Best Things To Do In Homer

When you go on a bear-viewing tour out in the wilds of Alaska it’s not unreasonable to want one thing: to see more bears than other people. 

A picture-perfect flightseeing trip takes you over Cook Inlet, volcanoes and scenic mountains to a pristine and remote coastline. Land on the beach in a place few people have seen, where your pilot safely guides you for hours of watching brown bears fish, play and splash in the water. No crowds, just bears and the serenity of the wilderness around you.

It’s an amazing experience and a great photo opp. No matter the season, Bald Mountain Air can predictably access the key areas that will afford the best viewing opportunities. In the last 10 years, they've only had to refund two trips.

Embark on a half day fishing charter with Rainbow Tours and try your luck reeling in one of Kachemak Bay's world famous Halibut. Rainbow Tours has been in business since 1982, and experienced guides will help you reel in your catch. While this is a fishing charter, it is not uncommon to see wildlife while you are out on the water.

Interested in learning how to smoke fish, make rugs, or carve spoons—from a teacher who’s a local Alaskan? At the Homer Folk School, those locals pass along their unique skills, which come from a variety of traditions. Topics vary, but every class allows travelers and locals to get a deeper understanding of Alaska. 

While you're exploring Homer and it's ecological-rich environs, a stop at the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies adds to your appreciation of the history and wildlife of the area.

Above Homer, up East Hill and right on Skyline Drive a mile and a half (a beautiful drive along the bluffs overlooking Homer), watch for the Wynn Nature Center, managed by the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies. You can stroll in the wilderness among the beautiful flora and watch for wildlife or take a tour guided by a well-informed naturalist.

All races are on courses that make them easy to watch from the end of the Spit. Frequently they race around the 'green can' marker on a shoal west of the Spit, and Gull Island, a few miles across Kachemak Bay from end of the Spit. Sometimes there are only four boats racing and other times up to 20. They are  very open-minded sailors and whether or not you have had any  More...

An amazing array of invertebrates (animals without backbones) live within Homer's intertidal zone-between the water's reach at high tide and the water's edge at low tide. All you need is a pair of rubber boots and a tide book to explore their world.

The Salty Dawg Saloon was originally one of the first cabins built here in 1897, just after the town was established. Today, a visit to the historic Salty Dawg Saloon on the spit will enhance your visit and put you in touch with many locals. Much more than a saloon, the Dawg has regular music performances and also serves light food.

Homer’s Pratt Museum preserves the stories of the Kachemak Bay region and provides a gathering place for people to learn and to be inspired by this region and its place in the world. The museum’s extensive collection offers an excellent way to learn more about the landscape, communities and ecosystems of the area.

The summer outdoor Farmer's Market, on the right side of Ocean Drive en route to the Spit, offers not only fresh produce and art, but also performing artists on stage. It’s a very pleasant aspect of Homer life. The entertainment ranges from singer/songwriter guitarists, quartets, elaborate dance performances to marimba bands to mention a few. In a town so full of talent, one can always expect an added treat at the Farmer’s Market, not only in the performing arts but also the wide variety of visual arts.

The Swiss Kilcher family came to this country on a boat in the 1940s escaping the horrors of World War II in Europe, blessing Homer with outstanding talents in the performing as well as visual arts. They homesteaded 600 acres at mile 12.5 East End Road, near the head of Kachemak Bay.

Because Homer loses so many loved ones at sea, mostly in the commercial fishing business, Homer residents constructed a Seafarers' Memorial near the end of the Spit, emblazoned with brass plates listing the names of mariners lost or killed at sea.

Keep your radio dial tuned to AM 890 for Homer's public radio station KBBI to keep apprised of what's happening in town that you may find fun and entertaining. Local disc jockeys also play good music, ranging from country/western to jazz, pop, rock, folk and of course local music. Homer is blessed with so many great musicians, entire shows could feature just local artists. Deejays also have details of upcoming events which they share between songs.

You don't have to go into the art galleries (although that's a good idea) to enjoy art in Homer. Many of the businesses, especially on Pioneer Avenue, adorn their buildings with outstanding outdoor art works.

