Haines sits near the top of the Inside Passage: a small, unhurried town on the Chilkat Peninsula, ringed by mountains and glaciers and surrounded by some of the best wildlife country in Southeast Alaska. It's home to the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, where thousands of eagles gather every fall, and it's just a short fast-ferry ride from Skagway.
Haines is the quiet alternative to its busier neighbors - fewer crowds, more eagles, and a historic Army post you can walk around in an hour.
Get in TouchA 48,000-acre state preserve along the Chilkat River that draws the world's largest gathering of bald eagles - often more than 3,000 birds - from October through January. Summer visitors still see plenty of resident eagles.
Alaska's first permanent Army post, built in the early 1900s. The white officers' homes around the old parade ground are now a National Historic Landmark filled with galleries, inns and a craft distillery.
A natural history museum and live raptor center in town, with eagles, owls and falcons up close - a good stop on a rainy day.
One of Alaska's quirkiest museums: more than 2,000 hammers, from ancient tools to blacksmiths' specialties. You can't miss the giant hammer out front.
Haines is all about wildlife and wide-open scenery. Most excursions head into the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, out onto Lynn Canal, or up into the mountains and glaciers around town.
A quiet raft float down the Chilkat River through the Bald Eagle Preserve, with mountains on every side and eagles overhead.
A motorized river boat takes you deep into the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, where eagles, moose and bears are often spotted along the banks.
Get up close to eagles, falcons and other birds of prey at the American Bald Eagle Foundation, with a scenic drive through town and Fort Seward.
Paddle a big voyageur canoe across calm Chilkoot Lake with a naturalist, exploring quiet coves and salmon-spawning streams.
A wilderness expedition to the Davidson Glacier through fjords, rainforest and summer wildflowers, with towering mountains all around.
Cruise the northern Inside Passage looking for humpbacks and sea lions, past hanging glaciers and the historic Eldred Rock Lighthouse.
Drive the Haines Highway through the Eagle Preserve and up into the alpine tundra at Haines Summit, across the Canadian border. Bring your passport.
Ride a 4x4 up Takshanuk Mountain for waterfalls and views over Lynn Canal and Chilkoot Lake, then warm up by the fire with lunch.
A behind-the-scenes tour and tasting at an award-winning craft distillery in the historic Fort Seward district.
Excursions shown are as offered on Princess Cruises sailings. Other cruise lines calling at Haines run similar tours, but names, durations and availability vary by line, ship and sailing date - ask us what's on your itinerary.
A few Haines spots worth knowing about. Many are seasonal, so hours can be limited outside summer.
A downtown diner and bar that's been a local institution for decades - hearty fish and chips, chowder and big breakfasts.
Pizza, salads and local seafood in one of the old Fort Seward buildings, with outdoor seating looking out toward the water.
A newer restaurant (opened 2025) from chef Travis Kukull, serving locally sourced, fine-dining-caliber food in a relaxed setting. Reservations are a good idea.
A small local brewery best known for its Spruce Tip Ale - a very Alaskan way to end a day in port.
“Wonderful cruise. Andrew made everything easy. Alaska is definitely a beautiful state and should be on everyone's agenda. Andrew will guide you.”
Loves to Cruise, Cedar Grove, NJ · Alaska Cruise
