Homer is nestled among the soaring Kachemak mountains that extend to the Kachemak bay, the shores of which serve as the location for this picturesque Alaskan town. Like many towns in America’s most northerly state of Alaska, it is Homer’s fabulous wealth of diverse natural attributes that draw so many visitors each year.
The pursuit of outdoor adventure is probably the main reason for anyone to find their way to Homer. Whether you take a private or group tour or simply decide to head out into the countryside alone, Homer’s spectacular landscapes and wealth of wildlife mean that there is something to suit the most diverse tastes. Among the most popular and exciting of these activities are kayaking, hiking, glacier skiing and brown bear viewing.
Known as Alaska’s art capital, Homer’s streets are lined with galleries and artists’ studios, offering visitors a glimpse at Homer’s world-class culture of performance, visual and literary art. The town’s museums house information on the history of the town and an insight into the strong traditions of the native culture. Chic bars and restaurants let you relax in style after a full day’s exploration of the town and all that there is to do in the surrounding nature.
Highlights
Alaska Islands and Ocean visitor center: featuring indoor exhibitions and outdoor interpretive trails set on a 60-acre site, the center offers insight into the world’s largest seabird refuge.
Bear-viewing: for a touch of excitement, take a trip out to see if you can spot one of the wild bears that roam the countryside. Trips are available from a long list of tour operators.
Fishing: Homer is the halibut fishing capital of the world but its waters are rich in a variety of other species of fish including salmon, rockfish and steelhead.
Flight-seeing: is an excellent way of seeing the stunning Homer landscape from the comfort of a small bush plane. Flights are available year round from a number of service providers.
Homer Council for the Arts: this center is at the heart of the Homer art and culture scene. Check out their calendar of events to see what’s on.
Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival: is a celebration that runs in line with the arrival of hundreds of thousands of shorebird species each year. The festival features birding workshops, observation stations, art fairs and speeches by various experts.