Location: Homer
Top Things to do in Homer
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The 10 Best Things to Do in Homer, United States
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 based on 115 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 spm138 - Saint Helena Island, South Carolina
We went over for a day hike and ended up at a beautiful Glacier Lake. On the hike we met birders and hikers tenting by the lake. Depending on where you are dropped off, the hike is either flat and then returning in a challenging Up/Down pick up, or the reverse. This is a great visit for photographers, birders, hikers. We wanted to kayak across but the weather was not conducive, so we took a boat. This is not the place for folks who like to drive up, get out of their car and take a few pictures.
2. Norman Lowell Studio & Gallery
Overall Ratings
5 based on 145 reviews
Reviewed By David J
With perhaps 150 of his paintings and numerous sculptures and works from other sources this is a free and wonderful couple hours .
Paintings of the Alaska countryside and charming cabins & churches in the snow or bloom of spring.
If you love landscape art don't miss this place.
3. Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 279 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 whatablessing - Atlanta, Georgia
Wandered through on an off season visit and really enjoyed the center a lot. Very well thought through and laid out. Staff was very helpful. Free admission.yay! And remember that when the snow falls, we have snowshoes available for 3 day checkout at our Headquarters in town ~ 708 Smokey Bay Way Don't stop exploring!
4. Ptarmigan Arts
Overall Ratings
5 based on 104 reviews
Ptarmigan Arts is Homer's only cooperative art gallery, owned and operated by local Alaskan artists. The gallery carries the artwork of established Homer artists as well as newcomers to the Homer art scene. Open year-round, Ptarmigan Arts offers unique, quality artwork and handcrafted items in a variety of media including ceramics, woodworking and turnings, fiber/wearable arts, glass, photography, paintings and etchings, stone lithographs, jewelry, sculpture, and Alaskan fine art prints and cards. Located in charming downtown Homer, the gallery is within walking distance to other galleries and a myriad of other shops, restaurants, and other local attractions. All major credit cards are accepted. Shipping is available and free gift wrapping is offered for purchases.
Reviewed By schmitterrolf - St. Gallen, Switzerland
Excellent wood art exposition in Summer 2017 - we bought quite a few things for our home and some great presents for friends.
Fair prices and plenty of good stories - back in Anchorage we were quite surprised to find pieces from George Overpeck also in the art shop of the beautiful Anchorage Museum.
5. Pratt Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 331 reviews
Learn about the area's wildlife and marine life at this art, cultural and natural history museum, where an added touch is the special camera setup allowing you to zoom in to view wildlife in the distance. Get an ecology lesson on a forest trail and identify wildflowers in the outdoor garden.
Reviewed By Wck370 - Villas, New Jersey, United States
There is a lot to this museum. Art, sea life, and history are showcased. If you spend a day here, you will learn all about Homer and Alaskan homesteading. Well worth it.
6. Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 487 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 Mnbiker - St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
The facility is fairly new and contains many nice exhibits on the history, culture and wildlife of Alaska. Staff are friendly and helpful. There is lots of parking on site. Don't miss the boardwalk that starts from the Center. It goes out into the dunes...MoreThank you for posting! We're glad you enjoyed our exhibits and trails. Hope to see you here again soon! -Naturalist Anna
7. Homer Spit
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Antkneee - Chicago, Illinois
This is a geographical landmark located in Homer, Alaska. This spot features the longest road that goes into ocean waters. It's 4.5 miles long and takes about 15 minutes to drive the length of it in a car.
There are a couple of theories on how the spit came into existence. Some believe it was formed by two glaciers that have now retreated or it was created by tidal currents that built up the sand and rock over the last 1000 years. Both theories sound convincing. When I first saw the spit I thought it was man made but I was wrong. It's a must see.
There's a large harbor that contains both commercial and personal boats. I even saw one of the boats from the deadliest catch tv show. In the summer months the number of boats reaches over 1500. The tides here are very extreme. If you travel here make sure you look at the docks to see how much they rise and lower with the tide. A tide chart is a must if you have a boat here. The spit sits only 19 feet above sea level and could be threatened by a tsunami at any time.
Make sure you visit the Salty Dog Saloon which is built from several different historic buildings from Homer. There are a bunch of restaurants and places to book excursions like Halibut fishing and Bear Adventures.
There are no trees or vegetation on the spit and this is because of a 1964 earthquake that reduced the spit to just 500 acres. I did see a ton of people camping. It's a great spot for a family adventure. There's also a ton of eagles everywhere. It is amazing to see them thriving so well.
I highly recommend you visit this place before it's gobbled up by the sea. You can't stop Mother Nature if she wants to take back the spit.
8. Bishop's Beach Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 103 reviews
Reviewed By DrJim2 - Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Beautiful beach with adequate parking. The beach was not crowded when we went. Excellent rockhounding and beach combing location.
9. Bear Creek Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 129 reviews
Reviewed By dagmarsabat - Lake Arrowhead, California
A must-stop in Homer!... We went fishing in the morning and were thinking what to do later on when someone told us about the Bear Creek Winery. We thought that would be interesting and we were pleasantly surprised! Cute and quaint in Homer... We did a wine-tasting which features mostly wine (grape juice) imported and then mixed in with local Alaska fruits and juices. All of the wines we tasted were so unique and delicious!
The ladies attending told us lots of local lore and history and it was a great afternoon. Be sure to check it out.. I think you will really enjoy it!
10. Homer Brewing Company
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 93 reviews
Production micro brewery providing "Fresh Traditional Country Ales" To Go and limited consumption on premise. Retail area with beer gear. Friendly and informed staff. On tap in Homer.
Reviewed By derflieger2003 - Vienna, Austria
...with the possibility of take-away beer in re-useable big bottles. Something we as Europeans really liked, because we are used to reusable bottles and you don´t find these very often in the US.
Furthermore, the guy selling the beer was very nice and offered us a taste of their available brews before we chose the one to take with us. Also this store offers a nice selection of great gifts like pullovers and t-shirts. You should check this place out when in Homer.
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