Discover Homer, Alaska
Voted 1 of “best small towns” and “#1 Mountain Town” in the US!
When you stay at the Juneberry Lodge, you’re centrally located, just 8 mins. from town center and 8 mins. from the Homer Spit – an ideal base for all the activities Homer has to offer. On the Spit, you’ll find fishing and sightseeing charters and fun shops. In town are art galleries, museums and local breweries. Great restaurants are everywhere! We have recommendations to make your stay terrific. Start planning now with some of our favorite things on a Homer, Alaska Vacation.
Favorite Homer, Alaska Things to Do
Wildlife Tour to Seldovia
Puffins, Sea Otters, Whales & More!
One of the most affordable and enjoyable ways to get out on Kachemak Bay is the Rainbow Tours full-day Seldovia Wildlife Tour. You’ll visit Gull Island seabird rookery, an amazing sea otter colony, and have the best opportunity to see whales and orcas up close. Sail to the village of Seldovia with its great restaurants, hiking trails and historic Russian church. It’s an adventurous and relaxing way to enjoy Kachemak Bay at its most spectacular. Visit the Seldovia Visitor Center & Museum and stroll along the Old Boardwalk. We love this tour!
Photo Courtesy Dawna Raven sky Zimbalist via Wikimedia under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.
Drive to the End of the Road
Homer is known for being at “the end of the road.” The farthest you can drive on continuous roadway in North America is just 20 miles east of Juneberry Lodge. Really! It’s worth the drive. As you approach the head of Kachemak Bay, the mountains and glaciers get closer for spectacular views coming and going.
Highlights along the way include:
- Fritz Creek General Store: great deli and baked goods. The beef brisket and pulled pork sandwiches are heavenly.
- Kilcher Homestead Living Museum: tours by appointment.
- Eveline State Recreation Area: beautiful, well-marked trails through alpine meadows of wildflowers, views of the Dixon and Portlock glaciers.
- Fox River Flats Overlook: continue about two miles past where the pavement ends and a good gravel road leads to a lookout over the Fox River Flats with beautiful mountain and bay views, pictured.
From the overlook, a rough switchback road goes down to the beach. CAUTION: Do NOT go over the cliff to the beach. That’s too adventurous.
Great Food
Homer has no shortage of good eating. A few of our favorites are:
- East End Road: The Bagel Shop, less than a mile from the lodge, is GREAT. Order sandwiches for your fishing trips or bear viewing.
- Pioneer Avenue: Eat like a local at Alibi Bar & Cafe (famous fish tacos), The Twisted Goat (outdoor patio & best pizza), Alice’s Champagne Palace (live music, Thursday night trivia!)
- Old Town: Fat Olives, AJ’s Oldtown Steakhouse & Tavern, Two Sisters Bakery
- On the Spit: Fresh Catch Cafe (oh my!), La Baliene Cafe (the freshest organic and local ingredients possible, also to-go lunches), Captain Pattie’s Fish House (local seafood galore)
Tide Pool & Beach Walks
Nothing beats a beach walk at low tide to see what’s usually under the sea. Check the local tide table to plan a beach walk on the Spit or at Bishop’s Beach near Old Town. Book a guided tide pool walk with the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies or walk with a ranger from the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center (locally known as Islands and Oceans).
Terrific Hikes, Walks & Kayaking
The Kachemak Bay State Park dominates the southern shore. It is Alaska’s first state park, encompassing nearly 400,000 acres of mountains, glaciers, forests, beaches and rivers. Hop a ride on Mako’s or Alan’s water taxis to the popular Glacier Lake Trail. Ask them about guided or do-it-yourself kayaking options.
On the Homer side, trails at Eveline, Diamond Creek and the Wynn Nature Center are each unique, immersing you in alpine meadows, beaches and boreal forests. Download the Homer Trail Map for running, walking and hiking in and near town.
Art Walk
Homer is the arts capital of Alaska. A stroll down Pioneer Avenue takes you to Fireweed Gallery and Ptarmigan Arts featuring the many fine artists who work here. Art Shop Gallery features statewide artists and native ivory carvings. Visit Bunnell Street Arts Center in Old Town. Cross the bay to Halibut Cove (pictured) for more art (and great food)!
More Favorite Things & Helpful Links
- Pratt Museum & Park: A regional natural history museum with exhibits exploring life around Kachemak Bay, pictured.
- Islands & Ocean Visitor Center: Home to the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge.
- Homer Chamber of Commerce: Great visitor info.
- Homer Public Library: Public access computers, scanners, printers.
- KBBI Public Radio — 890AM: Includes a community calendar.
- Homer News: Published every Thursday with a weekly calendar of events. A must for getting the most out of your visit.
- MORE from our Blog!
Special thanks to the Homer Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center
for the wonderful Homer Video featured in our page top.
Area Photo Gallery
What Our Guests Are Saying:
BEST PLACE TO STAY IN HOMER I had an amazing stay with Marcia and Mannfried. I was visiting Alaska with family and Marcia and Mannfried made sure to give us the best information on where to go, how to handle logistics, and most importantly, a great place to stay! Juneberry Lodge itself is an amazing log cabin filled with artifacts and art representing Alaska indigenous culture, wildlife, and unique frontier history. Mannfried made us delicious breakfasts every morning and Marcia gave us the best tips on where to go and how to best experience Homer and the surrounding areas. I plan on returning soon!