Top 9 Activities to Experience in Skagway

A must-visit cruise destination on Alaska’s stunning Inside Passage, Skagway is a small town that offers an incredible experience. Its historic downtown leads you straight into some of the most breathtaking natural landscapes, making a cruise to Skagway an excellent way to witness the untamed wilderness. Discover local shops and savor diverse dining options before embarking on thrilling excursions in this beautiful paradise.

Here are our top nine suggestions for unforgettable activities in Skagway, each sure to create lasting memories.

1. Discover Downtown Skagway

With a population of fewer than 1,000 residents, Skagway features a delightful Gold Rush-era downtown along Broadway, filled with quaint businesses. While shopping is a treat, be sure to stop by the visitor center and local museum, where you can view artifacts from the 19th century.

2. Experience the Takshanuk Mountain Trail

Just outside of Skagway lies the breathtaking Takshanuk Mountain Trail, showcasing some of the most untouched mountain wilderness on Earth, where eagles soar and waterfalls cascade beneath majestic snow-capped peaks. The most popular way to immerse yourself in this expansive area is through a 4×4 tour, which quickly takes you deep into nature and away from the crowds. These tours include a lunch stop at a wilderness lodge and catamaran transport from Skagway to Haines, the trail's starting point.

3. Take a Ride on the White Pass Railroad

Hop aboard a replica steam train from the Gold Rush era and journey towards the Yukon, traversing the stunning alpine vistas of White Pass, which rises over 3,000 feet above sea level. As part of your Alaskan cruise, our White Pass Railroad Adventure excursion allows you to seamlessly integrate this thrilling experience into your cruise getaway, creating an unforgettable sea-to-rails adventure.

4. Explore the Skagway Cemetery

This historic cemetery, which houses the graves of notable Gold Rush figures like Jefferson “Soapy” Smith, is a brief stroll from Skagway and accessible via the local shuttle bus. Don’t miss the opportunity to see the “World’s Largest Gold Nugget,” a whimsical tourist attraction created by Martin Itjen, who is also laid to rest here.

5. Discover the Sawyer Glacier

Experience one of the planet's most breathtaking natural spectacles, a colossal glacier, up close. The Tracy Arm and Glacier Arm Explorer excursion offers the chance to observe marine wildlife while cruising around the glacier in a catamaran. You'll hear the echo of “white thunder” as chunks of blue ice break away from the Sawyer Glacier and plunge into the frigid sea around you.

6. Trek the Chilkoot Trail

Renowned as one of North America’s most iconic hikes, the Chilkoot Trail spans 33 miles from Dyea, just 10 miles from Skagway, to Lake Bennett in British Columbia. Dubbed the “World’s Longest Museum,” the Chilkoot Trail is rich with artifacts left by Gold Rush explorers and features nine campsites available for your use along the route.

7. Ascend Klondike Rock

Gear up and enjoy the thrill of climbing one of Alaska's most vertical granite faces at Klondike Rock, located just outside Skagway along the Klondike Highway. The Klondike Rock Climbing and Rappelling Adventure excursion offers rock climbing and rappelling suitable for families with children aged 6 and older, including transportation, equipment, and a qualified guide.

8. Experience Adventure on a Helicopter and Dogsledding Tour

For an exhilarating experience, try our Helicopter and Dogsledding Tour, which takes you to the snow-covered peaks just above Skagway. Enjoy stunning aerial views of the historic town and its wild terrain before landing at a genuine dog camp, where a team of huskies will take you across a vast glacier.

9. Experience Ziplining at Grizzly Falls

Venture into the heart of the Alaskan coastal rainforest in a rugged all-wheel-drive vehicle to discover the breathtaking scenery of Grizzly Falls. Our exclusive Grizzly Falls Ziplining Expedition invites you and your family to navigate through more than ten zip lines and several suspension bridges, allowing you to soar above the forest and glide right over spectacular waterfalls.

Excitement is Rising for Travel to Skagway. Don’t Let It Pass You By!

In Skagway, the quaint charm of a small town perfectly complements the breathtaking beauty of nature. This appealing combination is attracting an increasing number of visitors each year. Cruising to Skagway offers one of the finest ways to explore this hidden gem, given its remoteness from major airports and highways. Whether you're organizing a family cruise or seeking an adventure in the great outdoors, Skagway deserves a top spot on your travel list.

Please note: Onboard activities, shore excursions, and dining options may differ depending on the ship and destination.