour and westbound traffic on the hour.

7. Kenai Fjords National Park – Exit Glacier

Just before you arrive in Seward on your drive from Anchorage, you’ll come to a turnoff for Kenai Fjords National Park and one of its main attractions – Exit Glacier. If you want superior close-ups of a cool blue glacier as it strikingly cuts through grey rocky cliffs, make this turn!

There are few active glaciers you can actually walk very close to. That’s one reason why Exit Glacier is so special. Multiple short and intertwined hiking trails offer a variety of gorgeous glacier views. You can hike along the river on your way to the toe of the glacier or hike the slope above to a dramatic overlook.

Melting ice from the glacier forms a rushing river rolling through the valley floor – a stark reminder that the glacier is constantly receding. Signs along the way pinpoint just how far the glacier has moved in the past 100+ years.

HELPFUL TIPS:

• If you’re up for a longer hike, the 8.2 mile roundtrip Harding Icefield trail begins at Exit Glacier’s trailhead.
• The road leading to Exit Glacier is called Herman Leirer Road (also referred to as Exit Glacier Road). It’s at mile 3 of the Seward Highway.
• The Exit Glacier Area is open year-round. However, the road to Exit Glacier is closed to cars in winter. Snowmobiles, dogsleds, cross-country skiing, or snowshoeing are permitted. The road often remains closed through early May.

Arriving in Seward

More stunning scenery awaits you once you settle into Seward. This beautiful port city offers a variety of adventures including whale-watching, fjord viewing and helicopter tours, fishing, kayaking and visiting the Alaska SeaLife Center.

There is no shortage of scenic sights in Anchorage, Seward, and everywhere in between. Plan your drive from Anchorage to Seward carefully. Take time to enjoy all the beauty this stretch of Alaska has to offer.

Have you driven the scenic Seward Highway? What was your favorite part? Tell us in the comments. We’d love to hear from you!

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