Pratt Museum

Be sure to visit the Pratt Museum(3779 Bartlett St., 907/235-8635, www.prattmuseum.org [1], daily 10 a.m.–6 p.m. mid-May–mid-Sept., Tues.–Sun. noon–5 p.m. mid-Sept.–Dec. and Feb.–mid-May, closed Jan.), just up from Pioneer Avenue. This is one of the finest small museums in Alaska [2], with interesting historical and cultural pieces, artwork, and wildlife displays.

The beaked whale skeleton extends nearly the length of one room; follow the story of how it was shot and washed up onto a Homer [3] beach, then was taken apart and put back together piece by piece.

A gift shop sells Alaskan-made crafts, and you can control the museum’s webcams of McNeil River bears and Gull Island [4] (also broadcast live on the Web). Watch them feed the sea critters Tuesdays and Fridays at 4 p.m. Entrance costs $8 adults, $6 seniors, $4 ages 6–18, free for younger children, and families are $25.