Homer

Alaskan Cannabis Outfitters

A bit out of the way, but friendly service and great selection.

9AM-10PM

Bear Creek Winery

Bear Creek winery makes fruit wines and fruit grape wine blends. Visitors can visit the wine tasting room, tour the facility, or walk the gardens.

Boardwalk Fish and Chips

"Where the fish comes on a stick". What else is there to say?

Cosmic Cannabis Co.

In "Old Town" near the beach. Large selection of flower, prerolls, vapes, edibles and drinkables.

Down East Saloon

Regularly features live music, and one of Homer's better selections of on-tap libations.

Farmer's Market

During the summer, visit the local farmer's market. Buy fresh produce, prepared foods, unique crafts, and other items. Live music and "chef at the market" on Saturdays.

May 23-Sep 30: Sat 10AM-3PM, Jul 1-Sep 30: Wed 3PM-6Mon

Fat Olive's

Began as a tiny pizza stand in the corner of a local bar and has grown into a thriving business serving wood fired specialty pizzas, enormous single slices, full menu with daily specials, and wine bar. (Don't worry, they have beer too. Beer is everywhere in Homer.)

Finn's Pizza

This restaurant has a nice view of the water from the back deck. Wood-fired handmade pizza and local beer.

May: Wed-Mon noon-8PM; Jun-Sep: daily noon-9PM

Homer Public Library

Has free internet access, with 19 public use computers that can be reserved up to one day in advance. Visitors are allowed up to two 45-minute sessions per day on a computer, and must either have a library card or a guest pass to log on.

Homer Spit

Open all year, however shops at the end of the spit generally close around mid September and re-open in April. The Salty Dawg Saloon, Coal Point Seafoods, and Land's End Resort are among the few exceptions that are open year round. The Spit is a massive landspit jutting some four miles out into the middle of the bay. Although it is a naturally occurring formation, damage from the massive 1964 Good Friday earthquake made the harbor and other facilities inaccessible at high tide, and the Spit was partially rebuilt by the Army Corps of Engineers. The Spit is the center of all fishing-related activity in Homer, and has a host of gift and specialty shops and eateries. Water taxis and ferries provide sea access to smaller settlements on the other side of the bay such as Seldovia and the artists colony of Halibut Cove. Marine and avian wildlife can be seen along the spit, including large numbers of bald eagles. Careful observers may also see sea otters, harbor seals, or even sea lions or whales. The "fishing hole" is a man made lagoon that is stocked with hatchery-bred salmon. These salmon leave the lagoon as they mature and live normal lives at sea, returning to the lagoon some years later due to the salmon's natural instinct to return to the place it was born in order to spawn and die itself. This is one of the most accessible saltwater salmon fishing locations in all of Alaska, and includes a wheelchair ramp. A walk from the start to the end of the spit will take around an hour. A walk along the beach is a beautiful way to see the spit but be careful of the tide as the beach isn't always accessible at high tide. Kachemak Bay experiences tidal variances of up to in a day, so always be aware on any beach in the area that you may need to head to higher ground to get back the way you came.

Kharacter's Alaskan Bar

A local favorite featuring nightly entertainment, either DJs or live music

Mike's Alaskan Eatery

Mike's is a tiny cafe serving giant food, both in volume and flavor. An instant hit with locals and visitors alike, Mike's serves a variety of sandwiches, salads and soups, tacos, and a Sunday brunch. Be sure to check out the daily specials. Catering available.

Wed-Mon 9AM-5PM

Pratt Museum

natural history museum

This is the only natural history museum in all of Kenai Peninsula, the one place to learn all about it. Indoor exhibits focus on art, natural history, native cultures, homesteading, fishing, and marine ecology. Outdoor exhibits include the historic Harrington cabin, botanical garden and forest nature trail. In addition, there are Alaskan wildlife, salt-water aquaria and a Museum store.

Summer (May 15 – Sept 14): daily 10AM-6PM; Winter (Sept 15 – May 14): Tue-Sat noon-5PM·Adults $10, seniors $8, youth 6-18 $5, children under 6 free

Ptarmigan Arts

A true co-operative gallery, staffed by the actual artists. A wide variety of visual arts from paintings and stained glass to photography, wooden crafts, and even lamps made of stone.

