Visitor Information
The Seward Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 749, Seward, AK 99664 (tel. 907/224-8051; www.seward.com), has a visitor center, on the right side of the Seward Highway as you enter town, that's open year-round (summer daily 8am-6pm; winter Mon-Fri 9am-5pm). The chamber can give business information and last-minute help in finding a room.
Special Events
The Fourth of July is the biggest day of the year in Seward, when the whole town explodes with visitors, primarily from Anchorage. Besides the parade and many small-town festivities, the main attraction is the 3 1/4-mile Mount Marathon Race, run every year since it started as a bar bet in 1915. The racers go from the middle of town straight up rocky Mount Marathon to its 3,022-foot peak, then tumble down again, arriving muddy and bloody at the finish line in town. Strong binoculars allow you to see the whole thing from town, including the pratfalls of the runners on their way down.
The huge Silver Salmon Derby starts the second Saturday of August, although excellent fishing continues into the fall, including the peak of the silver run. The chamber of commerce visitor centers can provide tickets and rules.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
