Port Highlights: Skagway, Alaska — Gateway to the Klondike
Nestled at the northernmost point of the Inside Passage, Skagway serves as a living museum of Alaska’s 1898 Gold Rush era. Framed by steep granite peaks and narrow fjords, this walkable, high-energy port city seamlessly blends rich history, rugged frontier adventures, and local flavors.
Ride the Rails: The White Pass & Yukon Route Railway
No excursion in Skagway compares to riding the historic White Pass & Yukon Route (WP&YR) Railway, built in 1898 during the height of the Klondike Gold Rush. Known as the "Railway Built on Gold," this narrow-gauge railroad is an engineering marvel, climbing nearly 3,000 feet in just 20 miles.
Key Rail Highlights
Vintage Rail Cars: Vintage parlor cars are pulled by diesel locomotives (and select steam trains),
with open platforms ideal for photographing waterfalls, gorges, and snow-capped peaks.
Dramatic Landmarks: The train passes iconic spots including Bridal Veil Falls, Inspiration Point, and the staggering Dead Horse Trail,
where thousands of prospectors hauled heavy gear over the pass.
Border Crossing Note: Many excursions cross into British Columbia and Yukon, Canada. Passengers on these extended train/bus combo routes must carry a valid passport.
Glacier Helicopter Tours & Musher’s Camp Dog Sledding
For an aerial perspective, helicopter flightseeing tours lift off directly from Skagway to soar above the sweeping ice fields of the Meade Glacier or Denver Glacier.
Glacier Touchdown: Many tours include a guided walk on ancient glacier ice, equipped with specialized boots.
Musher’s Camp & Sled Dog Rides: Helicopter flights frequently connect to high-elevation glacier dog sledding camps. Guests meet real Alaskan huskies, learn about iditarod training, and slide across the snow on a dog sled pulled by a team of sled dogs.
Step Back in Time: Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
The town itself is part of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. The Visitor Center, located at 2nd Avenue and Broadway in the historic 1898 White Pass & Yukon Route depot building, offers:
Interactive Exhibits: Displays documenting the grueling "ton of goods" law that Canada enforced on gold seekers climbing the Chilkoot and White Pass trails.
Park Ranger Talks & Films: Ranger-led walking tours through the 6-block historic district and screenings of Gold Fever: Race to the Klondike.
Exploring Historic Downtown: Walkability & Local Venues
One of Skagway’s greatest strengths for cruise passengers is its flat, grid-based, walkable historic core. The boardwalks along Broadway Street host preserved 19th-century wooden buildings, boutiques, and historic eateries.
Must-Visit Stops Downtown
Red Onion Saloon: Operating since 1898 as a saloon and brothel, this venue features live music,
local brews, quick bites, and upstairs tours of the historic brothel museum led by guides in period attire.
Skagway Brewing Co.: Home to the famous Spruce Tip Ale, brewed using hand-picked Sitka spruce tips.
It's a prime spot for local seafood, burgers, and craft beers.
Klondike Doughboy: A local sweet staple known for its massive, piping-hot Alaskan fried dough dusted with cinnamon and sugar.
Notable Highlights People Often Miss
The Mascot Saloon: A free, restored historic saloon preserved by the National Park Service showing what a turn-of-the-century watering hole truly looked like (without active alcohol sales).
Arctic Brotherhood Hall: The most photographed building in Alaska, adorned with over 8,000 pieces of driftwood nailed to its exterior facade in 1899.
Gold Rush Cemetery & Reid Falls: Located just 2 miles north of downtown, this cemetery holds the graves of infamous outlaw Soapy Smith and town hero Frank Reid. A short walk behind the cemetery leads directly to the cascade of Reid Falls.
Jewell Gardens: An organic garden and glassblowing studio where visitors can watch local blowers craft blown glass or blow their own glass ornament.
