14 Affordable Things to do in Skagway From the Cruise Ship!
Skagway is a beautiful town in the inside passage of Alaska with a lot of history. From the Klondike Gold Rush to the White Pass Scenic Railroad to an epic waterfall hike, you will love Skagway! There are so many fun things to do in Skagway from the cruise ship and a lot of them are FREE. Getting around Skagway can be a little confusing if you aren’t prepared so I’ll share some tips for the shuttle system too!
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How to Get Around in Skagway
From Skagway to downtown, it’s about a mile – so you’ll want to take the shuttle to maximize your time in port. The “dock to downtown” shuttle is available for a $5 all day pass per person or $3 for a one way ticket. This shuttle will take you to the heart of downtown where you can walk around and explore the historic gold rush town.
We made the mistake of trying to walk to the Gold Rush Cemetery/Reid Falls. It’s way too long of a walk to attempt with small kids, but luckily there is a shuttle for that too! To figure out that shuttle schedule, I would recommend talking to your shuttle driver when you get off your first shuttle. There are different lines (and fees) to get to different areas.
Check out this page for more up to date information about the transportation options in Skagway.
Fun & Affordable Things to do in Skagway From the Cruise Ship
There are a ton of fun things to do in Skagway from the cruise ship. It was the first incorporated city in Alaska (on June 28, 1900) and the history is all around you! Despite only having 1240 residents in Skagway, over 1 million people visit every year from cruise ships. The main highlights in Skagway are the gold rush history, the trains all around town, and the beautiful lower Reid Falls waterfall. It’s a bit touristy but also a fun and unique town that you can enjoy all day with your kids while in port.
1. Stroll Downtown Skagway
Downtown Skagway is a really walkable and fun town. It has a ton of history – you can tell just by looking at the buildings. It’s definitely worth popping in and out of whatever shops and places to eat that you want. It’s also fun to take pictures in front of some of the old buildings around town and imagine yourself as a Klondike gold rusher!
TIP: If you’re wanting to get authentic Skagway souvenirs while supporting local – look for the “Made in Skagway” logo on your souvenirs.
2. White Pass Scenic Railroad
The White Pass and Yukon Route Scenic Railroad was built in 1898 during the Klondike Gold Rush. It’s a great way to explore the beautiful nature of the inside passage of Alaska. On the train, you’ll pass several highlights including panoramic mountain views, waterfalls, tunnels, and more. It’s one of the most popular things to do in Skagway from the cruise ship, but if you didn’t book an excursion through the cruise you can book from the train depot!
The train leaves from the train depot on 2nd avenue. We wanted to do this excursion, but the shortest trip was ~3 hours long. I was told there isn’t really room to roam on the train for little kids so I didn’t think our kids could sit still that long. However, we heard great things about the scenic train ride from our fellow cruise passengers!
Interested in a different tour? Check out some of the other tours that Skagway has to offer!
3. Visit the Gold Rush Cemetery
Located about 1.5 miles from the historic district is the Gold Rush Cemetery and the Lower Reid Falls Trail. It’s worth taking a shuttle there so you don’t spend extra time walking there and back. Once you get outside of downtown, the walk there is really not spectacular – so a shuttle is well worth the extra few bucks!
At the Gold Rush Cemetery, the first recorded burial occurred in 1898. As of today, 133 gravesites have been located in this cemetery, but only 60 actually have burial records. At the Gold Rush Cemetery, there are gravesites for notorious con-men, Skagway heroes, residents of Skagway’s historic “red light district”, those who died during disease epidemics, and other unknown graves.
4. See One of the Most Unique Buildings in Alaska
The Arctic Brotherhood Hall is located on Broadway between 2nd and 3rd. It’s one of the most unique buildings in Alaska that was built in 1899 and is covered in thousands of pieces of driftwood. Now, it is Skagway’s Visitor Information Center where you can ask questions, get a map of the town or trails, and take a picture in front of this fun building.
5. Hike to Lower Reid Falls
While on your trip to the Gold Rush Cemetery, make sure to make the short hike to Lower Reid Falls. This short hike was our favorite thing to do in Skagway from the cruise ship! The trail starts in the same parking lot as the Gold Rush Cemetery (you can take the shuttle here). Make sure to look down on your way to the falls, we saw a lot of incredible mushroom varieties on this hike. The falls are absolutely beautiful and a great activity for visiting Skagway with kids.
6. Grab a Snack at Yukon Heath’s Popcorn Emporium
Yukon Heath’s Popcorn Emporium is a fun stop in Skagway if you like popcorn. They have 25 different and delicious flavors of popcorn that are made daily in the shop. In addition to buying some tasty popcorn, you can watch them making it – your kids will love it! The popcorn is a great snack to keep in your bag and eat all day long as you roam around Skagway.
