Seward, Alaska SeaLife Center, Kodiak Island and Talkeetna

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Seward
Seward is a town of high-excitement events. Every 4th of July, the city is flooded with thousands of people for the race up 3,000 foot Mount Marathon. In August, anglers compete in the Silver Salmon Fishing Derby for large prizes. In January, participants in the Polar Bear Plunge jump into Resurrection Bay in full costume to raise money for charity. Even when a festival isn’t happening, there’s still plenty to do. Take a sightseeing tour, ride on horseback through the bald eagles’ territory, or drive the scenic Alaska highway around Seward. And definitely stop by the Alaska SeaLife Center.

Alaska SeaLife Center
Located in Seward, the Alaska SeaLife Center is a destination of its own. It was the world’s first cold-water marine research, rehabilitation, and education facility. Instead of seeing sea lions and harbor seals from afar, get up close to these animals—and many others—at the Center’s viewing tanks and other displays. Even watch research as it is being conducted. The Center offers several different programs and tours. Get personal with squid and the Giant Octopus. Learn about rehabilitating animals with a behind-the-scenes tour. Take the Twilight Tour and be the only visitors in the Center. Something for every interest.

Kodiak Island
Alaska’s “Emerald Isle” is famous for its Kodiak brown bears, so it’s an obvious place to go for bear viewing. With about 3,000 Kodiak bears on the island, opportunities to spot one abound, but they often avoid the roadsides. Hiring one of the many bear viewing guides or chartering a “flightseeing” session on a bush plane greatly increases chances of seeing many of these awe-inspiring creatures.
The annual Kodiak Crab Festival kicks off in May. Visitors ride carnival rides and eat at roadside booths. Other attractions include a seafood cook-off, a golf tournament, and a variety show.

Talkeetna
For that small town Alaska feel, Talkeetna is the place to go. Located in the South Denali area, this rural isolated town is a step back in time. Enjoy a unique stay in an original, renovated miner’s cabin. Many of the original saloons and roadhouses are still open and serving customers.
Tour the area by foot or by riverboat. Ride an inflatable raft on a float trip through beautiful scenery. Or simply take in a local ball game and listen to one of Talkeetna’s many musicians play.