The Best Kenai Alaska Guide

Located just south of Anchorage, nothing about the Kenai is formal or stuffy. In fact, no other destination offers such an up close and personal Alaskan experience. That’s why they are known as Alaska’s Playground.

The Kenai Peninsula offers some of the most accessible wilderness adventures in Alaska. There are multi-day hikes through the snow-capped Kenai Mountains and mind-blowing paddles through glaciated fjords. You’ll camp on never-seen-before lost coves in remote corners of Kenai Fjords National Park and Kachemak Bay State Park, and battle some of the biggest fish around. And in every forgotten corner you’ll be close to the natural world, the mountains, the lakes, the rivers and the people that make Alaska wild.

Approximately the size of Belgium, the peninsula is a top pick for first-time Alaska explorers. The eastern peninsula is dominated by large ice fields, the jutting Kenai Mountains and the icy waters of Resurrection Bay. To the west it flattens out, with rolling hills, large lakes and a long coastline.  Our Kenai Alaska Travel Guide has everything you need to start planning your Kenai Alaska vacation.  Also visit more great Alaska beach locations by <<Clicking Here.>>   Need to know what to pack for your Alaskan Vacation?  << Click Here >>

Kenai Weather (When to Visit)

Average temperatures in Kenai Peninsula vary greatly. Considering humidity, temperatures feel cold for most of the year with a chance of rain or snow throughout most of the year. If you’re looking for the very warmest time to visit Kenai Peninsula, the hottest months are June, July, and August.  The warmest time of year is generally mid July where highs are regularly around 65°F with temperatures rarely dropping below 50°F at night.  Spring (March – May) have average temperatures between 58°F and 34°F with warmer temperatures in the later months. Rain is somewhat common with 5 to 8 days of significant precipitation per month. Fall (September  – November) temperatures range from 59°F and 33°F, which will feel chilly given the humidity and wind. Tourism is the slowest during these months due to the weather, so hotels may be affordably priced.  Weather is far too cold December – February in Kenai Peninsula to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. The average high during this season is between 36°F and 29°F.

Kenai Area Attractions

Kenai Beach

Down below the bluffs is an oddity in Alaska: a sweeping, sandy beach, ideal for picnicking, Frisbee-chucking and other waterfront fun. There are stellar views of the volcanoes across the inlet, and from July 10 to 31 you can watch hundreds of frantic fishers dip-net for sockeye salmon at the mouth of the Kenai River.

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Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters & Visitor Center

Opposite Kalifornsky Beach Rd near the Kenai River is the junction with Funny River Rd. Follow signs to Ski Hill Rd, following it for a mile to reach this excellent, kid-friendly information center that has an exhibit hall, bookstore and 2.2 miles of trails that wrap around the nearby lake.  There are displays on the life cycles of salmon, daily wildlife films and naturalist-led outdoor programs.

Kenai Visitors & Cultural Center

This excellent visitors center is among Kenai’s main attractions. The museum features historical exhibits on the city’s Russian heritage, offshore drilling and a room full of stuffed wildlife staring down from the rafters. It also has quality Alaska Native art from around the state. Free movies about the city’s strange history are screened.

Captain Cook State Recreation Center

The area offers swimming, camping and the beauty of the inlet in a setting that is unaffected by the stampede for salmon to the south.  The Kenai Spur Hwy ends in the park after first passing Stormy Lake, where you’ll find a bathhouse and a swimming area along the water’s edge. Discovery Campground has 53 sites on the bluff overlooking Cook Inlet, where some of the world’s greatest tides ebb and flow. The fishing in Swanson River is great, and this is a fine place to end the Swan Lake canoe route.

Kasilof Beach

You’ll either enjoy a peaceful walk through a secluded and beautiful estuary ripe with bird life—or have a ringside seat at the annual salmon dip netting extravaganza, featuring hordes of crazed locals armed with 10-foot poles. The beach road emerges from the forest at a river-mouth lined by dunes, tidally influenced beach, an estuary and broad salt marsh. The woods to the north and south offer a chance to view bald eagles and moose. Several distinct habitats occur within a few hundred yards of the river mouth due to the dramatic change with each tide.The mouth of the Kasilof River was once used by Dena’ina Natives to gather and dry salmon.

