While every Alaskan town has its own unique quirks, the town of Haines is especially diverse. From a museum dedicated to hammers to a bald eagle preserve, this town is a gem where you’ll definitely want to spend an entire day.

Haines is a picturesque town of about 1,700 residents. You’ll find it in the panhandle, near Glacier Bay National Park.

Andrei Taranchenko/flickr

Haines probably has the most unique museum in the state - the Hammer Museum.

Sean Hoyer/flickr

This quirky museum claims to be the “World’s first museum dedicated to preserving the history of the hammer.”

Eric G./Tripadvisor The museum houses 2,000 hammers, and has some fascinating information about the history of this ancient tool that exists in pretty much every household. It’s located at 108 Main Street.

The Kroschel Wildlife Center is located about 28 miles north of Haines, and it’s well worth the side trip.

mgrunza/Tripadvisor

LovesCruisesToo/Tripadvisor See more than 15 species at the Kroschel Wildlife Center, where you’ll get up close and personal with everything from foxes to bears.

Take a drive through the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve.

RishaLinda/Tripadvisor

ichyya/Tripadvisor This 48,000-acre preserve is not only beautiful, it’s also home to tons of bald eagles, as well as other wildlife including mountain goats, moose and bears.

To see bald eagles closeup, visit the American Bald Eagle Foundation

American Bald Eagle Foundation/Facebook It’s located at 113 Haines Highway.

Stop by the Sheldon Museum and Cultural Center.

psychprofessor/Tripadvisor

psychprofessor/Tripadvisor This museum is chock-full of artifacts, displays and information about local culture and history. You’ll find the museum at 11 Main Street.

When you’re feeling thirsty, head to Port Chilkoot Distillery.

management/Tripadvisor

Sandy W/Tripadvisor This lovely little distillery focuses on small batches of vodka, gin, whiskey and bourbon. 34 Blacksmith Street.

Before you head home, grab dinner at the Fireweed Restaurant.

654GregP654/Tripadvisor

Linda H./Tripadvisor Everything on the menu is delicious, but the pizza is a favorite here. It’s located at the Blacksmith Road Historic Building 37.

What’s your favorite thing to do in Haines?

Andrei Taranchenko/flickr

Sean Hoyer/flickr

Eric G./Tripadvisor

The museum houses 2,000 hammers, and has some fascinating information about the history of this ancient tool that exists in pretty much every household. It’s located at 108 Main Street.

mgrunza/Tripadvisor

LovesCruisesToo/Tripadvisor

See more than 15 species at the Kroschel Wildlife Center, where you’ll get up close and personal with everything from foxes to bears.

RishaLinda/Tripadvisor

ichyya/Tripadvisor

This 48,000-acre preserve is not only beautiful, it’s also home to tons of bald eagles, as well as other wildlife including mountain goats, moose and bears.

American Bald Eagle Foundation/Facebook

It’s located at 113 Haines Highway.

psychprofessor/Tripadvisor

This museum is chock-full of artifacts, displays and information about local culture and history. You’ll find the museum at 11 Main Street.

management/Tripadvisor

Sandy W/Tripadvisor

This lovely little distillery focuses on small batches of vodka, gin, whiskey and bourbon. 34 Blacksmith Street.

654GregP654/Tripadvisor

Linda H./Tripadvisor

Everything on the menu is delicious, but the pizza is a favorite here. It’s located at the Blacksmith Road Historic Building 37.

Ready to explore more of Alaska? Take one of these eight majestic hikes to see some of our state’s most beautiful natural scenery.

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