Homer or not??
Jul 27th, 2006, 01:05 PM
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Homer or not??
Hello,
We have 3 days in Seward. From all the posts I am reading here, it seems like homer is a really nice place to visit. How far is homer from Seward? Do you think it's worth driving to Homer in the MOrning and returning in the evening? If yes, what are the things we could so while we are there?
Thanks!
We have 3 days in Seward. From all the posts I am reading here, it seems like homer is a really nice place to visit. How far is homer from Seward? Do you think it's worth driving to Homer in the MOrning and returning in the evening? If yes, what are the things we could so while we are there?
Thanks!
Jul 27th, 2006, 01:42 PM
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Nutty, while Homer is definitely worth a visit, it's not a day trip from Seward. You'd spend most of your day (even those long Alaskan summer days) driving to/from Seward. Maybe you can save Homer for the next visit, or maybe you could change up your itinerary to spend a couple of nights in Homer. Good luck with your planning!
Jul 28th, 2006, 04:12 AM
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Homer is at least a 3 hour drive from Seward. I really liked the Pratt Museum. The view as you near town is spectacular. There are eagles all over the place. Unfortunately, the drive between Seward and Homer is not as beautiful as you will see elsewhere. We also did an overnight to Seldovia via boat with a return via plane. This would be a good place to take a short flightseeing over a glacier in a small plane. Each town in Alaska seems to have its own personality and Homer may have been my favorite. The other thing to consider, the drive back to Anchorage is about 5 hours. In a way I'd vote to skip Homer because you won't have enough time to spend there to really enjoy it.
Jul 28th, 2006, 04:30 AM
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I agree with BayouGal, Pat2003, jetset1 and dfrostnh. Skip Homer on this trip. You don't have any time to see it.
Another option is to skip Seward and go to Homer. With three days, visit only ONE not both. Are you talking about 3 days or nights? If you have 3 NIGHTS, then spend one in Seward and two in Homer
Another option is to skip Seward and go to Homer. With three days, visit only ONE not both. Are you talking about 3 days or nights? If you have 3 NIGHTS, then spend one in Seward and two in Homer
Jul 28th, 2006, 04:32 PM
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Add me to the list . . . unless there was an old GF there, a distant relative trying to give me money or a free halibut charter . . .I wouldn't try a day trip to Homer.
These are two great, but quite different towns. I like 'em both for different reasons.
I'll vary a bit from the pack here: If you don't expect to return to AK soon and you can get out of a night in Seward, you might want to go for it. If it's your only shot, it might be worth it. Split into a drive down in the afternoon on one day and a return the next evening, it's not too bad.
These are two great, but quite different towns. I like 'em both for different reasons.
I'll vary a bit from the pack here: If you don't expect to return to AK soon and you can get out of a night in Seward, you might want to go for it. If it's your only shot, it might be worth it. Split into a drive down in the afternoon on one day and a return the next evening, it's not too bad.
Jul 29th, 2006, 08:03 AM
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I too had my heart set on visting Homer as a side trip from a 3 night stay in Seward. Fodorites told me it was too much. I took the advice and I did not regret it. Instead, consider using your time for a half-day whitewater rafting trip (I understand River Runners 6-mile Creek trip is fun), a leisurely visit to the hamlet of Hope with lunch in the very casual Discovery Cafe, or a visit to the Seward acquarium. There are so many funky, interesting, beautiful places in Alaska. Don't feel you have to kill yourself to make it to Homer. (I hope to visit Homer on my next trip!)
Jul 29th, 2006, 08:13 AM
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jurisdoctor~ wise decision. I took my visiting relatives there last month, and we explored across the bay. There are coves to explore on the other side, Sadie Cove and Bear Cove, Halibut Cove and Seldovia.
We spent three days on a boat(owned by friends), but it gives you an idea of other things available besides just exploring Homer proper and the spit.
Nutty~ It would be a ten hour drive r.t.! Even my year round drive from the Kenai Pen. to Anch. gets tiresome, and that's six.. so save Homer for a time you can enjoy and see everything in the area.
East End Road goes out about 30 miles. You can drive almost to the head of the bay, incredible scenery, but this jaunt would require a few hours for stopping and looking too.
Have a good trip and feel free to ask any Homer questions and I'll be happy to assist. J.
We spent three days on a boat(owned by friends), but it gives you an idea of other things available besides just exploring Homer proper and the spit.
Nutty~ It would be a ten hour drive r.t.! Even my year round drive from the Kenai Pen. to Anch. gets tiresome, and that's six.. so save Homer for a time you can enjoy and see everything in the area.
East End Road goes out about 30 miles. You can drive almost to the head of the bay, incredible scenery, but this jaunt would require a few hours for stopping and looking too.
Have a good trip and feel free to ask any Homer questions and I'll be happy to assist. J.
Jul 29th, 2006, 08:21 AM
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On the way to Homer, be sure to stop in Ninilchik to see the old Russian Church. It's a great photo op!
Several years ago, we took this drive but weren't sure exactly where to find it. We stopped at a small general store in Ninilchik, saw a postcard with a picture of the church, and asked them how to find it. It turns out that it was off the highway but not far away.
Several years ago, we took this drive but weren't sure exactly where to find it. We stopped at a small general store in Ninilchik, saw a postcard with a picture of the church, and asked them how to find it. It turns out that it was off the highway but not far away.
Aug 2nd, 2006, 04:09 AM
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earlxx,
Have you been there? Or at least elsewhere on Kenai Peninsula?
It is one of the most beatiful places in Alaska. The town itself is pretty and provides you with many outdoor options + very interesting Pratt Museum.
