22 Unforgettable Things To Do In Skagway, Alaska

Hiking is one of the greatest ways to take in all that Skagway has to offer in terms of peaks, waterfalls, and forests. There are a range of activities to suit all interests and ability levels. Start modest by making the short 1.4-mile round-trip trek to Yakutania Point.

Or go on the arduous 33-mile point-to-point journey known as the Chilkoot Trail. Beginning at Dyea, the Chilkoot Trail, a historic trading route that was transformed into a gold rush highway, leads to Lake Bennett, British Columbia, and the Yukon Goldfields.

Many people still use this popular trail for outdoor adventure.

Honestly, the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park is unlike anything else in the world. One of the greatest Skagway attractions to discover the challenges faced by folks in pursuit of gold is this park.

In addition to covering the complete voyage from Seattle to Dawson City, two more locations where you may learn about Klondike history if it is of special interest to you, the park has done a fantastic job of documenting and presenting the history of the late 19th-century Gold Rush.

The life of a typical prospector is the main topic of the Skagway section. More than 20 historic houses and structures that were constructed to reflect the people who lived here in the late 1890s may be found in a well-preserved region.

These two unique Skagway attractions provide visitors with a unique and memorable experience. So it is one of the must-visit places.

Pioneers from the Klondike Gold Rush are interred at this historic location. It will provide you an insight into the experiences and experiences of those who went to the goldfields to try to make their fortune. Because of its historical significance, this is a destination that history buffs should not miss.

Most tourists may easily enjoy the stunning cascade at Reid Falls by walking a short distance beyond the cemetery. Surrounded by thick foliage and the calming sounds of falling water, the area's beauty and tranquility provide a rejuvenating escape into nature.

Hiking to this out-and-back trail is quite a short one as it is a mile and a half, but the elevation rise is around 100 feet. This makes the hike to Yakutania Point an enjoyable and beautiful experience.

Beginning in Skagway's downtown, the walk will take you through the area's natural splendor, which includes breathtaking vistas of the Lynn Canal and mountains. You will be rewarded with expansive views of the lake, mountains, and the charming town of Skagway after you get to Yakutania Point.

Bring water, sunscreen, bug repellent, suitable walking shoes, and enough time to enjoy the event completely. Don't forget to bring your camera to take astonishing pictures.

This bar is not like others. In the past, the Red Onion Saloon, a historic site, was a brothel. Inside the saloon is a museum dedicated to Skagway's tawdry history.

There is a "madam" suite in the two-story wooden structure with a recognizable red onion-shaped dome. In order to add to the distinctive ambiance and wild history, the vibrant crew also arranges theme evenings and dresses in historical costumes.

From a distance, the Arctic Brotherhood Hall appears to be the most spectacular Skagway structure. During the Gold Rush, a fraternal organization used to be based in the famous Arctic Brotherhood Hall.

It holds the record for the greatest collection of driftwood utilized in a structure and is renowned for its distinctive architecture, which includes a facade covered in 8,883 pieces of driftwood. You may explore the hall, take in its striking architecture, and discover the Arctic Brotherhood's past.

You become enmeshed in history as soon as you set foot on Skagway's streets. Visiting the historical Skagway Museum is very important to know more about this beautiful city and its past.

The ancient Tlingit civilization to Klondike Gold Rush and contemporary Alaskan life, artifacts, pictures as well as historical records bring the place's past to present. One of the must-sees here is the museum's granite front, it is stored in Alaska's first stone structure.

The Chilkoot Trail is one of the several museums in Skagway that highlight the community's passion for history. It is the longest outdoor museum in the world at 33 miles.

Located at the beginning of the Chilkoot Trail, Dyea, a boomtown in the past, is today admired for its peaceful appeal. Decades before the competing gold rush town of Skagway was created, the Tlingit people founded Dyea as a summer camp several millennia ago.

In 1874, the Tlingits granted permission for the first non-Alaska Native visitor to enter Dyea by crossing the Chilkoot Pass.

The region is currently renowned for providing exceptional recreational options. Take a self-guided walking tour of Dyea or spend the day exploring with the assistance of an informed local guide.

Days of '98, Alaska's longest-running program, has been delighting viewers since 1923. Soapy Smith, the renowned con artist, is the main attraction of the show.

The Days of '98 Show is one of the most well-liked shore excursions in town and has been a Skagway institution for more than a century for cruise ship, bus, and RV tourists. It's a must-see while visiting Skagway.

You may see one of four shows a day at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, 2:30 pm, or a longer evening show that starts at 7:30 pm with 30 minutes of "gambling" in the fake casino.

Watching a salmon run in Skagway is one of the best ways to observe the natural occurrence of them migrating upstream to spawn.

The salmon run normally happens between June and September, the exact dates might vary but not the months. You can see the salmon swim through the rivers and streams, jumping over barriers along the way.

So, plan your holiday in the summertime if you want to experience the astonishing demonstration of the natural cycle.

As you are aware, Skagway is a historically significant town. Therefore, it makes sense that one of the most sought-after activities in Skagway is getting your own historic portrait shot.

You may get your photo shot in a professional studio while dressed in historical attire, such as a saloon girl or prospector. It's an enjoyable way to travel back in time and get a special memento to commemorate your trip to Skagway.

After a long day of visiting Skagway, nothing beats a cold beer. Like practically every Alaskan community these days, this town has a few craft brewers.

