Soldotna Chamber
of Commerce
44790 Sterling Highway
Soldotna Alaska 99669
Phone: (907) 262-9814
Fax: (907) 262-3566
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Soldotna Weather Forecast
VISITORS
|
FREE OR INEXPENSIVE THINGS TO DO IN THE SOLDOTNA
AREA
SOLDOTNA | KENAI | NINILCHIK | HOMER
COOPER LANDING | SEWARD
A glimpse into early day Soldotna life can be seen at the Soldotna
Historical Museum and Historic Village. Where Homesteader cabins and artifacts are
displayed.
Stop by the Soldotna Visitor Information Center for free
brochures, maps and information on local communities, and a calendar of local events.
After viewing the world class photo display, you can take a picture of the world record
King Salmon caught right here in our own Kenai River. The coffee pot is always on.
Visit the National Wildlife Refuge Center-take a guided or
unguided walk along the marked trails to Headquarters Lake-bring your camera. There may be
Alaskan Wildlife. In the center, movies play hourly about Alaska and Alaskan animals.
Take a walk down the Kenai River Classic Fish Walk. Located just
down the steps from the Visitors Center. Drop a line and look out; who knows, you may
catch the fish of the day. If fishing is not your bag, why not pack a picnic lunch and eat
outside on the sun-deck.
Take a drive to Bridge Access and experience the breathtaking view of
the Mountain range where you will see Mt. Spurr, Mt. Redoubt, Mt. Iliamna and on a
very clear day you can see Mt. Augustine. All of these Mountains are active
Volcanos.
Take a walk through Soldotna and visit one of our many local shops for
that unique gift item or souvenir. Many of our businesses have fish and wildlife
displays, so bring your camera.
For those bird watchers, on Bridge Access road, west of
Soldotna about 6 miles, the Canadian and Snow Geese fly from afar to a very important
staging area in their life called the Kenai Flats. These birds among others use the flats
as a feeding area.
The flats provide a home during the summer for a great variety of
many other shore birds. Kenai Flats has an outlook point with a telescope for the curious.
Stop by our Senior Center for lunch and some fun activities.
Who knows, you may meet an elder and learn some fascinating facts about Alaska.
Visit the local city parks along the river; don’t forget to
bring your fishing pole so you can experience how nice our fishing board walks are.
Binoculars are a necessity; Bald Eagles are always fishing for their dinner.
Visit our local National Bank of Alaska. Inside you will find loads
of Soldotna History perched upon the walls.
Downtown Soldotna, on Kenai Spur Highway, towards Kenai, the First
Post Office still stands where it was homesteaded. The postmaster, Maxine Lee, was
paid a sum of $14 a month. There was no electricity yet, so Maxine had to learn to add
large amounts of numbers in her head.
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Take a walk down memory lane, with the Old Town Walking Tour.
This tour is self guided. Maps are provided at the Kenai Visitors Center. All you history
buffs will love Kenais Old Town.
The Russian Orthodox Church is a sight of beauty. Established
in 1791. Russian Orthodox still have services there every week.
Visit the Kenai Visitor and Cultural Center and see some the
most astounding wildlife displays. Don’t forget to bring your camera. Movie showings
are available.
Take a drive to Captain Cook State Park at the end of Kenai
Spur Highway. It offers 58 campsites, spectacular views of Cook Inlet, surrounding
mountains and if the weather permits, a glimpse of Denali. Also view offshore Oil
platforms. Beaches are popular with agate hunters. Beluga and bird watching are great
also.
- Kenai has a wonderful array of small home town shops. Stop by and say hello. While
you’re there, try and find that perfect gift or souvenir
The Kenai River Caribou Herd likes to hang out at the Kenai
Flats. These Caribou are protected by Fish and Game. Drive down Bridge Access Road. Keep
an eye out; they blend into the scenery. Bring your camera, you’re sure to get a good
photo.
Take a day to pick berries. Marathon Rd. is just south of
Kenai on the Spur Hwy. There you will find berries galore and maybe even some wildlife.
Don’t forget your hat and bucket.
The bluff, in Old Town, is one of the greatest beaches in Kenai. This
beach has one of the fastest tides in the world. Soft sand, shells, and a wonderful
view of the mountain range. So bring the kids, dogs, and have a blast.
