Seward Highway: A Driving Tour of Alaska's Scenic and Historic Road

The Seward Highway ranks among America’s most breathtaking drives. On this driving tour, you’ll go beyond stunning landscapes that embody Alaska’s rugged character and natural beauty. You’ll follow a historic route that echoes the pioneering spirit of the Last Frontier, where each mile holds stories of those who carved a path through untamed wilderness.

The tour begins at Potter Marsh on the outskirts of Anchorage and ends in downtown Seward, next to Resurrection Bay’s shoreline. Along the way, your guides Jan and Stan, longtime Alaska residents, will bring the highway’s history to life, sharing fascinating tales of this historic route that connects Anchorage to the Kenai Peninsula.

You’ll take in breathtaking views of Turnagain Arm while learning about its dramatic bore tides and the endangered beluga whales that navigate these silty waters. Then, along the Seward Highway, you’ll have the chance to spot dall sheep on the cliffs, the only place in Alaska where they’re regularly seen near sea level.

On this tour, you’ll have the chance to:

• Discover how Captain Cook’s frustrating expedition here led to Turnagain Arm earning its name
• Explore the challenges of building and maintaining the Alaska Railroad, which cuts through some of the state’s most rugged terrain
• Learn about the Great Alaska Earthquake of 1964 and how it transformed this region’s communities and landscape
• Explore Portage Valley and Whittier, a WWII-era military port tucked behind North America’s longest vehicle and railroad tunnel
• Uncover the history and significance of the Kenai Peninsula’s vast public lands, including Chugach National Forest and Kenai Fjords National Park
• Dive into gold rush history, including the historic mining towns of Hope and Sunrise
• Trace the origins of the Iditarod National Historic Trail, a winter travel route that inspired today’s iconic 1,000-mile Iditarod Sled Dog Race
• Learn about Pacific salmon, their incredible migration, and the role of Alaska hatcheries in sustaining this keystone species

On this three-hour tour, Jan and Stan will guide you through the adventure and history of the Seward Highway, a nationally designated Scenic Byway and All-American Road.