Itineraries for Your Trip to Skagway
1 Day in Skagway for First Timers
The first time I visited Skagway, it was just a quick stop on an Alaska cruise. I loved exploring the town and learning about the area's Gold Rush history before enjoying some fish and chips at the Skagway Brewing Company.
With only one day in Skagway, you won't have a ton of time to explore much beyond the downtown area, or you can book a longer excursion that gets you out on the water. A stop at the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park visitor center will give you all the details about the town's historic buildings. This 1-day Skagway itinerary for first timers has everything you need to plan the best day.
If you only have time for one thing, make it a stop at the Red Onion Saloon.
It’s cool and rainy in Skagway during the summer, and quite cold the rest of the year.
Start your morning in Skagway on the right foot with a visit to a musher's camp. Here you can learn about this fascinating sport that's popular in the winter months, and you'll get to meet some adorable husky puppies. Learn what makes these animals (which are specially adapted to Alaskan winters) such skilled racing dogs. Similar tours include a sled ride through the Tongass National Forest a thrill you won’t forget.
The afternoon is a great time to head out on the water for a scenic river float or a sailing excursion. The nearby Taiya River is often the destination for these excursions, and you'll want to keep your eyes open to spot bears, bald eagles, and other wildlife along the way. Your guide will share information about the area's Gold Rush era history and point out scenic spots that are perfect for selfies.
Nighttime in Skagway can be quite fun, with plenty of bars and restaurants serving delicious seafood and draft beers to weary travelers. Visit the historic Red Onion Saloon (once Skagway's most prestigious bordello) to try their spruce tip beer, or challenge your mates to an axe-throwing competition at Lumberchaun Axe Throwing. Tour the restored Mascot Saloon Museum to see artifacts from the town's Gold Rush days. If you’re looking for a spooky spot with even more history, put the Gold Rush Cemetery on your list.