Seward Highway Headed South from Anchorage.

Towns along the Seward Highway; Indian, Girdwood, Hope, Portage, Whittier, Moose Pass, Seward.

Things To Do Near Anchorage Alaska.

Headed south along the scenic Seward Highway there are lots of picturesque pullouts and inviting small towns that are fun to visit for everyone that happens by. The following is a list of some of the most notable of these places as seen from our points of view. There are many more that are not covered that could be included. If you have a favorite, send us a note and we will add it to this list.

Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge AKA Potter's Marsh, is a 2,300-acre wetland and interpretive walk with informative displays posted along a well maintained boardwalk with handicap access. The wildlife and bird watching is outstanding all across these nesting ponds. See Arctic tern, Canadian geese, all sorts of ducks, and our favorites, the Trumpeter Swans and Sandhill Crane.

Potter Section House and Historic Park. was built in 1929 to aid in the maintenance of the Alaska railroad, today the section house serves as the Chugach State Park Visitor Center and houses a very unique Alaska railroad museum. Open year round, 8AM to 4:30PM Monday through Friday.

Mc Hugh Creek State Picnic Area. Tucked away on the side of the mountain, Mc Hugh Creek is a popular picnic and hiking area just a short distance from Anchorage. Picnic sites, water, toilets and a number of excellent hiking trails are available in this well maintained recreational area. The panoramic views of Turnagain Arm and Cook Inlet are absolutely breathtaking. Be Bear Aware as this is a well known bear area, watch for signs and practice proper backcountry etiquette for everyone's safety.

Beluga Point is just a short 10-minute drive south of Anchorage, The turn off is located in a corner so use some caution when accessing the parking lot. At the lookout, you can use the telescopes to view the beluga whales as they follow the salmon into Turnagain Arm. Also check out the rock cliffs behind you for the Dahl Sheep that come down to the road to eat and drink.

Bird Creek is a popular fishing spot for silver and pink salmon that is just a short drive from Anchorage. Bird Creek is the first major salmon stream you will encounter south of town. During times of peak fishing, this river is known for combat fishing as it seems everyone with a fishing rod is trying their luck. Great photo opportunities exist from the footbridge and viewing areas. Fee Area.

Bird Creek State Campground South of Anchorage about 20 miles has 28 campsites with picnic tables, fire pits, water, and toilets. Most sites are semi private campsites close to the coastal trail and other hiking trails. Fishing . Fee Area.

Indian to Girdwood Paved Pathway offers great views of mountains, glaciers, Turnagain Arm and the occasional bore tides. Locals call the path the 'Bird to Gird' but this multi-use pathway has been expanded to 13 miles and connects the communities of Girdwood, Bird, and Indian following Turnagain Arm next to the Scenic Seward Highway.

Crow Creek Mine Crow Creek Mine, was one of the largest producing hydraulic placer gold mines in South Central Alaska and today is Alaska's most popular "recreational" gold panning area. Turn at the Tesoro gas station towards Girdwood on the Alyeska Highway. Drive 1.9 miles and just before the bridge you come to Crow Creek Road on your left.  Follow Crow Creek Road for 2.7 miles until you come to Crow Creek Mine, turn right to the parking lot. Crow Creek Mine in Girdwood is on the National Historic Site Registry. The first claims were staked in 1897. Mining operations started shortly thereafter. If you visit today you will see many of the original buildings from 1898. You can also try your hand at gold-panning while at the mine!

Girdwood Alaska is a small, mountain community located 30 miles south of Anchorage along scenic Turnagain Arm. Home to the Alyeska Resort, Alaska's largest year-round resort.

• Alyeska Resort Transforms from a world class ski resort in the winter to a luxury vacation retreat in the summer.

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center or, AWCC, is Alaska's only drive-through wildlife viewing exhibit. AWCC is a nonprofit organization that takes in injured and orphaned animals and provides quality care for the animals. Any animals that cannot be released back into the wild are given permanent care at the center. Affordable entry fees are used to maintain this facility.

• Adults $10.00, Children (4-12) $7.50, Children under 4 Free and Seniors and Military are just $7.50. Maximum charge per car is just $30.00 making this a must stop along the Seward Highway.

