Haines Highlights

Explore the fascinating city of Haines with some intriguing visits to the area’s best attractions. Your knowledgeable guide will meet you at the dock and escort you to the motor coach. Climb aboard and begin your exploration of Haines’ local culture, fascinating history and magnificent mountain and ocean views. Along the way we will stop for a delicious beachside snack of locally caught and smoked salmon.

First, a narrated driving tour takes you through historic Fort William H. Seward, a National Historic Landmark and one of the first military outposts in Alaska. Its picturesque parade grounds and historic buildings offer a unique insight to life in Haines during the early 1900’s.

After a brief photo stop, we will re-board the motor coach for a short drive to The American Bald Eagle Foundation’s Raptor Center, an interpretive wildlife education facility. This interpretive wildlife education center offers a wealth of Alaskan natural history displays and information. Expert handlers and naturalists have been training with these beautiful birds for many years and are eager to share their knowledge and experience with you. Extremely knowledgeable naturalists and bird handlers are there on site to educate you about these avian ambassadors and the numerous interpretive displays throughout the facility.

Next, we will drive north of town along the Lutak inlet, where glaciers, towering peaks, rivers, and the sea all converge in amazing scenery. At the north end of the Lutak Inlet we will venture into The Chilkoot River Corridor, which is home to a large population of bears and other wildlife due to the large Sockeye salmon run that goes up the Chilkoot River and into Chilkoot Lake. As you drive along the river side, you will go by the fish weir and witness Alaska Fish and Game counting each salmon that runs up stream. Your guide will explain why and how they use this fish weir to count all the salmon heading upstream and you will get to see the current season count. After passing by the fish weir, you will stop at Chilkoot lake for a photo opportunity and restroom stop. From here a relaxing drive back to town will take you to our private beachside location for a snack of smoked salmon cream cheese, crackers, cookies, and hot beverages. Following the snack, the motor coach will return you to your ship.

(~10 minutes) - Your friendly guides will meet you near the Port Chilkoot Cruise Ship Dock in Haines. Before departing you’ll be able to ask any questions that you might still have about your upcoming excursion and use the restrooms before you embark on your sightseeing adventure up the Haines Scenic Byway.
(~20 minutes) - From our meeting place we will take a driving tour through the Historic Fort Seward on our way south along the Chilkat peninsula to the Haines Packing Company in Letnikof Cove.
(~45 minutes) - At the cannery you’ll be guided through the fish processing facility and explore oldest fish processing cannery in Alaska. You will also have time to explore the nets and the traps on the loading dock or to view some of the local catch if in season.
(~20 minutes) - We’ll depart from the cannery back along the scenic Chilkat peninsula towards Haines and the American Bald Eagle Foundation.
(~105 minutes) - Upon arrival at the American Bald Eagle Foundation you’ll be greeted by the expert bird handlers. You will be guided through the facility that has been training and caring for raptors for over 20 years. During your time at the foundation you will experience a live training session with America’s national bird the Bald Eagle and a live presentation of one of the many other raptors who call the facility home. There are also numerous interpretive displays at this wildlife education center. You will also enjoy a delicious smoked salmon snack here at the foundation.
(~10 minutes) - Once our time at the American Bald Eagle Foundation wraps up we’ll re-board our bus for a short trip back. Our adventure will wrap up at our meeting point near the dock which is a short walk from downtown and nearby shops and restaurants.

Where will I meet my guide?
Our guide will meet you 15 minutes prior to the tour start time to make sure all necessary paperwork is completed. You will meet your guide on the Southeast corner of the main cruise ship dock in Portage Cove. CLICK HERE to see a map pointing to this location.
Who are my guides?
One of our professional naturalist guides will host the tour and narrate the drive from the port in Haines to the village of Klukwan. Once in Klukwan, local villagers with expert personal knowledge of their native culture will share their history and traditions with you.
Is there a bathroom?
Yes - restrooms are available on the dock prior to departing for your tour and on-site at the cannery and American Bald Eagle Foundation.
Do you cancel due to weather?
Our tours embrace Southeast Alaska’s unpredictable weather. Our tours run rain or shine. If in a rare instance weather does cause us to cancel the tour you will be refunded in full and provided with assistance with finding an alternative activity for the day.
What if I have a food allergy?
Just let us know when you are making your reservation. We have alternative snack options available to accommodate most dietary restrictions with advanced notice at no additional charge.