A beginners guide to visiting Skagway by cruise ship

Skagway is a tiny town with a larger-than-life history.

Nestled at the northern end of Lynn Canal, a 2,000-foot-deep fjord that extends for 90 miles through Alaska's Inside Passage, Skagway was thrust onto the world stage during the frantic Klondike Gold Rush of 1898.

Tens of thousands of stampeders arrived here from Seattle and beyond using what was then a remote outpost as the jumping-off point for the arduous journey into Canada's Yukon. Almost overnight, Skagway transformed from a patch of forest into a rough-and-ready boomtown of saloons, gaming parlors and brothels, with a population topping 20,000.

The frenzy was short lived. By the summer of 1899, the boom had ended, and most fortune seekers moved on to Nome and other areas or returned home, leaving behind a town of just 700 residents.

More than a century later, Skagway still only has about 1,100 current residents. But its popularity as an Alaska cruise port has never been greater. The compact historic center is lined with brightly painted heritage buildings that house galleries, souvenir shops, restaurants and bars — all within easy walking distance of the harborfront

Today, Skagway blends colorful Gold Rush history with spectacular scenery and outdoor adventure. You can ride the legendary White Pass & Yukon Route Railway into the mountains, hike sections of the original stampeders trail or simply wander the lively downtown streets soaking up the town's distinctive personality.

Here's everything you need to know before visiting one of Alaska's most memorable cruise ports.

Related: The 10 best Alaska cruises for every type of traveler

Things TPG loves about Skagway

• It has an authentic, old-fashioned gold rush vibe, thanks to downtown's handsome historic buildings.
• Visitors have the chance to go on an epic train ride on the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway.
• There is easy access to wilderness in both Alaska and northwestern British Columbia and the Yukon in Canada.

What we could do without

• The tiny downtown can feel quite crowded when multiple ships dock at once.
• Even in summer, the weather in Skagway can change quickly, and chilly winds and rain clouds sometimes funnel through Lynn Canal.

Skagway fast facts

• Language: English.
• Currency: U.S. dollar. Credit cards are widely accepted.
• Weather and packing: Expect daytime highs in the 60s during peak cruise season (June to August), with cooler mornings and evenings. Rain showers are common even on sunny days. It's a good idea to pack layers and a waterproof jacket and to wear comfortable closed-toe walking shoes.
• Time zone: Skagway is on Alaska Standard Time, which is an hour behind U.S. Pacific Standard Time, and it observes daylight saving time.

Arrival details

Up to four cruise ships can dock simultaneously at Skagway's port along Lynn Canal. The port has several berths, all within walking distance of downtown. Broadway Dock and Ore Dock are the closest, just a five- to 10-minute walk. Railroad Dock is the furthest and the one most often used by megaships. From here, it's about a 10- to 15-minute walk into town, though complimentary cruise line shuttles are often available.

Skagway's low-cost SMART shuttle also runs between Railroad Dock and downtown for around $3 one-way. Many shore excursions depart directly from the piers. If you're taking an excursion that crosses into Canada (the border is just 15 miles north of town), be sure to bring your passport with you.

Top things to do in Skagway cruise port

You can get a good sense of Skagway's easygoing personality and engaging gold rush history in an hour or two by walking from the cruise docks into downtown. Most passengers combine a stroll through this atmospheric community with a meal at a convivial restaurant and a ride on the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway (or some other outdoorsy adventure).

Brush up on history

As you walk into town from your ship, the Skagway Centennial Statue at the corner of Broadway and First Avenue in Centennial Park is a good place to start. Across the street, stop by the beautifully restored White Pass & Yukon Railway Depot, an 1898 building that now serves as the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park museum. The museum's photos, films, memorabilia and well-crafted exhibits tell the story of the wild stampede for gold that led to the town's founding.

