Homer Alaska Profile (Things to do in Homer, Alaska)

Homer Alaska

Looking for Things To Do in Homer Alaska?

Located on the shores of the beautiful Kachemak bay, Homer is home to just over 5,000 easy-going Alaskans who love where they live. Just 277 miles from Alaska's largest city of Anchorage, the drive to the 'end of the road' is certainly where your adventure starts! Along with tons of things to do in Homer Alaska, you'll encounter lots of scenery even while getting there!  

Heading south on the Seward highway, you will encounter the gorgeous views of the Turnagain Arm and the Kenai mountains before exiting onto the Sterling highway where you will pass through several small towns located on the Kenai Peninsula before arriving to the 'Halibut Fishing Capital of the World'!

As a bonus on a clear day, you can look across Cook Inlet to see the four active volcanoes of Augustine, Iliamna, Redoubt, and Spurr.Care to try your hand at fishing for the famous Homer halibut? If so, be sure to have a derby ticket in your pocket! Every year the Homer Chamber of Commerce hosts the Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby which offers prizes for large halibut, tagged fish, and offers a grand prize of no less than $10,000 for the largest fish! Beyond that, you can also catch tagged fish worth thousands of dollars as well. In 2013 someone actually caught a $50,000 tagged fish...but hadn't purchased a Derby ticket!

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It’s obvious by the name above that Homer boasts some of the best wild Alaskan ocean fishing in the world, but if you aren't into fishing, don't let that stop you from enjoying a stroll along the Homer Spit where you can beachcomb, view Alaskan bald eagles, and enjoy what has recently been ranked as one of the top 100 beaches in the entire United States. You may want to leave your swim trunks at home though, since it was rated as one of the top 100 for its amazing views, wildlife, fishing, and bird watching all to be had along the second longest 'Spit' in the world!
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 THINGS TO DO IN HOMER ALASKA: WANT TO PUT SOME WILD INTO YOUR TRIP?

Since its fairly near Katmai National Park, which is one of the most densely populated Brown Bear areas in the world, you can experience the bears in their wild habitat through hiring one of the many experienced local air taxis who fly float-planes to these remote bear-viewing areas. While there you can see literally DOZENS of bears fishing for salmon, digging for clams, or even sparring over their favorite fishing hole!

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NOT READY FOR THE WILD SIDE OF HOMER?

Don't care for flying in small airplanes? How about booking a day trip across Kachemak bay to village of Halibut Cove? On this trip you have opportunity for wildlife viewing (seals, otters, porpoise, and even humpback whales) and visiting a bird sanctuary home to a variety of local nesting species along with numerous migrating visitors.

After docking, you can explore the island of local artists, craftsmen, and those involved in the fishing community. Be sure to call ahead to the island’s only restaurant, the Saltry, where you can enjoy microbrew beer, chowders featuring local caught seafood, freshly baked bread and hand-picked salads, or even a glass of fine wine.

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FOR THE ADVENTURER WHILE VISITING HOMER

If you’re looking for some hiking, the Grewingk Glacier Lake Trail is one of the most popular hikes around. At a distance of 3.2 miles, it’s fairly easy and offers incredible views, campsites to top-off the ultimate Alaskan experience, and the opportunity to schedule some time in a kayak, paddling around the lake! A close second in popularity would be the China Poot Lake Trail. If it’s a nice day, you'll want to dip in the lake after the 2.8 mile journey from the trailhead or even wet a line and try hand at fishing.

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THINGS TO DO IN HOMER ALASKA: A MUST SEE FOR ALL VISITORS

A trip to Homer isn't complete until you visit what could very well be the most recognized landmark in the entire area....the Salty Dawg Saloon! Built in 1897, it served as the first post-office, a railroad station, a grocery store, and even a coal mining office. The saloon has been featured on the hit TV series 'Deadliest Catch' and is known for the thousands of dollar-bills tacked to the walls and ceilings, signed by visitors from around the world. It should be clear by now that Homer was an easy addition to the top 5 Alaskan summertime driving destinations since it offers a myriad of adventures from mild to wild!

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Check out these other profiles of locations in Alaska: Things To Do And See in: Hatcher Pass and Valdez and Denali and Seward and McCarthy-Kennecott