7. Play at Mollie Walsh Playground
Mollie Walsh Playground is the perfect place to let the kids run around and burn off some energy. The history of Mollie Walsh Playground is very interesting! Mollie Walsh came to Skagway as an unmarried woman. A man named Jack Newman fell in love with her and even killed another man to earn her affection. Despite his proclamation of love, she left and married another man. Sadly, her husband and her had a tumultuous marriage which ended with an argument that led to Mollie’s murder. Jack was so saddened by this news that he placed a bust in this area dedicated to Mollie despite being married to another woman.
Although the history is a bit heavy, the park is great fun and your kids will love it!
TIP: The playground is also located near public restrooms, so this is a good opportunity to have everyone use the potty!
8. Visit a Brewery
We’re always on the lookout for a good brewery on our travels. They tend to be great family friendly spots, and then Dane and I can enjoy a nice local drink together! In Skagway, there are two breweries – Skagway Brewing Company (the more popular of the two) and Klondike Brewing.
At Skagway Brewing Company, you can even try beer “cocktails” with their local brews. Skagway brewing also has more food options than Klondike, but if you have time you can try both and compare!
9. Play on the Trains Around Town
If you have a kid that loves trains, Skagway is the town for you! We stumbled upon several trains throughout the town that kids could climb and play on. One of the trains we found was outside of the train depot and another was located near the City of Skagway Museum. Near the train tracks, we also saw a train driving which was exciting for both us and the kids.
10. Find a Book at the Skaguay News Depot & Books
Located downtown, the Skaguay News Depot and Books is a quaint little bookstore that’s fun for a short visit. It’s a small store, but they have a big selection of Alaska books, ranging in genre from non-fiction books about Alaska to kids fiction! We also were lucky enough to meet a cute little dog while browsing.
We love to pop into bookstores and get a local book for our souvenirs. We found the kids book “Totem Tale” that both us and our kids really enjoyed.
Buy Totem Tale here!
11. Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park is one of the highlights of things to do in Skagway. The National Park Service Rangers are a wealth of information (as always!) and lead free walking tours of the historic district at least five times per day.
Learn about the impact of the Klondike Gold Rush on the Tlingit people, walk through restored historic buildings, and tour the town of Skagway as it was during the Klondike Gold Rush. Several buildings are available to walk around in including Jeff Smith’s Parlor Museum, the Mascot Saloon Museum, The Boss Bakery, and more!
If you’re planning to spend a few hours exploring, talk to a ranger and grab a map – they will set you on a path to get the most out of your morning.
The visitor center has a ton of interactive exhibits and you can also stamp your National Parks Passport here. Check with the rangers, you might also be lucky enough to grab a Junior Ranger activity booklet.
12. Grab Ice Cream at the Kone Kompany
If you’re like us, you’re always looking for an ice cream stop wherever you travel to – for the kids right?? The Kone Kompany has been serving up ice cream and other treats for over 40 years in Skagway. They have ice cream, milkshakes, fudge, and an assortment of candy.
13. Enjoy the Scenery from the Cruise Ship
Skagway was one of the most scenic places we visited in the inside passage of Alaska. While we loved visiting the town, the most epic views were from high up on the top deck of the cruise ship. Don’t forget to take a little time to admire the scenery before you get off or after you return to the ship.
14. Try Fry Bread at Doughboys
Are you looking for a fun Alaska treat while on your cruise? You need to try Fry Bread. If you haven’t tried this glorious fried piece of dough coated in cinnamon and sugar you are missing out. Doughboys is located downtown and they can get very busy when cruise ships are in port, so head over there early and get your spot in line for this tasty treat!
Map of Things to do in Skagway, Alaska
I hope you have the best time ever with our list of things to do in Skagway from the cruise ship! Let me know in the comments what your favorite part of Skagway was. And if you’re taking an Alaska cruise with kids – check out some of our other articles below!
- Royal Caribbean Cruise with a Toddler or Baby: Everything You Need to Know
- What to do in Juneau, Alaska in One Day From the Cruise Port
- 10 Hidden Costs on Royal Caribbean Cruises to Watch Out For
- The Royal Caribbean Nursery & Daycare: Our Experience and What you Need to Know
- 17 Reasons Cruising with a Baby Can Be Really Hard!
- Things to do in Sitka, Alaska From the Cruise Port
- The Victoria, BC Cruise Port With Kids: One Fun Day
- How to Pack for an Alaska Cruise With Kids: Tips and Printable PDF
