Homer

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.

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

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.