The 10 BEST things to do in Skagway, Alaska – 2019

If you’re visiting Alaska in 2019, you’re going to have a great time. Skagway is surrounded by unrivaled beauty and filled with some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet. Many tourists are surprised by how much there is to do in Skagway. The small town boasts the largest tour infrastructure in Southeast Alaska, which means you can find the perfect tour or activity for your entire family. Join us as we list the 10 BEST things to do in Skagway, Alaska in 2019.

Yeah. That’s a hungry whale. This photo was taken at Yakutania Point.

Tours, saloons, and hiking trails – Oh my!

The first three items on our top 10 list are all located on 2^nd Avenue and Broadway, so you won’t have to walk far to discover them all.

#1 – The White Pass & Yukon Route – This is the famous narrow gauge train that was built during the Klondike Gold Rush. You can choose from multiple different Skagway train tours depending on how far you want to travel and how long you want to spend on tour. The YP&YR train is the most popular land-based tour in all of Alaska, so it earns its spot on the top 10 BEST things to do in Skagway list.

The train is definitely one of Skagway’s top 10 BEST things to do

#2 – Jeff. Smiths Parlor Museum – This Gold Rush building was recently restored by the Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park and converted into a terrific museum. The museum may be small, but it’s jam-packed with all sorts of Skagway historical tidbits and cultural oddities that bring history to life.

#3 – The Red Onion Saloon – During the lawless Days of “98, Skagway was filled with gunfire, drinking, gambling, and prostitution. The Red Onion Saloon was the town’s most notorious brothel, and much of the building remains unchanged. You can enjoy a pizza and live entertainment in the dance hall downstairs, or take a tour of the Brothel Museum upstairs. Do both if you have the time.

Local trails, wildlife, and remote places

These next 4 items on our list of the top 10 BEST things to do in Skagway are all focused around nature. If you like the outdoors, you’re going to be impressed with what Skagway has to offer.

#4 – Yakutania Point Hiking Trail – This 10-minute (one way) hike from the Skagway Airport parking lot leads to one of the most beautiful spots in town with fantastic wildlife viewing possibilities. You can continue on this trail to Smuggler’s Cove (40 minutes – 1.25 miles) or all the way up AB Mountain (6 hours – 14 miles). From here, you may spot harbor seals, humpback whales, orcas, bald eagles, river otters, and sea lions.

#5 – Glacier Point Wilderness Safari – This popular Skagway tour takes to by boat to Glacier Point, where you’ll then board a canoe en route to the spectacular Davidson Glacier. Wildlife abounds and the tour offers guests a chance to get up close and personal with a massive low elevation glacier.

Riding a canoe out to Glacier Point is one of the most incredible tours offered in Skagway

#6 – Lower Dewey Lake Loop Hiking Trail – If you’re trying to save a little money but want to get away from the crowds, this trail is for you. The entire trail loop is 3 miles long (2 hours). It’s a little steep at first, but it quickly levels out as you approach the lake. Take a picnic basket for a lakeside lunch and bring along a fishing pole to see if you can catch some of Lower Dewey’s stocked brook trout.

#7 – Private Local Yukon Tours – There are a lot of companies offering trips to the Yukon by bus, but there are a handful of locals who will take you on this tour in their own private vehicle. Inquire about this tours at the M&M Tour Booth because most of these small vendors are difficult to find online. These local guides know their stuff because they actually live in Skagway (just like us).

Odds and ends

These last three items round out our list of the top 10 BEST things to do in Skagway for 2019. Be sure to check out these local gems.

#8 – The Skagway Museum – Located at the City Hall building on 7^th Avenue and Spring Street, the local museum is a do-not-miss Skagway attraction. The museum offers fascinating tidbits on all phases of Skagway’s history including the Gold Rush, WWII, and the modern era.

Skagway City Hall. The Museum is worth the visit. It’s also cheap, which we like.

#9 – Lower Reid Falls – Located just beyond the Gold Rush Cemetery, this hidden gem is often overlooked. Don’t make that mistake because this waterfall is beautiful and makes for a great photo opportunity.

#10 – Glacier Discovery by Helicopter – If you have the means, these tours will be the thing you remember most from your Alaska vacation. The tour features 40 minutes of flight time over endless mountain peaks and 40 minutes atop an ancient glacier. The photos you take on the glacier will make all of your friends back home jealous.

This concludes our list of the top 10 BEST things to do in Skagway for 2019. If you have any questions or would like to book a tour, don’t hesitate to give us a call.