Cruise Port Essentials: Exploring Skagway

White Pass and Yukon Railroad

• Best time to visit: The peak tourist season in Skagway is from May to September. This is when the weather is better, and more attractions are open. May and September are usually less crowded but tend to have rainier weather. June and July have the most ideal weather as well as longer daylight hours. July and August are the best months for wildlife viewing, especially for salmon and bears.

• Weather: Be prepared for rainy conditions. Bring a light waterproof jacket and wear sturdy, comfortable shoes. Layers are always a good idea, and it can’t hurt to put a hat and gloves into your travel bag. From spring to early fall, temperatures can range anywhere from 50–70 degrees. If you go to White Pass, BC, you can expect to see some snow and cooler temperatures.

• Transportation: If you take a cruise-sponsored excursion, transportation will be provided. The historic town is within walkable distance, but there are also bus and shuttle services available. The town is bike-friendly and there are bike rentals available. They include regular bikes, mountain bikes, tandem bikes, and electric bikes. Car and van rentals are available, as well as a streetcar tour that I highly recommend. Ferries are also available, and the Haines—Skagway fast ferry is a quick 45-mins trip to Haines with stunning views along the way. The most famous mode of transportation in Skagway is the Yukon Route Railway to White Pass. It’s a great way to see breathtaking scenery and possibly a few bears.

• Local cuisine: Skagway offers a variety of delicious Alaskan dishes and is known for its fresh seafood, including King Crab legs, salmon, and halibut. Here are a few recommendations:

  • Olivia’s Bistro: Locally sourced dishes that highlight Alaskan staples. Shrimp, crab, halibut, and salmon are wild-caught, and the salmon is smoked in the garden. The wild game is from the interior of Alaska.

  • Skagway Fish Company: Known for its King Crab legs, salmon, fish and chips, and halibut—all with a spectacular view. It has a family-friendly atmosphere, features outdoor seating, and it’s located right by the cruise docks.

  • Salty Siren: “A genuine Alaskan experience on Skagway’s waterfront.” They are known for The Deck Boss—which is a large, delicious fish dish and their salmon sandwiches. The views are beautiful, and they serve a local hand-crafted ale from their sister business Skagway Brewing Company.

  • Woadie’s South East Seafood: Enjoy a delicious array of seafood, but you can’t miss the salmon poke bowl or halibut sandwich. They serve locally crafted beer from Klondike Brewing Company, and they offer excellent hospitality as well.

  • Skagway Pizza Parlor: A great little pizza parlor with delicious handmade pizzas. It’s great for a quick bite after exploring the town.

  • Bombay Curry: For something a little different from seafood, try Bombay Curry. A small Indian restaurant known for its delicious butter chicken.

  • Klondike Doughboy: If you’ve never had a doughboy, you must stop and try one. If you have, you already know to stop there. The dough is homemade, fried, and dipped in sugar and cinnamon as you wait. It’s fresh and delicious. If you are thinking of sharing one with someone, buy two. You’ll thank me later.

Skagway Fish Company

• Skagway has some great pubs and breweries where you can try out some delicious locally crafted ales and beers. Here are a few popular spots:

  • Red Onion Saloon: No trip to Skagway is complete without a trip to the Red Onion Saloon. It’s a well-known landmark, built in 1897. It was one of Skagway’s original bordellos in the Gold Rush era. Now you can enjoy a Gold Rush Margarita, a Red-Light Bloody Mary, or one of a large selection of Alaskan brewed beers here. You can find great pizza, sandwiches, nachos, and soups and salads. The wait staff dresses in period costumes and there is a fun vibe with live music. Upstairs you will find the Brothel Museum with tours led by “madams.”

  • Skagway Brewing Company: This brewpub was established in 1897 during the Klondike Gold Rush. It’s one of the largest breweries in Alaska, and it’s known for a family-friendly atmosphere. The brews include microbrews, pale ales, IPA's, porters, etc, but you have to try the Spruce Tip Blonde Ale. It’s brewed with local spruce tips and it’s unique to this area. You’ll find some delicious Alaskan fare here as well, with an emphasis on plant to plate. There is a large Gameroom and a 1,500 sq-ft outdoor beer garden.

  • Klondike Brewing Company: This Brewing Company is a smaller pub like experience than what you would find at Skagway Brewing Company. It does not have a full kitchen, but you’’ll find 20 signature draft beers, Skagway root beer, and fun beer flights. They also offer a 30-minute tour that gives you a behind-the-scenes look at their brewing process.