A facet of life in Homer that can be watched on television is the "Deadliest Catch" about commercial crab fishing in Alaska's icy waters. Co-captains Johathan and Andy Hillstrand have produced a new book about their adventures, Time Bandit: Two Brothers, the Bering Sea and One of the World's Deadliest Jobs. Anyone who has fished Alaska’s waters, whether winter or summer and for any species, know that it is a challenging and risky profession.

The Islands and Ocean Visitor Center is a comprehensive establishment on the Bypass that houses the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, dedicated to understanding and conserving the marine environment. Their programs include naturalist-guided estuary and birding walks and tide pool explorations just a little ways outside the back door and down to the beach below the Center.

The Kachemak Bay Wooden Boat Society holds an annual festival in September. Features include a tour of the waters includes a WWII era wooden tug converted for charter use, kids boat building, marine demonstrations (including knot tying, net mending, and bronze casting. For entertainment, listen to tall tales and poets.

As you head down the Homer Spit, you'll see a collection of grounded boats. Some are occupied, and others are abandoned. All add to the charm of the Homer Spit. 

Pier One Theatre is possibly the best community theatre in America or the world. Every summer, "actors" (just ordinary residents who are brave and talented enough to get on stage), perform classics and some new plays at the Pier One Theatre on the Spit every weekend.

Everyone wants to explore a tidepool, don’t they?  This is a must for the kids—even that little kid in those slightly more mature visitors.  Here’s the perfect spot. Bring a towel and let’s have an intertidal adventure.

If you're interested in tidal life and exceptional vistas, Bishop's Beach affords an excellent opportunity.

The first Sunday of August brings a special event to Homer: the opportunity to step into private gardens that showcase the uniqueness of Alaskan gardening and get some real insight into what it’s like to work the land in a place where the growing season is short and the days long. Some 400 people come to Homer from all over, some of them gardeners from other parts of Alaska, and others from outside the state who simply have an interest in gardens.

Interested in learning how to smoke fish, make rugs, or carve spoons—from a teacher who’s a local Alaskan? At the Homer Folk School, those locals pass along their unique skills, which come from a variety of traditions. Topics vary, but every class allows travelers and locals to get a deeper understanding of Alaska. 

The Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon (aka The Fishing Hole) is a popular park with both locals and visitors. The lagoon is stocked with fry that grow up to provide sport fishing. The fishing hole has a handicapped accessible platform and ramp.  King salmon return mid-May to early July followed by an early run of silvers mid-July to early August and a late run early August to mid-September.

Jean Keene, widely known as the Homer "Eagle Lady," shared her love and knowledge of eagles with visitors before she passed away January 13, 2009. She was 85. In 1977 Keene relocated from Aitkin, Minnesota to Homer, where she lived in a motorhome parked within a small enclosure, in the middle of a campground near the outer end of the Spit.

Every September since 2004, an interesting tradition has taken place: locals create a giant woven basket with birch, fireweed, and grass, set it out on the beach, decorate it, throw notes into it, and then, at sundown, burn it up in spectacular fashion. Artist Mavis Muller began this unique event, and today, it makes for a vibrant evening, filled with music and dancing, that showcases a strong community spirit and respect for the local environment.

The First Friday shows at the art galleries in Homer always present a great selection of art. All of the in-town shops (there are some art shops on the Spit that don't participate in First Friday) also host artists' receptions from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with refreshments (usually cookies, coffee, punch and tea) for visitors. Some of the artists also speak about their work. All of the galleries leave their featured artist's work up until the following month's first Friday.

In an area known for outstanding artists, Norman Lowell, whose studio is off in the wilderness north of town (near Anchor Point) several miles, is one of the best known and least visited because of his remote location. His work is exhibited in a very different gallery setting and it is presented in a personal way by the artist. Through his hanging arrangement, lighting, and sequencing of the work with thoughts on each painting, the viewer is drawn into the artist's work and is able to perceive the expressions of the artist.

Below the Bypass and accessed mainly from Main Street, the district was once the heart of Homer. It is still a vibrant area that draws locals and visitors for beach walks, dining, entertainment and art as well as basic needs like help with computers.

The Homer Highland Games are dedicated to the education of the general public about the Celtic Culture through athletics, music and information about one of the most ancient athletic events in history starting back in 1057 A.D. when King Malcolm Canmore, who called upon the Clans to send their best runners, for he needed messengers, send their best fighters, for he needed a private army, and send the strongest, for he needed personal guards. Everyone is welcome to come out and compete.

