4 Day Itinerary for Haines, Alaska – Bears, Bald Eagles and Beautiful Views

Visiting Haines, Alaska is pretty special, and not just because it’s beautiful, but because so many visitors overlook stopping into Haines in favor of the more famous nearby Skagway. Well, guess what: they’re completely missing out. I love Haines and think it’s the perfect Alaska town. It’s got a simple downtown, awesome fishing opportunities, wildlife like you wouldn’t believe, fun events, and a gorgeous setting. Add to this an active, vibrant indigenous community and it’s just amazing. We’ve put together a four day itinerary for enjoying all that Haines has to offer in the summer.

If you haven’t planned out your Alaska trip yet and have the opportunity to add Haines, do it! Even though our itinerary is for four days, spending two or three days in Haines is great too, you’ll just be wanting to come back for another visit. Read on, and please let us know if you have any questions or need any additional recommendations to explore Haines by leaving a comment or sending us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help you plan a wonderful Alaska trip.

Why Visit Haines, Alaska?

What stands out most to me about visiting Haines, Alaska is how quaint and simple of a town it is, but it’s still a place with its own character and so many things to do that it’s not a place to be bored. Yes, the vibe is very chill and it’s a great place to be able to relax, but Haines is also a gateway to lots of Alaska activities. My kids enjoy Haines because it’s got such easy access to fishing both in salt and fresh water. I love it because the wildlife viewing is everywhere and you just cannot escape the bald eagles. Together, we love Haines for all the outdoor things to do that are perfect for our active family.

Since most Alaska cruise itineraries skip over Haines when they do the Inside Passage, the town has been able to stay very local. There aren’t major cruise operations, there are no cruise-line-owned shops and restaurants; it’s all locally owned and operated. Haines is pure Alaska without corporate infiltration. It’s amazing, and when you visit you’ll feel the difference between Haines and major cruise ports like Ketchikan and Juneau. And don’t get me wrong, I love both of those beautiful cities, but the difference in being a major cruise town and not is drastic.

Need to Know for Visiting Haines

Because Haines is such a small town and it’s not 100% cruise guests, visiting feels much more like when you’re doing a road trip and you’re stopping into a small town, like Talkeetna or Palmer. There are local restaurants and NO fast food. There are a few museums and a few gift shops and galleries, but no Diamonds International or high end wares to get as souvenirs. Really, it’s a regular small town.

Haines is very walkable from one end to the other, and if you don’t have a car, you’ll be fine seeing all of the sights downtown and along the water. There are tours that can take you up into the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve or out to Chilkoot Lake State Recreation Area, but you’ll be okay visiting on foot. If you are planning to visit Glacier Bay National Park or other National Parks while you’re in Haines, think again. There aren’t any tours that visit Glacier Bay or Icy Strait from here, so it’s best to do those from a cruise ship, and you’re not close enough to Wrangell-St Elias National Park’s coastal area, so you can’t check that park off either.

Seeing the Northern Lights in Haines

Like anywhere in Alaska, Haines doesn’t get the Northern Lights during most of the summer. The long daylight hours are just too much for the soft colors of the Aurora Borealis to break through. However, Aurora season starts at the end of August when there’s finally enough darkness to see the Northern Lights. They are usually visible (when happening) from August 20th or so until late April. 

Getting to Haines

Of all the towns in Alaska, and not just Southeast AK, Haines is the coolest to get to. You can arrive via seaplane, ferry, tour boat, or driving. It’s tough to pick which is the best way to get to Haines because each is so different and I love them all!

Seaplane to Haines from Juneau

Leaving from the Float Plane Airport out by the regular airport (JNU), Alaska Seaplanes do passenger service to Haines several times a day, and vice versa. The cost for a one way flight ranges from $189 to $250 per person, and the flight only takes around 40 minutes. It’s a beautiful seaplane flight and the scenery is epic. If you’re pressed for time and have the budget, this is the best way to get to Haines. 