As you make your way north up Broadway, you can admire many of the town's most striking historic buildings, some of which date all the way back to the 1898 gold rush. These include the rollicking Red Onion Saloon and the gilt-dome Golden North Hotel (inside which you'll find Corrington's Museum of Alaskan History, with its impressive collection of carved-ivory scrimshaw).

The Arctic Brotherhood Hall, one of the most eye-catching structures you'll pass, was built in 1900 using nearly 9,000 pieces of driftwood. Inside, you'll find a visitor center run by the town's tourism office. Nearby, the stately Skagway Museum contains exhibits that provide an overview of the town's history beyond just the gold rush era, from Native American artifacts to artwork from more recent times. Inside the historic Eagles Hall, you can attend a performance of "The Days of '98 with Soapy Smith," an over-the-top history burlesque of sorts (complete with a can-can dance revue) that's been performed here since 1923. You can also take a peek inside the Moore Cabin, the town's oldest building (dating to 1887), which is administered by the National Park Service.

If you're looking to stretch your legs a bit more, walk or take the city bus to Gold Rush Cemetery, at the north end of downtown, where you can see the gravesites of Soapy Smith, Frank Reid and other pioneers. From here, it's just a few minutes' stroll beneath a dense canopy of trees to view the refreshing cascades at Lower Reid Falls.

Connect with nature

If you've booked a ride on the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway, head to the station at Broadway and Second Avenue, where trains depart. This narrow-gauge railway climbs almost 3,000 feet in just 20 miles, offering views of waterfalls, glaciers and trestle bridges.

Visitors who have an extra hour or two can make the short side trip to Dyea (pronounced dye-EE), about 7 miles west of downtown. There, you can hike a bit of the Chilkoot Trail, a legendary 33-mile route that prospectors once used to make their way into Canada's Yukon. Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park administers Dyea and offers tours of this noteworthy historic site.

Related: Alaska cruise guide: Best itineraries, planning tips and things to do

Popular Skagway excursions

By far, the most popular shore excursions involve a ride on the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway. However, there are many other rugged, outdoorsy adventures, such as zip-lining and hiking, as well as easygoing history tours.

Train ride on the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway

A variety of excursions include a scenic ride aboard one of the restored or replica vintage rail cars that have been plying these narrow-gauge tracks since 1898. The most popular option is a roughly three-hour narrated round-trip excursion through the verdant landscape up to the 2,865-foot White Pass Summit, at the U.S.-Canada border.

Longer options, lasting up to a full day, continue farther into British Columbia and the Yukon and generally cost $200 to $300 or more per adult. Many combine the train ride with add-ons such as bus tours, ghost town visits, gold-panning at a historic prospector's camp, visits to First Nations communities, salmon bakes and barbecues or a bike ride along a stretch of the Klondike Highway.

Helicopter landing on a glacier

Although not as famous as Juneau for this activity, Skagway has become an increasingly popular port for glacier touring. These trips last about two hours and include a helicopter ride over the northern end of the enormous Juneau Icefield for a bird's-eye view over Chilkat, Ferebee, Meade and other dramatic glaciers before landing on a glacier for a short walk.

You can also book a more deluxe version of this trip, the highlight of which is a dogsledding experience on Denver Glacier, during which you'll interact with the dogs and their puppies, meet with competitive Iditarod racers, and watch a mushing demonstration across the ice. Prices start at about $439 per person for a glacier landing and walk, while helicopter tours that include a visit to a dogsledding camp on Denver Glacier generally start around $599 per person and can exceed $800 per person when booked through a cruise line.

Musher's camp with sled dogs

Visit a musher's camp in historic Dyea to learn about dogsledding, which has a long and venerable tradition in Alaska. This is a dry-land experience (there's no snow), and typically costs $165 to $210 per person. Huskies lead you down an exhilarating mile-long trail through Tongass National Forest. Some tours offer the addition of a gold-panning experience.

Zip line adventures

This is a great choice for adrenaline seekers. Tour options include a 20-minute van ride north of town to a rainforest adventure park with a ropes course and six zip lines that whizz you through the surrounding treetops. Fares range from about $160 to $215 per person.