  • Happy Endings Saloon: Happy Endings is a true saloon with a full-service bar, beers on tap, wines, and cocktails. Many of the cocktails are infused with local spruce tips, so make sure you try a spruce tip vodka mule. There are limited food options available, but there are nearby food trucks. You’ll find a cornhole arena, as well as pool tables. Sports and a live bear cam on TV, a patio, and a stage for live performances.

• Shopping: Skagway has a wide variety of shops, including clothing, souvenirs, galleries, jewelry, and local arts and crafts stores. Here are some great shops to check out:

  • Skagway Outlet Store: Alaskan themed t-shirts, jewelry, souvenirs, and it’s the home of the free train whistle.

  • Wild Yukon Furs, Inc. Locally made unique fur items and luxury keepsakes. They offer everything from fur jewelry, to hats, to sage bundles.

  • Glacier Bay Trading Company: This store has a wide range of souvenirs and gifts. It has a large selection of clothing, gift items such as shot glasses, mugs, key chains, knickknacks, etc, locally crafted gifts, and outdoor gear.

  • Buckshot & Bobby Pins: A unique store featuring clothing (Western and retro), Alaskan-made art and jewelry, Alaskan goods like smoked salmon and caribou, and unique souvenirs like Glacier Mud,

  • The Train Shoppe: This store has everything White Pass and Yukon Route related. The White Pass railroad was built in 1898, is still operational, and it’s a fan excursion favorite. The store has train themed clothing, memorabilia, souvenirs, and snacks.

Bear sighting

• Wildlife: Skagway has a wide array of wildlife. Its location between the mountains and the sea makes it a wildlife lover’s dream location. Early morning and dusk are prime times for wildlife viewing here. Some wildlife you might encounter include:

  • Bald Eagles: These beautiful birds are easily spotted in and around Skagway. You may see them perched in trees, or flying majestically overhead.

  • Trumpeter swans, blue herons, ducks, geese, and terns: You will frequently see these birds during the spring and summer.

  • Black bears: These bears are frequently spotted in the spring along the roads to the Yukon. We saw them on the train ride to White Pass and in the Takhinsha Mountains near Haines on an ATV tour. Also keep a look out at any creeks and streams that you might pass on your travels. They love to fish for salmon.

  • Grizzly bears: These bears are not commonly seen, but you might see some in Dyea during salmon runs in July–September.

  • Humpback whales and orca: Whales feed in the bay, and they are especially plentiful in May during the Hooligan Fish Run.

  • Harbor seals: These cute seals love to hang out near the docks. You can often see them from the ship when you dock.

  • Sea otters and porpoises: Keep your eyes open for these marine animals as well. You never know when they will pop up in the bay.

  • Mountain goats: These amazing goats are often found on steep mountains, cliffs, and ridges in the area.

  • Moose: You probably won’t see a moose in Skagway, but if you cross the border into the Yukon Territory during an excursion, they are much more common there.

Shopping in Skagway

• Things to do in Skagway: Skagway offers a variety of exciting excursions that allow you to explore its beautiful scenery, experience its gold rush history, follow the Yukon route, or take a picturesque ferry to adventures in Haines. Here are some top recommendations: (Not all cruises will have all of these available. If you take an independent excursion, know that your ship may not wait for you to return if you are delayed for some reason. Make sure to check your specific cruise for details)

  • Ride the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad: This is an all-time favorite excursion in Skagway, and for good reason. It’s a historic narrow-gauge railroad that travels from Skagway to the White Pass Summit in Canada. It was built during the Yukon Gold Rush in 1898, and it’s known as the “Scenic Railway of the world” due to its stunning views and engineering feats. You’ll enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, alpine meadows, and gorges, while riding in restored vintage railcars. It offers large viewing window, open platforms along with narrated tours which highlight the history and the scenery of the area. We’ve had good luck with bear sightings on this excursion.

  • Skagway City, and Days of 98 show: Skagway is a colorful city with scenic views. It played a key role in the Klondike Gold Rush of 1897 through 1898. Broadway Ave is a seven-block area made up of restored Gold Rush-era buildings, wooden sidewalks, and locals in period clothing. In 1923, The Skagway Streetcar City tour was started. It’s a 90 minute tour that takes you to all the points of interest. The Days of 98 show brings Skagway history to life. The musical celebrates the gold rush days, and a con man named Soapy Smith, who played a large role in Skagway’s history.

