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Skagway
Skagway welcomes visitors to stroll through picturesque streets, false-fronted buildings and to enjoy a community bursting with nature’s beauty. Historic Skagway is where the past lives on as a gold rush town. Here, the stampeders piled off steamships, eager to head overland, up the White Pass and Chilkoot Trails, to the Yukon goldfields. In July 1897, Skagway was little more than a tent town. Within months the town swelled to more than 20,000, with gambling houses, dance halls, saloons and residences. By 1903 the gold rush was over and Skagway’s population dwindled to 500. Today, population is around 862 people.
Tourism is Skagway’s main economic activity serving travelers mainly arriving by Alaska State Ferry and a variety of cruise ships. Skagway is located at the northernmost point on the Inside Passage in Southeast Alaska, 100 air miles north of Juneau and 110 road miles south of Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. Within the six-block downtown area visitors will find many restored turn-of-the-century buildings, gift and craft shops, and the Trail of 98 Museum, where mining artifacts, exhibits, and videos tell the history of Skagway. During the evening, visitors can enjoy the liveliest show in town, “The Days of ’98”, about the life and death of Soapy Smith. The Chilkoot Trail is located nine miles north of Skagway and is known as one of the most famous and historic trails in Alaska. Followed by thousands of hikers every summer, the 33 mile trek takes approximately three days to complete. Prepared hikers can climb the Chilkoot Trails, the historic route of the gold seekers over 3,739-foot Chilkoot Pass to Lake Bennett. Relics are still visible along the way. For more information visit www.skagway.org. A favorite attraction in Skagway is the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway. Completed in 1900, the White Pass & Yukon Route clearly holds the title “Scenic Railway of the World”, not just for its unrivaled natural surroundings, but also for its man-made wonders, towering bridges, cliff-hanging roadbed and tunnels relentlessly bored through solid granite. The classic narrow gauge railway traverses some of the world’s most breathtaking terrain. From yawning gorges to soaring peaks, its pick and shovel builders literally defied death as they clung to cliffs and blasted their way through from sea level to White Pass almost a half-mile high in the formidable Sawtooth Mountains. For more information visit www.whitepassrailroad.com 
Skagway Day Tour Options Alaska Garden Gourmet Tour HISTORIC SKAGWAY INN RESERVATIONS: (800) 752-4929 EMAIL: STAY@SKAGWAYINN.COM Enjoy a lively interaction with our resident gardener as he shows you the results of his work. Stroll through our beds of edible flowers, baby greens, vegetables and fresh herbs. Next sample some outstanding Alaska seafood presentations utilizing what you just picked in the garden. Dine in a gold rush bordello in Skagway’s downtown Historic District. Collect some cooking secrets and recipes during our gourmet cooking demonstrations ( handouts provided). Gray Line of Alaska HISTORICAL CITY TOUR RESERVATIONS: (800) 544-2206 Enjoy a lighthearted history lesson revealing Skagway’s chief points of interest. Listen to your driver guide recreate talks of the lawless frontier spirit during the Gold Rush back in the days of 1898. Learn about the rise and fall of Skagway’s notorious outlaw, Soapy Smith. Visit the Gold Rush Cemetery and the Skagway Overlook. Valley of the Glacier Tour TEMSCO HELICOPTERS RESERVATIONS: (877) 789-9501 EMAIL: INFO@TEMSCO.COM Experience the awe-inspiring beauty of Alaska’s glaciers as you fly aboard a modern, turnbine helicopter and land for a glacier walk. View the historic town of Skagway, one host to 20,000 prospectors, and Dyea, gateway to the Klondike gold fields. Leave these traces of civilization behind as your helicopter whisks you away to the Valley of the Glaciers. In this rugged expanse-accessible only by helicopter – see glaciers surrounded by towering mountain peaks. Your pilot lands on or at the base of a glacier for a rare opportunity to explore this incredible phenomenon. A guide is on hand to answer your questions and explain the awesome forces at work. Dogsledding and Glacier