Four quiet and secluded Russian Old Believer communities have been developed on the outskirts of Homer. They left their home country in search of freedom to worship in their own way. The first (and easiest to visit) Russian Old Believer community on the Kenai Peninsula was Nikolaevsk, located 10 miles east of Anchor Point on the North Fork Road, near the North Fork of the Anchor River. Privacy and preserving their lifestyle are important to Russian Old Believers. Keep that respectfully in mind when visiting one of their communities.

A beautiful 100k race on remote piston bully snow trails in the spectacular Caribou hills outside of Homer. Racers pick one mode: FATBIKE, SKI, or RUN and must finish in one day or less.

Starting point is McNeil Canyon Elementary School.

Paved and flat, this three-mile long trail is great for in-town recreation.

The Raven’s Way Loop is accessed from the Sterling Highway. You will see the Trailhead and large parking lot. The trail meanders through open spruce and muskeg terrain and there it is a great chance to see lots of eagles and ravens.

In the winter, this loop is an ideal choice for beginners or those looking to practice their skating or classical technique as it is  More...

Hike 2 miles along the China Poot Lake Trail. The Moose Valley trail is one of the more unique trails in the park. It is one of the best hikes in the park because it can be combined with other trails to make a very big loop. The hike is full of flowers, deciduous trees, stands of cottonwoods and alpine lakes.

This is an unmarked dirt road that isn't well maintained but is good for biking and hiking.

This trail is a connector between Pioneer Ave and the Homer Bypass.  It winds through the woods in town and a spur trail leads to the Homer Public Library.

Everyone wants to explore a tidepool, don’t they?  This is a must for the kids—even that little kid in those slightly more mature visitors.  Here’s the perfect spot. Bring a towel and let’s have an intertidal adventure.

If you're interested in tidal life and exceptional vistas, Bishop's Beach affords an excellent opportunity.

This trail will take you 7.5 miles to Caribou Lake and is good for biking, hiking, ATV's, and winter skiing.

For a longer day hike, add this popular route to the Glacier Lake Trail loop. You'll pick up the trail heading south down the Saddle Trail, then climb a steep ridge above tree-line to alpine tundra, with great views of Kachemak Bay, Grewingk Glacier, and the glacial valley. In August, you'll find ripe blueberries. Retrace your steps and continue down the Saddle Trail to the  More...

The Ray Clapp Trail is a nice short hike in Homer. It is located approximately 1 mile out East End Road in the Stream Hill Park Subdivision. You can park your car or bicycle at the trail head which is marked with a little footbridge. It winds through the edge of an estate and is filled with lovely meadows of wildflowers along with beautiful birch and cottonwood trees.

This popular trail begins at Kayak Beach Campsite, accessible by water taxi, between Tutka Bay and Sadie Cove. Head up through spruce and alders, and stop at the alpine knob at 1,745 feet for great photo opportunities of Eldred Passage, Sadie Peak, and Cook Inlet volcanoes. Watch for mountain goats, black bears, and golden and bald eagles.

The Coalition Loop is a moderately difficult trail in Kachemak Bay State Park. It's five and a half miles long with short steep climbs up to 400 feet, and it takes roughly three hours to hike the loop. Boat access to the trail is at the  China Poot Bay trailhead during high tide.  You can also join this trail at mile .2 and mile 1.8 of the China Poot Lake Trail.

The 40-acre Karen Hornaday Park is the new favorite spot for families in Homer. BBQ grills and picnic facilities are available for summer gatherings, as well as public restrooms. For those looking to relax, benches offer views of Kachemak Bay and surrounding mountains and glaciers.

Going north from the Humpy Creek Trailhead, the trail will skirt along the edge of the high tide line through the grass. Follow the orange trail markers along the beach until the trail enters into the woods. BEWARE: The trail section along the beach may be impassable at times when the tide exceeds 17 or 18 feet. As the trail climbs into the woods it is strenuous at times, but you are  More...

This trail winds along Halibut Cove and passes though to Halibut Creek delta, a wet boggy section. The river can be forded at low tide but may be difficult to cross at other times. The trail continues on to lead you to China Poot Lake Trail, should you choose to go on.