  • Klondike Summit, Suspension Bridge, and Salmon Bake: You’ll travel along the Klondike Highway, which parallels the route used by prospectors during the 1898 Klondike Gold Rush. You will pass beautiful mountain scenery, waterfalls, and possibly see some native wildlife. You’ll continue upward to the breathtaking White Pass summit, where you will be treated to views of magnificent mountain peaks and alpine terrain. Next, you will travel to the Yukon Suspension Bridge. The swaying bridge is 57 feet above the Rapids of the Tuchi River, with amazing views from the main platform. Then enjoy a delicious salmon bake at the Lionsville Gold Rush Trail Camp, which is a themed camp that recreates a city from the Gold Rush days. The salmon is outstanding, but they also serve chicken for any non-fish eaters.

  • Bear and Eagle Quest: This tour is offered late August through September when the salmon are spawning. You will travel to Haines by ferry, where a naturalist will take you to a sheltered area in the Chilkoot River valley, a favorite fishing spot for brown bears. From your bus, you may see eagles, ravens, gull, and ducks as well. Bear sightings are not guaranteed. On your way back to the ferry, you will drive through downtown Haines and historic Fort Seward before heading back to Skagway.

Skagway Klondike rock climbing

• For those looking for a little more adventure:

  • Mushers Camp and Sled Dog Experience: You’ll take a scenic drive to Dyea and go to Klondike National Historical Park. At the mushers camp, you will take a sled ride pulled by a team of beautiful Alaskan Huskies. You’ll learn about sled dogs that have competed in races like the Iditarod and Yukon Quest, and you will get to spend time with adorable Huskey puppies. After the puppy play, you’ll go on a 4 X 4 Unimog drive to a dramatic lookout point over the tidal flats.

  • Ziplining: In Skagway, there are two different canopy adventures zip lining tours. Grizzly Falls Zip Lining Expedition and Skagway Adventure Park and Zip Line Tour. Grizzly Falls is located in Dyea, where you then ride up a rugged mountain road in an Unimog. This brings you to 10 to 11 zip lines that soar through rainforests, across suspension bridges, and over glacial waterfalls with spectacular views. The Adventure Park is located up the Klondike Highway. Once there, it’s a short hike with a walk uphill through a scenic forest that brings you to the base camp. From there, you soar through the treetops on five different ziplines. This is a very good tour for families—it’s a challenge but also has lots of instruction. Both are great excursions for anyone looking for some adventure and beautiful scenery.

  • Klondike rock climbing and repelling: You’ll head to the granite walls of the White Pass to choose from multiple climbing routes. All abilities are welcome. Your guide will pick a climbing route based on your experience and desire for a challenge. My husband and kids absolutely loved this excursion. They were apprehensive at first, and they all gained a love for climbing by the end of the day. You’ll have amazing views of the Skagway River, the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway, and the surrounding wilderness. You’ll have the opportunity to climb many of the routes and try repelling on the high cliffs. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy some serious climbing or a fun day of climbing with your family.

  • Takshanuk Mountain Trail 4 X 4 and lodge meal. This is one of my all-time favorite excursions. You head to Haines by ferry (which is a spectacular ride in itself) and then head by bus to Takshanuk Mountain. Here you drive a 4-wheel Kawasaki mule through lush forests and the Alaskan wilderness. The views are stunning; the wildlife is ample (we had a bear sighting) and the lunch at the lodge is delicious. You have a scenic drive back by the Lutak inlet, and for those who watch Dr. Oakley, Yukon Vet, we passed her Haines veterinarian office. You then take the ferry for another scenic trip back to Skagway.

  • Hanes Wilderness Odyssey by Jet Boat: This excursion is also located in Haines, where you will take the high-speed ferry, with spectacular views to reach the port. Once you arrive in Haines, you’ll take a bus ride along the Haines Scenic Byway to the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. At the preserve, you will board a jet boat to cruise miles of scenic channels of the Chilkat River. Bears, eagles, and moose are often seen along the riverbank, although none are guaranteed. You will be visiting parts of the preserve that are only accessible by water, with scenery that’s impossible to access other ways. This excursion offers spectacular photo opportunities. A box lunch is included and after an adventurous day in the wilderness, you will have a scenic bus ride back to the port and another stunning ferry ride through Fjords back to Skagway.

Takshanuk Mountain Trail by 4X4

As you can see, Skagway has something to offer for everyone. This is just a sampling of the many activities and adventures that it has to offer. You can have a wonderful day just strolling through the city and eating at local restaurants, repelling down cliffs, enjoying magnificent scenery on a train, ziplining, or taking a jet boat or 4X4 through the Alaskan wilderness. Skagway is one of my favorite places because it has so much to offer, the scenery is stunning, there is abundant wildlife, and it’s full of adventure. You can truly have a multitude of once-in-a-lifetime experiences here.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Alaska page.