During the late 19th century, treasure seekers from around the world flocked to Skagway, Alaska, in hopes that they would strike gold. At its peak in 1887, Skagway was Alaska’s largest city, boasting a population of more than 20,000. These days, the town has about 1,000 full-time residents, but there is plenty to do.
Here are our suggestions for the best places to visit in Skagway:
Dyea
It’s always fun to explore ghost towns, and Dyea doesn’t disappoint. In 1898, Dyea was Skagway’s rival city and sat at the foot of the Chilkoot Trail, which at the time was the fastest way to get to the gold sites in the Yukon Territory. After the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad were completed, Skagway reigned supreme and Dyea slipped into history. Today the Dyea townsite is administered by the National Park Service. A volunteer guide will take visitors along a mile loop to explore the ruins. There is also a ranger-led walk that takes place twice a day.
Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park
When news about gold spread beyond Alaska in 1897, thousands of optimistic individuals dropped everything and went north. Today, the park commemorates this exciting time in Alaskan history by protecting the trails that these pioneers carved out and preserving the boomtowns and buildings of the era.
Photo courtesy of the National Park Service/Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park
Upon entering the park, visitors will want to make a stop in the 1898 White Pass & Yukon Route depot. The center features displays of the supplies that every miner carried. Park rangers also lead a 50-minute walking tour of the area on the hour from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Photo courtesy of the National Park Service/Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park
Mascot Saloon Museum
While Skagway may seem like a quaint tourist-friendly town now, it was full of unsavory characters during its heyday. The Mascot doesn’t serve alcohol anymore, but at the turn of the 20th century, it was one of the most popular hotspots in what was “The Roughest Place in the World” at the time. The establishment is now a National Park Service Museum that explores the vices of the gold hunters.
Skagway Museum
The Skagway Museum is small, but one of the best in town. It occupies the first floor of a former college and is devoted to the various aspects of Skagway’s history. Visitors will see exhibits about the native people of Alaska, along with displays about the Klondike Gold Rush.
White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad
Most visitors to Skagway say that the highlight of their trip is a ride along this historic railway. There are two sightseeing tours available. The Yukon Adventure takes passengers on a short portion of the 110-mile route to Whitehorse, Alberta and makes a stop at the historic 1903 Lake Bennett Railroad Depot. The White Pass Summit Excursion is a shorter tour that may be more suitable for families who want to fit in as many activities as possible. The tours are offered on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and you must make advance reservations.
Photo by Jed Thompson
The Alaskan cruise season begins in late May, so now is the time to lock in your reservation. Cruises fill quickly, so you don’t want to wait. The staff at CruiseExperts.com can not only help you plan your itinerary, but also provide suggestions for interesting places to visit when you’re off the ship. We love to travel and want you to have as much fun as possible! We are here to answer any questions you may have about taking a trip of a lifetime. Call us at 1-888-804-CRUISE (2784) or visit our website, www.CruiseExperts.com.
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Featured photo courtesy of Jared Crawford