Homer AlaskaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Homer, Alaska.
1. Homer Spit
SCENIC COASTAL STRIP
The Homer Spit is a lively 4.5-mile-long stretch of land extending into Kachemak Bay, featuring shops, restaurants, and stunning mountain views. Visitors can enjoy biking trails, fishing charters, and opportunities to observe local wildlife along this scenic coastal area. The Spit serves as a hub of summer activity with beaches, a boat harbor, and various dining options that make it a highlight for many Alaska travelers.
2. Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
ISLANDS AND OCEAN CENTER
The Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, also known as the Islands and Ocean Visitor Center, offers informative exhibits about Kachemak Bay's marine environment and wildlife. The contemporary facility features interactive displays that allow visitors to engage with the local ecosystem through multiple senses. Connected to the center are scenic trails including the 1.2-mile Beluga Slough Trail loop, providing access to Bishop's Beach.
3. Seldovia Bay Ferry
SCENIC WATER TRANSPORTATION
Seldovia Bay Ferry provides scenic transportation across Kachemak Bay from Homer, consistently earning high ratings from travelers. The service offers complimentary coffee and tea along with snacks for purchase during the journey. This ferry serves as a gateway to exploring the charming village of Seldovia and its surrounding natural attractions.
4. Kachemak Bay State Park
WILDERNESS ADVENTURE PARADISE
Kachemak Bay State Park encompasses over 400,000 acres of pristine wilderness accessible by boat or water taxi from Homer. The park features glaciers, forests, mountains, and diverse wildlife habitat that can be explored through an extensive network of hiking trails. Visitors can enjoy activities including sea kayaking, camping, fishing, and wildlife viewing in this remarkable protected area.
5. Pratt Museum
LOCAL HISTORY AND CULTURE
The Pratt Museum showcases the art, science, and culture of Kachemak Bay through engaging exhibits and programs. This award-winning institution offers insights into the region's natural history, native cultures, and contemporary issues affecting the area. The museum provides visitors with a deeper understanding of Homer's unique heritage and environmental context.
6. Kilcher Homestead Living Museum
PIONEER HOMESTEAD EXPERIENCE
The Kilcher Homestead Living Museum offers a glimpse into the pioneering lifestyle of the Kilcher family, who established their homestead in the 1940s. Visitors can tour the original homestead buildings and learn about self-sufficient living through demonstrations and exhibits. The property gained additional fame through the reality television show 'Alaska: The Last Frontier' featuring descendants of the original Kilcher settlers.
7. Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies
MARINE EDUCATION HUB
The Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies provides hands-on educational experiences focused on the rich marine ecosystem of Kachemak Bay. Through guided walks, tide pooling adventures, and interpretive programs, visitors gain a personal connection to one of Alaska's most ecologically diverse environments. The center operates several sites including a coastal education center and the Peterson Bay Field Station across the bay.
8. Bishop's Beach
SPACIOUS ROCKY SHORELINE
Bishop's Beach offers a less crowded alternative to the Homer Spit with its wide, expansive rocky shoreline perfect for beachcombing and exploration. Visitors can discover fascinating tide pools containing shells, small jellyfish, and crabs along this seemingly endless stretch of beach. The area includes amenities such as restrooms, picnic tables, and access to several walking trails including the Beluga Slough Trail.
9. Dean Homestead and Art Studios Tour
LOCAL ART IMMERSION
The Dean Homestead and Art Studios Tour provides visitors with an intimate look at the creative process and living spaces of local artists. The tour includes visits to working studios where artists demonstrate their techniques and discuss their inspirations drawn from the Alaskan landscape. The Dean Gallery component showcases finished works in various media, highlighting Homer's vibrant artistic community.
10. Homer Farmers Market
LOCAL PRODUCE AND CRAFTS
The Homer Farmers Market operates Wednesdays and Saturdays during summer, offering locally grown produce, flowers, honey, and homemade preserves. Local artists and crafters sell unique handmade items including jewelry, clothing, and artwork in this community gathering space. The market represents the bounty of the Kachemak Bay region and the creativity of its residents in a festive, family-friendly atmosphere.
11. Ptarmigan Arts
LOCAL ARTISTS COOPERATIVE
Ptarmigan Arts is a cooperative gallery showcasing the work of local artists in various media including painting, photography, sculpture, and jewelry. The gallery represents dozens of area artists, providing visitors with an authentic sampling of Homer's creative output. Located in downtown Homer, this establishment has been a cornerstone of the local art scene for decades.
12. Broken Oar Oyster Bar
PREMIER SEAFOOD DESTINATION
Broken Oar Oyster Bar serves exceptional locally harvested oysters and other seafood delicacies in a relaxed atmosphere. The restaurant showcases the extraordinary quality and freshness of Kachemak Bay's marine bounty through both traditional and innovative preparations. Dining here offers visitors an authentic taste of Homer's renowned culinary scene, particularly celebrated for its unparalleled seafood offerings.
13. Alaska's Wild Market
UNIQUE INDOOR MARKETPLACE
Alaska's Wild Market is an indoor marketplace featuring a diverse collection of local vendors selling crafts, foods, and Alaskan-made products. Located on Pioneer Avenue, this shopping destination provides a comfortable indoor experience to browse unique items regardless of weather conditions. The market represents the entrepreneurial spirit of Homer's residents and offers authentic souvenirs and gifts not found in chain stores.
14. Bear Viewing Excursions
WILDLIFE VIEWING ADVENTURES
Bear viewing excursions departing from Homer provide unforgettable opportunities to observe Alaskan brown bears in their natural habitat. Local operators fly visitors to prime viewing locations across Cook Inlet, particularly in Lake Clark National Park and Katmai National Park. These guided experiences offer safe, responsible wildlife viewing with expert naturalists who explain bear behavior and ecology.
15. Halibut Fishing Charters
WORLD-CLASS SPORT FISHING
Halibut fishing charters from Homer provide access to some of the world's finest sport fishing opportunities in the productive waters of Kachemak Bay and Cook Inlet. Homer has earned its nickname as the 'Halibut Fishing Capital of the World' through consistently excellent catches of these massive flatfish that can exceed 100 pounds. Charter operations offer everything from half-day trips to multi-day fishing expeditions, complete with fish processing services for visitors to bring their catch home.