Skagway USA
Country: USA · Region: Alaska · Currency: US Dollar
Skagway is a small Southeastern Alaska town of fewer than 1,000 residents that boomed during the 1896-1899 Klondike Gold Rush and now relies almost entirely on tourism. Cruise passengers will find historical interest and natural beauty in this gateway port.
Top sights
Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park Visitors Center, Gold Rush Cemetery, Skagway Museum and Archives, Jewell Gardens, Skagway Overlook, White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad
Things to do
- Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park Visitors Center
- Located in the former Railway Broadway Depot (completed 1898, restored 1984), this free visitors center anchors the National Park which includes multiple restored Gold Rush-era buildings throughout historic downtown.
- Skagway Museum and Archives
- Features Gold Rush era artifacts, photographs, and indigenous items including a Tlingit canoe, Portland Cutter sleigh, and Bering Sea kayaks; $2 admission.
- Gold Rush Cemetery
- Historic cemetery featuring the grave of Soapy Smith and a large boulder painted gold; accessible by trolley tour or 20-minute walk from downtown.
- Jewell Gardens
- Features unique flowers and vegetables including some of unusually large size, located on the highway just beyond the river.
Beaches
- Footbridge to Yakutania Point & Smuggler's Cove
- South of airport terminal with trails, exercise course, and picnic spots.
Where to eat
- Skagway Fish Co.
- Located in the red building on Congress Way, serves halibut fish and chips and Alaskan king crab.
- The Smokehouse Alaska
- Upscale dining in the aqua building at 205 Congress Way overlooking the small boat harbor.
Bars and nightlife
- Red Onion Saloon
- Located at 2nd and Broadway with Gold Rush era ambiance and the novelty of 'Meet the Ladies of '98'.
Forecast for Skagway
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Weather in Skagway by month
Averages from 2015 to 2024, not a forecast. Within about two weeks of a date, the live forecast above is the one to trust.
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rainfall | Wet days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31°F | 24°F | 11.1 in | 19 |
| February | 30°F | 23°F | 6.9 in | 16 |
| March | 35°F | 27°F | 6.2 in | 17 |
| April | 43°F | 36°F | 5.4 in | 17 |
| May | 53°F | 44°F | 5.0 in | 15 |
| June | 63°F | 52°F | 4.7 in | 17 |
| July | 68°F | 57°F | 4.6 in | 16 |
| August | 66°F | 56°F | 7.5 in | 18 |
| September | 57°F | 49°F | 9.2 in | 20 |
| October | 46°F | 38°F | 12.1 in | 20 |
| November | 35°F | 28°F | 9.7 in | 19 |
| December | 31°F | 24°F | 11.5 in | 21 |
Getting around
The city is walkable as it is only a few blocks wide; S.M.A.R.T. City Transit provides small buses from cruise ship docks to downtown for $2 per trip or $5 for an all-day pass.
What to eat
Several restaurants and bars line the main street, with Skagway Fish Co. offering halibut fish and chips and Alaskan king crab, and The Smokehouse Alaska providing upscale dining overlooking the small boat harbor.
Tips
Book the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad day trip in advance as it offers spectacular mountain views and does not require passports despite crossing into Canada.
Best for
Gold Rush history and scenic mountain views
More ports in Alaska
Glacier Bay · Hubbard Glacier · Icy Strait Point · Juneau · Ketchikan · Seward · Sitka · Victoria · Whittier