13 Unforgettable Things to Do in Homer, Alaska (2026 Guide)
I moved to Alaska and somehow didn't make it to Homer for a full year - which is one of my bigger regrets from that chapter of time. I've been making up for it ever since, visiting in different seasons, and it has (somewhat unexpectedly) become one of my favorite towns in the entire state. Here's everything I'd tell you before your first trip!
The first time you see Homer, it appears almost out of nowhere - a little oasis at the end of the road, the Homer Spit jutting out into Kachemak Bay like a pointing finger, mountain peaks rising across the water in every direction. After miles of forest and highway, the whole panorama just opens up below you and you think: oh. This is what everyone was talking about.
I've driven into Homer more times than I can count now, and that first glimpse from the hill above town never gets old. I mean, how could it?!
It's not a fancy town by any means - it's colorful and rugged and kitschy in the most wonderful Alaskan way, and it has more going on per square mile than almost anywhere else I've been in the state. Fish tacos by the sea that will absolutely blow you away, dollar bills covering every surface of a 19th century cabin-turned-bar, a water taxi ride that becomes a spontaneous wildlife tour.
Alaska is full of these unmatched experiences, and this guide will help you find the very best things to do in Homer for your own trip. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Introduction
Where is Homer, Alaska?
How to Get to Homer
Best Things to Do in Homer
Where to Stay
Best Time to Visit
FAQ
Final Thoughts
Where is Homer, Alaska?
Homer sits at the very southern tip of the Kenai Peninsula on the shores of Kachemak Bay - just barely over 220 miles southwest of Anchorage. The town calls itself the "Halibut Fishing Capital of the World," which gives you a sense of…priorities. It's also home to a surprisingly great food scene, one of the most scenic drives in Alaska to get there, and the Homer Spit - a narrow gravel bar that extends 4.5 miles into the bay and is arguably the most distinctive feature of any town on the Kenai Peninsula.
On a clear day, the views across Kachemak Bay to the mountains and the glaciers beyond them are absolutely magical. You just have to cross your fingers that Alaska’s weather behaves itself in order to soak in the views!
How to Get to Homer
By Car
This is definitely the most common and straightforward way to arrive in Homer. From Anchorage, take the Seward Highway south to the Sterling Highway, then follow it all the way down the peninsula to (nearly) the very end of the road, where you’ll find Homer. The drive takes about 4.5 hours without stops - but trust me, budget more time, because the scenery along Turnagain Arm and the Kenai River corridor basically demands to be photographed.
The final stretch into Homer is such a treat. The road crests a hill and the entire panorama of Kachemak Bay appears below you - the Spit in the foreground, mountains and glaciers across the water. It's a proper “wow” arrival moment.
By Air
Homer Airport (HOM) has regional flights connecting to Anchorage via small carriers. A decent option if you're super short on time, though you'll miss the drive and the prices are high for a 30-40 minute flight.
13 Best Things to Do in Homer, Alaska
1. Walk (and Shop) the Homer Spit
The Spit is the heart of Homer's visitor experience - you literally cannot miss it. It's also an interesting mix of tourist-facing and utility-focused, which is a combination that makes it ruggedly charming. This is a real working waterfront where fishing boats come and go, locals pick up supplies, and the whole place has an energy that's neither purely commercial nor purely local.
The iconic buildings are a huge part of it - elevated boardwalks with shops in rows, painted in various colors, perched above the otherwise very natural landscape of gravel and water.
What to do on the Spit:
Walk the along the length of the Spit at least once. Stop at AK Starfish Co. - a cute gift shop right near Swell Taco with the kind of locally-made finds worth bringing home. Browse the Salmon Sisters Fish Shop for fresh seafood, excellent coffee, and beautiful gifts and merch - this spit location also has Johnny's Corner attached, specializing in healthy bowls made with wild-caught Alaskan seafood. Pick up a coffee at Coal Town Coffee & Tea, located right next to the Mako's Water Taxi docks. Useful timing if you're catching an early water taxi.
Allow at least a couple of hours here. More if you're a shopper, wanderer, photographer…you get the gist! This is a spot that’s perfect for some wandering.
