Questions about Homer
 

If you don't fish, kayak, is it worth spending two nights in Homer? We have five days on the Kenai Peninsula and I am wondering if we should just stay in Seward and make day trips to other areas? Or can someone suggest another town? I thought Homer would be a good and staying at the Lands End Resort, but now I am wondering if we are just taking ourselves too far away from doing tours and possibly going on a bear watch. Any advice? thanks

There aren't many "day trip" options out of Seward- boat trips would be the main activity. Several in town activities too. Homer is definately a fishing town. :) But take your bear watching out of here with Emerald air- gets good reviews. Request their visitor guide and see what interests you. If not enough - then move on to an area that does. :)http://homeralaska.org/
http://www.kenaipeninsula.com/

While in Homer you can also do a nice day trip out to Seldovia through a nature sanctuary -- more birds that you've ever seen.
And darn, what's the name of the other picturesque village you go to by boat from Homer??

Patrick.. are you thinking of Halibut Cove or Seldovia?

Seldovia is the one I already mentioned. We actually did a boat trip out, an overnight at the Boardwalk Hotel there, and a return by sightseeing plane (spotting bears near the glaciers) as part of an inexpensive package via the Boardwalk Hotel. It was a fun day trip.

But yes, Halibut Cove is the other spot I was thinking of that a lot of people take a boat over for lunch and to see.

Hello Susan
If you are staying in Homer for two nights that means you have only ONE full day. When you go to see bears this is a full day trip. Do you hike, do you walk, do you like birds, scenery? What tours do you have in mind? What time of the day would you arrive in Homer and what time of the day would you have to leave Homer for your next destination?

We also visted both Seward and Homer. Both are very nice places, each with there own charm.Here is what we did while in Homer.

Took this very cute wooden boat,called the Danny J, over to Halibut Cove for a afternoon.Very beautiful and relaxing day.You need to book this one ahead,as there only take a small number of people at a time.

All day Whale watching tour with Rainbow tours.We were there mid-July and the Humpback whales had arrived.We saw 40 plus whales and many breaching.Amazing day!

Homer is beautiful and is very much worth a visit.If you go a good place to eat is Cafe Cups.Very good food.

In 96 we stayed in Homer for a few days. We were very impressed with the Pratt (?) museum. It had a much better exhibit on the Exxon Valdez than the Sealife center in Seward.

We did some shopping as there were some great galleries in Homer.

After talking with rangers at the national park office on the right as you enter Homer, we got a clamming license, a tide chart and a shovel. We had a blast digging clams (but with no way to cook we just tossed them back).

One of our most pleasant memories was going to the Homer movie theatre. Concrete floors and a metal roof meant there was some competition to the movie when a rainstorm hit. The snacks were all cheap and they offerred little topping for your popcorn...cheese, etc and gave refills on drinks and popcorn for a quarter.

There were plenty of great tours available from Homer, but after a week long cruise we just felt like staying on the ground.

Every year we go to Homer for a whole week. There is so much to do! Pratt Museum is great as are trips to Seldovia, Halibut Cove, whale watching, taking water taxi to Katchemak Bay and hiking to the glacier you see from Homer. There is a wonderful Wynn's Center with walking trails and beautiful views of Katchemak Bay. Bear watching with Emerald Air Service is one of those travel experiences you will never forget. There is much more for those who are willing to ask and search.
The ranger station is not there any more, their lease was up and now they are located in Homer. It is not easy to find them now but they are very helpful.

thank you all for your helpful suggestions. In terms of places to stay aside from Lands End, any recommendations?

There sre some great cabins at the top of the hill before you descend into Homer. They are called the Alaskan Suites. These aren't "rustic cabins"- they are very classy and clean, small kitchen stocked with drinks, popcorn, utensils. Also a large hot tub. They have a website too. Many people on the Kenai Peninsula stay there as a weekend getaway. I'd recommend a stay.

We stayed at a place called the Chocolate Drop Inn. It is very nice and comes with a hot breckfast. It has a beautiful view of the bay and the glacier, and we found the rates to be good. However it is located about 5 miles outside of Homer which I didn't mind as the drive along there is so nice.They also have a website.

Susan, check this website
www.cabinsinhomer.com
There are many choices in Homer and on the above website you will be able to find direct links to websites of all cabins listed. As to Alaskan Suites they are right of the Sterling Hwy so it could be very noisy but they do have magnificent views. It is very easy to find a cabin in Homer with a beautiful view. Good luck

ttt for FLtraveler

for Javier

Susan,
Two nights is plenty for Homer. I would recommend checking out hallobay.com for your bear viewing trip. They are the only company where the staff live on Katmai in the camp all season. They do nice job.

Check out threemoosemeadow.com for a nice cabin in isolated meadow in Homer. It is fairly new, two story with nice balcony and actually has moose in the meadow.

D'oh.....



Sorry, couldn't resist.

Keith