If this will be your first trip to Alaska and you are looking for a destination beyond the cruise ship tourist hot spots, Homer HAS to be on your itinerary. Nicknamed the "Halibut Fishing Capital of the World," Homer's small coastal town charm will captivate every visitor.
Located at the end of the Sterling Highway on the Kenai Peninsula, Homer's artsy vibe, incredible location, fantastic views and friendly year-round population of 5,000 residents offer travelers a trip of a lifetime in the 49th state.
Here is what we did for our 3 days in Homer as first-time visitors. We were hosted by the Homer Chamber of Tourism but all thoughts and opinions are our own. We visited mid to end of September.
Day 1: Arrive to Homer from Seward
Homer was our second stop during our Alaska trip. We first took the train from Anchorage to Seward and spent 3 days in Seward (click to check our itinerary ideas). Then we took a shuttle from Soldotna to Homer with Red Eye Rides (1.5 hours) - they also transported us from Homer to Anchorage by shuttle.
Get in: The most efficient way to get around is to drive or take a shuttle to Homer. Many visitors rent a car and drive themselves, the drive is not difficult nor does it require a 4x4 as it goes down Route 1, a major highway. Make sure to keep your eyes open because the views on this drive are gorgeous!
Homer Baycrest Overlook Point
As you drive to Homer, you can't miss this overlook point. Pull over to the right (there is plenty of parking) to take a photo of the sign and get an amazing view of Homer, the surrounding mountains, glaciers and the Spit.
On Google Maps, it is called "Homer Baycrest Overlook Point."
Homer Viewpoint
Homer's geographic is quite interesting. The small town is actually quite sprawled out and isn't just centered around downtown and this is because of the Homer Spit, which is what makes Homer the unique destination that it is.
The Homer Spit is a narrow 4.5-mile (7.24 km) finger of land that juts into the Kachemak Bay. This strip, considered an iconic landmark and main tourism hub, has fishing boats, seafood restaurants and shops. The Spit buzzes with tourists during the summer season and is a local favorite hang out spot in the off season.
Where to Stay in Homer
There are some cute B&Bs and accommodation options in Homer downtown and surrounding neighborhoods.
Our friend Jurga from Full Suitcase stayed at Homer Inn and Spa, a small boutique hotel. Located on the coast, it offers a boutique spa experience with several hot tubs, saunas, massages, etc. They have just a few rooms, some of them with a private hot tub boasting stunning sea views which are perfect for a romantic stay! But what makes this hotel truly special is the staff. They truly go above and beyond to give you the most comfortable and relaxing experience. Read her Full Suitcase guide to Homer, Alaska for all her thoughts and recommendations.
For a unique experience in Homer, consider staying in one of the lodges "across the bay" (Kachemak Bay). An across-the-bay experience can be the perfect choice for anyone looking for a truly unforgettable, remarkable and remote Alaskan experience.
Our 3 days in Homer started off across the Kachemak Bay, at The Treehouse Cove Lodge. We boarded the boat at The Spit to journey about an hour to our home for the next two nights. Although it was a stormy evening, our trusty boat captain journeyed head on through the turbulent waters. We even saw a stunning sunset through the raindrops on the window. Despite a bumpy ride, we had no doubt that our Alaska boat captain of 40 years would get us safely to our destination.
Treehouse Cove Lodge
The lodge is located inside Seldovia Bay, just a 5-minute boat ride away from the tiny coastal village of Seldovia. If you are looking to get away from everything – including life itself – this lodge offers exactly that type of experience. Tucked away in a forest covered bay with views of endless mountains as far as the eye can see, you will feel like you've ventured into an Alaskan wilderness that seems to exist only in movies and fairy tales.
Treehouse Cove Lodge
The cabin we stayed in
Staying at the lodge is not for the high-maintenance traveler. One must go with the realistic expectation of a beautiful, remote and secluded place that offers complete tranquility, a peaceful ambiance and absolute serene nature in exchange for luxury amenities. There are two lodging options as of now: a small tree house studio and a cabin, both of which are solar powered, off the grid, dry accommodations.
We stayed in a fully furnished two-story cabin that had panoramic views of the bay from the front porch. As our T-Mobile phone service didn't exist and the late September cloudy skies didn't provide enough juice for the Wi-Fi to work, we traveled back in time to enjoy two nights without the constant bombardment of social media and being glued to our phones.
Instead, we enjoyed tending to the fire, cozying up on the couch with our warm blankets, hot tea and cookies, and watching the otters get ready to sleep under a bright moon enveloped by glittering stars.
sitting on the front porch, watching the otters
The path down to the beach from the cabin
At night, we could hear the gentle waves lapping on shore. Along with sounds of the waves, the faint crackle of the fire lulled us to some of the best sleep we have ever gotten that year.
If you're looking for an escape from reality, searching for a way to get back into nature, or simply wants peace and quiet, this is definitely a place in Alaska to fulfill all those needs.
What to Do At the Lodge
The lodge can put together an itinerary for you, cherry picking the perfect activity for you and your groups' needs and wants. The most popular activities are halibut and salmon fishing, kayaking, hiking and wildlife watching. You'll be able to experience the best of Homer and the Kachemak Bay during your stay at the lodge.