Portage Area Salmon Fishing Whether you are fishing from a small motorboat on Six Mile Creek or Twenty Mile River or from the banks of Resurrection Creek, you will be having an exciting day of fishing in scenic rural Alaska. Pink Salmon - July 15 - August 15. Silver Salmon - August 1 - September 30

Begich Boggs Visitor Center Portage Glacier is one of Alaska's most visited attractions. Access is via the 5.4 mile Whittier/Portage Glacier Access road. Follow the signs to Portage Lake and the Begich-Boggs Visitor Center. The center houses, among other things, a simulated ice cave you can walk through to reach the Glacier Exhibit room with its displays demonstrating the formation of crevasses, as well as glacial motion and the range of glaciers today.

Portage Glacier Cruise Cruise the tranquil Portage Lake, about an hour south of Anchorage, to Portage Glacier. Climb aboard the M/V Ptarmigan for an unforgettable scenic cruise across the iceberg-dotted Portage Lake. You have the options for either the comforts of the enclosed lounge or on the up close open-air observation deck. The cruise is narrated by a representative of the U.S. Forest Service. This is the best glacier cruise in Alaska for the money.

Whittier Train/Car Tunnel Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel is the longest highway tunnel in North America (2.5 miles). Fifty miles southeast of Anchorage near Portage Glacier, the tunnel connects the port city of Whittier on Prince William Sound to the Seward Highway and South central Alaska.

Prince William Sound Explorer Glacier Cruise Spend an afternoon cruising through glacier-carved fjords and experience the untamed wilderness and calm waters of Prince William Sound. View the tidewater glaciers of Harriman Fjord. Discover the waterfalls and inlets of Esther Passage. This six-hour cruise into Prince William Sound travels approximately 80 miles round-trip. Enjoy a delicious Alaskan king crab cake lunch on board as you view the abundant marine wildlife and learn about the natural history of the area.

Turnagain Pass and Summit Lake Lodge, Once you head up the pass the scenery changes from a coastal wonderland to the high alpine forests amid athe jagged rock strewn mountain peaks. The drive between Portage and Summet Lake Lodge takes you through this high mountain pass lined with serine meadows and ragging rivers.

Tern Lake Viewing Platform At the junction of the Sterling highway with the Seward Highway is a marshy looking lake that is a major nesting location for both swans and geese. Take a moment to stop at the pulloff on the shores of this lage and see the abundant wildlife floating above the spawning salmon.

Seward Alaska Sea Kayaking Explore the beautiful coastal environment of Resurrection Bay aboard the fastest growing sport on the coast, the sea kayak. This may just be a form of the ancient mode of travel but today it has become perhaps the most intimate way to experience the wonders of coastal Alaska.

Exit Glacier in Seward Alaska, the only area of Kenai Fjords National Park accessible by car, is one of thirty-five glaciers that flow off the massive Harding Icefield. The Icefield is the largest in North America, and it remains as a 300 square mile vestige of the last ice age. From the parking lot at Exit Glacier, hikers can not only enjoy the paved walkway to Exit Glacier; they can also venture up a well marked hiking trail to the Harding Icefield.

Ididaride The Seavey family offers exciting summer dog sled rides at Grandfather Dan's homestead in Seward, and at Mitch's kennel in Sterling. Both tours give guests a behind-the-scenes tour of an Iditarod racing kennel and 100% of proceeds go to supporting this unique families dogsled racing efforts.

Seward Alaska Halibut Fishing Some of the best Halibut fishing can be found throughout most of the waters of Alaska but none so good as out of Seward Alaska. Halibut are usually targeted out past the entrance of Resurrection Bay making this one outstanding adventure filled with the best scenery, loads of marine life and yes some mighty big halibut too. Your experienced charter boat captains will be taking you on an experience you will surely never forget!

Kenai Fjords National Park Wildlife & Glacier Cruise Enjoy a magnificent day of cruising the spectacular fjords of Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park. Visit the very face of an active tidewater glacier where you'll spend time watching glaciers calve giant splinters of blue ice into the ocean.

Also see Things To Do North Of Anchorage.