Wildflower lovers, the tall purple stocks of wildflowers along
the side of the road, are called Fireweed. They say, that when Fireweed starts to
bloom from the bottom up, it is the start of summer. When it has reached the top of the
flower, summer is over. When it has gone to seed, they say that we have only 6 weeks until
our first snow. The Kenai Peninsula has widest array of wildflowers growing along the
roadside.
Take a stroll through Kenai City Gardens and Parks. Leif
Hansen Memorial Park is located inside city limits on Kenai Spur Highway. Cunningham Park,
located off of Beaver Loop Road, is excellent for viewing the Kenai River and Beluga
Whales.
Check out one of our newest boat launches called “Pillars”.
Located off the Kenai Spur Highway on Silver Salmon Rd., Pillars Boat Launch is a
beautiful boardwalk and has a viewing area along the Kenai River. Pack a lunch and have a
picnic on the shaded sun deck.
Catch a glimpse of the Beluga Whales as they feed on fish in
the Kenai River. For best viewing opportunities, go to the bluff in Old Town within an
hour or two before or after high tide. Remember, don’t forget your binoculars.
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Tour the historical Ninilchik Village and see the first
Russian School House, the Melania Curtis Home, the Ninilchik Village Cache, the Village
Store, the Sorensen/Tupper Home, Bud Dietz Home, and the Old Red House. All of these
buildings were built in the late 1800s.
Tour the fish processing plant at Deep Creek Custom Packing located
at mile 137.3 on Sterling Highway.
- Just past Ninilchik is a town called Clam Gulch. Watch hundreds of locals dig for Razor
clams at Clam Gulch State Recreation Area or get in on the fun. Fishing license is
required.
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Fish for Salmon at the World Famous Fishin’ Hole on the
Spit. Also see Salmon jumping, anglers fishing, Bald Eagles and watch a Sea Lion show.
Take a stroll down the harbor. Home to one of the State’s
largest commercial fishing fleets. Watch the Alaskan fishing vessels unload the
days catch.
Hike over 50 miles of back-country trails in Kachemak Bay State
Park. Pack a light snack and bring a camera.
Visit the Seafarer’s Memorial on the Homer Spit. It is
located at the end of the Spit. This is a great photo opportunity, so don’t forget
your camera. On a good day, you may see loads of Eagles waiting for the fishing vessels to
off load.
Visit downtown Homer. Just a short drive from the Spit. There
you will find some unique stores and Art Galleries. Homer is a one-of-a kind town.
The weather may be a little windy, so bring your wind breaker.
Head to the Pratt Museum located on Bartlett Rd. off Pioneer
Ave. Here you will find a wide array of artifacts and the history of Alaska.
Visit the sperm whale skeleton display at Homer High School.
Drive up Skyline Drive for spectacular views of glaciers,
mountains, volcanos and the ocean.
- In the winter watch and photograph hundreds of eagles being fed towards end of
spit at Homer RV Park. PLEASE STAY IN YOUR CAR AND DON’T HONK
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Hike the Resurrection Trail to a wonderful waterfall called Juneau
Falls. During the hike you may encounter wildlife such as, Dall Sheep, Hoary
Marmots, Black or Brown Bears, countless bird species and maybe even Caribou.
Hike to Russian River Falls, where you will witness hundreds
of airborne salmon powering their way up the fall to their spawning grounds.
- Stop along Mile marker 50 and look for Eagles feeding on salmon. Always keep your
eyes peeled for moose on the road.
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See the Anchor Memorial honoring those who perished in the
1964 earthquake in front of the Harbormaster’s office.
Climb Mt. Marathon, follow the route of the second oldest foot
race in the United States.
Take a nice drive out to Exit Glacier.
Visit the Benny Benson Memorial at the lagoon. Benny designed
the Alaska State Flag.
Listen to the dogs howl when the traditional noon whistle goes
off.
Take a Historical Society Walking Tour of historic buildings
and “Millionaires Row” on Third Ave.
See the Salmon at the Cook Inlet Aqua-culture Fish Weir at
Bear Lake.
Visit the historic Founders Monument on the corner of Ballaine
and Railway.
Visit the Library and see the video about the 1964 Earthquake.
(small fee)
Take a scenic drive out Nash Road where you will find many
pull outs with splendid views across the bay.
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