At first glance the cities of Kenai and Soldotna may appear to be just shopping destinations or jumping-off points for anglers. But these communities have much to offer independent travelers.
Kenai
The Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center, located on the Spur Highway, provides information on activities and events and houses a permanent collection of artifacts, historic documents and wildlife exhibits, along with a wide array of artwork. The well-stocked store located in the Center's lobby is an excellent place to pick up guidebooks and local artwork.
The Visitors Center is also the starting point for a self-guided walking tour through Old Town Kenai, the original town site overlooking the mouth of the Kenai River. Many of the original structures remain, including old homesteaders' cabins and the Russian Orthodox church, which was built in 1894.
Also located in this area, on Cook Street, in a historical building that was once the fire station and jail, is the Kenai Fine Arts Center, home to the Peninsula Arts Guild. The Arts Center hosts activities every Friday night throughout the summer, and features a wide range of work for sale by local artists.
Along with numerous mountain biking, hiking and ski trails, there are many opportunities for bird watching and wildlife viewing. A good place to begin exploring is the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters on Ski Hill Road, where several miles of trails are maintained. They also have information on the more than 250 miles of trails within the 1.9 million-acre refuge, as well as canoeing within what many consider the Refuge's crown jewel, the Swan Lake/Swanson River Canoe System.
Soldotna
Those heading to the area might also consider starting their tour at the Soldotna Visitor's Center on the Sterling Highway, where a variety of pamphlets, maps and a list of area shops can be found. On view is the world-record king salmon taken by Les Anderson in 1985. When the fish are running many anglers actually use this as a base and head to the nearby boardwalk to cast for sockeye salmon.
History buffs may want to take a detour to the Soldotna Historical Museum, which features a resurrected village made up of original log buildings. Located on Centennial Park Road, just off of Kalifornski Beach Road, the village houses artifacts from the early days of homesteading. You may even run into one of those early homesteaders who settled Soldotna just after World War II and still volunteers at the museum.
Of course fishing is king in Soldotna, and despite the recent downturn in chinook stocks, this area still boasts some of the best and most accessible fishing for sockeye salmon and trout in the world. Throughout town there are various riverside parks, where visitors can picnic, camp, fish and launch their boats for a day on the water. Whether an avid or occasional angler, a day on the Kenai River, taking in the sights and tangling with a sockeye or world-class rainbow trout, should be a priority on anyone's agenda. There are numerous professional guides based in Soldotna who love to share with guests this magnificent river and the town they call home.
KENAI/SOLDOTNA ATTRACTIONS
Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center
The place for most local information, as well as historical and cultural education.
WHERE: 11471 Kenai Spur Hwy., Kenai
WHEN: Summer hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon.-Fri.; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat.; 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sun.; Winter hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tues.-Fri.; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sat.; closed Sun.-Mon.
PHONE: 907-283-1991
Home to the Peninsula Arts Guild, Kenai River Council on the Arts, and the Potter's Guild, this historic building and gallery is the center of the local art scene.
WHERE: 816 Cook Ave., Kenai
WHEN: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., Wed.-Fri.; open late for lectures and special events (call for information)
PHONE: 907-283-7040
A map for the self-guided walking tour can be picked up at the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center.
WHERE: Begins at the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center, 11471 Kenai Spur Hwy.
WHEN: Year-round
PHONE: 907-283-1991
Soldotna Historical Society Museum and Homesteaders Village
This village is made up of original buildings and artifacts and provides a historical representation of the homesteading life.
WHERE: Entrance to Centennial Campground on Kalifornsky Beach (K-Beach) Road at Centennial Park Road
WHEN: May 15 to Sept. 15 only; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tues.-Sat.; 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., Sun.; closed Monday
PHONE: 907-262-3832
Soldotna Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center
Pick up a variety of pamphlets and brochures, check out the wild game mounts, and visit the handicap accessible fishing platform.
WHERE: 44790 Sterling Hwy.
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; daily June to Aug.
PHONE: 907-262-9814
Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters
Walk the self-guided nature trail or wilderness trails that surround the headquarters. Inside are wildlife exhibits, a small gift shop and expert advice on where to go and what to do within the refuge. The refuge hosts many special events. Call or check the web for details.
WHERE: Ski Hill Road, Soldotna
WHEN: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri. and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sat.-Sun., May to Sept.; 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mon.-Fri. and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sat.; Oct. to April.
PHONE: 907-262-7021 or Bird Hotline at 907-262-2300
Kenai Peninsula Tourism Marketing Council
Information on attractions, businesses and everything to do on the Kenai Peninsula.
WHERE: 35571 Kenai Spur Hwy., Soldotna
PHONE: 907-262-5229, 800-535-3624
A five-acre park in the middle of town on the Kenai River includes picnic tables, barbecues, a playground for children and over 500 feet of elevated riverfront boardwalk to fish from.
WHERE: Sterling Highway
This information appeared in the 2015 Alaska Dispatch News Visitors' Guide to Alaska. Contact special sections editor Jamie Gonzales at jgonzales@alaskadispatch.com.