Skagway, Alaska, is a favorite among cruise passengers. The town of Skagway is a restored mining town, filled with old wooden buildings and lots of history. Cruisers will find plenty to see without taking an organized excursion, though if you have the budget, one excursion stands out. Here are the top things to do in Skagway, Alaska.
Top Things to Do in Skagway Alaska
Walk down Broadway St.
Tour the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
Ride the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway
Tour the Skagway Museum
Learn to Pan for Gold
Hike in Skagway
See the Show
Find the Playground
Take the Shuttle
What’s Great About Skagway
You can DIY a day in Skagway. During my cruises, I did arrange an excursion. However, when that was done, I explored the town with my kids.
There is plenty to do for several hours without an official cruise excursion. Best of all, most activities are walkable from the cruise port.
Top Alaskan Cruises for Families
Walk Down Broadway St.
The main route is Broadway St. and starts at the cruise ship docks. Visitors will find shopping and activities along Broadway.
There’s even a shuttle if you get tired. The SMART shuttle runs every 30 minutes along Broadway St. with stops every other block from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Skagway Museum
Learn about Skagway’s local history at its museum, housed in an 1898 building.
Located at 700 Spring St. Open daily from noon to 4 p.m. during the summer season.
Top Alaskan Cruise Excursions
Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
The Gold Rush swaggered into Alaska and Canada’s Yukon Territory during the 19th century. Back then, the tiny town bustled with lawlessness as it turned into a boomtown.
To learn more about the history of the area, head to the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. First up, watch the interpretive film to learn about the gold rush and how would-be miners climbed the treacherous White Pass Trail.
If your group has school-age kids, head to the Pantheon, a restored saloon and part of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. This building is dedicated to Junior Rangers and earning a free badge. It offers several hands-on stations with iPad prompts for kids to learn how to be a gold prospector on the Alaska and Yukon frontier, along with knowledgeable rangers on-site.
Free admission for everyone. Open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily from May until September. The Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park Visitor Center is located at 291 Broadway in the historic White Pass and Yukon Route building and includes 15 restored buildings across Skagway.
Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park also has a sister location in Seattle, Washington.
Top Scenic Train Rides in US
White Pass and Yukon Route Railway
Skagway is the home of the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway. The narrow-gauge scenic train trip is a stand-out for cruisers, not just families.
After blasting through rock, the first train rolled out of Skagway in 1898 at the height of the Alaska gold rush. The White Pass and Yukon Route Railway climbs 3,000 feet in 20 miles as passengers whisk by pristine mountain scenery. As a bonus, the train depot is a short walk from the cruise ship port.
Located at 201 2nd Ave. Open daily from 7:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the cruise season. Advance tickets are a must, or book through your cruise line.
Gold Panning
There is gold in the hills. That’s what started the Gold Rush in Skagway in the 1890s.
You can learn the time-honored skill of gold panning at several places in Skagway.
Take a Hike in Skagway
You can get out and enjoy a hike while at port in Skagway.
- Yakutania Point Trail-A 3-mile round-trip easy, scenic trail located near the cruise docks.
- Lower Dewey Lake Trail: A 3.6- mile moderate trail that starts just past the railroad tracks.
See The Days of ’98 Show with Soapy Smith
Running since 1923, The Days of ’98 Show is a vaudeville-style show and the longest-running theatrical production in Alaska. t The show is set during the lawless days of the Klondike Gold Rush, and guests will learn about the town’s colorful characters, including can-can dancers.
Shown at the Fraternal Order of Eagles Hall, 6th Avenue and Broadway, during the cruise season, four one-hour shows a day at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., or a longer evening show that begins at 7:15 p.m. with a comedic preshow. Reservations recommended for later-in-the-day shows. Adult tickets start at $31.27 and kids (12 and younger) tickets start at $16.96
Grizzly Falls Zip Line
With a shuttle pick-up close to the cruise ship port, spend an amazing day exploring the rainforest near Skagway. With a series of 10 zip lines, riders even pass over a waterfall.
Located in nearby Dyea. Admission based on age, along with height and weight restrictions.
Guide to Washington National Parks
Mollie Walsh Playground
Skagway is an excellent town to explore on foot with the kids in tow. Find a playground along with a public restroom at 25 6th Avenue.
SMART Shuttle Bus
When cruise ships are in port, a Dock to Downtown bus loop runs every 15 minutes or so from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. An All Day Pass is $5 per person, available from the driver. Cash only.
Note, this article contains affiliate links.