But what makes Homer what it is - the surroundings: Kachemak Bay, Katmai NP, Cook Inlet. Jaw-dropping scenery, glacier lakes,mysterious coves along the shores of Kachemak Bay, cliffs and fjords inhabited by mountain goats. Otters,eagles,sea lions,birds,whales. The best bear watching in Alaska. And of course, Halibut Cove. Plenty of activities to choose from kayaking the emerald waters of glacier lakes to already mentioned bear watch.
Homer is also interesting as a community of fishermen,artists,descendants of rebels...and vikings of Norway. Nature plus culture and history!
Nutty was quite correctly discouraged from making it a day trip. IMO, it is worth at least 5 full days.
Nutty- do it next time but do go there.
Have you been there? Or at least elsewhere on Kenai Peninsula?
It is one of the most beatiful places in Alaska. The town itself is pretty and provides you with many outdoor options + very interesting Pratt Museum.
But what makes Homer what it is - the surroundings: Kachemak Bay, Katmai NP, Cook Inlet. Jaw-dropping scenery, glacier lakes,mysterious coves along the shores of Kachemak Bay, cliffs and fjords inhabited by mountain goats. Otters,eagles,sea lions,birds,whales. The best bear watching in Alaska. And of course, Halibut Cove. Plenty of activities to choose from kayaking the emerald waters of glacier lakes to already mentioned bear watch.
Homer is also interesting as a community of fishermen,artists,descendants of rebels...and vikings of Norway. Nature plus culture and history!
Nutty was quite correctly discouraged from making it a day trip. IMO, it is worth at least 5 full days.
Nutty- do it next time but do go there.
Aug 2nd, 2006, 07:54 AM
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oleg~ I like you. I REALLY like you.I will relay what our former Homer neighbor's Pan Am pilot friend said years ago. He thought Homer was one of the ten most beautiful places he'd seen.
Granted, the long drive from Anchorage isn't always bells and whistles, no long stretch is perfect, but the lush foliage and mountains and ocean make up for it after awhile.
Granted, the long drive from Anchorage isn't always bells and whistles, no long stretch is perfect, but the lush foliage and mountains and ocean make up for it after awhile.
Aug 2nd, 2006, 07:57 AM
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Oop, I wasn't done yet. I would suggest, after exploring the town and museums and scenic drives, a boat tour across the bay with opportunities to visit the artisitic communities, pick berries, go clamming, stay at a remote lodge or b&b and regenerate your spririt.
I live 75 miles north of Homer, and the weekend getaways are worth the time just to leave the demands of everyday life behind for awhile.
How often can one do that? J.
I live 75 miles north of Homer, and the weekend getaways are worth the time just to leave the demands of everyday life behind for awhile.
How often can one do that? J.
Aug 9th, 2006, 07:18 PM
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jetset1 - I am sooooo jealous - I can't believe you have moose in your yard!!! We are heading to Alaska in 10 days and with all the reading I've been doing on these boards, I think I'm looking forward to Homer more than anywhere else on our trip. But, I don't want to wish the beginning of the trip away (Homer is at the end). Anyway, aside from the Pratt Museum and halibut fishing, are there can't misses in Homer (one of us has limited mobility, so hiking isn't really an option). I've read about Seldovia, Kenai, Soldotna, etc. - are these areas worth visiting. Our main love is wildlife and scenery! Thanks so much for you input!!!
Aug 9th, 2006, 08:03 PM
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alaskafan,
We just got back from Homer. We took the ferry to Halibut Cove and spent the afternoon there.
Halibut Cove is a community that can only be reached by boat or floatplane. It has pretty houses built on stilts (for the tides) and a restaurant called the Saltry where they use almost all local ingredients. Halibut Cove has lots of artists, and all of the dishes at the restaurant are handmade in the community.
There are two little shops where you can browse for artwork. And it is delightful to wander the boardwalks looking at all the beautiful scenery. A very peaceful and beautiful place.
Depending on what your mobility issues are, it could be a wonderful way to spend the afternoon.
If the weather is good, the ferry goes by (and circles)gull island on the trip out. It is a rookery full of seabirds--gulls (of course!), puffins, and murres. We got much closer to the puffins than we did on our Kenai Fjords tour, because the ferry is so much smaller. Pretty amazing!
The ferry (the Danny J) provides rain gear if it is raining--but there is very little space indoors--so if it is raining, you would have to be willing to be outside during that. We were lucky--it just sprinkled a bit.
We really loved that whole afternoon. It was at the end of our trip too, and a very relaxing way to spend our final day.
We just got back from Homer. We took the ferry to Halibut Cove and spent the afternoon there.
Halibut Cove is a community that can only be reached by boat or floatplane. It has pretty houses built on stilts (for the tides) and a restaurant called the Saltry where they use almost all local ingredients. Halibut Cove has lots of artists, and all of the dishes at the restaurant are handmade in the community.
There are two little shops where you can browse for artwork. And it is delightful to wander the boardwalks looking at all the beautiful scenery. A very peaceful and beautiful place.
Depending on what your mobility issues are, it could be a wonderful way to spend the afternoon.
If the weather is good, the ferry goes by (and circles)gull island on the trip out. It is a rookery full of seabirds--gulls (of course!), puffins, and murres. We got much closer to the puffins than we did on our Kenai Fjords tour, because the ferry is so much smaller. Pretty amazing!
The ferry (the Danny J) provides rain gear if it is raining--but there is very little space indoors--so if it is raining, you would have to be willing to be outside during that. We were lucky--it just sprinkled a bit.
We really loved that whole afternoon. It was at the end of our trip too, and a very relaxing way to spend our final day.
