Have you been to the Last Frontier in Alaska?
Skagway, Alaska, is a small slice of history located in the Alaska Panhandle. It’s home to approximately 1,000 (give or take) residents year-round, but it sees nearly 1 million visitors each year. (many from cruise ships) Skagway offers access to breathtaking train rides, epic scenery, and lots of Klondike Gold Rush history.
Skagway was originally inhabited by the Tlingit people, so the name derives from the Tlingit word “Skagua,” meaning “place where the north wind blows”. As the story goes, the rough seas in the Taiya inlet were nicknamed Kanagoo which is a mythical creature who transformed herself into stone causing the strong channeled winds in Skagway Bay.
One prominent resident of early Skagway was a man named William “Billy” Moore, a former steamboat captain. He believed that gold lay in the Klondike because it had been found in similar mountain ranges. In 1887, he and his son, J. Bernard “Ben” Moore, claimed a 160-acre homestead at the mouth of the Skagway River in Alaska. In addition, Moore believed Skagway provided the most direct route to the potential goldfield, so he built a log cabin, a sawmill, and a wharf in anticipation of future gold prospectors on their way to find GOLD!
Skagway became the first incorporated City in Alaska in 1900, population of 3100. Tales of fortune seekers, lawlessness, and Soapy Smith are legendary in Skagway. Once the gold rush ended in 1900, Skagway may have become a ghost town if not for the railroad construction that began in 1898. The White Pass & Yukon Railroad was the first major railroad in Alaska, providing freight, fuel, and transportation to Whitehorse & the Yukon. In 1988, the railroad was re-opened as a summer-only line and is the top activity when visiting Skagway.
Transportation to Skagway
Cruises are the easiest mode of transportation, but if you aren’t into cruising (no judgment) there are a few other options. Personally, my favorite mode of transportation is via Floatplane. I loved my short 45-minute ride (on a very small plane) from Juneau to Skagway on Alaska Seaplanes. My other favorite mode is on the water. Family-owned and operated for many years, Alaska Fjordlines is a scenic way to get from Skagway or Haines back to Juneau. Skagway is connected to the Yukon Territory, Canada, plus the 48 states via the paved Klondike Highway. Skagway is 110 miles from Whitehorse or 98 miles from the Alaska Highway, via the South Klondike Highway. Keep in mind you will need a passport if you travel through Canada by car.
Accommodations
Keep in mind Skagway is a very small town with very few places to stay if you are visiting overnight. Even short-term rentals are hard to find. Here are 2 I recommend if staying overnight.
Located in the heart of downtown, right off Broadway is the Westmark Hotels which has been beautifully renovated, but keep in mind there is no air conditioning. Fans are in the rooms to keep you cool on those unseasonably warm days. Complimentary shuttle to the airport or ferry. I stayed here for a few nights, great coffee bar and centrally located to all the action!
At the White House– Only 9 rooms this quaint 1902 Inn is listed on the National Historic Register, so keep this in mind when booking.
Shopping in Skagway
There are loads of jewelry (yes, diamonds and pearls), plus souvenir shops galore! If you like art, there are a few nice galleries to check out. I have a few favorites to pop in & look around.
Taiya River Arts– love this little shop with unique finds from local artists. Bought a beautiful pair of earrings.
Lynch-Kennedy– one-of-a-kind items if you are looking for a gift.
Instant Vintage Photos– Highly recommend this fun activity solo (like I did) or with a group! Kimberly is so personable and helpful as she gets you dressed in the spirit of the 1890s in Victorian-era costumes. She takes a few of her own photos to edit and email to you, but you can run around town taking photos with your smartphone! Kimberly went out of her way to take photos with my smartphone in and outside of her parlor! Take a look at a few of my favs!
Places to Eat, Drink and Be Merry
Red Onion Saloon– Eats, drinks, and gals! Yes, the RO (as the locals call it) is a MUST-SEE when in Skagway. Built in 1897, the original Red Onion Saloon operated as one of the finest bordellos in Skagway. Take the $10 quickie tour too! So much fun and loads of history about the gold rush days! Gentlemen- You can look, but you can’t touch. 😉
Bites on Broadway– Nice coffee shop for breakfast/lunch or dessert! Say hello to the sweet-as-pie owner’s Nils & Skipper, who came to Skagway from Mississippi.
Olivia’s Alaskan Bistro– Nice cozy spot for lunch or dinner is located on Broadway in the Skagway Inn. The halibut chowder was delish!
Skagway Brewing Company -great place to grab a beer!
Skagway Fish Company– popular spot for the cruise ship visitors, but the Alaska seafood is worth a visit!
Yukon Popcorn Emporium– pop in for a snack on your afternoon walk. 25 types of popcorn to choose from!
Activities
Here are the TOP activities I recommend while visiting Skagway.
Ride the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway– Depot is located right in the heart of it all. Just follow the CHOO CHOO! If you spend more than a few hours, you will hear it a few times a day 😉
Hike Lower Dewey Lake Hiking in Skagway
Bike to Dyea with Klondike Bikes– Yes, an Electric bike… Loved my day E-biking to Dyea. So much fun and the bikes are easy to handle. Say hello to Nicole & George!
Gold Rush Cemetery + hike up to lower Reid Falls- so close you can’t NOT see the beautiful waterfall.
Visit Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park Visitor Center – Great stop when you arrive! The rangers are very helpful.
Take flight on a Helicopter – glacier landing or dog sledding – I really love flightseeing in Alaska! I jumped on a helicopter flight after flights had been canceled due to the weather. You have to be flexible with flightseeing due to weather conditions. Most helicopters land on a glacier, take you on a quick tour on the ice and flight back to basecamp. It’s totally WORTH it!
Travel Klondike highway up to Emerald Lake – My suggestion is renting a vehicle, or book a private tour to see this beautiful Emerald Lake in the Yukon.
The Quickie Brothel Tour $10 for 20 minutes, but so worth it! Located in the Red Onion
Glacier Point Wilderness Safari – Awesome tour on the water for an active traveler!
Hike the Chilkoot Trail The Chilkoot Trail is a 33-mile-long recreational trail that most hike as a day hike. Each summer over 10,000 people hike this trail to some degree. If you are a hardcore hiking enthusiast, it can take 3-5 days backpacking the entire trail. You will need a permit to hike any or all. $62 for US/Canada hike (must carry passport) or $27 for the US portion of the hike.
Here’s a few more great resources on Skagway.