Went in and was expecting to pay and was pleasantly surprised to find out that I didnt have to pay! However I did pay I forward by getting some good stuff from the gift shop. All of the staff were so wonderfully helpfull. Thanks for the wonderful visit!!

If youre looking for a great place to take the family then visit the Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center.The exhibits are very well done. Most of the exhibits are interactive, so the kids should have fun pressing buttons. Outside are some trails to help stretch the legs from that long drive.Plenty of parking for vehicles and large RVs. Restrooms are here, but no food.

Good explanation and exhibits of what they do - studying the a animals and excitement of Alaska so that future generations will be able to enjoy nature the same way we can.

I stopped in here on the way back from a visit to the end of Homer and was really happy I did. This is a beautifully done nature center with lots of exhibits about the local ecosystem and the ocean that surrounds it. It has some really knowledgeable staff who will let you know about where to see what makes the area uniquely Alaska.There are some really pretty marshlands/wetlands behind the center, just a short walk down a nice path to visit. I went out there and saw some shorebirds and the grasses were a nice fall color since I was there in October. Theres just so much natural beauty here, as far as you can see. I loved how quiet the area is, it really made my heart calm to just be there in the stillness of the area. If youre looking for a relaxing and informative hour or so in the Homer area, I would definitely stop in and check this Visitor Center out. TIPS: The Center is free of charge to visit and has public restrooms. The parking lot is also nicely paved and free to use. If you stop in, definitely have a chat with a staffer about the area and the Center, theyre really nice!

Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center - Take the JourneyThe Center is a great place to take a journey to Alaska’s past, present and future. There are interactive displays, helpful staff, and a nice gift shop. Behind the Center there is a trail downhill to Bishop’s Beach and the town of Homer

Really nice, free museum with a surprisingly broad range of exhibits. I would say that its oriented more towards families but as a single 30 something adult I found it to be interesting enough to spend 45 minutes there. Information about local wildlife, ecology, conservation and the world war 2 battle between Japan and the US in the Aleutian islands. There are two 15 minute movies you can watch. I didnt watch either of them but I saw others who did.Short walk from here to Bishops Beach to get a first-hand experience of the ocean life. Stop at Two Sisters Cafe along the way to fuel up for the journey (or to treat yourself for making so many good choices in one day)

Its free and great for families it anyone who wants to learn more about the wildlife refuge. Great exibits, friendly, helpful staff. If you can, take the walking tour outside, even the locals will learn things.

Great hiking trail located off of the back of this building. Didnt get to explore the inside of the facility, as I spent too much time hiking, but it looked pretty interesting.

The museum was closed unfortunately but there is a cool trail through the wetlands with some cool views.

Its really imformative and layed out well. We enjoyed the 15 minute movie and loved the art exhibition. We learned aot and had fun doing it.

Wonderful visitor center! They have two really good movies (on their work and bears), very nice interactive displays and daily guided walks. The staff was really helpful and informative. We really enjoyed our visit here. Highly recommend a stop here.

They had an otter pelt on display and it was amazingly soft and plush and explained why otter furs were so sought after when people irresponsibly over harvested otters almost to extinction.Catch the two story tidal marker. From low tide to high tide.

Love the junior biologist books it wasnt engaging way for my children to become educated while visiting the visitor center and learning about the history of the area

Pretty cool place! Lots to see and interactive activities.

Friendly staff. Even the guy driving the machine to clear th2 sidewalks stippeebto welcome people. Informative displays

Always a fun stop in Homer. Make sure to watch a movie, hike the trail, see Bishops Beach, then hit up Two Sisters bakery. Great way to spend a couple of hours.

Very interesting, good mix of informative and interactive. Easy way to kill an hour or 2 out in the Homer area.

The visit was great and the volunteers were very helpful. They have set times that a couple of volunteers go out to the preserve with binoculars and discuss the wildlife that are there.

Amazing. So well done! Wish there were more displays about ALL the Marine life in kachemak bay however.

This is a great place, a must-see when you are visiting Kenai Peninsula.

Great displays for the entire family, even for a 5 & 2 year old. Nice ranger hike.

Wonderful and informative place to visit. The staff members are always very friendly and knowledgeable

Very special interpretative center. Explains much of history if area. Natural and otherwise

Outstanding and very educational displays. Exceptional staff.

Information and beauty. Nice walking paths to the nearby slough.

Nice little museum, well done and not too big. Got 45 minutes? Go.

