Top 10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Homer, Alaska (AK)

July 9, 2021 Rebbecca Marino

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

Homer, AK 99603 +1 907-262-5581 http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/units/kbay/kbayl.htm
Excellent
90%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 183 reviews

Kachemak Bay State Park

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.

Sterling Hwy Mile 160.9, Homer, AK 99556 +1 907-299-7338 [email protected] http://normanlowellgallery.org
Excellent
89%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
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Terrible
1%
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5.0 based on 182 reviews

Norman Lowell Gallery

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. Cycle Logical

Excellent
96%
Good
4%
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5.0 based on 72 reviews

Cycle Logical

Bicycle retail, service and rentals. During summer months most rentals are available at our Spit location.

4. Seaman's Ecotour Adventures

Excellent
100%
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5.0 based on 35 reviews

Seaman's Ecotour Adventures

Seaman Ecotour Adventures offers guided sightseeing, wildlife, birding, cultural history, tidepooling, hiking, and photography tours in greater Kachemak Bay and the adjoining Kachemak State Park. We specialized in offering customized tours to address the clients interests and needs, from groups from one to six people. Options include half-day (~4 hours) and full-day (~7 hours) trips.

5. Coldwater Alaska

Excellent
98%
Good
2%
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5.0 based on 121 reviews

Coldwater Alaska

Coldwater Alaska provides Tours and Transportation around Kachemak Bay State Park. It is family owned by long time residents of Homer.

6. Trails End Horse Adventures

53435 E End Rd, Homer, AK 99603-9671 +1 907-235-6666 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Trails-End-Horse-Adventures/136411483043630
Excellent
95%
Good
2%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
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5.0 based on 84 reviews

Trails End Horse Adventures

Reviewed By Marcyinalaska - Anchorage, United States

This was a surprise for my husband for our anniversary. I didn’t want to fly and he didn’t want to go on a fishing charter. Our first time coming to the peninsula and this was a fantastic way to enjoy the outside! All the horses were well behaved, Mark and Karina were fantastic guides and made sure to have conversations with everyone on the tour, including the three young girls (7-12) that were in the group. The weather was fantastic (heard it rained in Homer the whole time). Yes, bring a sack lunch. You’ll have a nice break in the middle to eat/pee. It’s an “out and back” trail, not a big loop so you don’t miss anything

7. Ptarmigan Arts

471 E Pioneer Ave, Homer, AK 99603-7622 +1 907-235-5345 [email protected] http://www.ptarmiganarts.com
Excellent
85%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
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5.0 based on 129 reviews

Ptarmigan Arts

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 T9189VOdanas - Crans-Montana, Switzerland

finally a gift shop without kitsch! beautiful.. pottery nice but overpriced-- but this place really showcases local artists (artists, not just crafts) handmade leather purses rival any boutique in Jackson to Florence .. bought one could've left with 3 or 4!!

8. Homer Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center

201 Sterling Hwy, Homer, AK 99603-7832 +1 907-235-7740 [email protected] http://www.homeralaska.org
Excellent
87%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
4%
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5.0 based on 23 reviews

Homer Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center

Free visitors guides & maps plus, travel guides, fishing, lodging, dining and tour information. Looking for something to do in Homer or the entire Kenai Peninsula? This is the spot to plan your trip. We have hosts waiting to help you find the perfect adventure in Homer, Alaska.

Reviewed By purplemyrtles - Kent, United Kingdom

Whilst there are a lot of good visitor centres and plenty of good information brochures freely available across Alaska, this one was the best we used. Huge car park and large site, so very easy to look around and it also has seating areas and local information as well as the normal tourist information. The highlight for us though was the staff, so so friendly and helpful, even though we didn't have specific queries having not just arrived, a lady offered to sit us down and give us an overview of Homer her town which was really useful.

9. Bunnell Street Arts Center

106 W Bunnell Ave Suite A, Homer, AK 99603-7851 +1 907-235-2662 http://www.bunnellarts.org/
Excellent
69%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
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4.5 based on 35 reviews

Bunnell Street Arts Center

Bunnell Street Arts Center's mission is to nurture and support innovative art of exceptional quality in all media: solo and group exhibits, concerts, screenings, workshops, Artist in Schools, Artist in Residence. A nonprofit with a national reputation for excellence presenting a delightful selection of handmade items for sale.

10. Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies

708 Smoky Bay Way, Homer, AK 99603-7653 +1 907-235-6667 [email protected] http://www.akcoastalstudies.org/
Excellent
77%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
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4.5 based on 320 reviews

Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies

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

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