Haines, Alaska

Head to Kroschel Films Wildlife Center which offers a unique chance to experience Alaska’s wildlife up close and personal within a controlled environment. The reserve was founded by filmmaker and naturalist Steve Kroschel as a habitat for orphaned and abandoned wild animals rescued throughout the Alaska region. It is located approximately 28 miles from Haines’ city center and showcases more than 600 yards of visitor trails, featuring opportunities to see species such as grizzly bears, wolves, lynxes, reindeer, and porcupines in their natural habitats. Guided tours are offered seasonally between May and September, including private tours for small groups and organizations. A gift shop also showcases handmade goods by Alaskan artisans.

Address: Mile 18 Mosquito Lake Road, Haines, AK 99827, Phone: 907-767-5464

Chilkoot River was named for the indigenous settlement of the same name that was historically located along its banks near the body of water that is now known as Chilkoot Lake. The river spans 20 miles from its source at the Takshanuk Mountains and Freebee Glacier to Lutak Inlet and is noted as one of the Southeast Alaska region’s best spots for bear sightings. It is monitored by the Chilkoot River Corridor Strategic Planning Project, which aims to preserve its rich ecological heritage and historical significance. A camping area is located at the site of the former Chilkoot village, along with a boat launch and picnic shelters. Each Fourth of July, the river serves as the site of Haines’ annual Mad Raft Race.

Address: 122 Second Avenue, Haines AK 99827, Phone: 907-766-6418

Hop aboard Haines-Skagway Fast Ferry, a transit service that traverses Lynn Canal’s Taiya Inlet, North America’s deepest and longest fjord. The passenger-only ferry runs between Haines and Skagway and showcases natural sights such as the Sawmill, Twin, and Long Falls waterfalls. Humpback whales, seals, and bald eagles are also visible seasonally. Trips last approximately 45 minutes, cutting the travel distance between the cities significantly as compared to driving distance. Naturalist guides are available on the journey to answer questions about the region’s natural history and wildlife, and complimentary beverages are available for passengers to enjoy. Visitors may bring bikes, kayaks, rafts, and pets aboard the ferry for an additional fee. Reservations are recommended to guarantee departure time and date availability. Private charters are also available for small groups and organizations with advance reservations.

Address: 39 Beach Rd, Haines, AK 99827, Phone: 907-766-2100

Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve is an Alaskan state park and wildlife refuge that was designated in 1982 to protect the region’s bald eagle population, which is the largest known concentration of the species in the world. The park spans an area of more than 49,000 acres throughout the Haines region, centered around the Chilkat, Klehini, and Tsirku Rivers. It also protects natural salmon runs for five species of Alaskan salmon along the three rivers, preserving them for traditional uses and maintaining the region’s natural ecosystems. Up to 3,000 eagles can be sighted seasonally in the area between October and February, with prime eagle-watching sites available at river flats alongside the Haines Highway between mile markers 18 and 24.

Address: Haines Highway, Haines, AK 99827, Phone: 907-766-2292

The Hammer Museum is the world’s first museum dedicated to the preservation and display of historically significant hammers. The museum was opened in 2002 and showcases a collection today of more than 7,000 notable hammers from around the world, dating back as far as ancient Egyptian times. Collections are rotated throughout the year to create a fresh visitor experience, with up to 2,000 items on display at any given time. Hammers on display include tools used in manufacturing, construction, and production, along with specialty hammers used for purposes such as dentistry and musical instrument playing. Award-winning hammers from throwing competitions are also displayed. Kids 12 and under enter free.

Address: 108 Main St, Haines, AK 99827, Phone: 907-766-2374

Port Chilkoot Distillery is an award-winning Haines distillery that produces small-batch artisanal spirits crafted to match the character of the final American frontier. All liquors use locally-sourced pure lake water, organic grains, and fresh herbs for flavor infusion to produce uniquely Alaskan spirits, including gin, vodka, bourbon, and absinthe variants. Notable liquors include the distillery’s Boatwright Bourbon, Icy Strait Vodka, Green Siren Absinthe, and nationally-renowned 50 Fathoms Gin, which received gold medals from the American Craft Spirits Awards and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The distillery’s tasting room, which is open to the public Mondays through Saturdays, offers flights and signature cocktails.

Address: 34 Blacksmith St, Haines, AK 99827, Phone: 907-766-3434

The American Bald Eagle Foundation Museum was the vision of Haines residents Dave Olerud and Hans Fluehler, who created the organization in 1982 to protect local populations of bald eagles and preserve their natural habitats. In 1994, the museum was opened to the public as a natural history facility offering visitors an up-close look at Southeast Alaska’s wildlife. Dioramas and exhibits detail the lives and habitats of land, sea, and air animals throughout the region, and a raptor center allows visitors to interact with the museum’s 12 resident avian ambassadors. Natural history talks are offered at the museum on a regular basis, and special events are hosted periodically, including museum celebrations related to the annual Alaska Bald Eagle Festival in November.

Address: 113 Haines Hwy, Haines, AK 99827, Phone: 907-766-3094

Spend a rainy day at Haines Borough Public Library. This is Haines’ only public library facility, originally opened in 1928 by the Haines Women’s Club at a location at the Alaska Steamship Office. After several location moves, the current library facility was constructed in 2003, designed by architectural firm Minch Ritter Voelkers. The five-star library was the 2005 recipient of Library Journal’s award for the Best Small Library in America. It offers library cards for Haines area residents and visitors, along with free access to public computers and wireless internet service. Regional maps are also available for use and reproduction, including maps of nearby Canadian provinces and marine areas.

Address: 111 3rd Ave, Haines, AK 99827, Phone: 907-766-2545

Sheldon Museum and Cultural Center is a historical museum showcasing the social culture and art of the Haines region from the indigenous era through the present day. The museum was opened to the public in 1980 and is an American Association of Museums-accredited facility, showcasing significant collections of artwork, cultural artifacts, books, photographs, and civic documents related to the history of Haines and the Southeastern Alaska region. Three main galleries are showcased, including the Hakkinen Gallery, which presents rotating history and art exhibits, and a Children’s Gallery that offers immersive educational experiences for young visitors. Semi-permanent exhibits presented at the museum’s Main Gallery have included large installations such as the Chilkat Valley Discovery Exhibit, which featured replicas of common Tlingit indigenous structures. A variety of public educational programming is presented by the museum, including children’s workshops and summer camps.

Address: 11 Main St, Haines, AK 99827, Phone: 907-766-2366

Chilkat River is a 50-mile river that stretches from British Columbia’s Chilkat Glacier to the Lynn Canal near the city of Haines and ultimately flows out into the Pacific Ocean near Juneau. The river drains an area of more than 1,400 square miles and is Southeastern Alaska’s most productive coho spawning region. Chum salmon, wild sockeye, and Chinook are also common in the river, which supports a large annual population of bald eagles. Other common wildlife species in the region include black and brown bears, moose, coyotes, wolves, and a large variety of waterfowl and shorebirds. Though there are no official visitor facilities along the river, bald eagle viewing is popular at spots between mile markers 18 and 22 along the Haines Highway. Visitors are advised to stay on established highway pullouts and to be careful not to disturb fragile populations of eagles or fish.

Address: Second Avenue, Haines AK 99827, Phone: 907-766-6418