TOP THINGS TO DO IN HOMER, AK
Official Homer Travel Site
Homer, Alaska, on stunning Kachemak Bay. Made famous as “The End of the Road” in Tom Bodett's tales, Homer is at the end of the Sterling Highway, 250 miles south of Anchorage, surrounded by wilderness and ocean. A home base for great fishing (“The Halibut Fishing Capital of the World”), kayaking, bear viewing, hiking, foodie and art vacations, Homer is quickly becoming known also as the Eco and Adventure tourism capital of Alaska. |
Click to View the Digital Edition of Homer Official Visitor Guide
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Homer
Homer Spit
The Homer Spit is a geographical landmark located in Homer, Alaska on the southern tip of the Kenai Peninsula. The spit is a 4.5-mile long piece of land jutting out into Kachemak Bay. The spit is also home to the Homer Boat Harbor.
The Homer Spit is a geographical landmark located in Homer, Alaska on the southern tip of the Kenai Peninsula. The spit is a 4.5-mile long piece of land jutting out into Kachemak Bay. The spit is also home to the Homer Boat Harbor.
Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies
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.
They also offer a wildlife cruise to Peterson Bay on the far side of Kachemak Bay where you can spend the day with a naturalist, exploring and learning about marine life, geology, climate zones and prehistoric Natives. Checking the flora and fauna in tide pools is another popular outdoor activity.
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.
They also offer a wildlife cruise to Peterson Bay on the far side of Kachemak Bay where you can spend the day with a naturalist, exploring and learning about marine life, geology, climate zones and prehistoric Natives. Checking the flora and fauna in tide pools is another popular outdoor activity.
Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center
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!
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!
Ptarmigan Arts
Ptarmigan Arts is a cooperative gallery with photographs, paintings, pottery, jewelry, woodworking, and other pieces by local artisans.
Ptarmigan Arts is a cooperative gallery with photographs, paintings, pottery, jewelry, woodworking, and other pieces by local artisans.
Bear Watching from Homer
Strong, unbridled, and nomadic, bears are perhaps the ultimate symbol of the Alaskan wild. And seeing a Bear, if even for a fleeting moment, is a rare and magical experience. You may see bears in Denali National Park or elsewhere. But going bear viewing at Brooks River Falls, Wolverine Creek or Katmai National Park is an entirely different experience.
A 5- to 10-hour bear-viewing tour offers a unique insight into the creatures' culture - in fact, you may end up witnessing behaviors that even bear-viewing experts have never seen. Many bears have become so accustomed to human presence they tend to ignore visitors and carry on with their normal routines. And usually, getting to a bear-viewing spot is an experience in itself. You'll fly over glassy backcountry lakes, cragged mountain peaks, massive ice fields, pebble beaches, golden tundra, and a wealth of rugged wilderness.
Homer: You'll fly over beaches and past volcanoes to more remote spots for bear viewing, along the Katmai Coast
Strong, unbridled, and nomadic, bears are perhaps the ultimate symbol of the Alaskan wild. And seeing a Bear, if even for a fleeting moment, is a rare and magical experience. You may see bears in Denali National Park or elsewhere. But going bear viewing at Brooks River Falls, Wolverine Creek or Katmai National Park is an entirely different experience.
A 5- to 10-hour bear-viewing tour offers a unique insight into the creatures' culture - in fact, you may end up witnessing behaviors that even bear-viewing experts have never seen. Many bears have become so accustomed to human presence they tend to ignore visitors and carry on with their normal routines. And usually, getting to a bear-viewing spot is an experience in itself. You'll fly over glassy backcountry lakes, cragged mountain peaks, massive ice fields, pebble beaches, golden tundra, and a wealth of rugged wilderness.
Homer: You'll fly over beaches and past volcanoes to more remote spots for bear viewing, along the Katmai Coast
The Essentials for Traveling in Bear Country
One of the things that makes Alaska so special is that all three species of North American bears flourish here, providing a good chance for visitors to actually see one. Even if you don't see one, you will never be far from one, because Alaska is bear country.
1. Avoid surprising bears; look for signs of bears in the area and make plenty of noise.
2. Avoid crowding bears; respect their "personal space."
3. Avoid attracting bears through improper handling of food or garbage.
4. Plan ahead, stay calm, identify yourself, and don't run.
In most cases, bears are not a threat, but they do deserve your respect and attention. When traveling in bear country, keep alert and enjoy the opportunity to see these magnificent animals in their natural habitat.
One of the things that makes Alaska so special is that all three species of North American bears flourish here, providing a good chance for visitors to actually see one. Even if you don't see one, you will never be far from one, because Alaska is bear country.
