Alaskan Adventure – Skagway
After my 2 posts about the Alaska destinations Valdez and Seward, many of my customers called me in the UK on my Cruise.co.uk free phone number 0800 408 6084.
Everybody was very curious about this travel destination. For everybody who is interested in nature and wildlife, Alaska is a must visit destination.
A lot of my customers asked me detailed questions and my answers to these questions made them even more curious.
Another of the Alaska destinations is Skagway. If you are interested in visiting this great destination, read my posting below. If you have any questions, pleas call me or send me an email (hannah wilson).
One last point of advice…. The cruise season in Alaska is a short season, only from May until September. If you want to go there, please make sure that you sort out your bookings early, as demand is high……
History
In 1897 gold stampeders from all over the world arrived in Skagway by steamship, bound for the Dawson Gold Fields. It wasn’t long before the rough-and-tumble tent town was festooned with boardwalks, dance halls, inns, and saloons.
More than 100 years later, Skagway still retains the feel of those Gold Rush days, though most travelers now arrive by cruise ship. The immensely walkable and historic downtown has largely been restored to its roots, complete with false-fronted buildings and wooden sidewalks. It’s an utterly charming place — if a tad precious.
Skagway ranks as one of Alaska’s most popular ports. It’s not unusual to find four or five ships docked here on the same day.
Where You’re Docked
Ships line up at one of three deep-water docks, all an easy walk from the heart of town. Small ships may dock at a fourth location — the Ferry Dock — also a few minutes from town.
Getting Around
On foot: Skagway is an easy walking town. Most shops are on one street — Broadway.
Renting a Car: To explore outer reaches of this region of southeast Alaska, you can certainly rent a car (Avis
Where to Eat and Drink
Casual, in-town joints: Stowaway Cafe has wraps, soups, and fresh baked breads. For a locals’s haunt, check out Sweet Tooth Cafe for “home cooking.” Skagway Fish Co. has terrific seafood — and a great marina view. Gourmet Dining: Olivia’s at the Skagway Inn offers local fare with a nouvelle twist. Trademark dishes include Alaskan king crab and strip loin of elk.
Staying in Touch
Seaport Cyber (336 – 3rd Ave.) offers Internet access. Buy a card good for an hour online in three ports — Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan.
What to See and Do
Shore Excursion: A ride on the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad. This was created as a result of the Klondike Gold Rush of 1898, though it wasn’t completed before the rush ended. The narrow-gauge train follows the path that pioneers in search of Klondike Gold climbed in order to get to Dawson’s Creek. The tracks wind around granite mountains, trundle across steep gorges, and pass through two tunnels. Virtually all visiting cruise lines offer the train ride — American West Steamboat, Carnival, Celebrity, Clipper, Cruise West, Crystal, Holland America, NCL, Princess, Regent Seven Seas, Royal Caribbean, and Silver Seas. Historic walking tour of Skagway. Pick up a map at the Skagway Convention & Visitors Bureau (Broadway between 2nd & 3rd), which in itself is distinctive because its builder collected more than 8,800 sticks of driftwood — and then nailed them to the building’s front.
Learn about the Klondike Gold Rush at the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park Visitor Center (2nd and Broadway).
The Corrington Museum of Alaskan History is tucked away at the back of a souvenir shop (Broadway between 5th & 6th). There are interesting displays of trade beads, baleen baskets, scrimshaw, and Gold Rush photos.
Shopping in Skagway. Nestled between totally touristy “outlet” stores and shops full of cheap tchotchkes are veritable gems. For books, try the Skagway News Depot (Broadway between 2nd & 3rd). For high-end crafts, ranging from made-in-Alaska jewelry to wildlife prints to needlework, try Skagway Artworks or Changing Tides (Broadway between 5th & 6th). Lynch & Kennedy (Broadway between 3rd & 4th) has exquisite (and not necessarily made locally) fine crafts, including handpainted ceramics and hand-knit woolen sweaters. Miss Kitty’s Buttonhole (1 French Alley) has funky hats, canes, and 1898-style clothing. The Train Shoppe in the White Pass and Yukon Route Depot (2nd & Spring) has tons of choo-choo souvenirs.
Hang out at the touristy Red Onion Saloon (2nd & Broadway), a Gold Rush-era gathering point (and brothel).
Gold panning at Liarsville Gold Rush Trail Camp. It’s part of the train tour if you go one way by rail and one way by bus.
The Dog Sledding and Glacier Flightseeing combo tour is a budget-buster but it’s a unique way to experience the glaciers. You’ll get a turn at mushing the dog team. Available on board as well as through Temsco Helicopters (907-983-2900).
Take the passenger ferry over to Haines. It’s an easy way to go whale watching and visit the American Bald Eagle Center (downtown Haines).
Play golf on a nine-hole course set at 60 degrees North Latitude.
Ride a bicycle (downhill) along the White Pass Klondike gold route (Sockeye Cycle Co).
About Me
I've been a Cruise Consultant for a number of years now and I can honestly say that it is just the best job ever. No two days are the same. I have got to know some fantastic people through the course of my job, both in the industry and clients,…
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