Top things to do & see in Skagway

See how local tribes and immigrants lived at the height of the Klondike Gold Rush at the Skagway Museum, a good place to begin exploring the area. The Gold Rush Cemetery and Pioneer Cemetery, both part of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, bring to mind the hardships faced by Skagway residents at the turn of the 20th Century. Stroll near local streams and maybe you'll catch a glimpse of the precious metal that brought 100,000 prospectors to Alaska between 1896 and 1899.

Courtesy of Princess CruisesSkagway, population 920, is located on the Alaska panhandle and has small-town charm.

There are some shorter day hikes in the Skagway area that are quite scenic. Download trail maps and print them out before your cruise, or stop by the Skagway Visitor Center for advice on a trail that is right for you.

The White Pass and Yukon Route railroad has excursions lasting four to eight hours that wind through some of the most dramatic scenery Alaska has to offer. There is limited seating on some trains so book early to avoid disappointment.

Fun facts

• Skagway is known as the “sunshine capital” of Alaska. The town gets only 27 inches of rain a year!
• Skagway was originally spelled Skagua but when the application to have a post office established was submitted, a bureaucrat in Washington D.C. thought it was misspelled and changed it to Skagway.

When you arrive

Docking information

All ships dock at one of the three main docks, located side by side, just a few minutes walk from town.

Getting around

Skagway is small enough to walk around, and taxis are not required or readily available. Bicycles can be rented, and pedicabs pedaled by locals are also available for short trips.

Free wi-fi

• Port of Call, 375 2nd Avenue, Skagway
• Skagway Bazaar Coffee Shop, 6th and Broadway, Skagway

Need to know

Store hours: Stores in Skagway are open about 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Sunday. Some stores may stay open later when cruise ships are in town. Many shops are located on Broadway between 2nd and 7th avenues.

Tipping: A 10% to 15% tip on the restaurant/taxi bill is customary. Sometimes a tip is automatically added to your bill; check your credit card slip before adding additional tip.

Weather & dress: Dress in layers as temperatures can vary throughout the day.

Safety: Skagway is considered a safe and peaceful town. As always, be aware of your surroundings and lock up your valuables.

Your take

How about you? Have you been to Skagway or planning to go? We'd love to hear about your experience.  

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