10AM-6PM

The Alibi

The Alibi has become a sort of hybrid, it is more of a restaurant than a bar these days, in a good way. The seafood in particular is great, also the best wings in town. Full bar is still there as well. Hours of operation vary widely, maybe call ahead.

The Bagel Shop

Don't let the outside fool you, inside are delicious homemade bagels topped in creative ways with fresh ingredients and served by the happiest bunch you will ever meet.

The Homer Brewing Company

The brewery has a retail area that sells beers directly from the taps by the 1/2 gallon growler or 16 & 32 oz bottle to go. The taproom offers sample "flights" or pints. There are no tours, but the brewery is fairly open and easy to view from the retail area. In the warmer months, there is an outdoor beer garden and food trucks.

The Salty Dawg Saloon

On the spit is a colorful unique establishment inside a hodgepodge of rustic buildings. Don't miss this place. Go inside and leave your dollar bill on the wall! Open year-round.

Trails End Horse Adventures

Horseback ride down the switchbacks with Cowboy Mark and his dog, Alyeska. Ride along Kechimak Bay and up to the summer pasture lands of his cattle and those seen on Alaska; the Last Frontier. Get a lot of local lore and with any luck, Cowboy Mark will recite some of his poetry! The return trip takes you through the woods - be on the look out for wildlife! He can be tricky to get a hold of during certain times of the year, so when you call, leave a message and he will call you back. Riders meet at the yard at 11.2 mile East Rd at 8:15AM to gear up and then car pool (saddled horses are trailered) 12 miles to the end of the road, returning to the yard about 2PM. Be prepared for breezy/rainy weather. Wear sturdy, stiff soled shoes (rubber boots are a good idea if you have them). Bring lunch/snacks/water, camera, field-glasses, bug-dope, and possibly a change of clothes to leave in the car.

$100/person

Two Sisters Bakery

One of the few places in Homer that bothers to serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, and fantastic baked goods.

Mon-Fri 7AM-6PM, Sat 7AM-4PM, Sun 9AM-2PM, dinner Wed-Sat 6PM-9PM

Boatyard Cafe

As the name suggests, this is located in an actual working boat yard. A local favorite for years, it was sold and revamped in 2021 and is better than ever. Be sure to check out daily specials before ordering. Breakfast and lunch, closed on weekends.

9 AM-4PM Mon-Fri·$10-$20

Fika

Coffee and pastries and super happy people making them. The cold brew with coffee ice cubes is great on a warm day.

Saturdays, 10-3, during market season·$3-$10

Homeslice Pizza

Pizza, sandwiches, sliders, calzones, poutine. Daily specials. Take-out, inside and outside dining available.

Noon-10PM·$10-$20

Homestead Trail

This trail gives visitors a chance to see the backcountry without getting on a boat or a plane first. From the trailhead on Roger's Loop Road hikers have the option to take one of several short hikes, to climb to a lookout for a spectacular view, to carry on across Diamond Ridge and past a second trailhead and parking area,crossing down into Bridge Creek Valley. The trail then climbs to Crossman Ridge and runs along the old homesteader road on the ridge top, descending at the end to the Homer reservoir. The trail is about 7 miles long. All three access points have parking areas, if you have two vehicles you can leave one at either end, or drop your car off and take a taxi to the other end. Sturdy water resistant footwear is essential as parts of the trail are through muskeg, a bog-type environment common in coastal Alaska. This trail is not recommended for bikes, although the Crossman Ridge section can make a nice but very muddy ride unto itself. Be sure to be "bear aware" on this hike, especially in late summer as the trail passes near numerous berry patches favored by bears. You may also see moose, porcupines, eagles, ravens, owls, snowshoe hares, and possibly coyotes or lynx.

Skyline Drive

Open all year, is a beautiful way to see the spit from above (it's actually where most of the postcard photos come from). Drive up East Hill Road to Skyline Drive and turn left to reach a scenic viewpoint pullout. Walking up the road will take significantly longer but provide you with lots of opportunities to stop and marvel at the surroundings.

The Kraken Cafe

Homer's newest coffee roaster. Coffee, pastries, snacks and soups.

7AM-2PM

Captain's Coffee Roasters

A sort of homegrown Starbucks with a drive-through.

Coal Town Coffee

A good place for espresso or a wide variety of teas.

Pho and Thai

The pork larb is particularly good.

Sweetgale Meadworks & Cider House

Homer's newest producer of locally sourced libations.