1. Avoid surprising bears; look for signs of bears in the area and make plenty of noise.
2. Avoid crowding bears; respect their "personal space."
3. Avoid attracting bears through improper handling of food or garbage.
4. Plan ahead, stay calm, identify yourself, and don't run.
In most cases, bears are not a threat, but they do deserve your respect and attention. When traveling in bear country, keep alert and enjoy the opportunity to see these magnificent animals in their natural habitat.
Moose Safety
Visitors to Alaska are often concerned about encountering bears; yet more people each year are injured by moose than by bears.Moose aren't inherently aggressive, but will defend themselves if they perceive a threat. When people don't see moose as potentially dangerous, they may approach too closely and put themselves at risk.
1. What to do if you observe an aggressive moose. Tell others in the area. Call local Police at 911.
2. Recognize the Signs of an Aggressive Moose. The moose stops eating and stares at you. The moose lays its ears back and raises the hair on its hump. The moose licks its lips or clicks its teeth. The moose lowers its head and walks towards you.
3. What to do if attacked by a moose. Run and place a strong barrier between you and the moose. If you get knocked to the ground, curl up in the fetal position. Protect your head with your arms. Do not move until the moose is a safe distance from you. Use any means you can to protect yourself from an aggressive moose.
4. How to observe moose safely. Watch moose from a safe distance. Control pets, remember moose view dogs as wolves a natural predator. Avoid loud noises and don’t chase or harass moose for action shots. Don’t crowd or feed moose. The harassment or feeding of a wild animal is a crime in the State of Alaska. Don’t walk between a cow moose and a calf.
5. Don’t underestimate moose. Moose may appear docile but they are very large and agile wild animals. Moose can weigh up to 1200 pounds and can run 30 mph. Moose use their hooves and antlers for defense. Enjoy watching moose from a safe distance.
Visitors to Alaska are often concerned about encountering bears; yet more people each year are injured by moose than by bears.Moose aren't inherently aggressive, but will defend themselves if they perceive a threat. When people don't see moose as potentially dangerous, they may approach too closely and put themselves at risk.
1. What to do if you observe an aggressive moose. Tell others in the area. Call local Police at 911.
2. Recognize the Signs of an Aggressive Moose. The moose stops eating and stares at you. The moose lays its ears back and raises the hair on its hump. The moose licks its lips or clicks its teeth. The moose lowers its head and walks towards you.
3. What to do if attacked by a moose. Run and place a strong barrier between you and the moose. If you get knocked to the ground, curl up in the fetal position. Protect your head with your arms. Do not move until the moose is a safe distance from you. Use any means you can to protect yourself from an aggressive moose.
4. How to observe moose safely. Watch moose from a safe distance. Control pets, remember moose view dogs as wolves a natural predator. Avoid loud noises and don’t chase or harass moose for action shots. Don’t crowd or feed moose. The harassment or feeding of a wild animal is a crime in the State of Alaska. Don’t walk between a cow moose and a calf.
5. Don’t underestimate moose. Moose may appear docile but they are very large and agile wild animals. Moose can weigh up to 1200 pounds and can run 30 mph. Moose use their hooves and antlers for defense. Enjoy watching moose from a safe distance.
Mosquitos in Alaska
No question: mosquitoes can be a pain in the neck. And the arm. And the leg. And just about anywhere we forget to—or don't want to—cover up. Alaska has 35 species of mosquito, and all but a few will be more than happy to nibble on humans. But mosquitoes are only really an issue for Alaska visitors from the second week in June to the last week in July, and even then, they're not nearly as bad as myth would have it.
Alaska Mosquito Tips
If you do find yourself in a heavy congregation (mosquitoes seem to be most active at dawn and twilight), there are easy steps you can take to block out the nuisance:
No question: mosquitoes can be a pain in the neck. And the arm. And the leg. And just about anywhere we forget to—or don't want to—cover up. Alaska has 35 species of mosquito, and all but a few will be more than happy to nibble on humans. But mosquitoes are only really an issue for Alaska visitors from the second week in June to the last week in July, and even then, they're not nearly as bad as myth would have it.
Alaska Mosquito Tips
If you do find yourself in a heavy congregation (mosquitoes seem to be most active at dawn and twilight), there are easy steps you can take to block out the nuisance:
- Tight-weave cotton shirts and pants work better than more porous synthetics.
- Wear khaki or neutral colors. Mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors, especially blue.
- Don't use scented soaps, lotions, or shampoos.
- If you're taking a multi-day backpacking or float trip, bring a headnet for backup.
- Use repellent.