Flightseeing TEMSCO HELICOPTERS RESERVATIONS: (877) 789-9501 EMAIL: INFO@TEMSCO.COM Combine a helicopter flight seeing tour with the experience of Alaska’s favorite sport – dog Sledding! After flying over spectacular glaciers, you’ll land at a dog camp on the Denver Glacier. For an hour our experienced guides will introduce you to the world of “mushing” and the art of dog sledding. You will have the opportunity to either stand on the sled and mush, or relax in the sled and observe the breathtaking environment around you. Meet some of the professional mushers and strong, friendly dogs that made the Iditarod dog Race famous. Pilot’s Choice Skagway TEMSCO HELICOPTERS RESERVATIONS: (877) 789-9501 EMAIL: INFO@TEMSCO.COM Let the pilot be your guide on this exciting excursion to remote glacier-filled valleys and the vast gold rush country beyond historic Skagway. The flight itinerary is flexible, so the pilot can select the best route according to the glacial and weather conditions that day. You’ll lift off from the heliport near the Skagway harbor into a rugged region of sheer mountains and glaciers. Majestic waterfalls en route to the Ferebee Glacier, jagged peaks surrounding the chilkat Glacier, or the dramatic Meade Glacier flowing from the Juneau Icefield, may be among the wonders you encounter. Two landings will enable you to explore the crystal clear pools, deep crevasses, and moraines. Summit Excursion WHITE PASS & YUKON ROUTE RESERVATIONS: (800) 343-7373 EMAIL: INFO@WHITEPASS.NET You will take your historic exploration to new heights. Imagine climbing aboard the White Pass & Yukon Route in picturesque Skagway where gold-hungry miners first poured off the ships. You’ll first roll past the Gold Rush Cemetery where legends lie. Lean back in your seat as your comfortably restored rail car carries you through forested peaks to panoramic views to overwhelm your camera, torrential waterfalls and 100 ton grave marker. You’ll cross deep gorges and penetrate the interior of Tunnel Mountain.There’s light and more at the end of the tunnel – Dead Horse Gulch where the bones of 3,000 overloaded, sadly neglected packhorses now rest. And just beyond is the famous Steel Bridge, the tallest in the world when it was built in 1901. Less than two miles later you’ll be able to look down on the fading remains of the Trail of ’98, just before you reach the 2,865 foot high White Pass Summit at the US / Canadian border. And that’s just going up. Coming back is another spectacular story. It’s one you will never forget. Lake Bennett Adventure ( Shore to Shore ) WHITE PASS & YUKON ROUTE RAILWAY RESERVATIONS: (800) 343-7373 EMAIL: INFO@WHITEPASS.NET Fall under “The Spell of the Yukon” when you follow the Skagway River ever higher into the storied mountains. Crest White Pass at 2,865 ft. and roll on down into British Columbia and our restored 1903 station at Lake Bennett, where you can take a walking tour of the historic gold rush town site during our layover. In July and August, the train is operated with the pride of White Pass & Yukon Route-No. 73, a 1947 Baldwin steam locomotive. White Pass & Yukon Route SKAGWAY - WHITEHORSE RESERVATIONS: (800) 343-7373 EMAIL: INFO@WHITEPASS.NET Klondike travel is less rugged with White Pass & Yukon Route even if you go where our tracks don’t take you-clear to Whitehorse in Yukon Territory. Our comfortable motorcoach picks you up from the train at Fraser, B.C. and whisks you there via the Klondike Highway, or vice versa. The train ride traverses the spectacular scenery between Skagway, AK and Fraser, B.C. Roundtrip train + bus tours to/from Whitehorse are also available. Yukon Jeep Adventure ALASKA TRAVEL ADVENTURES RESERVATIONS: (800) 791-2673 EMAIL: INFO@BESTOFALASKATRAVEL.COM You will set out on a adventure from Skagway into the Yukon Territory in a four-wheel drive Jeep Wrangler. A tour guide in a lead jeep will entertain you with the lore of the gold rush era. View Pitchfork Falls, Moore Bridge, Dead Horse Gulch, Bracket Wagon Trail and Tormented Valley, enroute to the historic village of Carcross, and the headwaters of the Yukon River. This spellbinding adventure crosses an international border, so you must bring your passport and driver’s license! Tour includes; Jeep Wrangler, Guide in a lead vehicle, Snack, Round trip transfers from the pier. 
