Things to do in Haines
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Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve
In 1982 the state reserved 48,000 acres along the Chilkat, Klehini and Tsirku Rivers to protect the largest known gathering of bald eagles in the world. Each year from October to February, more than 4000 eagles congregate here to feed on spawning salmon. They come because an upwelling of warm water prevents the river from freezing, thus encouraging the late salmon run. It's a remarkable sight - hundreds of birds sitting in the bare trees lining the river, often six or more birds to a branch.
The eagles can be seen from the Haines Hwy, where turnouts allow motorists to park and view the birds. The best view is between Mile 18 and Mile 22, where you'll find telescopes, inte…
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Mt Ripinsky Trail
The trip to the 3563ft summit of Mt Ripinsky (also known as the South Summit) offers a sweeping view of the land from Juneau to Skagway. The route, which includes Peak 3920 and a descent from 7 Mile Saddle to Haines Hwy, is either a strenuous 10-hour journey for experienced hikers or an overnight trip.
To reach the trailhead, follow 2nd Ave north to Lutak Rd (the road to the ferry terminal) and past the fire station. Leave Lutak Rd when it curves right and head up the hill on Young St. Turn right along an old, buried pipeline and follow it for a mile to the start of the trail, just as the pipeline heads downhill to the tank farm.
The North Summit has a benchmark and a high…
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Fort Seward
Fort Seward, reached by heading uphill (east) at the Front St-Haines Hwy junction, was Alaska's first permanent army post. Built in 1903 and decommissioned after WWII, the fort is now a national historical site with an increasing number of restaurants, lodges and art galleries utilizing the original buildings. A walking-tour map of the fort is available at the visitors center, or you can just read the historical panels that have been erected there.
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 Nativ…
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Seduction Point Trail
This trail begins at Chilkat State Park Campground and is a 6½-mile, one-way hike to the point separating Chilkoot and Chilkat Inlets. The trail swings between forest and beaches, and provides excellent views of Davidson Glacier.
If you have the equipment, this trail can be turned into an excellent overnight hike by setting up camp at the cove east of Seduction Point. Carry in water and check the tides before departing, as the final stretch along the beach after David's Cove should be walked at low- or midtide. The entire round-trip takes nine to 10 hours.
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Tsirku Canning Company
If historic salmon canning is your passion, you're in luck. This cannery has the only three-piece can-reform line left in existence. You can watch the antique equipment clank along during the hourlong tour, shaping flat metal into cans and then filling them with salmon. Afterwards you can step into the gift shop and purchase a 'Friends Don't Let Friends Eat Farmed Fish' bumper sticker.
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Bamboo Room
Another longtime Haines survivor with a footnote in history: CBS newsman Charles Kuralt once ate here. The blueberry hotcakes come smothered in whipped cream and syrup, and will kick-start your day with a sugar buzz that will last until noon. For dinner, mingle with locals in the adjoining Pioneer Bar for a beer and then indulge in a plate of steamed Dungeness crabs served whole.
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Great Land Wines
They can't grow grapes in Alaska but that doesn't mean they can't make wine. Maybe Haines isn't quite Napa Valley but you can still stop at this winery's tasting room, and sip and purchase wines made from rhubarb, strawberries, blueberries, fireweed flower or anything else they find growing outside. The most unusual is its onion wine that has a definite hint of, well, onions.
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Extreme Dreams Fine Arts
Out of town, near the entrance of Chilkat State Park, is this gallery packed with the work of 20 local artists, from watercolors and tapestry to handblown glass, cast silver and beautiful beads. The gallery also has a climbing wall because it's the studio of artist John Svenson, a renowned mountain climber who has scaled the highest peak on every continent except Mt Everest.
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Lighthouse Restaurant
Major renovation in 2005 included bay windows to highlight the restaurant's best asset, a table overlooking a bustling boat harbor. The seafood-laden menu has also been upgraded with mains such as buttery, rich ginger sable fish with a coconut-wasabi sauce and blackened sockeye salmon that was netted by the local fleet in Lynn Canal.
