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 bus.

Climb aboard and begin your exploration of Haines’ Native culture, fascinating history and magnificent mountain and ocean views. First, you will be treated to a narrated driving tour through historic Fort Seward, the first US military base in Alaska. Then, you’ll stop at the American Bald Eagle Foundation’s Raptor Center—an interpretive wildlife education center—to watch a training session with this beautiful bird that is the symbol of America and learn more of the other native wildlife. You will also be treated to a live presentation with one of the Foundation's resident ambassador raptors, and savor a tasty smoked salmon snack. Next you will drive south of town along the Chilkat Peninsula, where glaciers, towering peaks, rivers and the sea all converge in amazing scenery.

You’ll visit the oldest working cannery in Alaska, owned and operated by the Haines Packing Company. The smokehouse was built in 1917 but it is now a state-of-the-art facility complete with pinbone extractors, blast freezers and vacuum packing machines. After the cannery you will be transported back to the cruise ship pier.

Please note: The cannery may or may not be in operation at the time of your tour depending upon season and salmon catch.

(~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.