“We want to do what the locals do!”

No local’s tour would be complete without some pull tabs at the Elks Lodge. Wear your favorite hat!

Every day in the M&M Tours Brokerage booth is a wild adventure. People from all over the world come inside to find an adventure or activity to thrill their senses and educate them about everything Skagway. Even though there are something like 50 tours to choose from, some people lean in close and say, “We want to do what the locals do!”

Doing what the locals do sounds like a lot of fun because who knows Skagway better than the people that live here? If you’re a tourist looking for an authentic Skagway experience, you’re going to love today’s blog. Why? Because I am going to create a self-guided tour especially for you! 

Getting started with your tour

Keep in mind that Skagway residents work. A lot. Many locals work two or three jobs in the summer. If your tour was a 16-hour double shift waiting tables at a local restaurant, you probably wouldn’t enjoy it very much. So for the purpose of this blog, we are going to make believe you are a Skagway local with the day off work. 

Are you ready to do what the locals do? Here we go!

7:00 am – Your alarm goes off but you remember that you have the day off work, so you hit the snooze button a few dozen times and get some much-needed rest.

8:45 am – The second part of your tour starts with getting out of bed but you also get to enjoy a fresh cup of coffee. You’re Alaskan now, so you drink it black and heavily caffeinated. You also have the option of adding a shot of whiskey. 

10:45 am – After falling back to sleep, you realize that you still haven’t had breakfast and it’s almost lunchtime. For this part of the tour, you actually get dressed (in your Carharts and Extra Tuffs) and get out of the house (cruise ship). Carpe Diem! 

11:15 am – This stop on your tour features one of Skagway’s most popular local attractions – The United States Post Office. Even though you don’t have any mail, you will wait in line for 30 minutes to get the honest-to-Betsy local experience. When you get to the counter, tell the clerk they are doing a good job because they work hard every day. 

12:00 pm – Your tour includes lunch at one of Skagway’s most popular restaurants. Every restaurant in Skagway is fantastic but for a truly local experience, you’re going to get something to-go at the Station Bar & Grill and avoid the crowds. While you’re waiting for your food, enjoy a beer with one of the other lucky locals that have the day off! Then order a second beer and enjoy your to-go meal at the bar. Walk over to the welcome bell and give it a ring! It’s how we Skagway locals show we appreciate one another. Why is everyone ordering shots?

2:00 pm – Maybe that round of shots was a bad idea. But you’re not driving so it doesn’t matter. On this leg of the tour, you will pay a visit to Wells Fargo to do a little banking. They have free coffee and dog treats. Drink a cup a coffee and grab some dog treats, but don’t eat them! You’re going to need them later in the tour.

2:15 pm – This is the “what’s going on at the hardware store?” part of your tour. Pop on in and crack some jokes with the hard-working staff. Ask Smokey if he can get you a deal on that rifle. Check out the price of some new power tools. Loiter a bit. You’re starting to feel like a bone fide local now!

3:45 pm – This part of the tour is truly a favorite. You’re going to walk to The Point! Along the way, you will meet other locals walking their dogs. Remember those Wells Fargo dog treats? Now is the time to use them! Take some time to talk about the weather and local politics with other locals on the trail. 

5:00 pm – Beer thirty! Stop by the Elks Lodge and have a beer with all of the locals who are just getting off of work. When they ask you how your day was, be sure to say, “Living the dream!” Then buy a round of shots and share some fishing stories. Be sure to play some pull tabs and when you lose, shrug your shoulders and say, “It’s for the kids!”

6:30 pm – Oh no! You’re cruise ship is about to leave. You have two options: End the tour and head back to your boat or stay in Skagway and keep living the dream. The choice is clear.

We hope your enjoy your tour doing what the locals do. Small town Alaska life is a lot of fun when you don’t have to work so make the most of your day whatever tour you choose.