Some of our favorite places in the world happen by accident, and Homer is one of those. When we were planning our Alaska itinerary, we had Homer, Alaska as a MAYBE.
We hadn’t heard much about the city, and we weren’t sure there would be enough things to do in Homer to justify the drive down.
Well, we are so glad we made the 4-hour journey from Anchorage. Homer was a pleasant surprise and our favorite stop in Alaska. We ended up spending three nights, as there were a ton of things to do in Homer, and we didn’t want to cut our visit short.
If you are looking for the best places in Alaska to visit, make sure to put Homer on the list.
Suggested Places To Stay In Homer Alaska
There are a ton of accommodation options in Homer, from cute cabin rentals, campgrounds, chain hotels, and hotels right on the beach. We stayed at the Homer Campground which was great for us as we could walk the beach and to dinner.
- Lands End Resort is right on the beach on the Homer Spit. This would be our #1 pick. Check prices online Expedia
Things To Do In Homer Alaska
1. Get On A Boat Halibut Fishing
Homer is the Halibut capital of the world, and one of the most popular things to do is go halibut fishing. We got our Alaska fishing licenses in Homer for $25, which allowed us to go fishing for 24 hours.
We hired a Homer fishing charter to take us halibut fishing for the day. We left at 630a.m., and within a minute of dropping the line, we had a halibut on the line. We were catching halibut right and left. We released most of them but kept our limit of 2 halibut per person. Fishing charters are available year-round; you can book online here.
2. Go Bear Viewing In Lake Clark National Park
Most tourists invest in bear spray when in Alaska and try to avoid bears at all costs, BUT in Homer, you can go on a bear tour where you will be literally only a few feet away from wild grizzly bears.
We went with Scenic Bear Viewing, which was one of the most magical experiences of our lives and our favorite thing to do in Homer.
3. Explore The Homer Spit
Explore the Homer Spit, the southern tip of the Kenai Peninsula. The Spit Road is the longest road into ocean waters in the world. At 4.5 miles long, it extends out into Kachemak Bay. It will take 10-15 minutes to drive by car.
There are several hotels and campgrounds right on the Spit, which is where we decided to stay. There are also a bunch of restaurants, shops, and the Salty Dawg Saloon. The Homer Boat Harbor is also located on the Spit. During the summer peak months, the harbor serves up to 1,500 boats.
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4. Visit The Salty Dawg Saloon
If you are looking for a dive bar with a great crowd, visiting the Salty Dawg Saloon for a drink or five is a must. Established in 1897, it was one of the first cabins built in the area before Homer was even a town.
As soon as you walk in, you will notice $$ hanging from the ceiling and walls. Make sure to leave a message on a bill or the wall and stick it up. The Salty Dawg Saloon is open year-round and stays open late.
5. Hit The Trails Hiking
There are over 80 miles of hiking trails in Kachemak Bay State Park. Lace up your shoes! There are several marked trails in the Homer area, but the most popular is the 4.5-mile path that runs the entire Homer Spit from the beginning to the tip.
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6. Explore Kachemak Bay
The views along Kachemak Bay are some of the best on the Kenai Peninsula. When driving into Homer, make sure to pull over at the designated photo spots.
Kachemak Bay is on the Southwest side of the Kenai Penisula and stretches 40 miles along the Cook Inlet. It’s a great place to rent a kayak.
Related Article: Everything You Need To Now About Driving To Alaska
7. Get Your Feet Wet Tidepooling
Tidepooling is something we have never heard of before, but it definitely should be one of your things to do in Homer. Head down to China Poot Bay, Jakolof Bay, or Bishop’s Beach at low tide. When the tide pulls out, you can find starfish, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, octopuses, and other sea creatures.
8. Have A Pint At The Homer Brewing Company
After a busy day, head to the Homer Brewing Company for a local tasty brew. I suggest getting the sampler. I loved all their dark beers. My favorite two beers were the China Poot Porter and the Odyssey Oatmeal Stout.
They don’t have food, but there is an oyster truck outside, which is super popular.
9. Try Local Eats A The Homer Farmer’s Market
Head to the Homer farmer’s market for a taste of local food and to shop for local goods. It is open every Wednesday from 2 pm—5 pm and Saturday from 10 am -3 pm, May 27 – September 30th. We suggest going earlier in the day because some vendors sell out early. We highly suggest the halibut tacos.
10. Take A Water Taxi To Halibut Cove
Halibut Cove is just across Kachemak Bay, only 12 miles from Homer. Halibut Cove is a fishing village over the water and is home to one of the only floating U.S. post offices. There are restaurants, shops, and even a few lodging options. The Alaska Ferry doesn’t run there, but there are local companies that run tours to Halibut Cove and provide transport.
11. Have A Glass Of Wine At Bear Creek Winery
Did you know they made wine in Alaska? Us neither! If you’re looking for things to do in Homer on a rainy day go wine tasting. The Bear Creek Winery in Homer specializes in fruity wines. Our favorite was the Raspberry Rossa.
We suggest the wine tasting, which includes 8 samples. If you purchase a bottle of wine, the $5 will be deducted from the price.
12. Eat Dinner At Little Mermaid
End a busy day exploring or start your day at the best restaurant in Homer. No joke, it’s awesome, and it deserves to be the #1 restaurant in Homer on Tripadvisor. It’s known for its fresh seafood, local produce, and hand-tossed pizzas.
We visited during lunch and had a pizza, which could have easily been split between 3 people, and a sandwich with fries (get the fries for sure). The portions were great, and some of the best restaurant prices in Alaska we saw during our entire two weeks in Alaska.
The Little Mermaid is located right on the Homer Spit on the boardwalk of the Homer Boat Harbor. Make sure to ask for their daily specials.
Have you been to Homer? What are some of your favorite activities in Homer Alaska?
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