How to Meet Locals in Seward

The key to fitting in with the locals here is to know that Seward residents are outdoorsy. The town comes to life in summer, with daily fishing charters, cruises, and train passengers, but locals can be found hiking Mount Marathon, Lost Lake, Exit Glacier, or walking the waterfront for easy wildlife viewing or watching the fisherman’s daily catch from the morning charters. The town has an energizing yet anchoring power that you won’t experience in a bigger city. Here you can find locals in the daily mix of most restaurants, tours, and hotels.

Attractions

• The free mural tour offers an easy walk around town and showcases the local’s perspective of life in Seward, which is known as the “mural capital of Alaska.” Stop by the visitor’s center for a mural walk map from the Seward Mural Society.
• The Seward harbor pretty much guarantees you the opportunity to bump into locals mending nets or sprucing up their boats.
• And, if you're feeling adventurous, hit the trails. You will likely see a mix of visitors and locals.

Restaurants, Bars & Coffeehouses

• Yukon Bar is Seward’s equivalent to the “Cheers” bar—everyone knows each other in this cozy hangout with dollar bills plastered to the ceiling. There’s a different form of entertainment every night, ranging from open mics, karaoke, dj dance parties, and live music every weekend with local musicians “Hobo James” and “Black Water Railroad.”
• Resurrection Art Coffee House gallery gives you a break from the busy harbor and lends a quiet, lofted space for you to strike up conversation away from tourist crowds. You’ll find live music on Thursday nights and scheduled performances from the local improv group.
• Woody’s Thai Kitchen is a local favorite because of its surprisingly sweet and savory flavors; it’s a welcome break from the wave of seafood available everywhere else. Seward is probably the last place you would look for respectable Thai food, but veteran diners boast this place to be some of the best they’ve eaten, with its authentic curries and mango sticky rice.
• Chinooks is a year-round local hangout with an awesome view of the small-boat harbor and a deck perfect for spotting jellyfish while you dig into beer-battered fish fresh from Resurrection Bay. Beyond the fishing terminal, you have a stellar view of hanging glaciers tucked into the Kenai Mountains, and locals enjoy the view from here just as much as the tourists.