Skagway, Alaska

A thoughtful guide to Skagway by Mary Jacquel -what to do, what to prioritize, and how to experience this historic gold rush Alaska town with more depth, beauty, and less guesswork.

Read the Guides

Read the Guides

Skagway is one of Alaska’s most distinctive towns. With its gold rush history, preserved frontier character, and iconic rail route, it offers a day that feels both beautiful and deeply rooted in place.

Line drawing of an old steam locomotive train on tracks, with a person standing on the front platform.

White Pass Railroad

Drawing of three stacked silver bars, resembling bullion or ingots.

Gold Rush

Line drawing of a three-story building with arched windows and balconies on the upper floors.

A black and white line drawing of mountain peaks.

Historic Downtown

Mountain Gateway

A train traveling through a lush green mountainous landscape with snow-capped peaks in the background.

Plan Your Skagway Visit

Is the White Pass Rail Worth It?

A scenic view of a harbor with a large white cruise ship docked, small boats in the water, and lush green mountains in the background.

Do you need an excursion in Skagway?

A small town at the foot of snow-capped mountains with a forest in the foreground under a clear blue sky.

First Timer’s Guide to Skagway

A small town main street with colorful shops and mountains in the background, clear blue sky.

What to do in Skagway in One Day?

First Timer Essentials

A woman in a red jacket and sunglasses walking through a field of purple flowers, with snow-capped mountains and a partly cloudy sky in the background.

Best Time to Visit

Woman standing near a river at the base of a large waterfall, wearing a red plaid shirt, black pants, and brown boots, with snow patches nearby.

Four cruise ships docked at a harbor with green mountains and mist in the background

Cruise vs. Overnight

Empty street in a mountain town with buildings, including Donanza Bar & Grill, under snow-capped mountains and clear blue sky.

Skagway vs. Ketchikan

Each port is special. Each port has something unique to offer. Consider these tips (+photography tips!) as you plan your Alaska vacation.

Main street in a small town with colorful buildings, snow-capped mountains in the background, parked cars, and a clear blue sky.

Skagway without the rail

Other things to explore in Skagway if you skip the White Pass Rail experience

Marquee sign for Eagles Hall advertising a show called 'The Days of '98 Show' with Soap Smith, showing times at 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM, and 2:30 PM, and a directional sign pointing to the box office.

2 Gold Rush Names That Still Define Skagway

Once you understand the 2 main characters of Skagway, your experience in this charming town will make a lot more sense!

A large white cruise ship docked at a port, with several buses and vehicles parked nearby and a mountain range in the background.

Aerial view of a mountain range with snow-capped peaks, a forested hillside, and a large lake with an irregular shoreline.

Skagway Photo Gallery

A street view of shops in a mountain town with snow-capped peaks in the background. One shop is called Bonanza Bar & Grill, offering cold draft beer and hot food. Other shops include Lynch & Kennedy and Aurora, with benches outside.

A woman with long dark hair and a red jacket, smiling in a cockpit with headphones on.

Yellow and red vintage trolley bus with the words 'Skagway Alaska Street Car Tour' and 'To All Points of Interest' parked on a street in Alaska, with downtown buildings and mountains in the background.