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Home Rule Borough in Alaska, United States
Photo: Jwgetchell, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Haines is a small port community (population about 2,000) in Southeastern Alaska on the shores of the Lynn Canal, the state's longest fjord. It is surrounded by glacier-covered mountains of the Coast Range.
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On the original Haines Mission grounds, Fort William H. Seward was Alaska's first US army fort, built during the gold rush era (1902). It is a nationally recognized historic site (declared National Historic Landmark in 1978). The Fort is also referred to as Port Chilkoot, a leftover from the Port Chilkoot Company, which was formed after World War II by a group of investors who purchased the Fort from the Federal Government. An increasing number of restaurants, lodges, and art galleries are utilizing the original buildings; e.g., the Fort's hospital is now the Alaska Indian Arts Center. Within the parade ground is Totem Village. Although not part of the original fort, it includes two tribal houses and totem poles and is the home of the Chilkat Storytellers Theater Show, an hour-long performance of Alaska Native dramatization. A walking-tour map of the Fort is available at the Visitors Bureau, or you can just read the historical panels that have been erected there.
The American Bald Eagle Foundation contains a Natural History Museum featuring dioramas and a Live Raptor Center featuring live bird presentations.
The Sheldon Museum is a cultural and historical center for the Native Tlingit art and culture, Haines history (Mission, Eldred Rock Lighthouse lens, Army, local industries, people), and the work of local artists. Two stories. Gift shop.
Guided tours feature opportunities for up-close experiences and photographic opportunities with over 15 species of Alaskan Wildlife, including grizzly bear, wolf, moose, lynx, fox, reindeer, porcupine, snowy owl, and wolverine. Easy walking on over 600 yards of groomed trail.
Five-day celebration in mid-November of the peak of the gathering of eagles, mostly within the Eagle Council Grounds at 19 mile Haines Highway.
This short trail through the woods parallels shoreline to a pleasant beach, and provides access to Mt. Riley.
Glacier Bay Flightseeing
Mountain Flying Service does charter flights and flightseeing mostly among Skagway, Haines, and Glacier Bay. They do glacier landings in winter, spring, and early summer, and also do remote beach landings in Glacier Bay. It's incredible.
Great burgers and food and a great price.
In the morning, this is a coffee and breakfast place that serves delicious raspberry twist donuts. In the evening, it serves Thai food.
On Sunday morning, there are people waiting for it to open. Try the avocado florentine wrap.
Freshly poured growlers at Haines' own micro brewery. You can take the Shuttle Bus there on cruise docking days.
Four small cabins (sleeps 4 each), one family/group cabin (sleeps 6), and two hostel cabins (sleeps 4 each, can be booked as a group cabin). Communal kitchen and bathroom facilities (the family cabin has a private bath). No lockout or curfew.
They offer transfers from the ferry terminal and the airport. The owner is very helpful with directions, etc. Nice rooms, but watch out for low water pressure. The location is within walking distance from everywhere in town, and they offer car rentals.
Locally-owned full-service supermarket.
By car
The only road access to the remainder of the continent is on Highway 3 from Haines Junction, Yukon, located 155 miles away.
By plane
It is possible to fly into Haines Airport, but the only scheduled commercial flights are from Juneau and Skagway.
By boat
The third, and probably most popular, way to Haines is by boat. The primary mode of inter-Alaskan transportation is by the Alaska Marine Highway.
By cruise ship
Haines is a port-of-call to cruise ships, only about 20 calls per season, mainly from the Holland-America Line. The Port Chilkoot Wharf is where the cruise ship docks.
Haines is small enough that you can easily walk around the town in an hour or two.
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Haines · Regional · HNS
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