Overview
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.
6 sights · 4 things to do · 3 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Haines
Fort William H. Seward
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 1…
Sheldon Museum & Cultural Center
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 sto…
The Hammer Museum
American Bald Eagle Foundation
The American Bald Eagle Foundation contains a Natural History Museum featuring dioramas and a Live Raptor Center featuring live bird presentations.
Kroschel Wildlife Center
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 wol…
Alaska Bald Eagle Festival
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.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jun–Aug. Summer highs reach about 65°F; winter lows dip to about 19°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Dec and Oct.
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- HNS Haines Airport, Haines — 3 mi away. Directions
- GST Gustavus Airport, Gustavus — 56 mi away. Directions
There are three main ways to get to Haines, which makes Haines more accessible than most other southeast Alaskan communities of its size.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $20–$68 a night (typical $68), from 3 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$60, mid-range ~$140, comfortable ~$230.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Fort William H. Seward, American Bald Eagle Foundation, Mountain Flying Service
- Lunch 33 Mile Roadhouse
- Afternoon The Hammer Museum, Sheldon Museum & Cultural Center
- Dinner Mountain Market
- Evening Haines Brewing Co
Day 2
- Morning Kroschel Wildlife Center
- Lunch Chilkat Restaurant & Bakery
- Afternoon Battery Point Trail
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
During summer there are a variety of restaurants open from sea food, wood fire cooked pizza, to Mexican. But in winter there can be times where no restaurants are open.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
If you loved the TV show Northern Exposure , you'll love the down-home feel of Haines. It's the kind of laid-back place you picture when you think about an Alaskan town. The first thing you'll notice when you arrive is how scenic Haines is.
Haines is blessed with surrounding natural areas and wildlife in what is known as the "Valley of the Eagles." The area is a magnet for bald eagles, drawn by the warm open water and abundant supply of salmon. More than 3,500 of the birds visit from October to February – during that time a dozen eagles may share a single tree limb.
Climate
Get in
There are three main ways to get to Haines, which makes Haines more accessible than most other southeast Alaskan communities of its size.
By car
The only road access to the remainder of the continent is on Highway 3 from Haines Junction, Yukon, located 155 miles away. At Haines Junction, Highway 3 intersects with Yukon Highway 1 (Alaska Highway).
By plane
It is possible to fly into Haines Airport, but the only scheduled commercial flights are from Juneau and Skagway. So you can fly Alaska Airlines to Juneau and then catch a smaller bush carrier or charter a flight into Haines. Haines Airport is on the Haines Highway, about 4 miles west of town.
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. The Lynn Canal route of the ferry system (Juneau-Haines-Skagway) receives a large amount of ferry traffic, especially in the summer. The Haines State Ferry Terminal is about 4 miles north of town.
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. If you are on a cruise that visits Haines, you can rest assured that your ship will be the only ship in port, and there won't be any large crowds to contend with in town.
Get around
Haines is small enough that you can easily walk around the town in an hour or two.
During cruise ship dockings, there is a Shuttle Bus service that runs every 30 minutes. It starts at the Port Chilkoot Dock, and makes a loop to the Sheldon Museum, Visitor Center, Library, Dalton City, Eagle Foundation, Fort Seward Historic District, and then back to the Dock.
There are no taxis in Haines. Occasionally there is one when someone tries to start a taxi business, but they don't survive. You will need a car, a bike, a shuttle service, or make a friend quick.
See
See Fort William H. Seward
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.
See Kroschel Wildlife Center
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.
See Alaska Bald Eagle Festival
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.
Do
Do Mountain Flying Service (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.
Buy
Eat
During summer there are a variety of restaurants open from sea food, wood fire cooked pizza, to Mexican. But in winter there can be times where no restaurants are open.
Eat 33 Mile Roadhouse
Great burgers and food and a great price.
Eat Chilkat Restaurant & Bakery
In the morning, this is a coffee and breakfast place that serves delicious raspberry twist donuts. In the evening, it serves Thai food.
Eat Mountain Market
On Sunday morning, there are people waiting for it to open. Try the avocado florentine wrap.
Drink
Drink Haines Brewing Co
Freshly poured growlers at Haines' own micro brewery. You can take the Shuttle Bus there on cruise docking days.
Sleep
Go next
Take a fast ferry from the Small Boat Harbor or the Port Chilkoot Dock (check the point of departure) to Skagway or Juneau via the Lynn Canal.
- Alaska Fjordlines, +1-800-320-0146
- Chilkat Express, +1-855-766-4001
- Fast Ferry, +1-888-766-2103
Nearby
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