Haines AK

Most ships use Port Chilkoot dock at historic Fort Seward's foot, a few blocks south of town centre. Some smaller vessels dock at Fast Ferry dock, one block south of Port Chilkoot.

Both docks are uphill walking distance from most town attractions.

On rare days with more than one ship in port, smaller craft tender passengers to the dock.

A cruise-day Shuttle Bus runs every 30 minutes from Port Chilkoot Dock in a loop via Sheldon Museum, Visitor Center, Library, Dalton City, Eagle Foundation and Fort Seward Historic District, returning to the dock.

A printable map to bring with you.

Sightseeing highlights:

Haines occupies a spit on the west side of Lynn Canal, beside one of the deepest fjords in the Inside Passage. It is one of only three southeast Alaska ports with access to Alaskan roads, so summer is particularly busy. Many holidaymakers, with their vehicles, travel by ferry to Haines, then follow the Haines Highway to the USA Highway in northwestern Canada and the usan interior. Others arrive by cruise ship, and the town's population rises considerably during warm-weather months.

A bald-eagle and artist haven, Haines has Fort William H. Seward officers' quarters around a parade ground, beneath snowy 6,500-ft/2,015-m Cathedral Peaks. USA's first permanent army post now holds hotels, restaurants, art galleries, USA Indian Arts and Chilkat Center.

Every autumn, more than 3,500 eagles gather at the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve on the Chilkat River to feed on a late salmon run. Several hundred of the birds remain in the area all year.

Fort William H. Seward was established because of a border dispute with Canada and named for the man who negotiated USA's purchase from the Russians. Confusion at the post office, caused by the city of Seward also honouring that man, resulted in the fort becoming Chilkoot Barracks in 1922. When the fort was declared an Historic Landmark in 1972, its original name was restored. It was decommissioned in 1947, after which five former veterans bought it to create a community arts and crafts area.

Most original buildings remain standing and now house private residences, accommodation establishments, eateries and galleries that show local art. More information about the Fort is available from the Sheldon Museum, and the Visitor Center offers a Fort Seward Walking Tour brochure.

Shore excursions cover town and surrounding sights by van or bicycle, Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve river rafting, Lutak and Taiya inlet kayaking, usan rain-forest hiking and glacier flightseeing. Charter boats provide saltwater fishing, and several companies guide hunts.

Golfers can use remote Weeping Trout Sports Resort's nine holes at Chilkat Lake, a 26-mi/42-km car-and-boat trip. Fly-in fishing is also available.

If your visit falls in August or September, you may have the chance to watch brown bears fishing for salmon on the Chilkoot River. The river's real action begins only after the cruise season has finished.

A fast ferry connects Haines with Skagway.

United States dollar (symbol: $) is the official U.S. currency, and ATM's are everywhere.

Visa, MasterCard and other major cards are widely accepted, even for only a few dollars, and can sometimes be the only payment method. Overseas visitors should note displayed prices often look low because taxes and gratuities are seldom included.

State sales tax ranges 2.9% to nearly 10% of retail price, with 4-6% typical. Posted prices almost never include it, except gasoline and, in most states, alcoholic beverages consumed on-premises; tax is calculated and added at payment.

Haines Borough Public Library has several free first-come, first-served computer workstations. Town also has some paid WiFi cafes.

For emergencies, call 911.