This Picturesque Town In Alaska Boasts Stunning Mountain Views, Recreation, And Art

Alaska is dotted with little towns that have gorgeous views of snow-covered mountains. Some of them have become hubs for adventure activities, from hiking and skiing to fishing and kayaking. But only one can also claim to have an exciting arts scene. That makes charming Haines one of the 14 must-see places in Alaska for first-time visitors.

The spot on the Chilkat Peninsula was originally the Tlingit people's land. They called the area Deishu, meaning "end of the trail," for its location in between the Chilkat and Chilkoot Inlets. They empty into the Lynn Canal, North America's deepest fjord. Haines was formally established in 1881 following the arrival of Presbyterian missionaries. It grew with a gold rush, a military post, and the fishing industry. The welcoming community is now home to about 1,800 people.

Haines is not an easy place to reach. Though it does have its own airport, it typically requires multiple connections to get there. Haines Airport (HNS) receives nonstop flights from only Juneau and Skagway. Though Juneau International Airport (JNU) is a larger airport, most of its flights connect to other Alaskan cities. Seattle is its only connection in the continental United States. Luckily, you can fly to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) from cities all over the world. You can also arrive on a boat or in a vehicle — both ferries and cruise ships dock in Haines. While the Haines Highway, a 146-mile road, meets the longer Alaska Highway in Haines Junction, a village in Yukon, Canada.

Given its location — deep within a fjord, mostly surrounded by water, beneath a stunning mountain range — it's not surprising that Haines earned the nickname the "Adventure Capital of Alaska." The small town has grown into a mecca for outdoor recreational activities. Chilkat State Park sits at the Chilkat Peninsula's bottom tip. The nearly 10,000-acre state park has seasonal campsites, a boat launch, and three hiking trails. One of them, the almost seven-mile Ayiklutu Trail, has amazing views of the Davidson and Rainbow Glaciers.

The Chilkoot Lake State Recreation Site is at the peninsula's northeast end. The bright blue lake is filled with melted glacier water, which then empties into the Chilkoot River. The lake and river are both great spots to go fishing for red salmon. Be careful, as brown bears, river otters, and seals favor this spot, as well. Then, on the northwest side of the peninsula, you will find the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. The world's largest concentration of American bald eagles is a breathtaking Alaskan paradise. Its 48,000 acres have boardwalks, viewing platforms, and a two-mile riverside trail for you to observe the national emblem of the United States in its natural habitat. You might see more bears, or even a moose, there, too. If you're still feeling adventurous, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve lies even farther west, toward the Gulf of Alaska and is where you can get up close and personal with incredible glaciers.

After seeing the beautiful scenery around Haines, you can return to the center of town to find art, well, everywhere. The Haines Sheldon Museum was built where the original Presbyterian mission once stood. The museum showcases artifacts and memorabilia documenting Haines' history. It also has famous Tlingit carvings and a rotating gallery that displays local artists' work.

Fort William H. Seward, constructed at the turn of the 20th century when Canada and the United States had a boundary dispute, is now a national historic landmark. Its Fort Hospital Building is now the home of Alaska Indian Arts, a studio where artists create silkscreen prints, silver jewelry, and wood carvings. There is also a sculpture garden in the fort. In 1981, a fire ruined the fort's old barracks. More than three decades later, the building's foundation was converted into an ever-evolving, open-air gallery for more local artists.

Other old buildings in Haines are now used to promote the artists in addition to these historic sites. Art on Main Street uses the windows of storefronts, including a grocery store, to display art made by residents. That artwork is on full display during First Friday, a monthly event that includes an evening art walk through the center of Haines. You can meet some of the artists and see their new pieces. Even the Haines Brewing Company, whose owners turned a homebrewery into an expanding business, hosts art shows. Cheers to this unexpected little spot in Alaska.