In a historic structure that was once a renowned brothel during the gold rush, you may visit the Skagway Brewing Company. Or stop by the ambitious microbrewery Klondike Brewing, which many locals say is a must-visit if you're interested in craft beer.

Experience Skagway up close by riding your bike across the city and taking in the beautiful surroundings. Don't worry, Klondike Electric Bicycles, which is situated in the center of the city, has you covered if you don't have your bike or you forgot to bring your own bike.

So, it does not matter if you are athletic or not, riding an electronic bike past the city lets you go through the excellent adventure with almost no effort.

The abundance of thrilling outdoor activities is one of Alaska's best features. This is exactly what Skagway's Grizzly Falls Zipline offers, providing views of the wooded region close to Grizzly Falls. Ziplines of various lengths and heights allow you to soar through the forest air and take in expansive vistas.

You will be inspired and energized by this incredible journey. Your take-home rewards from this once-in-a-lifetime adventure will be amazing photographs and thrilling tales.

From 30-foot Voyager Canoes, get a close-up look at the Davidson Glacier. The Glacier Point Wilderness Safari provides a genuine sense of Alaska, which transports you into the Alaskan wilderness. Your journey starts at your cruise ship, where you will board a fast-moving, wildlife-viewing catamaran bound for an Alaskan wonderland.

With a knowledgeable guide, you can explore the waters of North America's deepest fjord, keeping an eye out for porpoises, sea lions, whales, and numerous other marines.

Likewise, after landing at Glacier Point, take a quick trip around the terminal moraines in Safari Buses. You may paddle boats to the glacier's face after hiking a quarter of a mile to the lake teeming with icebergs. This is the perfect family outing you will treasure and remember for a long time.

One of the most beautiful and convenient methods to get between these two seaside communities is via boat from Skagway to Haines. You may take in breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, rivers, and animals along the Lynn Canal while riding the ferry.

There are several chances for photography and animal observation throughout the approximately 45- to 1-hour cruise. Ferries have regular operating hours, and you may acquire information on tickets at a nearby tourist center or by contacting the Alaska Marine Highway System.

The ferry voyage from Skagway is a fantastic way to see the coastal charm of Southeast Alaska, whether you're visiting Haines for its natural beauty, outdoor adventure, or the art scene.

As you travel along the Yukon Route and White Pass's historical landscapes on a White Pass Summit Tour, you will simply be left in admiration of the beautiful sceneries. These are the same roads that the late 19th-century gold rush prospectors took.

Also, travel over the beautiful scenes of waterfalls, trestles, tunnels, gorges, mountains, glaciers, and other historical places here.

As you explore the environment, this is one of the finest chances to learn more about Skagway's past. There is plenty of time in the day for additional things because the trip only lasts around two and a half hours.

The Alaska Highway and the Haines Highway are connected by the 360-mile Golden Circle. It is advised to take your time and stop frequently to stretch your legs while taking in the amazing surroundings, even though you can drive the Golden Circle in a day or two.

To go to Yukon Territory cities like Whitehorse and Carcross, where you'll pick up the Klondike Highway, the journey begins and finishes in Skagway, travels through Haines, and crosses Canadian borders.

Highlights include the lakes, rivers, and trails of Kluane National Park and Reserve, Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park, and the drama of Chilkat Pass and multicolored Emerald Lake. Also, you will go through areas that are peppered with wildflowers, waterfalls, and the sand dunes of one of the tiniest deserts on Earth.

See Alaska from the point of view of the National Geographic photographer while you're in Skagway. Images from Barrett Hedges' trips around Alaska and the western United States are printed in his collection, Nature's Wildest Moments. Visit the slideshow to see these most untamed natural moments as he saw them.

To create a memory of your vacation that will last a lifetime, pick from pictures of bears, moose, bald eagles, whales, landscapes, and much more. Images may be found in calendars, books, canvas prints, metal prints, and traditional prints. All prints are eligible for free delivery inside the United States and reduced shipping elsewhere.

If you are an adventure lover and want to try ocean rafting then make reservations and go through the excitement while visiting Skagway. It is one of the best places for ocean rafting as it is located on the Lynn Canal, which is the longest as well as the deepest fjord in North America.

The professional and knowledgeable guides, who lead ocean rafting trips will also help you with the safety equipment, provide detailed information as well as offer training on the area's wildlife and plants. Passengers may experience the excitement of bouncing over waves and negotiating rapids thanks to the rafts' robust and agile design.

The two-hour exhilarating ride pauses several times to see animals and offers countless photo possibilities.

Without exploring Alaska's sled dog heritage, a trip there wouldn't be complete. Alaskan immigrants relied heavily on sled dogs, who are still popular today and compete in races like the annual Iditarod.

This highly regarded tour takes you from Skagway to a sled dogging camp for a half-day excursion along the Klondike Highway. Take in the gorgeous waterfalls, animals, and forests as you travel the Klondike Highway. with the shadow of mountains covered with glaciers, views of the White Pass Railroad arouse feelings of nostalgia.

It's an excellent method of exercising without putting in a lot of effort. Although e-bikes may be rented in Skagway's downtown, why not go on a guided tour that covers some of the city's top attractions?

After riding through the ancient streets, you will visit the Skagway Museum and hear about the history of the Klondike before going out to pan for gold. Also, it makes stops at Skagway landmarks such as Lower Reid Falls and the Gold Rush Cemetery.