Kenai, Alaska, sits where the Kenai River meets Cook Inlet on the western side of the Kenai Peninsula. It is the peninsula’s largest city, about 158 road miles southwest of Anchorage. Dena’ina and Russian history blend with world-class fishing and wildlife. This guide covers the best things to do in Kenai Alaska, from Old Town to the Beluga Whale Lookout. Because most attractions sit within a few miles of Old Town, visitors can see several in a day.
The Kenai Visitors & Cultural Center at 11471 Kenai Spur Highway doubles as a small museum. Exhibits cover Dena’ina and Alaska Native heritage, Kenai’s Russian history, offshore oil drilling, and natural history, and a wildlife room displays mounted eagles and other animals. In addition, the center hands out a free map for a self-guided Old Town walking tour. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, it is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. In winter, hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 907-283-1991 for details.
Holy Assumption of the Virgin Mary Russian Orthodox Church stands on Mission Avenue in Old Town Kenai. The parish dates to 1846, and the present church was built between 1894 and 1896. It is a National Historic Landmark and the oldest Orthodox church on mainland Alaska. Next to it, the 1887 parish house is the oldest standing building in the Cook Inlet region, and the Fort Kenay replica from the 1967 Alaska Centennial stands nearby. Because the church is still an active parish, it is not usually open for tours. However, visitors can walk the grounds, read the signs, and attend services: Saturday vigil at 6 p.m. and Sunday Divine Liturgy at 9 a.m.
The Kenai Bluff Overlook, known as the Beluga Whale Lookout, perches on the edge of the coastal bluff. From there, visitors can scan Cook Inlet for beluga whales and harbor seals that follow spawning salmon up the Kenai River in spring and summer. The overlook also offers views of the Kenai River’s mouth, which is busy with fishing in summer, and of the volcanoes across Cook Inlet. Nearby, Erik Hansen Scout Park at 913 Mission Avenue adds benches, gardens, interpretive displays, and a viewing telescope.
The City of Kenai owns and operates the Kenai City Dock, with four boat launch ramps and a large parking area. It gives boaters access to the Kenai River and Cook Inlet. In addition, the City lists Kenai North Beach, Kenai South Beach, Cunningham Park, and the dock as fishing spots. Because fishing rules, tides, and seasonal closures change, check Alaska Department of Fish and Game regulations before you go.
Kenai Municipal Park offers a large playground, picnic sites, restrooms, a covered shelter, a barbecue pit, and basketball and volleyball courts. The Poetry Trail winds through the park, and the Kenai Lions Club Handicap Trail leads to the bluff overlooking lower Cook Inlet. In winter, the City grooms Kenai’s cross-country ski trails. Kenai’s parks and open spaces cover more than 350 acres in all.
Kenai Golf Course at 1420 Lawton Drive is the only full-service 18-hole course on the Kenai Peninsula. It has a driving range, a pro shop, a café, and power cart rentals. Moose, sandhill cranes, and eagles often wander the edges of the fairways. The course is open seven days a week from May through September, and the first tee time is 8 a.m. Because it stays light late in summer, players can tee off well into the evening. Call 907-283-7500 for tee times.
The Kenai Eagle Disc Golf Course is an 18-hole, wooded course that the City of Kenai maintains. It sits at the end of Tinker Lane, behind the Peninsula Oilers’ ballpark, and it is free and open to the public year-round. Short holes and tight lines through the trees make it a good fit for beginners and families.
The Peninsula Oilers play collegiate summer baseball at Coral Seymour Memorial Park, 103 Tinker Lane. The team, founded in 1974, returned to the Alaska Baseball League for the 2026 season. Players take the field for about 44 league games from June through August. In addition, the ballpark seats about 1,300 fans, and several Oilers alumni have reached the major leagues. Because the 2026 season has ended, plan a visit for June 2027.
These things to do in Kenai Alaska blend history, wildlife, and outdoor fun. Start at the Visitors & Cultural Center and Old Town, then watch for beluga whales from the bluff. After that, play a round of golf or catch an Oilers game in summer. Because hours and seasons change, check each website before you go.