Driving to Haines, Alaska

Driving to Haines is part of a much bigger adventure. This requires passports and planning. Coming from Anchorage, it’s a little over 14 hours of driving to get to Haines. From Seattle to Haines it’s a three day drive at around 32 hours. On both routes you’ll have to drive through part of the Yukon Territory, and if you’re coming from Seattle you’ll drive through British Columbia as well. You’ll need to have a good spare tire, hotels or camping set up for the drive, and a great playlist to get you through the long stretches of highway.

Note: you can also drive to Skagway from Haines. It’s a 7 hour drive from Haines to Skagway (and the reverse is true) and the timing has to be right. The Klondike Highway suffers from rockslides so it’s only open for travel between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm AKST.

Alaska Marine Highway to Haines

Riding the ferry to Haines isn’t as glamorous as arriving via seaplane, but it’s definitely the most cost-effective. The ride is beautiful, departing from Juneau’s Auke Bay, and the sights along the way are what cruise guests are paying big bucks to see from their big fancy ships. But you can do it for way less! The ferry ride lasts between six and seven hours, so you’ll have a meal onboard, and there is plenty of space to walk and relax. You’ll see whales and eagles, and it’s just a relaxing experience. The Alaska Marine Highway between Haines and Juneau is $60 per adult (one way) and $30 for kids (6-11 years old). Seniors 65+ are $45. This is much cheaper than flying or doing the Alaska Fjordline, but it takes a long time.

Alaska Fjordlines Between Haine and Juneau

What I love about taking the Alaska Fjordlines between Haines and Juneau is how it’s both transportation and sightseeing. This small catamaran ferry goes between the two towns, taking three hours to travel and it stops for whale watching, viewing sea lions, and whatever else is happening in the fjords that day. It’s really fun and is a very different experience from doing the Alaska Marine Highway from Juneau to Haines. For a round trip passage on the Alaska Fjordlines, it’s about $330 per person (JNU->HNS->JNU) or you can do it one way for about $175 and then use a different method of travel for the route back.

Where to Stay in Haines

There are a few hotel options right around the downtown area. The only chain hotel is the Aspen Suites Hotel, which is very nice. It’s located just a few blocks from the water and is just as walkable as anywhere else. The Aspen Suites is an Alaska chain, so you’ll also find them in Anchorage, Sitka, Soldotna, Seward and Juneau (the Aviator is an Aspen Hotel). It’s a nice brand and I do recommend them for travel all around Alaska.

There are a few other hotel options for where to stay in Haines, including the Captain’s Choice Motel (it’s actually cute) and the Hotel Halsingland (historic). The Captain’s Choice is more on the hill and the big deck looks out across the water. And then the Hotel Halsingland is a part of Fort William Henry Seward National Landmark district. They’re all great options… and the only options.

4 Day Haines, Alaska Itinerary – Things to Do

It’s time to dig into fun things to do in Haines and how you can plan spending 3-4 days enjoying this beautiful town. You can make this as active or as relaxed of a visit as you like. Haines has a few great state parks, preserve areas, and just amazing views all along its roads. After the daily plans we’ve included tours to do in Haines that can be added to any of your days. There are some great activities that get you out into the wilderness. I know you’ll enjoy our Haines itinerary.

Day 1 – Exploring Haines on Foot

Yes, Haines is a very walkable town, so when you arrive, don’t stress if you don’t have a car. There is plenty to do and see on foot. All of the hotel options are just a few blocks from each other, so wherever you stay you’ll be walking distance to everything. For this first day in Haines, we’re exploring on foot. This is a great way to see the small town itself and also take in some views of the harbor and Lynn Canal.

You’ll be able to see quite a few totem poles as you walk around Haines, and when you get to the waterfront, there’s more. Enjoy watching the fishing boats and the landscape across the fjord. Proceed along the water to your lunch spot on the Port Chilkoot dock. Taste of Deishu is an indigenous owned cafe and they have the best fish and chips in Haines. After lunch, continue your walk toward the woods to the Battery Point Trail. This will lead your through the forest and to the water. Watch for bears and owls in the woods, and then eagles and whales by the water.

