Skagway, Alaska, is our country’s Last Frontier. It’s a charming place with breathtaking train rides, epic hikes, and fascinating gold rush history. This small, historical town is a favorite stop for Alaskan cruise ships and one of my highly recommended places to go in Alaska. 

Have you been to Skagway, the Last Frontier in Alaska?

Skagway, Alaska, is a small slice of history in the Alaska Panhandle. It’s home to approximately 1,000 residents year-round but welcomes nearly a million visitors each year — mainly from cruise ship travelers. This quaint Alaskan town offers access to breathtaking train rides, epic scenery, and plenty of Klondike Gold Rush history.  One of my most memorable experiences in this very sleepy town of 800 in the wintertime is the annual Buckwheat Ski Classic.  Now, I didn’t partake in the skiing activity, but I cheered on the athletes plus all the crazy shenanigans that go along with this event!

Skagway has a fabled history, from the Indigenous community to gold rush fortune seekers 

Skagway was originally inhabited by the Tlingit people, so the name derives from the Tlingit word “Skagua,” meaning “place where the north wind blows.”  As the story goes, the rough seas in the Taiya inlet were nicknamed Kanagoo, a mythical creature who transformed herself into stone, causing the strong channeled winds in Skagway Bay.  

Tales of fortune seekers, lawlessness, and Soapy Smith, king of the frontier con men, abound in Skagway. Legend has it that Skagway was the perfect place to find a potential goldmine (literally!). One prominent early Skagway resident,  former steamboat captain William “Billy” Moore, believed that gold lay in the Klondike because it was found in similar mountain ranges. Moore also believed Skagway provided the most direct route to the potential goldfield, so he built a log cabin, a sawmill, and a wharf in anticipation of future gold prospectors on their way to find gold in the Klondike.

Historic Alaska railroad continues running in Skagway today 

Once the gold rush ended in 1900, Skagway may have become a ghost town if not for the railroad construction that had just begun. The White Pass and Yukon Railroad was the first major railroad in Alaska, providing freight, fuel, and transportation to Whitehorse and the Yukon. 

In 1988, the railroad was reopened as a summer-only line and is a favorite family-friendly activity in Skagway. The depot is located right in the heart of it all.  Just follow the CHOO CHOO!  If you spend more than a few hours, you will hear it a few times a day 😉

Best things to do in Skagway, Alaska

Here are the top things to do in Skagway.  

Check out glaciers, glacial lakes, and dog sledding

Where better to see glaciers and dog sledding than from above? I love flight-seeing from a helicopter in Alaska! You have to be flexible with flight-seeing due to weather conditions. But it’s totally worth it!   

If you prefer to stay on the ground, you can rent a car or book a private tour to take you on the Klondike highway to visit the beautiful Emerald Lake in the Yukon. 

Book an amazing dog sledding or Yukon tour online.

Skagway activities for outdoor enthusiasts

The Chilkoot Trail is a 33-mile-long recreational trail that extends into Canada. It’s incredibly popular; each summer, over 10,000 people hike this trail. Most hike it as a day hike, but if you are a hardcore hiking enthusiast, you can spend 3 to 5 days backpacking the entire trail.

Keep in mind that you will need a permit to hike the Chilkoot, and you should carry your passport with you if you plan to cross over the border to Canada.

Hike to a waterfall, Reid Falls

Visit the Gold Rush Cemetery and hike up to lower Reid Falls. It’s so close, you can’t NOT see the beautiful waterfall. 

Hike Lower Dewey Lake 

Lower Dewey Lake is the perfect location to be “one with nature,” as this pristine alpine lake offers a tranquil escape for both outdoor and nature lovers.  The lake is nestled in the rugged beauty of the Tongass National Forest, surrounded by spruce and hemlock trees with reflections of the majestic peaks.  It’s an amazing spot for hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing.  

Bike to Dyea with Klondike Bikes

Klondike bikes are electric bikes, and they’re a lot of fun! I loved spending a day e-biking to Dyea. No need to be a pro — the bikes are easy to handle.

Go on a Glacier Point Wilderness Safari 

Awesome tour on the water for an active traveler!

You can book your tours and activities online so you have a full itinerary when you arrive in Skagway.

Must see museums in Skagway

The Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park Visitor Center is a great stop when you arrive! The rangers are very helpful. 

