Skagway, Alaska - Travel Guide
One of the great scamsters of all time was Soapy Smith, a con artist who led a gang that preyed upon the naive hordes who descended on Skagway in droves in 1897 hoping to strike it rich in the Yukon gold fields. Fools and their money were soon parted. It's easy to suspect that Soapy would approve of Skagway today, where $2 t-shirt shops litter the waterfront preying on cruise-ship rubes. But expend a bit of effort and get beyond the hordes to experience a real slice of frontier history. After the boats depart in the early evening the once coagulated streets are deserted and you can fully appreciate the town's old buildings and dramatic setting at the end of the Lynn Canal fjord. Expend a lot of effort and traverse the rugged Chilkoot Trail over the 3,525-foot Chilkoot Pass into Canada and on to the Yukon. Just learning the history of the Yukon gold rush that drew the likes Jack London and thousands of deluded others up this deadly pass is worth a visit to Skagway. Or take the stunning White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad, which climbs the peaks and deserves all of its hype.
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- Ryan Ver Berkmoes for Triporati
One of the great scamsters of all time was Soapy Smith, a con artist who led a gang that preyed upon the naive hordes who descended on Skagway in droves in 1897 hoping to strike it rich in the Yukon gold fields. Fools and their money were soon parted. It's easy to suspect that Soapy would approve of Skagway today, where $2 t-shirt shops litter the waterfront preying on cruise-ship rubes. But expend a bit of effort and get beyond the hordes to experience a real slice of frontier history. After the boats depart in the early evening the once coagulated streets are deserted and you can fully appreciate the town's old buildings and dramatic setting at the end of the Lynn Canal fjord. Expend a lot of effort and traverse the rugged Chilkoot Trail over the 3,525-foot Chilkoot Pass into Canada and on to the Yukon. Just learning the history of the Yukon gold rush that drew the likes Jack London and thousands of deluded others up this deadly pass is worth a visit to Skagway. Or take the stunning White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad, which climbs the peaks and deserves all of its hype.
- Ryan Ver Berkmoes for Triporati
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Must See
- #1 White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad
- #2 Chilkoot Trail
- #3 Klondike Gold Rush National Park
- #4 Gold Rush Cemetery
- #5 Jewell Gardens
Skip It
- #1 For the unsophisticated, all of Skagway is overrated. But ignore the many tourist traps and revel in the natural setting and history full of characters.
Top Rated Activities
Camping
| Culture
| Eco-tourism
| Hike/Backpack
| History
| Nature
| Parks/Gardens
| Scenic Drive
| Walking
Skagway Events, Tours & Attractions
Annual Events in Skagway
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February-March:Buckwheat Cross-Country Ski Classic
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August-September: Pat Moore Memorial Game Fish Derby, Flower and Garden Show, Klondike International Road Relay
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June-July: Fourth of July Celebration, International Softball Tournament
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April-May: International Mini Folk Festival
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October-November: Southeast Alaska Quilt Retreat
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December-January: Yuletide & Santa Train
Skagway Travel Reviews
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TripAdvisor - Great traveler reviews of Skagway. Over 5,000,000 opinions.
- Virtual Tourist - Tips from real travelers who have visited Skagway.