When you’re done hiking, head back towards town where you can walk a few blocks up and see what’s happening at Fort William Henry Seward Historic Landmark. There’s an old Chilkat clan house, totem poles, galleries, a distillery and more. This will wind down your day exploring Haines on foot, so find some dinner and enjoy a relaxing evening.

TIP: if you aren’t a big fan of walking, you can rent E-Bikes (2 hr rental here or full day rental here) and cover a lot of ground quickly. This is a great idea especially if you don’t have a car and want to explore more.

Walking Route through Haines

Here’s a suggested walking route to get acquainted with Haines and enjoy the views from downtown and the waterfront.

• Depart your hotel and head down the hill
• Walk along the waterfront from the end of Main Street along Haines Boat Harbor
• Continue on Front Street to Port Chilkoot
• Lunch at Taste of Deishu (indigenous owned)
• Continue on Beach Road to the Battery Point Trail
• Complete the easy hike at Battery Point and return to town
• Stroll the grounds at Fort William Henry Seward
• Visit the galleries, the distillery and Clan House
• Wrap up the day with dinner downtown

Day 2 – Culture and History

Today is a good day to do a tour for part of the day and visit the museums for part of the day. Downtown you’ll be able to visit the Haines Sheldon Museum and the Hammer Museum. I love the Haines Sheldon Museum and think it does the best job of any museum in Alaska when it comes to telling the story of Alaska Native people and their interactions with settlers, colonizers and the Russian Empire. It’s a really good place to learn, and it’s also interesting if you’re visiting with kids.

Another stop to make is the Hammer Museum. I know that sounds strange and it totally is, but it’s also really cool. It’s full of hammers of every sort with stories of different types of hammers and their uses. It’s quirky and again, is a great visit with kids. If you’re visiting during the Southeast Alaska State Fair, you’ll be out at the fairgrounds for all the activities, but if it’s not that time, you can also pop out to the fairgrounds to check out the set from when Disney’s White Fang was filmed in Haines. It’s pretty cool, and is so nostalgic if you grew up watching that movie. Near the fairgrounds is also the American Bald Eagle Foundation, which is a nice visit for learning about the famous bald eagle population of Haines and the Chilkat Valley.

While you’re spending the day learning and seeing the sights, pay attention to the many totem poles around Haines. There are quite a few and they’re very different from the ones you see in Ketchikan at Totem Bight State Park or the Saxman Village. The Chilkat Tlingit totem poles have a different style, sometimes different colors, and they’re just a very visibly unique part of the local culture. If you have a car and the timing is right, drive up the Haines Highway to the Jilkaat Kwaan Heritage Center to see and learn more about the Chilkat people. You can also save this drive for the next day’s plan.

Today’s Plan for Haines Downtown Sightseeing

To plot out your day, confirm the operating hours of the Haines Sheldon and Hammer Museums, as well as the American Bald Eagle Foundation and Jilkaat Kwaan Heritage Center. Plan your order of visiting based on any tours you have booked and when each place is open. The two museums can happen back to back, and then the Fairgrounds and Bald Eagle Foundation are near one another, so they can line up for a visit.

If you didn’t rent bikes the first day, this is a good day to do it since you’ll be covering a bit more ground. Don’t plan on riding all the way to the Jilkaat Kwaan Heritage Center because that’s a drive, but anywhere around town today is good for a bike ride.

Today’s sightseeing includes:

• Haines Sheldon Museum
• Hammer Museum
• American Bald Eagle Foundation
• Southeast Alaska State Fairgrounds (White Fang)
• Jilkaat Kwaan Heritage Center (drive)

Day 3 – Driving Sightseeing and Hikes

I think this is the most fun day of our Haines itinerary because you get to really be out in nature. Hopefully you’ve done a tour or two in your first few days, but if you haven’t, don’t worry because today you’ll get to see the best of the town. Start with a drive out to Chilkat State Park for some hiking and walking along the beach. This is a quiet state park because it’s so spread out and Haines doesn’t get a lot of visitors in general, so enjoy the beautiful views and fresh air.