If I were you, I would definitely go fishing. Homer isn't called the halibut capital of the world for nothing! You can opt for an early morning fishing trip so that you can have the rest of the day to enjoy. You can go wildlife watching, kayaking or visit Seldovia in the afternoon. Thanks to the long summer hours, you'll be able to do a lot in one day at the lodge!
Many lodges can pack and freeze your fish for you so that it's ready to be checked into the plane.
Day 2: Seldovia
As our trip was near the end of September during conditions unsuitable for popular activities (unfortunately we went when the season was over), we visited Seldovia, the nearby village, during our one full day.
This coastal community may be small in size, but it is brimming with traditional Alaskan heritage, culture and tradition, as it is the ancestral lands of the Sugpiaq people. Seldovia used to be an important shipping center back in the early 1900s, but a large earthquake in 1964 changed the village's future forever when it caused the land below to sink four feet.
Nowadays, Seldovia has around 300 year round residents, with a growing number of seasonal residents who fell in love with the "City of Secluded Charm" and decided to purchase a vacation home. It truly is a terribly cute town, I found myself also falling in love with it as we wandered through its lush forests, empty beaches and little streets.
Seldovia town
Houses
The only supermarket in town
A little gift shop
Seldovia beach
We spent the greater part of the day exploring Seldovia. We ran into some friendly locals and saw a ton of playful otters. Though it was a nippy September day, the sun was out and we were lucky to not get caught in any rain.
It was a lot of fun wandering around this tiny village. I think Seldovia has been one of the smallest towns I have ever been to, save for a few remote mountain villages in Honduras and Iceland. However, Seldovia is a popular destination for Alaska city locals for a weekend escape or a day trip from Homer from the spring and summer vacationers, as there is a car ferry that goes back and forth. Since there are several homes and lodges in the bay that rely on Seldovia for supplies, their one supermarket was very well stocked. I can imagine in the summer it must be quite busy, with visitors enjoying the lovely Alaska summer weather.
Day 3: On our third day, we headed back to Homer. We woke up to the sounds of birds, enjoyed our last hearty home cooked meal and said good bye to the lodge. As the sun rose slowly up over the mountains, casting a deep glow on the surrounding fall foliage, we set off with our boat captain through the thankfully calmer waters of the bay back to The Spit.
Though our time was short and sweet at the lodge, two nights was plenty of time for us to enjoy the remote Alaskean wilderness in the bay. I left feeling recharged, well slept and well fed.
Treehouse Cove Lodge across Kachemak bay
If you visit, we hope you will be able to partake and enjoy in the many wonderful activities you can do in the bay. A stay across the bay truly enhances your time in Homer, as it offers a completely different experience than if you were to stay in town the whole time.
Make sure to book early as availability is limited in the summer and the lodges don't have a ton of rooms. Also, start saving well in advance. Expect to spend per person in the thousands of $$$. It's well known that Alaska is not a cheap nor reasonably priced destination, and Homer is no exception.
Our friends Victor and MJ stayed at Bear Cove Retreat, on the opposite end of Kachemak Bay where we stayed. This lodge has modern rustic accommodations with 4 double occupancy suites and a sauna. It isn't a dry lodge, so they do have running water, they also offer Starlink (dependent) and internet. They went fishing with the lodge and caught an epic king salmon!
Day 3 in Homer
For our last day in Homer, we did some sightseeing around town before we caught our late night shuttle to Anchorage. Here is what we did.
Viewpoint Skyline Dr
This spot has an incredible view of The Spit. There is a turn out where you can park and get some great photos.
Viewpoint Skyline Dr in Homer
Where to eat, drink and shop
Grab a coffee or pastry from Captain's Coffee Roasting Co. Their cinnamon bun latte (seasonal) was SO good that I got two! They also had yummy cookies and food. I'm all about cozy coffee shops and this one totally fits my vibe.
Captain Coffee
Got a drink at The Salty Dawg Saloon. This funky bar is covered wall to wall with dollar bills. But it's much more than dollar bills, they have friendly local bartenders, good drinks and a fun vibe to just hang out, drink and pool pool in the back.
Check out the Art Shop Gallery for some cute hand made art, crafts, trinkets and souvenirs. We also recommend to visit the Bunnel Street Arts Center for their seasonal exhibits, workshops and performances. They focus on all local artists, proudly showcasing their talent in their funky little center. Homer is a very artsy, almost Bohemian town with a quaint and unique art and music scene.
Finally, have a meal at The Kannery. Make reservations, especially in the summer or you might miss out on their incredibly fresh seafood, burgers and salads.
Our meal at the Kannery
And that was our 3 days in Homer!
We hope this guide helped you get an idea of what you want to do during your time in Homer. If you hadn't already added it to your Alaska itinerary, then we hope we helped convince you why you should.
Many people are surprised at how much they love Homer, to the point where they wish they took out days in another destination in order to spend more time in Homer.
Don't make the same mistake we did and spend only 3 days in Homer either! It definitely deserves many more days, whether you stay in the outlying neighborhoods, in town or across the bay in either direction.
Other Alaska resources to help you plan your trip
6 Hour Kenai Fjords National Park boat tour