Best Kenai Restaurants

Paradisos Restaurant  $11 – 30

A family-run place that’s been around for 40 years, Paradiso’s serves up Italian and Greek food, plus seafood and even some Mexican. They’re best known for their pizza and Greek food, but you can score a good seafood dinner here on the right night. Ask the staff. The locals come for the Greek food, which is scarce on the Kenai.  Telephone:  907-283-2222  Web:   Paradisos Restaurant.

Veronica’s Cafe  $11 – 30

In an Old Town log building dating from 1918, Veronica’s serves espressos and healthy sandwiches and hosts open mics, folk jams and live bands. There’s a warm wooden sun porch filled with flowers – the best place in town to relax with a sandwich.  Telephone:  907-283-2725  Web:   Veronica’s Cafe.

Louie’s Steak & Seafood  $11 – 30

Specializing in Steak and Alaskan Seafood, they have all kinds of meals on the menu and have daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner specials. Whether you enjoy fresh salads, juicy burgers, or succulent specialty steaks you’ll find something on our menu for every taste and pocketbook. On display you’ll find the largest collection of Alaskan trophy animals on the Peninsula, not to mention a variety of unusual antiques.  Telephone:  907-283-3660  Web:   Louie’s Steak & Seafood.

The Flats Bistro  $11 – 30

Enjoy fresh, fun food with excellent service at The Flats Bistro.  Visit Flats for wild Alaskan seafood, house-smoked meats and local ales hand crafted in Alaska. They believe in making their food in house and offer hand-made pasta dishes, hand-ground burgers, and home-made desserts. Their deck offers a beautiful view of the Kenai River Flats, with caribou and eagles roaming the area regularly.  Telephone:  907-335-1010  Web:   The Flats Bistro.

Brother’s Cafe  $11 – 30

The Cafe’s interior reflects the sensibilities of the surrounding area while also paying tribute to Alaska’s storied past. The 2200 square foot restaurant offers the choice to observe passers-by from the Coffee Bar, the surrounding dining room, or the overflow area just outside the Cafe.  They have the best burger in Kenai!  Telephone:  907-335-2233  Web:   Brother’s Cafe.

Best Kenai Bars

Rafter’s Lounge

Looking for a great place to recount the day’s fish tales? This is the spot—a fly fishing-themed bar located inside the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge with a deck overlooking the Kenai River. Settle into a rocking chair on the deck with an Alaska-brewed beer or a cocktail. The bar has four Alaskan beers on tap, a selection of 52 wines, and a full bar. And although most people show up just for an afternoon drink, lunch and dinner are also served. The pub fare includes burgers and sandwiches, as well as entrée salads and of course plenty of seafood.  Telephone:  1-800-426-0500  Web:   Rafter’s Lounge.

Kenai Joe’s

Kenai Joes is located in Old Town Kenai Overlooking the Mouth of the Famous Kenai River! Kenai Joes is The oldest Bar in Kenai, Established in 1935!  Best bar in Kenai; Awesome bartenders, amazing customers and great drink prices. Big back deck, BBQ if you want to grill your fresh fish or thick steaks, beer garden and horse shoe pits.  Telephone:  907-283-5637 Web:   Kenai Joe’s.

The Upper Deck

Beautiful view. Friendly staff. Quiet atmosphere. Smoke free. If hungry, the restaurant downstairs delivers amazing burgers, upstairs, so you can enjoy the view, beverage and dinner.  Telephone:  907-283-2277  Web:   The Upper Deck.

Main Street Tap & Grill

Your Entertainment & Sports Headquarters on The Kenai! Dancing, Awesome Music, Drink Specials $5 Fireball, $6 Jack Daniels, $20 buckets of Corona, Great Food, The Party is Always Down On Main Street!  There is always something going on at Main Street Tap & Grill.  Telephone:  907-395-0394  Web:   Main Street Tap & Grill.

Kenai Area Hotels