The port of Skagway is on most Alaska Cruise itineraries, but what is there to do in Skagway? Things to Do in Skagway Alaska range from train tours, wildlife spotting, scenic tours, gold rush history, salmon bakes and more.
Skagway in Alaska is where the gold rush of 1898 started so in that time Skagway was a bustling town with people starting their trip in the hope of finding their fortune. It was the height of the depression so there were a lot of men arriving in Skagway in 1898.
As Skagway has a historic past today you can either go tours that tell you all about that time or go an explore what nature has to offer. Whichever you choose you will have a great time. Skagway is also a nice port to wander around the town, do some shopping and have a spot of lunch.
The cruise terminal is in walking distance to the town, but there are also shuttles that will take you to into the town centre.
Things to Do in Skagway Alaska
Kroschel Wildlife Refuge in Haines
The Kroschel Wildlife Refuge is a short ferry ride to Haines and is a great full day tour. You will see some beautiful Alaskan wild animals that have been rescued and are now looked after at the Kroschel Wildlife Refuge. It is a nice tour as you see the Alaskan scenery on the ferry and on the bus ride and then at the refuge, you can get very close to wild animals and be entertained by the host.
Klondike Summit on White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad
Take the train to the Klondike Summit on White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad. The White Pass railroad takes you on a journey of the original Klondike trail of 1898 of men trying to find their fortune.
Liarsville Trail Camp
The Liarsville Trail Camp is a lot of fun, the camp is a recreation of a tent city from 1898. At the camp enjoy a salmon bake buffet, an entertaining show explaining the gold rush and how to pan for gold.
The Liarsville Trail Camp was the last stop to have a hot bath, have your laundry done, go to a bar and see a madam before the long trail to find gold.
Red Onion Saloon
The Red Onion Saloon is a bar restaurant with a brothel museum upstairs. The Red Onion Saloon was a real brothel upstairs in 1898 – 1900 and it is interesting insight!
These are some of the tours that you can go via the cruise line’s cruise shore excursions or privately through the many tour vendors.
Here is more information about these Skagway tours:
HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR DAY IN SKAGWAY ALASKA
Skagway Street Car City Tour
When I was in Skagway this time I went on the Skagway Street Car City Tour. It is a fun way to see Skagway and learn about the history of this historic town.
The Street Car is a long yellow car from the 1920s with around 20 seats and your driver is in the costume of the clothes of 1898. The guide is very knowledgeable and a very good driver as this car is long!
The tour drives you around Skagway stopping in points of interest of where things happened back in the 1890s and you are told an animated story from the past.
The two main stops were a scenic overlook of Skagway up in the mountain, where you can see all the town and the port. It is a great photo opportunity.
The other main stop was at the Gold Rush Cemetery. This was very strange as there were the headstones of the villains and the local heroes and the graves of the poor men that didn’t get very far on the gold rush. They were all so young.
The tour is 2 hours long and is a great way to find out the local history and be entertained by all the stories of the time.
This tour can also be done with a combination of other tours put together or it is perfect to do this in the morning then enjoy the rest of your day walking around Skagway, stop for lunch and maybe a spot of shopping!
WEATHER in SKAGWAY ALASKA
The weather is Skagway varies from beautiful sunshine to wet and cold! Also when you first get off the ship it is usually quite windy and cold as that little pocket catches the cold wind. Skagway’s average temperatures between May – September are 41*F (5*C) – 65*F (19*C).
WHAT TO WEAR IN SKAGWAY ALASKA
Always be prepared in Skagway and the other ports you stop in Alaska for the weather. Wear layers, bring an umbrella, rain jacket, gloves, scarf, hat, waterproof walking shoes/boots, jeans, tees, sweaters. Forget about summers in the Mediterranean as an Alaska summer is not that type of summer!
You may enjoy reading:
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU BOOK AN ALASKAN CRUISE
TOP 23 PACKING TIPS FOR A COLDER CRUISE
TOP 10 PACKING TIPS FOR AN ALASKAN CRUISE
WHAT YOU MUST SEE IN KETCHIKAN ALASKA
HOW TO GET UP CLOSE TO THE SAWYER GLACIER IN ALASKA
TOUR OF A LIFETIME LANDING ON A GLACIER BY HELICOPTER IN JUNEAU ALASKA
HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR DAY IN SKAGWAY ALASKA
I hope you enjoyed reading Things to Do in Skagway Alaska. Please share on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest so your friends and family can read too. Sharing is caring!
Happy Cruising!
Love Lucy x
Alaska is on my bucket list for w while and your post came at the right time. It’s definitely the time to consider crossing it off my list. I’ll definitely visit Skagway when being there!
Author
I hope you get to cross Alaska off your bucket list very soon!