For a fun little adventure, take the Red Onion Quickie Brothel Tour. Built in 1897, the original Red Onion Saloon operated as one of the finest bordellos in Skagway. It’s $10 for 20 minutes, but so worth it! The tour is packed with fun and loads of history about the gold rush days.

Eat and drink at the best restaurants in Skagway

Indulge in local specialties with fresh Alaskan seafood

I found myself returning to Olivia’s Alaskan Bistro: a cozy spot for lunch or dinner located on Broadway in the Skagway Inn. I highly recommend the halibut chowder. 

The Skagway Fish Company is a popular spot for cruise ship visitors, but it’s worth the hype. Check it out if you want to fully experience the local Alaskan seafood.

Grab a coffee or light lunch

Bites on Broadway is a perfect little coffee shop for breakfast, lunch, or dessert.  Say hello to the sweet-as-pie owners Nils & Skipper, who came to Skagway from Mississippi.  

Refuel with a snack or a pint on your walking tour of Skagway

Pop into Yukon Popcorn Emporium to choose from 25 types of popcorn for a snack on your afternoon walk. 

If you’re looking for a relaxing environment to grab a beer, head over to Skagway Brewing Company.

Join the fun at a famous bordello

I mentioned the Red Onion Saloon already. Not only is RO (as the locals call it) a fun stop on your museum tour, but it’s also a great place to eat, drink, and be merry. Gentlemen — you can look, but you can’t touch. 😉  

Shop local in Skagway, Alaska

Skagway has an impressive amount of fine jewelry stores (yes, diamonds and pearls), plus souvenir shops galore!  If you like art, there are a few nice galleries to check out. I have a few favorites I like to browse in. 

Get unique Alaska souvenirs and gifts

If you’re looking for unique finds from local artists, you have to check out Taiya River Arts. I bought a beautiful pair of earrings. 

Also, stop by Lynch-Kennedy for one-of-a-kind gifts to bring home.

Embrace Skagway’s history with a vintage photoshoot

I highly recommend this fun activity — whether you’re solo (like I was) or with a group. Kimberly is so personable and helpful as she gets you dressed in the spirit of the 1890s in Victorian-era costumes. She takes a few photos to edit and email to you, but you can run around town taking photos with your phone as well. She went out of her way to take photos with my phone in and outside her parlor. 

How to get to Skagway — cruise ship, floatplane, boat, or car through Canadian Yukon

Visiting Skagway from a cruise ship is the easiest mode of transportation, but if you aren’t into cruising (no judgment!) there are plenty of other options. 

My favorite mode of transportation is via Floatplane. I loved my short 45-minute ride on a very small plane from Juneau to Skagway via Alaska Seaplanes.  

I also love traveling on the water. Family-owned and operated for many years, Alaska Fjordlines is a scenic way to get from Skagway or Haines back to Juneau.  

If you prefer to travel by car, Skagway is connected to the Yukon Territory, Canada, plus the 48 states via the Klondike Highway. Skagway is 110 miles from Whitehorse or 98 miles from the Alaska Highway via the South Klondike Highway. Don’t forget that you will need a passport if you travel through Canada by car. 

My hotel and accommodation recommendations in Skagway

Skagway is a very small town with few places to stay, and even short-term rentals can be hard to find. 

Here are my two go-to recommendations for hotels in Skagway: 

Located in the heart of downtown Skagway, right off Broadway, is the Westmark Hotel. It is beautifully renovated, but keep in mind there is no air conditioning. Fans are in the rooms to keep you cool on those unseasonably warm days. I stayed here for a few nights; there’s a great coffee bar and the central location is perfect! The Westmark also offers a complimentary shuttle to the airport or ferry.

If you’re a boutique hotel lover, you’ll want to stay at the White House Inn. With only nine rooms, this quaint 1902 property was once a hospital, daycare and now listed on the National Historic Register. Rumor has it, a ghost of a young woman who owned the daycare may pay you a visit on your stay, standing at the foot of the bed talking to her children.  It’s just a rumor though, no paranormal activity has been confirmed.  

Book your perfect stay online today.

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Discover more Alaskan adventures:

• Sitka, the fishing capital of Alaska 
• Exploring Alaska’s capital city, Juneau