My Essential Alaska Travel Resources :
There are plenty of travel companies out there, but these are my favorite websites and resources for planning an unforgettable trip to Alaska. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. For flights, I recommend using Hopper to compare the cheapest dates to travel to Alaska. Car rentals, arguably the best way to see Alaska, are best through Discover Cars! I always use Expedia's easy-to-use platform to compare the best rates. To keep cell service if you're traveling internationally, I use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required), and NordVPN to stay safe while connecting to different wifi. For fun things to do, I recommend Viator or Get Your Guide to find the best tours in the area. Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use for travel insurance. Lastly, my Alaska packing list for your travels to the Last Frontier.
Visiting Homer in the Winter (What to Expect)
What's Open in Winter
Like I mentioned above, there's a number of places that close down during the winter in Homer. Most of these seasonal businesses are located on The Spit, the part of town that sticks out into the bay. And even though this sounds like it might not be a lot of fun to deal with, there's quite a few businesses open year-round in town. I have a whole list of my favorite restaurants in Homer, but some of my personal favorites that are open year round are Main Street Ramen, The Twisted Goat, The Kannery, and Cove & Co. Coffee. There's also some day trips that aren't necessarily accessible in the winter months (think bear viewing and fishing charters) but there's still a lot to do in the winter. From ice-skating at Grewingk Glacier to taking a water taxi across the bay, visiting one of the local events like the Nutcracker Performance in December or walking the beaches at low tide - the best part about all of it is that there won't be any crowds, which, in my opinion allows you to truly relax, take in the views, and enjoy your trip.
Where to Stay in Homer
There are lots of great places to stay in Homer, and from what I've seen, the majority of them stay open year-round. On my most recent trip, my husband and I stayed at Lakeshore Lodging's Beachfront Lodges located at the end of the road on The Spit. This is the best area to stay if you're wanting good views, but to be honest with you, I had no idea just how good the views would be. We could see the entire bay and mountain range from the living room while we enjoyed the cozy fireplace, and one evening we even saw a whale swim by multiple times, just feet from shore. It was truly incredible, and I can't recommend it enough.
My Favorite Tours Near Homer :
- Katmai National Park Bear Viewing - Kachemak Bay Wildlife Tour - Grewingk Glacier Guided Hike
Recommended 48 Hour (Weekend) Itinerary
Day 1 (Hours 0-12)
The drive from Anchorage to Homer usually takes about four hours, that is, if the roads are good. In the winter months, you'll sometimes find that the roads can be a bit icy or snowy, however in my experience they're usually the worst by Anchorage. The drive itself is beautiful though, and you'll make your way through mountains and valleys, as well as some smaller towns like Soldotna and Ninilchik. My husband and I usually end up driving through Soldotna around lunch, and it's a great place to stop and stretch your legs, get gas, and grab a bite to eat. By the time you make it to Homer, it'll usually be in the afternoon or around dinner time. In the winter months, sunset can usually range from around 3:30 to around 5:30 depending on the month. I recommend checking into your stay, unpacking for the weekend, and relaxing a bit to enjoy the views before you head out to dinner. My top recommendations that are open year round are Main Street Ramen, The Twisted Goat, and The Kannery, although my husband, Tyler, would be pretty sad if I didn't mention Fat Olives for their pizza. If you don't feel like heading out to eat, these beachfront rental homes have great full kitchens.
Day 2 (Hours 13-36)
If you're visiting Homer over a weekend, chances are this will be your only full day in town. I recommend choosing one or two activities to focus on, which will most likely take up the entire day. My husband and I visited in December, which meant their Nutcracker Faire Christmas Market and their local Nutcracker Performance (which they've been doing for 37 years now). If you're visiting late in the winter, you might be able to go ice-skating at Grewingk Glacier - but it's essential to know ice thickness before you head out, and I recommend taking a wild ice safety course like this one. You can also take the water taxi to explore towns across the bay, like Seldovia, for the day. Homer also has a local Ski Hill (the Homer Rope Tow) if you're wanting to do some downhill skiing or snowboarding! If you're wanting to spend more time inside, Homer has a surprising number of wineries, meaderies, and breweries that are great to visit on a cold day. You could also visit some of their local museums, like the Pratt Museum or Alaska Maritime Visitor Center, to learn about local history and wildlife. An iconic stop most visitors to Homer make a point to visit is the Salty Dawg Saloon, which is also open year-round. My personal favorite thing to do in the winter months in Homer is to walk the local beaches. If you go out at low tide, you really don't know what you'll find, and we often see starfish another sea critters here, like otters and seals. You can head out to Bishop's Beach or just enjoy the beaches at Lands End (end of the spit), and on my most recent trip, we even saw a whale right from our deck at Lakeshore Lodging - it was incredible.
Day 3 (Hours 37-48)
On your last day in Homer, I recommend sleeping in (of course), enjoying the sunrise, and grabbing breakfast at a local café before heading back home. If you haven't gotten your "End of the Road" certificate from the visitor's center, then you'll want to do that too. The best part is they're completely free, making them the perfect souvenir. Cove & Co. Coffee is my new favorite coffee shop located right on the spit, and they have great breakfast options like smoothie bowls, all different kinds of toasts, and breakfast burritos to fuel you up before your journey home.
Watch My Homer Adventures Here!
Other Alaska blog posts you might be interested in :
-> Best Things to Do in Homer -> Day Trip to Seldovia from Homer -> Best Places to Eat in Homer
Pin this Winter Homer Guide for Later!
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Hi, I'm Deborah! In 2021 my husband Tyler convinced me to move to Alaska. After living here for a year (then leaving to take a year long world trip) we realized there was no place we loved more. So now we're back - and I'm here to share all my best tips and hidden gems to make Your Alaskan Adventures the best they can be. \\\ My blog is free to read, but some links may be affiliates. This means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you. Learn more here. \\\ |
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