Another option takes you on a half-day trip to Dyea for $260 per adult. Ride an all-wheel-drive Unimog up a rugged mountain road through a lush rainforest to Grizzly Falls. From here, you'll make your way back down the mountainside via a course of 10 zip lines and four suspension bridges.

Hike along the Chilkoot Trail with a river float

On this moderately strenuous half-day adventure costing $180 to $200 per person, you'll hike a dramatic stretch of historic Chilkoot Trail used by stampeders during the 1898 Klondike Gold Rush. Then, you'll hop into an inflatable raft for a leisurely, picturesque float journey down the Taiya River to the estuary at Dyea. Note: There are no rapids or white water on this section of the river.

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Best Skagway outdoor activities near the cruise port

It's easy to get out and explore nature on your own within a short distance of the cruise docks. There are a few popular rambles that take just an hour or two to complete and are great for families and hikers seeking a mellow outing.

Walking to Yakutania Point and Smuggler's Cove

This easy 1 1/2-mile, out-and-back trek along a level trail begins downtown at the south end of Skagway's small airport. It crosses a scenic pedestrian bridge and then bends around a rocky, wooded peninsula with dramatic vistas of Lynn Canal.

Hiking to Lower Dewey Lake

The simplest version of this experience involves hiking about half a mile from downtown to the edge of narrow Lower Dewey Lake, which is flanked by rising forested hills on each side. If you want to experience even more awesome panoramas, make a complete circumnavigation of this serene lake. The full loop from downtown is about 3 1/2 miles, and the trail switches back steeply at one point, with an overall elevation gain of around 800 feet.

Renting a bike

Sockeye Cycle, which is right in downtown Skagway, rents e-bikes and a wide variety of road and mountain bikes. You can use them to explore the area, whether right in town, out to Dyea or up the Klondike Highway to White Pass. It also offers a range of cycling tours. Klondike Electric Bicycles is another e-bike rental option.

Hiking to Laughton Glacier

For a glacier experience that you can manage at your own pace, book a ride on the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway; hop out at Glacier Station (mile 14), and then hike for several miles on a moderately challenging eight-mile, out-and-back trail to Laughton Glacier. This is a full-day adventure, so it's only feasible if your ship is in port for at least nine hours. You could also do a quicker (though more expensive) hike to Laughton by booking a flightseeing helicopter ride to Glacier Station with Packer Expeditions and then returning by train.

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How to get around Skagway on your own

• On foot: Downtown Skagway is compact, and it's an easy five- to 10-minute walk from the cruise docks.
• Bus: There are no taxis or ride-hailing services in this tiny town, but Skagway Municipal and Regional Transit buses run between the cruise docks and downtown all day while ships are in port; the fare is $3 one-way or $5 for an all-day ticket. Additionally, the Skagway Street Car Company offers narrated 90-minute tours of the town's historic sites and attractions on restored bright-yellow 1920s buses.
• Car: There are a few car rental agencies in town, but daily rates are steep ($250 and up during the cruise ship season), and inventory is limited. For a day visit, a car isn't really necessary unless you want to embark on your own road trip up the Klondike Highway into Canada. Carcross, Yukon, is the nearest town of interest (about 90 minutes from Skagway); it's another hour to Yukon's capital, Whitehorse. Cruise ships generally visit Skagway for around eight to 12 hours, so a longer drive is doable, but try to book a few weeks before the day your cruise will be in port to ensure availability.

Skagway restaurants near the cruise port

For a small town, Skagway punches well above its weight when it comes to dining. Expect consistently good food and a convivial old-school atmosphere in the town's restaurants.

