Skagway

Originally discovered in 1867, Davidson Glacier is a must-visit natural attraction while in Skagway, Alaska. There are many day cruises lasting around 5 to 6 hours that take you right to the foot of the glacier and back; these tours may include boat rides, raft rides, or canoeing.

You’ll see tons of wildlife along way, such as whales and seals, and will be amazed by the breathtaking beauty of your surroundings. Be sure to bring your camera so that you can take amazing photographs of glaciers, waterfalls, the animals, and of course, the towering Davidson Glacier.

The White Pass and Yukon Route Railway goes along one of the most scenic rail routes in the world. There are many tours to take, with one of the most popular being the Bennett Scenic Journey, which goes from Skagway to Carcross; the tour also includes a picturesque motor coach drive along the Klondike Highway.

This particular escapade is a 120-mile round trip and goes along the same route that the Klondike stampeders went on in 1898. There is a 45-minute layover at Bennett Station, which gives you time to explore the historic gold rush town as well as the White Pass Museum. Many of the rail journeys include a hearty lunch, which is served on board during the trip.

White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad: 231 2nd Avenue, Skagway, AK 99840, Phone: 800-343-7373

Get to know about the area’s history, nature, and people with a visit to Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park . The actual gold rush was between 1897 and 1898 and brought people from all over the world to settle in Yukon and Alaska. The park preserves many of the historical structures, landscapes, trails, artifacts, and stories of its past, which you’ll be able to explore in detail during your visit there.

Additionally, there is an abundant array of flora and fauna that can be found in the park, and you may be able to come across, bears, bats, and various species of birds.

291 Broadway, Skagway, AK 99840, Phone: 206-220-4240

Attractions for Couples

Extremely kid and animal friendly, the Lower Dewey Lake Hiking Trail is a 3-mile loop that visitors and residents love exploring while in Skagway.

It is open all year long and will elevate you to approximately 800 feet as you venture through all the natural scenery and activities that are there. You’ll get amazing views of Twin Dewey Peaks as well as the dense greenery in the Northern Coastal Forest. There are several opportunities to go non-motorized boating, fishing, picnicking, or swimming at the sandy beach spots you’ll come across on the trail. Camping is allowed around the lake, so come prepared with the necessities if you want an overnight adventure.

Ziplining from tree to tree with Alaska Mountain Guides - Adventure Park and Zip Line is hands down one of the most thrilling things to do while in Skagway.

It is fun for the entire family, as kids as young as 6 years old can enjoy it, and it will allow you to see incredible mountain views from the top of the ziplines. The entire experience takes about 3.5 hours and starts with a narrated drive through historic downtown Skagway; it also includes a short nature hike through the wooded terrain before getting to the ropes course and zipline experience. All of the state-of-the-art equipment is completely safe, guaranteeing that you’ll have an amazing time while there.

Skagway, AK 99840, Phone: 800-766-3396

Though the Klondike Gold Rush is an important aspect of Skagway’s history, it’s not the only thing that shaped this town and its people into what you see today. The collection at the Skagway Museum and Archives spans various eras and has artifacts including mammoth tusks, an original Tlingit war canoe, and a roulette wheel and slot machine from the gold rush era.

There are so many fun and interesting things that visitors of all ages will enjoy. Many of the exhibits are hands-on, enabling younger visitors to have fun interacting with wildlife skeletons, whale baleen, and much more.

700 Spring St, Skagway, AK 99840

Recommended Activities for Families

Skagway is renowned for being a friendly community, and many of its residents and visitors opt to walk or cycle to where they need to go. Therefore, it features several trails and sites that you can enjoy, including Yakutania Point - Smuggler’s Cove Trail.

The trail starts at the Skagway River steel footbridge and is popularly used for hiking and mountain biking throughout the year. The entire hike is almost 2.5 miles and the difficulty can vary along different parts of the trail. In addition to seeing some spectacular views of your surroundings, the trail is also very popular for geocaching.

The Captain William Moore Cabin is the first building that was ever constructed in Skagway. The well-preserved cabin, which still stands today, was built almost a decade before the Klondike Gold Rush by Captain Moore and his son Ben.

The restored homestead is a great way for visitors of all ages to see how housing in Skagway was prior to the building of Victorian houses and other structures. The Moore Cabin has been restored over the years based on photographs that were taken by the Moores during their time there. There are many artifacts and decorations within the cabin that reflect its rich past, including beadwork, furs, and native slippers.

Fifth Avenue, Skagway, AK 99840, Phone: 907-983-9200