People come to Homer, Alaska, for a lot of reasons -- to hike, try their luck at fishing or just to…read moreexplore the quaint town full of art galleries and gift shops. But Homer is also an excellent launching pad for bear viewing in nearby Katmai National Park. There is so much of Alaska to explore -- however, as soon as I saw it was prime bear viewing season (stretching roughly from June through the end of August), I knew that we had to make a stop in Homer. We ended up visiting the first weekend in September, which is technically towards the end of bear viewing season. But clearly, the bears didn't get the memo. In total, we saw more than 20 bears on the trip! When you're getting this close to wild animals (we're talking bears weighing over 1,000 pounds!), finding the right tour company is essential. I mean, we are adventurous but we're not crazy! After researching nearly every tour operator in Homer, there was no doubt in my mind that we'd go with Smokey Bay Air. And I'm so glad that we did -- they went above and beyond our expectations. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. And well worth the journey. And best of all? The trip will get you back early enough to head back into Homer to explore the shops and grab a coffee. After all, we were exhausted! We're not used to waking up this early!

While I have not flown with them yet, I look very forward to doing so as they are friendly,…read morereasonable and have a wonderful selection of tours. I needed some luggage transported from Seldovia to Homer and they did it for less then 30$ and I believe they said it was 70 lbs and it was quick as I needed it to get home... Thanks again! I'm a HUGE fan of Seldovia and usually take a bush plane from anchorage to seldovia and then ferry to Homer. I didn't realize that it's only about 30$ more to fly with Smokey bay (one way). Will definitely use again.

Wow what a great bay tour. Never seen so many otters in my life. Pretty reasonably priced given the…read moreother options and the crew was great.

Loved the tour to Seldovia with Rainbow Tours and Victoria as the captain/guide! She was so…read moreknowledgeable about the history of the islands, the birds, everything! We saw puffins, sea otters, a ton of birds! Highly, highly recommend!!

I wouldn't support this business due to the owners disregard for the safety of pilots and…read morepassengers. They think they own the water and put others in harms way for their personal gain. NTSB or Costal needs to step in.

Exclusive passenger ferry service between Homer and Halibut Cove, this experienced, friendly mostly…read moreall woman crew will get you there safely and comfortably, in the best looking small fishing craft in the harbor. All this while being surrounded by one of the most beautiful places on earth, with much of the beauty, nature, and wildlife explained to you by your intelligent and entertaining crew and skipper. We made a day of it, driving to Homer from Kenai, making our way through beautiful country, till the vista opens up and you see the breathtaking 180 degree view of the Kenai Mountains - jagged iron black mountains covered with snow and glaciers over the blue Kachemak Bay. A short drive through town and you end up on the Homer Spit, reaching far out into the Bay. With tours and artisan stores abounding, we opted for our reservation on the Danny J. The staff, many of whom are talented artists in their own right, were friendly, talented, and knowledgeable. In addition to skillful ocean navigation, one of the deck crew navigated around a full fledged two-year-old tantrum by carefully working her through wearing a life vest. The one hour ride across the bay to Halibut Cove included a full circle of Bird Rock, where Murres, Cormerants, Gulls, and even Puffins abound. We also saw sea otters playing. Hike and picnics in Halibut Cove if your budget is tight, or go ahead and eat at the Saltry - the food is fresh, home grown, home baked, with a big focus on sea food - but a bit spendy. Many artist studios and stores are within walking distance - all on the multi-level board walk - so enjoy and buy a few things. Get back on the boat at 4 pm for a quick half hour trip back to Homer (sans bird tour). This adventure as up there as one of our most memorable, most perfect travel days ever. Can't recommend them more!

When I go to any new place or town, I make it a priority to check out the local used bookstores…read more This bookstore was one of the most unique and special ones I've ever come across. The selection of rare and old books was above and beyond anything I've seen in any other store before. I don't know if I'll ever see a store with this unique kind of vibe again. The owner was a very nice person as well, and if I ever find myself back in Alaska, I will definitely be back. This is a must visit bookstore.

Walking into this bookstore feels like walking into another dimension -- picture Ollivander's wand…read moreshop from Harry Potter but with books instead of wands! The owner is so kind and gave me a ton of great book suggestions. I had such a great experience that I had to come back the next day to show the place to my mother and buy some more books! Also the prices are unbeatable and there is a huge selection of literature. I seriously cannot recommend this store enough!!

Nice sunny gallery with a variety of local artwork on display. We were impressed with the…read morecreativity and variety. It's a good companion stop with the collective next door.

Located right in downtown Homer (off the spit), this gallery is worth a visit just to see some…read moregreat art. From wall paintings to hand carved figurines to turned wood, there is a large assortment of high-end art items. Even if you don't buy anything (or can't afford to), it is worth a stop by. In the least, they have smaller prints / wall hangings that are lower cost.