Next up, drive up the Haines Highway towards the Canadian border. Along the way there are gorgeous views and places to pull off the road and watch for wildlife along the Chilkat River. Stop at the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve wayside and walk the boardwalk reading the exhibits along the way. Watch for bald eagles, bears and moose along this walk! Continue up the Haines Highway to different viewpoints along the road, stopping at the Jilkaat Kwaan Heritage Center if you haven’t visited yet, and make your way to Mosquito Lake. This is a good spot for a quiet picnic lunch. You’ll eventually make it to the Canadian border, but don’t cross it if you don’t have your passports! Have dinner at the Thirty-Three Mile Roadhouse and make your way back to Haines.

Assuming you still have another two hours of daylight at least, head over to Chilkoot Lake State Recreation Site and look for bears along the Chilkoot River and the tidelands at the mouth. There is a fish weir on the river that attracts bears like it’s nobody’s business, so it’s a great opportunity for easy bear viewing.

Haines Driving Day Itinerary

Before you hit the road, be sure you have a full tank of gas. There aren’t any other gas stations along your drive today, so be well prepared. Also, you should plan to bring snacks, drinks and a picnic lunch for your Haines Highway adventure. Here are the places to visit on today’s drive:

• Chilkat State Park
• Mile 10 Haines Highway – known salmon stream, good bear spot
• Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve wayside
• Mosquito Lake picnic area (sandwiches from Mountain Market)
• Viewpoints on the Haines Highway
• Canadian Border / Welcome to Alaska sign
• Thirty-three Mile Roadhouse for dinner
• Chilkoot Lake State Park for bear viewing

BONUS Day 4 – Day Trip to Skagway

Yes! You can add a day trip up to Skagway when you come to Haines. It’s a 45 minute boat ride up the Lynn Canal and you’ll be brought right into the heart of town. Skagway is very different from Haines and it’s much more of a cruise port town than you’ve been experiencing here. Something great about Skagway though is that you have access to quite a few different types of tours here, thanks to the popularity of being a cruise destination.

TOP PICK: do the Yukon White Pass Railroad trip. It’s beautiful and is a quintessential Skagway experience.

Book the Skagway Fast Ferry here! **passage is booked one-way, so don’t forget to book your return trip

Tours in Haines, Alaska

Our Haines itinerary is setup so that you can do a tour of some sort each day. We love guided tours, both on land and on the water, so we’re always happy to set aside some time and budget to be able to go out with a local, especially when they’re a photographer or wildlife expert. Here are our top picks for tours and guided things to do in Haines:

• Scenic Rafting Float in the Bald Eagle Preserve – great for bald eagles and bears; guided by Alaska Mountain Guides/Chilkat Guides Book it here!
• Kayaking on Chilkoot Lake – great for bears, bald eagles and spawning salmon; guided by Alaska Mountain Guides/Chilkat Guides Book it here!
• Guided private Nature and Photography tour – tour around Haines with a local looking for wildlife and photographing landscapes  Book it here!
• Chilkoot Lake Canoeing Lunch – great for wildlife and photography, lunch is included  Book it here!
• Chilkat River Jet Boat – I haven’t done this on the Chilkat, but have on the Susitna River and it’s really fun and beautiful.  Book it here!

You don’t have to do guided tours when you come to Haines, but I think they really add to the experience, especially when it comes to getting on the water.

Dining in Haines

Being a very small town, Haines only has a few restaurants, but there’s something for everyone I would say. If you’re visiting at the end of July and the Southeast Alaska State Fair is happening, be sure to eat something there, like a salmon-kelp burger or frybread tacos! For downtown though, here are the options for where to eat or grab a drink in Haines:

• Bamboo Room
• Lighthouse Cafe
• Deer Heart
• Taste of Deishu
• Chilkat Restaurant & Bakery
• Mountain Market and Cafe
• Thirty-Three Mile Roadhouse
• Haines Brewing Company
• Three Northmen Tasting Room
• Pioneer Bar
• Fogcutter Bar
• Port Chilkoot Distillery