In addition to pouring first-rate IPAs, Belgian dark ales and heady barley wines, the warmly lit Skagway Brewing Company prepares some of the tastiest gastropub fare in town; consider the pork belly kimchi burger or macaroni and cheese with rock crab. A rowdy gold rush-era brothel that's now a full-service tavern, the Red Onion Saloon is justly celebrated for its 16-inch pizzas, cold beer and saucy atmosphere. For creative farm-to-table cooking in a dapper dining room, book a table at Olivia's Bistro, inside the Historic Skagway Inn.

For more casual bites, head to Peppers Street Fusion for hefty California-style burritos and street tacos with intriguing fillings like chimichurri halibut and chorizo with corn salsa. At 1898 Burgers N' Shakes, you can get mammoth smash burgers topped with smoked salmon and green chiles, as well as milkshakes in offbeat flavors like rhubarb and spruce tip.

Overlooking the town's picturesque small boat harbor, The Skagway Fish Company and the Salty Siren are top choices for succulent local shellfish and finfish.

Skagway dishes to try

This is yet another Inside Passage port that's ideal for sampling wild Alaskan seafood, from halibut chowder to smoked salmon pate to King crab bisque.

Alaskan fry bread, which is served hot and dusted with cinnamon sugar, is a Skagway specialty. Folks line up for it at the funky Klondike Doughboy bakery, which is also a fine place to pick up local jams, honeys, birch syrup and taffy.

To sample another specialty of the Last Frontier, stop by the adorable Skagway Weenie Wagon food truck for a reindeer sausage hot dog topped with grilled onions. And for a sip of pure Alaskan goodness, order a Spruce Tip Blonde Ale — savoring its citrusy and piney notes — at the Skagway Brewing Company.

Skagway cruise port shopping

Steps from the cruise docks, Broadway is lined with boutiques and galleries for about six blocks, starting at Centennial Park. You'll find old-fashioned mercantiles, jewelry shops, trading posts and crafts galleries along this stretch; Indigenous-owned Wild Yukon Furs and BearHead Photography Gallery are among the most popular and reputable spots. Popular keepsakes and wares include carvings, art and beadwork by Native Alaskan and First Nations artists, and jewelry that incorporates locally mined gold nuggets as well as ivory scrimshaw and jade.

Free things to do in Skagway cruise port

One of the most enjoyable ways to experience Skagway without spending anything is to stroll through the historic downtown, admiring the colorfully painted gold rush-era buildings and visiting the free Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. Other free-admission spots are downtown's Pullen Creek StreamWalk (where you can spy salmon valiantly fighting their way upstream during their late-summer runs), Yakutania Point via the Skagway River Footbridge and the historic Gold Rush Cemetery.

Related: A beginners guide to picking a cruise line

Skagway Fast Facts

Does the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway sell out?

Yes, especially the White Pass Summit Excursion, which often sells out during peak summer sailings. Book ahead through your cruise line's shore excursion desk or directly with the railway rather than waiting to buy tickets in port.

Do I need my passport for excursions that stay in the U.S.?

No. You won't need a passport for excursions that remain in Alaska, such as the standard White Pass Summit round-trip, musher camp visits, zip-lining adventures or Chilkoot Trail hike-and-float tours. However, bring your passport if your excursion crosses into British Columbia or the Yukon, including Fraser and Carcross rail extensions and drives along the Klondike Highway.

How much port time do I need for the full Yukon rail excursion?

Longer train excursions that continue into Fraser or Carcross can take most of the day. Since Skagway port calls typically last eight to 12 hours, these trips are usually feasible, but check your ship's arrival and all-aboard times before booking to ensure you have a comfortable buffer.

Do I need to hire a car to see Skagway in a day?

No. Downtown Skagway is within easy walking distance of the cruise pier, and most major attractions and shore excursions include transportation to and from the port.

Bottom line

Tiny though it is, Skagway delivers an outsize Alaska experience and a fascinating glimpse into its gold rush days. Breathtaking mountain scenery that you can soak up from an iconic vintage railway journey is another great reason to choose a cruise itinerary that calls on this welcoming little town.