Photo Courtesy of Alaska Travel Adventures  Reserve your travel or learn more about the Skagway area by contacting some of Alaska’s premier hotels, transportation, day tours, travel specialists and organizations. Ideal information for reserving an Alaska vacation with ease. Alaska Travel Adventures www.bestofalaskatravel.com • (800) 791-2673 Tour Specialist | We are Alaska’s Leading Adventure Tour Operator! Welcome to Alaska Highway Cruises vacations. As the only operator of combined cruise and motorhome vacations in Alaska our goal is to provide you a rewarding, hassle free and adventure-filled Alaska vacation of a lifetime. Alaska Travel Adventures operates more adventure tours in Alaska than any other company. From our salmon bake, Jeep tours and nature walks to white water rafting and kayaking, all of our trips feature personalized attention and provide our guests with a chance to actively experience Alaska’s splendor. Avis Rent-A-Car www.avis.com • (800) 331-1212 Transportation | Avis Rent A Car has been serving Alaska since 1955. With 10 locations throughout Alaska, Avis provides convenient ‘rent it here, leave it there’ service, friendly customer service agents where-ever your travel takes you. Quick response time to emergency road-side service needs and the quality Avis brand that you can count on.Avis rents a wide range of vehicles from small economy cars to full-size sedans, minivans and 4 wheel drive SUV’s.For complete rate and location information visit www.avis.com or call from within the United States (800) 331-1212. Greg’s Bistro & Deli www.skagwayinn.com • (907) 983-2289 • Skagway Restaurant | Located at the Historic Skagway Inn, Greg’s provides a cornucopia of treats and meals, meals to go, fine coffee, teas and espresso. Not to forget our selection of beers, wines and spirits. Gray Line of Alaska / Holland America Tours www.graylineofalaska.com • www.hollandamerica.com • (800) 544-2206 • Seattle Tour Specialist | See the Great Land with the leader in Alaska land vacations! Glaciers, wildlife and magnificent scenery. Luxury glass-domed railcars, day boat cruising on Portage Lake, Yukon River Cruising, and panning for gold. Experience it all on one of our many complete land packages, or customize for your ideal vacation. Historic Skagway Inn www.skagwayinn.com • (800) 752-4929 • (907) 983-2289 • Skagway Hotel/Bed & Breakfast | Once a gold rush brothel, now a historic frontier country Inn filled with antiques. Full breakfast available in the morning. Walking distance to all services and attractions. Travel desk for railroad, and tour tickets. Courtesy van. Home of Olivia’s restaurant, locally known for fresh Alaska seafood creatively prepared with local produce, and the Alaska Garden Gourmet Cooks Tour. Special Chilkoot Trail services. Located at 7th & Broadway. Skagway Mountain View RV Park www.alaskarv.com • (888) 778-7700 • Redmond, WARV/ Motorhome Park | Located on 12th and Broadway in Skagway Alaska. When you’re ready to make your dream of visiting Alaska come true, make Best of Alaska RV Parks part of your experience. With recreational vehicle parks located in the places you most want to be—Anchorage, Denali National Park and Skagway- we offer convenience, quality service and easy access to the activities and attractions you want to see. Temsco Helicopters www.temscoair.com • (877)789-9501 Flightseeing | Experience dogsledding and glacier flightseeing. The journey is the reward! Westmark Inn Skagway www.graylineofalaska.com • (800) 544-2206 Hotel | The Inn’s 195 guest rooms accommodate travelers in turn-of-the-century style. Guests looking for a special dining experience will enjoy the Chilkoot Dining Room where you can find friendly service and fine food. Located next to a national historic park, close to shopping and entertainment. Gift shop, Avis car rental and free parking. (Open May – September) Yukon White Pass Route Railway www.whitepassrailroad.com • (800) 343-7373 • Skagway Railroad Tours | Scheduled daily departures for combination train and motorcoach tour connecting Whitehorse and Skagway. Motorcoach departs Whitehorse and connects with White Pass & Yukon Route Railway for a one-way, 4.5 hour train and bus trip. All aboard! Other day tours are available. Alaska Insight Travel Guide www.alaskainsight.com • (907) 344-7422 • Anchorage For more information regarding packaging or customizing Alaska itineraries contact Alaska Insight Travel Guide. Email: alaskainsight@alaska.net |
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