A great Canter for everyone. Enjoy and get your Junio Biologist Badge

We came here with our toddler just a half hour before closing. The exhibit is fairly small but has many interesting installations and artifacts. Unlike the Sealife Center in Seward, Alaska Islands & Ocean Visitors Center doesnt have any live animals. That doesnt necessarily make it any less interesting, but maybe not quite as engaging for a toddler.We went when it was a snowing and windy, so we werent able to do the trail. Well have to come back in the summer and try again.

This place will make you want to quit your job and spend the next year exploring the archipelago

Nice walking trail outside. Lots to learn and see inside (make sure you check out the tide level light up display). Nice little store and the people who work there are amazing

Excellent displays and learning opportunities. Dont miss the trails

Fun place to take the kids and out of town guests. Lots of neat things to see and the movies are super interesting.

Very informative, free visitor center. I recommend it to anyone going to be in Homer Alaska.

Lots of information on the local ecology and geology in the region. There are a few trails that you can explore just outside the center that have moose, though very rarely. If youre in Homer, its a great place to stop by.

Very informative place to take the kids.

Great place with free walking tours, exhibits etc...

Informative free with excellent explanatative diaramas on wildlife and the history of the Aleutians

Wow! You need at least an hour in this wonderland and see all the films.

Loved it! FREE! All of our kids spent a couple hours of their lives earning their Junior Biologist badges. Plenty of info to learn.

We learned alot and earned our Jr. Biologist patches

We really enjoyed visiting here! Warm, friendly staff, excellent and very educational displays, great movies, big conference room (we attended the August 2018 Kachemak Birding Club meeting) and easy walking tour hikes.

Short film about Alaska was interesting. The staff there was super friendly and very knowledgeable. Good stop.

Pretty good details of the area and some history. The staff was knowledgable and helpful as well. Not a 5 star only because they didnt seem to have much else other than biologists exhibits there, but otherwise is was a pretty good hour or so.

Learn more about the marine refuge every time I visit

Needs a few more new updates for the kids/tourists that come to visit Homer Ak

I stop in every year and learn something new every time. Must see if your in homer

Interesting exhibits. Kid friendly.

Great place to visit in Homer! Great birding boardwalk behind it in the nearby marsh. Makes an excellent home base for the annual Katchemak Bay Shorebird Festival.

Nice displays and the ranger talk was very good

This is a fabulous nature center with many excellent displays and presentations. I wish we had more time there.

Cool. Awesome walk ways

My whole Alaska cruise was awesome.

Small but high quality. Easy access. Must see for anyone in Homer.

Great information and very nice exhibits

Great gift shop, very educational, small space, wouldnt recommend for kids.

Great facility, friendly staff! Lots of exhibits available for kids to interact with. Very well designed to keep children interested in learning more about the different ecosystems around Homer. There is a short trail that leads to a marshy area and to the beach.

Very nice visitors center! Beautiful interior and nice shore front trails!

One of my favorite places to visit in Homer, Alaska. Excellent displays and helpful staff.

Great place with real helpful staff

Good for Alaska Sea life lessons.

A definite stop whilst in Homer. If you do not have your activities already planned this is a great place to start. The AI&O Visitors Center boasts knowledgeable rangers and staff. Make sure to check out the trail that is right behind the center.

Wish it was 1-2 price after the animals were not out in tanks

Very good place to visit

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Alaska Islands & Ocean Visitor Center

The building is sometimes used as a forum for communication between law enforcement officers and users of the national parks.

Beautiful exhibits and info about the incredible birds of alaska.

Great place for kids. As adults, there was some good reading but not much to do. Overall, a great place!

Loved the place.Very educational.

Very beautiful

Such a great spot to learn a bit about the local environment

Absolutely amazing as always

Neat place! . Lots of things to see & do!

Very good experience.

Very educational. Impressive.

Some people will like this

Informative exhibits and staff, beautiful building, and a great view of the slough.

Great auditorium and small museum.

Only for new to alaska

Very interesting, for information

GREST PLACEA must see in Homer

Only if you have time

Beautiful place to be

Awesome

Lots of interactive exhibits, plan on spending at least 2 hours here, also has a theater with documentaries playing

Interesting exhibits and folk

Wonderful exhibits and tours!

Wonderful

Awesome

Really nice facility

Free!

Must see

This place is a hidden gem and a national treasure!

Great facility.

Check out the trail behind the building!

Great building and location