I Spent a Day in Haines, Alaska Without an Excursion — Here's What I Found

Looking for a peaceful Alaska port where you can wander at your own pace, soak in mountain views, and maybe even spot a harbor seal? Haines turned out to be one of the most memorable stops on my 22-day Alaska cruise aboard the Ruby Princess. 💙 In this video, I take you along for a slow, scenic day exploring Haines as a solo female traveler with no excursion booked — perfect for anyone who loves discovering small towns on foot. 🌄 What You’ll See in This Video: • A gorgeous morning sail-in surrounded by mountains • Walking up to historic Fort Seward • Native art, totem poles, and preserved officers’ homes • A stroll through downtown Haines — shops, cafés, and the quirky Hammer Museum • A visit to the American Bald Eagle Foundation • Eagles, owls, and behind-the-scenes wildlife rehab • A scenic walk to the overlook above the harbor • Why Haines is perfect for slow travel and half-day exploring • A cozy evening back onboard with my now-traditional pre-dinner dirty martini 🍸 Haines may be small, but it offers a beautiful mix of history, nature, and walkability — and with only one cruise ship docked at a time, it never feels crowded. It’s definitely a port I’d happily return to! This video is part of my series covering every port from my 22-day Alaska cruise on the Ruby Princess (June 2025). Next up: Sitka, Alaska! If you're planning an Alaska cruise and want ideas for what to do in port — with or without excursions — I hope this helps you plan a relaxing and memorable day in Haines. 💬 Have you visited Haines? Tell me your favorite spot in the comments! 🛳️ Happy travels! 🎥 Filming Gear Used in This Video iPhone 15 Pro Max — https://amzn.to/48Z7oWs Insta360 X4 (newest model) — https://amzn.to/3WlUgn3 DJI Osmo 3 (latest model) — https://amzn.to/3W3v9Fj Sony FX30 — https://amzn.to/3W4HxVw Affiliate Disclosure Some of the links above are affiliate links. If you use them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my channel and helping me make more travel content!