Ptarmigan Arts is a must visit for me any time I journey into Homer. They have an wonderful…read moreassortment of artists in this gallery and I almost always come home with something. I haven't taken any photos of the inside of the shop due to other yelpers reporting being yelled at and I don't like being yelled at, but it's a great place to support Alaskan artists and I suggest that you do.

This is a well run, rather diverse gallery of local artists. The woman that was working there was…read morecharming, Lots of different formats and styles. Some original, some a bit groovy. Worth a look.

Anyone who has read my reviews knows that I love supporting locally made products, regardless of…read morewhere I live. In Alaska, this is especially true because we are isolated and it's so important to our local economy. Furthermore, Alaska, and Homer in particular is teeming with artists. I suppose our amazingly beautiful but short summers and long, dark winters give our local artists lots of time to reflect on Alaskan beauty. I've never seen so many talented artists in one place. As such, I realize the longer I live here, to more desensitized I have become to good art. So when a particular artist catches my eye, it follows that they must be REALLY good. High Tide Arts is the home of Jens and Leslie Klaar. Jens is a talented knife maker and Leslie creates wonderful mosaics and watercolors. Leslie's work is characteristically Alaskan-themed. Her watercolors and mosaics are very different. I love the bold use of colors in her mosaics that hint at Japanese origami. Her paintings are in an entirely different style and equally fabulous. She has prints and originals for sale as well as art cards. High Tide's gallery sells art and jewelery made by many other talented Alaskan artists as well. The gallery is only open during the warm season from Memorial Day to Labor Day, but you can also order from them online. They do take credit cards as well.

Great artwork by locals, and prices are lower anywhere that I found. Leslie is very helpful and a…read morewonderful artist herself.

The owner is so mean, she told my 19 year old daughter that her ears were deformed and that was…read moreclearly why the earring wouldn't dangle...ok whatever, be mean while I give hundreds $ to her bottom line. Maybe thousands $ is what buys the jeweler's kindness in this hut.

Inua is a super-nice shop selling Native Alaskan crafts on the Boardwalk on Homer Spit. They've…read moregot a lot of one-of-a-kind items. They have awesome unique jewlery, including some amber pieces and fossilized wooly mammoth bone that I would LOVE to add to my wardrobe. The have gallery quality, high end items that made me salivate. They have some of the most beautiful hand-carved and painted totems I've seen anywhere. They also have some vintage Native craft items that are absolutely stunning. The staff are very friendly and helpful. This is a really incredible store... a real surprise on the Spit. Avoid the cheesy t-shirts and what-not and save your pennies for Inua. You will go home with something wonderful and unique. Just a warning... leave children outside... this is not the kind of place you'd want to risk having a boo-boo.

Stopped in there yesterday with my daughter, who lives in Tennessee but was born and raised in…read moreAlaska. We were bopping around Homer and she was looking for some Barbara Lavallee greeting cards. We stopped in and sure enough they had them and so much more. The lady running the place was friendly, helpful and engaging. Wonderful place and a really good collection of Alaska art. Well worth the stop if only to browse.

From the owner: The Art Shop Gallery is your destination for Alaskan art and gifts, Native ivory and bone carvings…read moreand other Native crafts. We have been a locally-owned business in Homer for over 20 years and carry a beautiful selection of Alaskan-made Christmas ornaments, jewelry, and pottery, as well as art by Alaskan Artists Barbara Lavallee, Byron Birdsall, Rie Munoz, Ed Tussey, Jon Van Zyle, Katie Sevigny, Taz Tally, and Nancy Yaki. We feature unique, hand-made glass works by Nancy Wise and Guitta Corey, and sand-blasted tile and glassware from Brecht Studios. Our shop is a celebration of all that makes Alaska special - the wildlife, the mountains and glaciers, the flowers, and above all the creativity of Alaskan artists.

Just a lovely little gallery on a cute side street just off of downtown Homer. Love the structure…read more- the front area seems reserved for temporary exhibits/installations, whereas the back half has smaller, handmade pieces - pottery, jewelry, plates, smaller paintings. All by local artists and some of the stuff at reasonable prices (by gallery standards). The exhibit I got to see - Ryan Romer - Yup'ic/Athabaskan artist from Anchorage - was quite inspired. Gives a great vibe as to the kind of fresh, creative art this gallery wishes to promote. Feels like a peaceful, well-curated place. Great place to pop in, while away a little time, feel inspired and maybe even find a nice gift or art piece for yourself without going into debt.

VERY RUDE LADY WORKING HERE!! Didn't even give me a chance to put a face mask on, she walked me to…read morethe door and pretty much pushed me out. Rofl nice to feel welcomed on vacation.