Alaska’s first permanent military post is reached by heading uphill (east) at the Front St–Haines Hwy junction. Built in 1903 and decommissioned after WWII, the fort is now a National Historic Landmark, with a handful of restaurants, lodges and art galleries in the original buildings. A walking-tour map of the fort is available at the visitor center, or you can just wander around and read the historical panels that have been erected there.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Alaska Indian Arts Center

0.11 MILES

Indigenous culture can be seen in Fort Seward in the former military-post hospital, home of the Alaska Indian Arts Center. During the week you can watch…

2. American Bald Eagle Foundation

0.29 MILES

This relatively new museum is a little pricey for what's inside, but the fee does go toward a good cause (the museum is currently working on an extension)…

3. Sheldon Museum

0.52 MILES

The Sheldon Museum is known for its collection of indigenous artifacts, including a particularly interesting display on rare Chilkat blankets. The rest of…

4. Hammer Museum

0.55 MILES

This extravagantly esoteric museum is an exercise in how to make hammers look interesting. And – get this – it largely succeeds. Plucked from the…

5. Dalton City

0.69 MILES

Entering Dalton City, Haines' state fairground, you might feel as if you're walking onto a film set: you are. The gold-rush-era houses were constructed to…

7. Jeff Smith's Parlor

16.31 MILES

Soapy Smith’s old den of iniquity has recently been renovated by the National Park Service to keep the rose-tinted legend of the erstwhile conman alive…

8. Arctic Brotherhood Hall

16.34 MILES

The most outlandish building of the seven-block historical corridor along Broadway St, and possibly the most photographed building in Alaska, is this…