Interior displays at the Alaska Islands and Oceans Visitor Center.

© John Elk/Getty Images

Alaska Islands & Ocean Visitor Center

Top choice in Homer


More a research facility and museum than a visitor center, this impressive place has numerous cool interactive exhibits. The best is a room that’s a replica seabird colony, complete with cacophonous bird calls and surround-view flocking.

There’s also a decent film about ship-based marine research, a hands-on discovery lab, a pole that shows Homer’s tides in real time, and a slate of daily educational programs and guided walks (they even have loaner binoculars for free).


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Homer attractions

1. Bunnell Street Gallery

0.17 MILES

The town's best gallery, with monthly shows of fine art. You can also buy stunning jewelry and pottery.

2. Art Shop Gallery

0.31 MILES

Alaska art, on every wall. You'll find plenty of watercolors and other mediums here.

4. Pratt Museum

0.46 MILES

There’s lots of local art and Alaska Native artifacts, but a more impressive feature is the interactive displays on the area’s wildlife, designed to…

5. Fireweed Gallery

0.46 MILES

This gallery can get good local wares, and has more than just art to hang on your walls: sculptures, carvings, baskets and more are all on offer.

6. Ptarmigan Arts

0.47 MILES

Local cooperative gallery with stained class, wood carvings and pottery.

7. Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies

0.69 MILES

This nonprofit organization devoted to promoting appreciation of Kachemak Bay’s ecosystem, runs the Carl E Wynn Nature Center and the Peterson Bay Field…

8. ACarl E Wynn Nature Center

3.81 MILES

Situated on the bluffs above Homer, this moose-ridden 140-acre reserve is highly recommended for families and anyone interested in the area’s ethnobotany …