Best Things To Do In Skagway Alaska

Skagway feels like a town that never quite left the gold rush—and honestly, why would it? With a year-round population around 1,000, this Southeast Alaska hamlet packs more history, scenery, and oddball charm into a few walkable blocks than most cities manage downtown. You can arrive by cruise ship, ferry, or the scenic Klondike Highway, but the moment you step onto Broadway, you’re in a living museum with a sense of humor.

Here’s the good news: you don’t need a rigid itinerary. Skagway rewards slow mornings, spontaneous detours, and saying yes to one more trail or one more story. These are the best things to do, whether you have six hours in port or a long weekend to disappear into the mountains.

Ride the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway

This is the postcard moment of any Skagway trip, and it earns every bit of hype. The narrow-gauge railway climbs from tidewater to nearly 3,000 feet in just 20 miles, hugging cliffs, crossing trestles, and tunneling through the Coast Mountains. Built in 1898 during the Klondike Gold Rush, it’s now an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark—think of it as a roller coaster with a history degree.

Practical tip: book a window seat on the left side going up if you can, and bring layers. The summit can be 20 degrees colder than town, and the fog rolls in like it’s paid rent. The round-trip ride takes about 3.5 hours, or you can do a one-way train and return by bus for different views.

Wander the Historic Downtown

Broadway Street is the heart of Skagway, a National Historic District lined with wooden boardwalks, false-front buildings, and saloons that lean into the 1898 aesthetic. Pop into the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park visitor center for maps, ranger talks, and free museum exhibits. Jack London and Charlie Chaplin both borrowed Skagway’s gold-rush energy for their work.

Visit the Gold Rush Cemetery and Lower Reid Falls

Just outside downtown, the Gold Rush Cemetery is a mossy, atmospheric patch of history where Soapy Smith and hero Frank Reid are buried. It’s a short walk from town, but the real reward is Lower Reid Falls, a 300-foot cascade tucked into the forest behind the cemetery. The trail is easy, the mist is refreshing, and the sound of falling water drowns out any lingering cruise-ship horn.

Fun fact: Frank Reid’s headstone calls him the man who killed Soapy Smith, though the shootout left both men dead. History is messy, but the waterfall is not—it’s just plain lovely.

Skagway road trip 60 photos - Morilly.com

Hike to Yakutania Point or Smuggler’s Cove

If you only have an hour, Yakutania Point is your best bet. The trail starts near the airport, crosses a footbridge, and winds through spruce forest to a rocky outcrop with views of the Lynn Canal. Continue a bit farther to Smuggler’s Cove for a quieter beach and a chance to spot seals or bald eagles.

For something bigger, tackle part of the Chilkoot Trail, the legendary route stampeders took toward the Klondike. You don’t need to thru-hike all 33 miles—even a few miles up the trail gives you a taste of gold-rush grit. Wear sturdy shoes, carry water, and remember: Alaska weather changes its mind faster than a toddler.

Explore Museums and Local Shops

The Skagway Museum is small but mighty, packed with Tlingit artifacts, gold-rush gear, and old photographs. Then browse the local shops for Alaska-made art, ulu knives, and smoked salmon—yes, you can ship it home.

Don’t miss Jewell Gardens, a quirky spot with flower beds, a miniature train, and glassblowing demonstrations. Bonus: the garden café serves a mean rhubarb pie when it’s in season.

Ultimate Guide to Skagway: Top Things to See, Do, and Know Before You Go

Sip, Snack, and Catch a Show

Skagway’s food scene is small but satisfying. Grab a pint at Skagway Brewing Company, where the spruce tip ale tastes like a forest walk in a glass. The Red Onion Saloon offers pub grub and a brothel museum upstairs, because of course it does.

For a classic Skagway experience, see the Days of ’98 Show, a melodrama that’s been running for decades and still gets the crowd booing the villain.

Practical tip: if you’re in town on a cruise day, make restaurant reservations early or eat slightly off-peak.

Know Before You Go

Skagway is walkable, but weather can be wet and windy—the Tlingit name Skagua roughly means “windy place.” Pack a rain jacket, comfortable shoes, and a sense of humor. Cash is handy for small shops, though most places take cards.

A Final Thought

Skagway isn’t just a stop on a map; it’s a reminder that small places can hold big stories. You don’t need to strike gold to feel rich here—just slow down, look up at the mountains, and let the wind mess up your hair. Back home, that’s a pretty good rule too.