Location: Homer
Top Things to do in Homer
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The 10 Best Things to do in Homer, Alaska (AK)
Homer is a nature lover's nirvana where common sights can include moose grazing, a black bear crossing the road or porpoises playing in the surf. The charming seaside city, overlooking Kachemak Bay and the Kenai Mountains, can be the starting point for a multitude of exciting adventures, including glacier skiing and viewing and guided kayak tours. Naturally splendid Kachemak State Park offers even more outdoor fun, with miles of excellent backcountry hiking trails. Explore nearby Halibut Cove, a unique fishing and artists' enclave where the roads are made of water. Or head to downtown Homer to sample delicious seafood, art galleries, museums and shops that sell locally made crafts. A trip to Homer would not be complete without casting a rod for salmon or halibut, the area's major catches. Head to the Homer Spit and try your luck from the shore or join a chartered fishing boat excursion. No matter which activities you choose, a weekend in Homer is sure to be an unforgettable experience.
Restaurants in Homer
1. Kachemak Bay State Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 183 reviews
This enormous state park, largely unexplored wilderness, includes glaciers, rivers and waterfalls and offers a 10-mile coastline strip that is excellent for fishing and kayaking. Wildlife sightings include puffins, eagles, sea otters, seals, porpoises and whales.
Reviewed By RobinC789 - Falls Church, United States
This is a stunningly gorgeous park with a fantastically maintained and marked trail to a chilly glacier lake.
2. Norman Lowell Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 182 reviews
The Norman Lowell Art Gallery Foundation is a non-profit charitable Foundation which aims to preserve and share the Norman Lowell Gallery of Alaska free of charge to visitors around the world. The Norman Lowell Gallery sits atop a bluff in Anchor Point, AK, on the original homestead property of Norman Lowell and his family. The large permanent collection showcases the beauty of Alaska in works ranging from small sketches to massive oils, some of which are over 6 feet in height. Visitors to Alaska are welcomed to come spend as much time as they wish walking among the Permanent Collection, as well as walk the old homestead grounds and see the original cabin, gardens, and studio. A sales room is dedicated to high-quality prints of many of Lowell's works, as well as a number of originals.
Reviewed By cheerfulkim - Wrightwood, United States
I visited the Norman Lowell Gallery on the recommendation of a local and I’m so glad I did! I had the gallery to myself, and I enjoyed making my way through his beautiful works and reading the commentary on each painting. His larger paintings are stunning! It’s a very special place and I would definitely recommend it.
3. Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 320 reviews
This environmental education center offers natural history day tours for all ages that range from the boreal forest of the 104 acre Wynn Nature Center on the north side of Kachemak Bay to the south There, in Peterson Bay guests explore tidepools, a rainforest and an archaeology site. Kayaking and overnight Yurt stays may also be added.The experienced hiker can also choose from guided hikes of varying difficulty.At the Homer Harbor, discover the world beneath your feet on a Creatures of the Dock Tour!!Where else can you see a seastar and a moose all in one day... personal, hands-on experience for all!
Reviewed By morganreed727 - Appleton, United States
Extremely knowledgeable and love teaching others about sea life. We enjoyed it so much we went to all three of their locations
4. Pratt Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 393 reviews
This boutique size, award-winning regional museum is home to exhibits, programs, events - as well as an historic homestead cabin and forest trails - that explore learning and stewardship in science, art and culture of the Kachemak Bay region. In 1982, the Pratt was accredited by the American Association of Museums, becoming Alaska’s first private museum to receive this national honor. Today it continues to be recognized as a leading cultural and educational institution in Alaska.
Reviewed By Old95
Many informative exhibits and excellent art. Learn about the history and ecology of the Kachemak Bay.
5. Homer Spit
6. Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 607 reviews
The Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center is a partnership between the US Fish and Wildlife Service's Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge and the Kachemak Bay Research Reserve. Built in 2003 as a resource for the community and visitors to Homer, Alaska, the building houses interpretive and interactive exhibits and displays describing the important work and research of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge and the Kachemak Bay Research Reserve.Located at 95 Sterling Highway, there are opportunities to enjoy the exhibit hall, informative videos, regular educational programming, and Ranger/Naturalist-led walks and presentations.The Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center is your window to the largest seabird refuge in the world, with all of the natural wonders of Kachemak Bay right outside its doors!
Reviewed By lanalanimaui
There are so many and varied displays, short films, guided nature tours, and best of all: wild nesting sandhill cranes! I can't believe they offer all of this without any entrance fee whatsoever. This place rocks. Don't miss it.
7. Bear Creek Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 149 reviews
Reviewed By 704larryh
It was a fun experience tasting the wines and it only cost $5 per person for up to 8 wines (cost is credited if you buy a bottle of wine). The wines are not the usual Napa style wines with all grapes but focus on fruits. So if you are a true wine connoisseur you may not appreciate the wines as much. The employees were very nice. Note there is no place for RV parking. We were fortunate that it was almost empty that day and we could park across 5 spots but I wish they noted this in their ads (included in all of the tourist maps and brochures).
8. Seldovia Bay Ferry
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 135 reviews
Reviewed By E3545TWnancyw
Fantastic day trip from Homer to Seldovia. The Ferry was great. People were friendly, boarding was seamless, ride was smooth and the times were extremely convenient. I booked everything online well ahead of time which was easy. We had a bit of trouble finding the exact loading spot, but after the fact, I realized the day before our departure, I got an email (went to my spam) that outlined everything in detail and addressed any question you might have.Definitely worth it and looking forward to using the Ferry again. (I will say, there was no social distancing and people weren't wearing masks, but they're total cases since the beginning of the pandemic have totaled less than 600 to date. It seems like spread here is very low for whatever reason (of course a break out an happen at any time so it's important not to get complacent). It's hard to balance supporting the great businesses that bring in tourist dollars, and protecting the communities.
9. Kilcher Homestead Living Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 63 reviews
Reviewed By jeffriesj17 - Myrtle Beach, United States
My wife and I are viewers of the TV show "Alaska-The Last Frontier". It is about the Kilcher family who homesteaded near Homer and on Kachemac Bay in the late 1930's and the way of life the family has been raised in. The opportunity to see the original homestead and have a tour hosted by Andy was a great experience. Something we really enjoyed.
10. Bishop's Beach Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 157 reviews
Reviewed By GetLostinNature
This was a great place to take a walk. We walked the Beluga Slough trail off the left side of the parking area at low tide. We saw several different bird species along our walk include Bald Eagles and what appeared to be an Otter hide perhaps? The views were breathe taking and the sound of the waves was so relaxing. Its entertaining to watch the tide come in. They have 2 high and 2 low tides every day here.
