The City of Kenai itself is more of a bedroom community to the popular tourist city of Soldotna just 7 mile away. There is little shopping available, and virtually no major tourist attractions in Kenai. The most prominent tourist facility in Kenai would be that the main airport for the Peninsula is located here. Overall we found residents preferred not to support tourism here as this is a residentual area lacking in the facilities to support a healthy number of visitors. The city of Kenai rates low on our list of places to visit on the Peninsula.

Kenai is also a support town for the oil and gas industries with many small welding shops, industrial plants, and service businesses like Veco and Halliburton scattered around. There are two grocery stores in Kenai, a small box outlet, two auto parts stores, a handful of fast food restaurants, and about a dozen gas stations. There are 7 small motels and a number of bed and breakfasts scattered around the Kenai area.

Curiously enough, there is not one single sporting goods store in the town. I found this strange for a town that advertises itself as a sport fishing destination but then, Soldotna really is the place most of that happens. As we found, Kenai is located at the mouth of the famous Kenai River and due to the glacial nature of the river, this is a muddy area of heavy tidal influence. There can be over 20 feet in rise from low tide to high for a few miles up the river making this a less then desirable area for fishing.

Most of the residents in the area work within the city, borough or state government, in the oil and gas fields, service industry, or are part of the commercial fishing industry. Those working as sportfishing guides on the Kenai River often live outside the state and thus can operate their guide services year round. Kenai also is home to one of the two prisons on the Peninsula. Wildwood is located on the north end of town as you head out towards the town of Nikiski and the main oil and gas refineries.

Read about the Flights to Kenai Alaska via Alaska Airlines that are available from connecting flights in Anchorage Alaska.

If you do plan to come to Kenai for a visit, there are motels ready to acomodate your needs. Kenai AK Motels includes the contact information you need to make your reservations over the phone.

Alaska Website Owners

Welcome to Kenai Alaska and the Kenai Peninsula Information Network. This is a list of activities and events for the City of Kenai AK that we find appropriate for family members of all ages. This list is not all inclusive but just a representation of our opinions as residents of the town for the past 17 years. • Dirt Bikes • Four Wheelin' • Snowmobiles • Video Games • Skateboarding • Hawaii Vacations • Watching The Snow Melt • Road Trips With Friends •.