A Complete Port Day Guide to Haines, Alaska

Taking a cruise through Southeast Alaska is one of the best ways to explore multiple towns in one trip, towns that are typically otherwise inaccessible via the road system. Although you can drive to Haines (after a crossover through Canada), if you're visiting via cruise then you'll have a very limited time to explore Haines, and you'll want to make the most of your one port day in town. From getting around town, to the best things to do and places to eat, I've listed my personal favorites below so you can have the absolute best port day in Haines.

​My Essential Alaska Travel Resources :
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For flights, I recommend using Hopper to compare the cheapest dates to travel to Alaska.

Car rentals, arguably the best way to see Alaska, are best through Discover Cars!

I always use Expedia's easy-to-use platform to compare the best rates.
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For fun things to do, I recommend Viator or Get Your Guide to find the best tours in the area.

Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use for travel insurance.

Lastly, my Alaska packing list for your travels to the Last Frontier.

Porting in Haines & Getting Around

When you arrive in Haines, your cruise ship will dock at the Port Chilkoot Cruise Ship Dock near Fort Seward. From here the walk to Main Street Haines is about half a mile, or about a 15 minute walk. If you want to stay in the direct port area, you can enjoy the views of the Chilkoot Inlet, visit the local Port Chilkoot Distillery, and explore the historic Fort Seward.

For those of you wanting to explore more of town, they also usually have shuttles available for cruise guests. If you've already booked an excursion, then transportation will more than likely be included with your tour, and for those really wanting to get out to explore Haines can rent their own cars for the day from Captain's Choice Motel or from the local Avis. However, I only recommend renting a car if you have a long port day as they can be a bit expensive to rent.

My Favorite Tours Near Haines :
- Chilkoot Lake Kayaking
- Half Day Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve Float

Complete Port Day in Haines Guide

Places to Eat in Haines
Haines has lots of local places to eat, and if you're visiting on a cruise in the summer, then they'll all be open for you. If you're looking for something lighter (or just to grab a coffee on the go) then Rusty Compass Coffee is right on Main Street and has great coffee and sandwiches. If they're too busy, then Mountain Market also has a good selection of coffees and paninis.

If you're looking for something a little more filling, I highly recommend the Bamboo Room for their Halibut Fish & Chips or Alpenglow Pizza for their tasty wood fired pizzas. Other restaurants we've heard good things about are the Harbor Bar and the Lighthouse Restaurant.

Best Things to Do in Town
​If you're wanting to just explore town, then there's plenty of things to do right in Haines! I recommend doing some souvenir shopping at Ampersand on Main Street to support local artists (they're my favorite store in Haines), visiting the Hammer Museum for the must unique experience (and to see all kinds of hammers you never knew existed), visiting the Sheldon Museum to learn about local history and culture, and visiting the American Bald Eagle Foundation and Raptor Center to see some bald eagles up close. Of course, you can also just walk Main Street, the harbor, and Fort Seward.

Port Day Excursions (Things to Do Out of Town)
​In addition to all the things to do in town, there's plenty of things to do out of town if you're up for a port day adventure! Typically, booking direct with the local company will be cheaper, but if you book with the cruise then they'll be responsible incase your tour is delayed and can't get back to the ship in time.

If you decide to add an excursion to your port day, one of the best things I can recommend is heading to the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, which is about 20 miles outside of town. You can either visit on a wildlife viewing tour or on a float tour - which is what I recommend! When I visited, a majority of the eagles (plus a brown bear) were closer to the river than the road, so if you're able to book a float trip and want to see the eagles up close, then I think this is your best bet! 

Another great excursion option is visiting the Chilkoot Lake State Recreation Area. When I visited in November it was completely empty, although I've heard in the summers it can get completely packed. This is also a great opportunity to see bears up close and try your hand at salmon fishing (as long as you have your Alaska State Fishing License). The views here are truly stunning, and there's a few hikes you can do to explore the area, just make sure to carry bear spray and stay bear aware.

My third choice for a port day excursion would be to go sea kayaking in the inlet! Whales frequent this area in the summer and typically waters are fairly calm, so it's a great way to get out on the water and explore a new side of Haines. I've also heard you can take an excursion to the nearby city of Skagway, however if you only have one day in Haines - then I would encourage you to explore Haines. :)

Watch my Haines Adventures here!

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Other Alaska blog posts you might be interested in : 
-> Port Day in Juneau
-> Best Things to Do in Sitka
-> Best Things to Do in Ketchikan

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