If you’re looking for day excursions from the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge, there are plenty of great options between Cooper Landing and Homer. Below we have highlighted a few of our favorite stops:

Headed south on the Sterling Highway, Soldotna is located about an hour from Cooper Landing. With the Kenai River at its back door, Soldotna is a great getaway for avid fishermen and women. The world record sport fishing king salmon was even caught there. If fishing isn’t what you’re looking for, outdoor adventure options include raft trips and canoeing. A day on the water can leave visitors with a healthy appetite and there are plenty of local dining options.

Kenai, a 20-minute drive from Soldotna along the Kenai Spur Highway, offers stunning views of Cook Inlet. Visitors can fish for four different species of salmon, rainbow trout and grayling from the world famous Kenai River or head out to the Inlet for halibut fishing. Kenai’s history dates back to 1791, when Russian fur traders settled the area. Head out for a stroll and check out Old Town and the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center or try some local cuisine.

Nestled on the shore of Kachemak Bay at the end of the Sterling Highway, about two hours and 15 minutes from Cooper Landing, is the charming town of Homer. Known for a thriving art community, Homer boasts  several local art galleries that celebrate first friday as well as a historic museum and theaters. Travelers can drive out on the Homer Spit, a long, narrow finger of land that juts four-and-a-half miles into Kachemak Bay, and enjoy a day of guided fishing or sea kayaking adventure. When it’s time to eat, there are plenty of local restaurants, many of which specialize in fresh Alaska seafood.

If you’d like to read about more road trip possibilities from the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge, check out this previous blog post about stop between Cooper Landing and Anchorage.