Activities in Homer
 

We will be in Homer for two nights the third week in August. Any suggestions for activities would be appreciated.

If you have looked at a map, you will have seen a spit of land, extending into Kamachak (sp?) Bay for 2-3 miles (coincidentally known as the Homer Spit). About half way out on the spit, on the left side driving outbound, there is a small basin into which salmon smelt are planted every year. Like most other salmon, these go to sea and when madture, return to the same place. You can sit on the banks and watch salmon landed several to the minute or get a license and rent tackle and land them yourself.

There are dozens of fishing charter companies along the spit where you can take day-long or longer fishing trips. The Alaska Marine Highway ferries also dock on the spit and, if your timing is right, you can take the ferry across the bay to Seldovia in the morning and return in the afternoon.

There are several Russian villages in the area with Onion Dome chapels and Russian architecture. Just exploring the wooded areas above and around Homer is fun too.

If you go on-line or write to the Homer convention and visitor's bureau, they can provide a ton of information to choose from.

Have a great trip. Homer is one of my favorite places in the world.

We loved the little shops and restaurants at the end of the Homer Spit. Also, you can take fishing excursions, go by ferry to nearby islands, etc. Like the above post, Homer is also one of my favorite places.

We enjoyed a day trip kayaking with St Agustines accross the bay from Homer. Our guide was a retired wildlife biologist. We kayaked with sea otters!
Also entertaining to watch the eagles out on the spit.

If you do search here under Homer you will find tons of information on Homer. You forgot to tell us what are your interests. Halibut fishing, bear watching, brid watching, museums, walking, hiking, Russian culture, bars, restaurants, kayaking, whale watching, salmon fishing, scenery? All the above are available there

I'll be there around the same time. Plenty of wildlife options and great food. Also consider the "art" side of Homer and theater? Request their visitor guide- http://www.homeralaska.org/

Thanks so much for the replies. Our hotel is at the end of the Homer spit and I had read about the charter boats for fishing, but did not know about the salmon. For those of you who name Homer as one of your favorite places, what would you do if you had only two days to spend?
I had read about a boat ride across Kamachak Bay to an island( I think it's an island) and a nice restaurant with hiking available. Does anyone know about this? I have also requested brochures from the Homer Chamber of Commerce.
Thanks for your help

Actually, the land across the bay is still part of the Kenai Peninsula. Its just that there are no roads to it so the only access is by boat or plane and that makes it seem like an island.

The hotel at the end of the spit has a pretty good restaraunt (I can't remember the name at the moment) and I've always enjoyed their fresh halibut.

As for what to do, that is so subjective that there is no real answer. What I may like you may not. I suggest you do a search on this forum for Homer. If that does not provide enough information, a Google search certainly should.

Have a wonderful trip. I can't make it up there this year so I envy you.

My favorite activity in Homer was looking at the tidal pools. A park ranger was taking school kids on a tour and we got to tag along. I also liked looking at the uniquely decorated vehicles.
krisz

We enjoyed the Pratt museum, the art galleries and clamming on the beach. (Got our license and a folding camp shovel at the hardware store.)

Didn't take the tour over to see the bears. My husband and kids get seasick (and we'd been on a cruise for a week), but I wish I'd gone alone!

I think that restaraunt at the end is called Land's End or something similar. Great crab and fish!!

Have fun! There's lots to do so 2 days will fly by no matter what you do,

The following information comes from the Lonely Planet Alaska guidebook. You can take the ferry "Danny J" from the Homer Spit to Halibut Cove, a small village on the south shore of Kachemak Bay. Then eat at the Saltry Restaurant, an excellent spot for seafood and vegetarian cuisine. Or you can take a boat across the bay and eat at the Rookery (www.ottercoveresort.com). For hiking, take a boat across the bay to Kachemak Bay State Park. According to the guidebook, the Homestead is the finest restaurant in Homer and in the running for the best eating in Alaska.