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Commander's Room
Located in Hotel Halsingland in Fort Seward is Haines' most upscale restaurant. There's white tablecloths, a fine wine list and a chef who has a herb garden out back. Begin the evening with a drink in its cozy Officer's Club Lounge. Tired of seafood? Try the butternut-squash ravioli served with hazelnut brown butter and sage sauce.
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Alaska Discovery
On a grand scale of adventure is the exciting 9- to 10-day raft trip down the Tatshenshini/Alsek River system, from Yukon Territory to the coast of Glacier Bay. This river trip is unmatched for its scenic mix of rugged mountain ranges and dozens of glaciers. You can book through Alaska Discovery which runs this trip.
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Battery Point Trail
This 2-mile trail is a flat walk along the shore to Kelgaya Point, where you can cut across to a pebble beach and follow it to Battery Point for excellent views of Lynn Canal. The trail begins a mile beyond Portage Cove Recreation Site at the end of Beach Rd. Plan on a two-hour round-trip.
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Alaska Mountain Guides & Climbing School, Inc
This company, situated behind Sockeye Cycle, can get you out into the awesome local wilds for some fine adventure - be it sea kayaking, white-water rafting, alpine hiking, mountaineering, rock and ice climbing, or glacier skiing. Classes and trips are offered for all levels of ability.
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Local Catch
- Haines, USA
- Restaurants › Café
Near Fort Seward is this small shed with a big deck and outdoor tables. Here you'll find your morning latte, as well as interesting Thai, vegetarian and breakfast fare like the popular Big 'O' Burrito, a tortilla overflowing with eggs, potatoes, cheese and homemade salsa.
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Sea Wolf Art Studio
Housed in a log cabin is the gallery of Tresham Gregg, one of Haines' best-known indigenous artists. Gregg combines spiritism, animism and shamanism of Northwest Coast Indians to produce woodcarvings, totem poles, masks, bronze sculpture and talismanic silver jewelry.
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Harbor Bar
Dates back to the turn of the century when it opened in Skagway before being moved to Haines in the early 1900s. Doesn't look like it's been updated since. Still, this place is hopping when the band takes over Wednesday to Sunday and the dancefloor gets crowded.
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Dejon Delights
A shop in Fort Seward that turns out some of the best smoked salmon and halibut in Southeast. If camping at Portage Bay pick up a fillet of just-caught king salmon and grill it on your campfire to the view of mountainous Lynn Canal. That is Alaska.
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Grizzly Greg's Pizzeria
This place is multifaceted; it serves pizza but also offers sandwiches, fried chicken, nachos and ice cream. If you just climbed Mt Riley, try the Grizzly Combo calzone stuffed with eight toppings. Big enough to feed a grizzly.
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Wild Iris
Just one of a growing number of galleries on the edge of Fort Seward. Outside the home is a beautiful Alaskan garden, inside a fine selection of original jewelry, silkscreen prints, cards, pastels and other local art.
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Alaska Indian Arts Center
More indigenous culture can be seen in Fort Seward at this location, in the former post hospital, where indigenous artists carve totems or weave Chilkat blankets.
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Fireweed Restaurant
This bright and laid-back bistro looks like it belongs in California rather than Haines. Vegetarians actually have a choice here (try the veggie baked ziti).
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American Bald Eagle Foundation
The American Bald Eagle Foundation displays more than 100 species of animals, including almost two dozen eagles, in their natural habitat.
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Mountain Flying Service
Offers an hourlong tour of the Glacier Bay's East Arm and an 80-minute tour of the more dramatic West Arm. On a clear day, it's money well spent.
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South of the Border
A small Mexican restaurant that serves decent tamales, chile relleno and, of course, a Nacho Supreme. If only they had a license to serve beer.
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Babbling Book
Stocks a great selection of Alaska books, cards and calendars while its walls serve as the notice board for Haines' cultural scene.
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