2. Take a Water Taxi or Boat Tour
One of the best things about Homer is that Kachemak Bay is right there - and getting out on it is actually fairly easy.
I used Mako's Water Taxi, and would use them again in a heartbeat. My trip was a proper water taxi run out to Between Beaches accommodation on the Seldovia side - nearly an hour on the water - but they stopped at several other locations along the way to drop other passengers, which turned the whole thing into an accidental sightseeing tour.
Wildlife, views, the bay from the water - it was wonderful and not what I expected from what was “just” a taxi ride. Mako's also books specific wildlife and sightseeing tours if you want something more structured. Either way, getting out on the bay is non-negotiable.
>> Book a water taxi or boat tour with Mako’s
For other providers and guided options:
>> Book a Kachemak Bay boat tour here
3. Book a Halibut Fishing Charter
Homer doesn't call itself the “Halibut Fishing Capital of the World” for nothing. The waters of Kachemak Bay and Cook Inlet produce some of the largest halibut catches in Alaska, and a guided charter is the most direct way to experience what this town is essentially built around.
The options are extensive, with tons of operators and trip lengths to choose from. These fishing charters depart from the Homer Spit harbor daily throughout the season, with most operators providing all the gear and handling the filleting and packing of your catch so you can bring it home. If you're a fishing person at all, this is definitely an activity to build a Homer trip around.
A few well-regarded operators to start with:
>> Homer Halibut Charters
>> Homer Ocean Charters
>> Inlet Charters
>> Central Charters
4. Visit Bishop's Beach Park
Bishop's Beach was actually the first place I ever visited in Homer - and what a first impression!
It sits right next to Two Sisters Bakery (more on that below), which means the obvious move is to grab something delicious and a coffee, walk across to the beach, find a driftwood log, and just... sit there for a while. The views across the bay are sweeping, the beach has more terrain features and vegetation than the more exposed Homer Spit beach, and the whole thing often feels extremely peaceful rather than touristy. I personally prefer Bishop's Beach to the beach on the Spit - it has a slightly more local and wild feel.
5. Eat Your Way Through Homer
This is fully its own activity - the food scene in Homer is incredible for a small Alaskan coastal town, and it deserves way more than a quick footnote.
Swell Taco - I ordered the fish tacos three days in a row. Three. Days. In. A. Row. The fried rockfish tacos are my personal favorite - perfectly seasoned, incredibly fresh, the kind of taco that ruins all other tacos for you going forward. The halibut version is a very close second.
Two Sisters Bakery - homemade baked goods (sweet and savory), soups, sandwiches, and coffee. I highly recommend grabbing something to take away and walking straight to Bishop's Beach next door - the combination is hard to beat.
Salmon Sisters on the Spit (“Mug Up Coffee”) - excellent coffee spot right on the Spit, plus the attached Johnny's Corner specializes in healthy bowls made with wild-caught Alaskan seafood. A great one-stop for coffee and a bite to eat.
Coal Town Coffee & Tea - conveniently right next to the Mako's Water Taxi docks, which makes it the perfect pre-departure stop before an early water taxi. Good coffee, great location.
Cove & Co. - a newer spot focused on nourishing eats and great coffee. Worth seeking out!
Wild Honey Bistro - crepes (sweet and savory), soups, and sandwiches in a warm, charming atmosphere that feels a bit more European than Alaskan. A perfect lunch option.
Fat Olives Restaurant - my personal favorite pizza in Homer!
Finn's Pizza - I haven't tried this spot yet because it was closed for the season on my last visit, but visitors consistently say it's the best pizza in Homer. On my list for next time.
The Bagel Shop - a little off the beaten path, but worth the detour for a delicious homemade bagel to start the day. Or, pop in for a bagel sandwich at lunchtime, and grab a baker’s dozen to take home.
Homer Brewing Company - local craft beer located at the start of the Homer spit road, perfect after a day on the water or the trails.
Sweetgale Meadworks & Cider House - if beer isn't your thing, Sweetgale makes mead and cider from local Alaskan ingredients. Unique, delicious, and a great place to spend an afternoon.
Swell Taco
Two Sisters Bakery
Salmon Sisters on the Homer Spit
6. Go Bear Viewing
Bear viewing tours out of Homer are, to put it lightly, pricey. And yet this is the type of experience that is completely worth every penny.
