Explore The Bonneville Salt Flats Of Utah (PHOTOS)

Although the stunning Takshanuk Mountains have drawn adventurers for decades, this former U.S. Army outpost, bordering 20 million acres of unprotected wilderness, has become popular in recent years among heli-skiers. If you prefer your feet on solid ground, plan a visit in November when the sky is crowded with American bald eagles. An <a href="http://www.baldeagles.org/festival" target="_blank">annual festival</a> draws the world's largest concentration of the majestic birds of prey, which swoop in to feast on the Chilkat River's last run of salmon. Because Haines limits passing cruise ships to one docking per week, it is rarely overrun with (wingless) guests, giving visitors plenty of time and space to get to know the locals. Pop in on <a href="http://www.tresham.com/" target="_blank">Tresham Gregg</a>, a legendary local artist who specializes in puppets—and impromptu puppet shows, at one of his three downtown galleries. Or check out Dave Pahl's quirky <a href="http://www.hammermuseum.org/" target="_blank">Hammer Museum</a>. If local gossip is what you're after, plant yourself on a barstool at the Fogcutter (<em>907-766-2555</em>) on Main Street with a pint of Haines Brewery's Spruce Tip Ale. Cap your day off with an only-in-Alaska sighting on Third Street—impressive hoofprints left by a moose that couldn't be bothered to stay off wet cement as it dried. <em><a href="http://www.haines.ak.us" target="_blank">haines.ak.us</a></em><em>Photo © Tanya Carlson</em>