We are currently in Valdez and planning the next part of our trip. We are specifically interested in whether or not to go to Haines..has anyone been there? is it worth it? we loved homer, seward and valdez. is haines like these other port cities?
any information would be helpful...
thanks.
Dominic & Sue Ambrosino
Fulltimers Travelin' the U.S.A. "All who wander are Not Lost"
2005 Beaver Patriot Thunder 42',Cat 525
Although I haven't been to Seward, Valdez or Homer, I have been to Haines, as a port call on a small-ship cruise. It's a nice little town, mostly an artist colony, built around an early-20th-century Army fort, since decommissioned. I think it's probably very different from those other 3 ports, and is a long drive from anywhere (though if you do go & stay there, you could take daytrips on a fast ferry to Skagway). In the fall, eagles congregate in large numbers along the river outside of town, and there are tours to go see them.
IMO, the best part of Haines can only be appreciated from approaching the harbor - namely, on that ferry returning from Skagway. The mountain backdrop to the little town is one of the most spectacular views I have ever seen.
I have been in Homer, Valdez, Seward, and Haines. All four this year. I would rate them in the same order as I listed them. I loved Homer, thought Valdez and Seward were about the same, and thought Haines was OK. We weren't there when all of the eagles congragate. If you want things like gift shops and a lot of restaurants, that wouldn't be Haines. I think if that is what you are looking for, go to Skagway. I have never been in Skagway. Like Haines, Skagway is at the end of a fairly long road. The road from Haines to Haines Junction is a pretty drive.
Robert
'07 F-350 PSD, SB, SRW, 4X4
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We were in all of the towns mentioned last year. We liked them all, but all were different. The best part is the drive down from Haines Junction to Haines, the ferry ride to Skagway and then the drive bsck up to the Alaska Highway. The scenery is fantastic! Haines is a quiet, laid back little town with lots of history and great scenery. Skagway is a bustling cruise ship stop with every other store on the main drag a jewelry store with tee shirt shops in between. Again, it has a lot of history. Be sure to go to the visitors center in both towns or you may miss a lot to see and do. Just don't miss the drive!
Hayes
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Small world. We too are in Valdez now and going to Haines. We had planned on leaving the fifth wheel in Haines Junction and doing the drive in the truck. We were in Haines Junction in early July and because of time constraints were only able to do half of the drive to Haines. The scenery is spectacular so we are going back for 3 nights this time. If you get this before you leave Valdez stop by for a chat. We are at Sea Otter park site 91/121. Whatever you decide to do may you have a safe and enjoyable trip.
Brenda
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Not Lost, I'm assuming you are winding up your Alaska adventure and driving toward home, not taking the Marine Highway. If so, you must go to Haines. It's only 3 hours or so from the Junction and totally worth the drive for the scenery. Breath-taking. There are good places to camp in town. Haines is a charming little town and much to do and see, including a water taxi to Juneau. You'll be too close to Haines not to go there. Add Stewart-Hyder to your travel on the way back, too.
We just spent a week there and have also hit all the others mentioned. Haines basically doesn't offer a lot of tourist stuff, but does offer several other options to sight see. Main street has a small market and several stores for the standard t-shirt/hats/etc and some interesting art shops. Good restaurants are a little scarce (we ate at the bakery/cafe on 4th or 5th ave (can't remember the name) and enjoyed the food. Fort Seward is right there beside the town and there are miles of roads going in either direction of the coast line. Going north towards the ferry you can do some salmon fishing and see the bears. We had only scheduled two days there at the Hitch-Up rv park (great people there), but the motorhome developed a small problem and spent an extra three days there getting it fixed. We had to reschedule the ferry boarding but they were very nice and did it without the normal penalty.
Haines is a much more laid back town (less tourists) and doesn't have any fast food or chain restaurants. The road from Haines Junction is a really nice road with lots of things to see.
However, if you aren't planning on taking the ferry south, I'm not sure that I would go to Haines and then have to turn around and drive all the way back to Haines Junction.
Hope this helps
Ron
Ron & Sandie
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I would certainly recommend taking the ferry over to Skagway if you are driving to Haines. It is a one hour ride that takes about 3 hours or so due to the loading time. Both drives are worth it and this gives you the marine highway ride also.
I also recommend going to Haines and taking the ferry to Skagway.
Haines HitchUp is a very nice place. Get reservations for Pullen Creek in Skagway.
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