You fly via floatplane out to Brooks Falls, located in Katmai National Park, where brown bears congregate to feed. Brown bears actively fishing right in front of you in a remote national park? It doesn’t get any wilder than that!
This is one of the most unique wildlife experiences available anywhere in Alaska, and Homer is one of the premier departure points for these tours.
7. Visit Kachemak Bay State Park (+ Grewingk Glacier Lake Hike)
Kachemak Bay State Park sits across the bay from Homer and is only accessible by water taxi - which makes it feel quite remote even though it's just a short ride away. The park has beautiful hiking, dramatic coastal scenery, and the Grewingk Glacier Lake trail, which is supposed to be one of the most spectacular hikes on the entire Kenai Peninsula.
I haven't done the Grewingk Glacier hike yet, and it's one of my biggest Alaska regrets!! Every single time I've visited Homer, something else got in the way. It's at the very top of my list for the next time I'm there - and if you have the time, please do it in my honor.
>> Book your round-trip water taxi here for the hike
>> Or go big with a glacier lagoon packrafting excursion at Grewingk Glacier
8. Drink at the Salty Dawg Saloon
You cannot visit Homer without at least stopping into the Salty Dawg Saloon. It's been around so long and has accumulated so much character that walking in feels like stepping into something authentically historic - because it is! The original cabin was built in 1897, making it one of the very first structures in Homer. Over the decades it served as a post office, railroad station, grocery store, and coal mining office before officially becoming the Salty Dawg Saloon in 1957.
Every surface - ceiling, walls, every available nook - is covered in dollar bills left by visitors over decades. It sounds like a gimmick until you're standing inside looking up at it and realizing how many people have passed through this tiny room over more than 60 years. It's one of the quirkiest spots in Homer. Order a beer, look around, and don’t forget to leave your own dollar!
9. Take a Ferry to Seldovia
Seldovia is a tiny, mostly car-free village across Kachemak Bay - accessible by ferry or water taxi from the Spit.
The historic boardwalk along the water, the quiet seaside beaches, the feeling of complete removal from everything - it's lovely in a secluded, wild, very Alaskan way. If you want a full day trip with a slower pace and a taste of what small-town coastal Alaska feels like without the tourist infrastructure, take the ferry to Seldovia.
Alternatively, Halibut Cove is another popular and beautiful day trip option across the bay.
Aerial view above Between Beaches cabins, not far from Seldovia village
10. Book a Sea Kayaking Adventure
Kayaking on Kachemak Bay, with the mountains and glaciers across the water and the wildlife all around youl, is a top-rated experience I'd recommend to anyone visiting Homer. True North Kayak Adventures is one of the most well-known operators in the area, with guided tours for all experience levels and various trip lengths from 4 up to 9 hours.
11. Go Horseback Riding on the Beach
If I wasn’t super allergic to horses (devastating), this would be my top bucket list item for a future visit to Homer.
Beach horseback riding in Homer is exactly as magical as it sounds - the reviews speak for themselves. The combination of the coastal scenery, the mountains across the bay, wildlife sightings, and a horse beneath you sounds like a dream excursion, and you don’t even need prior experience to book it! Both beginners and experienced riders are totally welcome on this one.
>> Book horseback riding on the beach
12. Visit an Art Gallery or Museum
Homer has a surprisingly vibrant arts scene for its size, and it has earned a reputation as one of the most creative small towns in Alaska.
The Bunnell Street Arts Center is the anchor of that scene - a nonprofit gallery in a historic building with rotating exhibitions of local and regional work. Worth a visit even if you're not usually a gallery person.
The Pratt Museum covers the natural and cultural history of the Kachemak Bay region with well-curated exhibits on the area's indigenous peoples, the ecology of the bay, and Homer's own history. A good rainy day option or honestly an interesting stop on any visit.
13. Visit the Homer Farmers Market
Homer's Saturday farmers market runs throughout the summer season and is the perfect quick pit stop during a free morning in town. Fresh produce, seafood, handmade goods, baked treats, flowers, birch syrup, the list goes on and on!