This trail's purpose is to provide access to the Tutka Bay Lagoon Hatchery. Be sure to bring a kayak and the family to play in the lagoon for the day!

Note: To get to the summit you most get to the Summit Junction, and continue the final .3 miles from there. The trail begins .5 miles beyond China Poot Lake. The elevation gain tells it all - 1632 feet in just over a mile! This trail doesn't mess around. It is difficult but can be fun. Right from the trail junction, the trail will climb straight up, with no traversing or  More...

This is an easy two-mile trail through meadows and forests that’s great for hiking in the summer and skiing during the winter. In summer, the highlight is fields of wildflowers, especially from June through August: Lupine, Wild Geranium, False Hellebore, Monk’s Hood, Chocolate Lily, Fireweed, and much more.

The trailhead is located 3/4 miles east of the Skyline Drive intersection.  The trail follows Crossman Ridge Rd before going down to cross bridge creek.  From here it climbs up to Diamond Ridge Road where there's another trailhead.  You can also access the Homested Trail from the More...

Access: Get to the trail from Humpy Creek or the Grewingk Glacier Trail. Description of this trail is from access via Humpy Creek North Trail. Trail begins at 650 via the Humpy Creek North Trail. The trail gains elevation quickly for close to 2 miles and will eventually leave the dead and down forest into alder fields. At this point you start to get great views north and south of  More...

There are two different trails to reach the alpine area of Sadie Knob; from either the north or south trailheads. Each has campsites you can use as a base camp for hiking. You can hike from trailhead to trailhead and never go into the alpine if you choose. These are very well graded trails and offer leisurely hike if one wants to 'smell the roses' and do some bird watching or  More...

This trail is an easy one-mile stroll to the east Beluga Slough viewing platform.

The trailhead is in Halibut Cove In conjunction with the Grewingk Glacier Lake Trail, this is the most heavily traveled trail in the park. Usually, people hike the Grewingk Glacier Lake Trail, hang out at the lake and hike the Saddle Trail back to Halibut Cove for their water taxi pickup.

Access: Tutka Bay There are two trailheads for Grace Ridge. One is at the northern end of Tutka Bay at Kayak Beach. The second is located in the southern end of the bay about two thirds of the way down on the north shore.

Some folks never hike the entire length of the trail, but rather hike from Kayak beach to the summit of Grace ridge, and back to the beach. This is a  More...

This trail is short and steep through thick forest that leads to incredible scenary. The trailhead can be reached via the highest point of the Lagoon Trail, two miles from the ranger station. Rock cairns mark the trail to an open alpine ridge, where the trail gently climbs to a summit that has some of the finest views anywhere of Kachemak country.

This trail switchbacks up .38 miles to an overlook that offers stunning views of Kachemak Bay.

Although this can be a busy spot, it is a lot less congested than the Homer Spit. Things to do here include: taking small day hikes, paddling in the lagoon, camping, staying at one of the three nearby public use cabins, and the most popular, fishing for Kings during the month of June.

Elevation Gain: 873 feet Difficulty: Moderate Length: 2.8 miles Time: 1 1/2-2 hours Going north from the Humpy Creek Trailhead, the trail will skirt along the edge of the high tide line through the grass. Follow orange trail ?T?s? along the beach until the trail enters into the woods. BEWARE: The trail section along the beach may be impassable at times when the tide exceeds 17 or 18  More...

This easy trail winds along the banks of three lakes. There is a camping area on the side of the trail. The trail climbs a saddle and drops down into the valley. It can be dangerous to cross the rivers, as they are glacier-fed and you cannot see the bottom. The rivers are lower during the beginning of the year, but they are also colder.

Less than one mile through the woods, this is an easy, in-town hike.

You can access the Homestead Trail where the trail crosses Diamond Ridge Road at Rucksack. Get here by following West Hill Road to the Diamond Ridge intersection and turning left. Continue for two miles and the trail takes off in either direction.

The Mallard Bay Trail is an easy to moderate hike of one mile, with an elevation gain of 250ft that should take about 30 minutes. It's accessed by boat at high tide only because the bay goes dry at low tide. Camping is available with a tent platform and outhouse at the trailhead, but be advised that extreme high tides flood the trailhead beach