Wandering through without a plan is honestly the best way to experience a farmers market. Stop here before heading down to the Spit for the day to support some local vendors, and likely head back with a few goodies.
Season: Wednesdays & Saturdays, late May through late September
>> homerfarmersmarket.org
Where to Stay in Homer
Homer has so many accommodation options ranging from quiet waterfront cabins, to cute in-town stays right in the heart of the “action,” to actual off-grid experiences across the bay. So, what’s your typical trip style?
Staying on or near the Spit puts you within walking distance of the harbor, restaurants, and tour departures. Staying a little further out, or across the bay entirely, trades convenience for a super unique experience and atmosphere.
My two personal favorite picks are listed below, with one on the mainland in Homer and one that requires a water taxi ride. But for a full overview of what's available across all budgets and styles, scroll down to the accommodation map.
Westwind Cabins - a gorgeous set of cabin options in Homer proper, perfectly located for exploring the Spit and the town. Comfortable, modern, full of character, and a solid base for experiencing everything on this list.
Between Beaches - this accommodation is incredibly special. Located on the Seldovia side of Kachemak Bay, Between Beaches is only accessible by water taxi - but no stress, they'll arrange it with your booking. Waking up across the water, sandwiched between two gorgeous beaches, is a different experience entirely from staying in town. If you want something more “off-grid” and totally memorable during your Alaska trip, this is it.
Best Time to Visit Homer
June - August is peak season - the longest days, the warmest weather, all tours running, and Homer at its most lively. Book accommodation early, especially for the Spit area in July and August.
Late August - September is my personal favorite window. The summer crowds thin out, the air and the light shifts into that early-autumn vibe, and Homer starts to feel more local again.
October brings more unpredictable weather and some seasonal closures, but also dramatic skies, quiet beaches, and a version of Homer that most visitors don’t ever see.
December - March is Homer at its quietest. Temperatures drop into the 20s-35s, but Homer is far less harsh than the interior. Water taxis still run and Nordic skiing and snowshoeing are both great. Not for everyone, but for the right traveler it's something special.
May is an underrated shoulder option - fishing charters starting up again, bear viewing beginning mid-May, and lower prices across the board. Many of the activities, fewer people.
Homer Spit beach at low tide in early September
FAQ
Q: Is Homer, Alaska worth visiting?
A: 100% yes. And I know, it’s a fairly lengthy drive from Anchorage - but it’s entirely worth it. The Spit, the bay, the food scene, the artsy vibe, the wildlife access - Homer has so much to enjoy. Give it at least two to three days.
Q: How far is Homer from Anchorage?
A: About 220 miles southwest, or roughly 4.5-5 hours by car along the Seward and Sterling Highways. The drive is beautiful - budget extra time for stops along Turnagain Arm and the Kenai River corridor.
Q: What is Homer, Alaska known for?
A: Halibut fishing - it calls itself the Halibut Fishing Capital of the World - plus the Homer Spit, Kachemak Bay, great wildlife viewing including bear viewing tours, and much more. Also, the best fish tacos you’ll ever eat…can you tell I’m obsessed? (Haha).
Q: What is the Homer Spit?
A: A 4.5 mile long gravel bar that extends into Kachemak Bay from the town of Homer. It's home to the main harbor, several restaurants and shops, campgrounds, and to be totally honest, some of the best people-watching in Alaska. Walking it is one of the most essential Homer experiences!
Q: Do I need a car in Homer?
A: Yes - Homer is spread out enough that a car makes a huge difference, especially if you want to explore beyond the Spit and downtown. The drive down is also part of the experience because of how beautiful it is on the Kenai Peninsula, so renting a car in Anchorage and driving to Homer is my recommended approach.
Final Thoughts
Every time I leave Homer, my to-do list is somehow longer than when I arrived. I could spend a whole weekend ticking things off, and still drive away thinking about the Grewingk Glacier hike, the bear viewing tour - and now apparently Finn's Pizza. That's just Homer! There is always something beautiful or wild (or delicious) to experience. I hope this guide helps you with planning your own trip to Alaska.
Happy adventuring!
More Alaska planning guides:
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13 Unforgettable Things to Do in Homer, Alaska
