Much of the western coast of the USA was built upon the search for riches, in particular gold. Entire towns sprung up from nothing or bustling cities grew from dusty little missions as people moved west with gold fever. Places that nobody would otherwise have ventured into were suddenly teeming with miners. One of these was the Klondike and Skagway private tours can help you find out more about this part of American history.
Skagway is located in what is known as the Alaska Panhandle, the southeastern part of the state. The Panhandle seems almost separate from greater Alaska and it's here that you'll find the state capital, Juneau. Skagway itself lies to the northwest of Juneau and along a beautiful fjord. It's a small city with fewer than a thousand permanent residents but it's a popular destination for cruise ships.
Often called the Gateway to the Klondike, the town has a fascinating history. The Tlingit people had been living here for thousands of years when Captain William Moore decided to settle here in 1887. Moore's cabin still stands. Moore believed that there was gold in the area and only a few years later, the Klondike Gold Rush proved him right. The Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, the Skagway Museum, the Mascot Saloon Museum and several historic buildings will tell you more about those heady days that turned the settlement into a boomtown.
The miners didn't stay in town all the time but traveled along trails through the wilderness to where the goldfields were. Get a knowledgeable guide and follow in their footsteps with one of the two most popular trails here. The White Pass Trail leads to some gorgeous lakes while the Chilkoot Trail takes you to Dyea, which is now pretty much a ghost town.
The White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad is a fun way to appreciate the stunning scenery. Alternatively, take to the skies with a helicopter trip. You can also head for the waters to see seals and whales that come frolicking in the fjord known as the Tayia Inlet. There is a ferry that sails through the fjord and to Haines.
The best time to visit is in summer, when temperatures are pleasant and rainfall is lower. However, this is prime tourist season too and thousands of visitors pass through, many of them on day excursions from cruise ships. Winters are cold and wet and there is a good chance of snow.
There are different ways to reach town, a cruise ship being the most obvious. You can also sail in by ferry from other destinations such as Juneau. There are regular flights from Juneau as well and the town is connected to the Klondike Highway, which runs through parts of Canada to eventually join the Alaska Highway.
There are several tour operators that offer private tours in and around Skagway. Some will simply take you sightseeing while other will take you on unforgettable wildlife adventures such as dog sledding, fishing or gold panning. Find them online and book in advance to avoid disappointment.
Skagway is located in what is known as the Alaska Panhandle, the southeastern part of the state. The Panhandle seems almost separate from greater Alaska and it's here that you'll find the state capital, Juneau. Skagway itself lies to the northwest of Juneau and along a beautiful fjord. It's a small city with fewer than a thousand permanent residents but it's a popular destination for cruise ships.
Often called the Gateway to the Klondike, the town has a fascinating history. The Tlingit people had been living here for thousands of years when Captain William Moore decided to settle here in 1887. Moore's cabin still stands. Moore believed that there was gold in the area and only a few years later, the Klondike Gold Rush proved him right. The Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, the Skagway Museum, the Mascot Saloon Museum and several historic buildings will tell you more about those heady days that turned the settlement into a boomtown.
The miners didn't stay in town all the time but traveled along trails through the wilderness to where the goldfields were. Get a knowledgeable guide and follow in their footsteps with one of the two most popular trails here. The White Pass Trail leads to some gorgeous lakes while the Chilkoot Trail takes you to Dyea, which is now pretty much a ghost town.
The White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad is a fun way to appreciate the stunning scenery. Alternatively, take to the skies with a helicopter trip. You can also head for the waters to see seals and whales that come frolicking in the fjord known as the Tayia Inlet. There is a ferry that sails through the fjord and to Haines.
The best time to visit is in summer, when temperatures are pleasant and rainfall is lower. However, this is prime tourist season too and thousands of visitors pass through, many of them on day excursions from cruise ships. Winters are cold and wet and there is a good chance of snow.
There are different ways to reach town, a cruise ship being the most obvious. You can also sail in by ferry from other destinations such as Juneau. There are regular flights from Juneau as well and the town is connected to the Klondike Highway, which runs through parts of Canada to eventually join the Alaska Highway.
There are several tour operators that offer private tours in and around Skagway. Some will simply take you sightseeing while other will take you on unforgettable wildlife adventures such as dog sledding, fishing or gold panning. Find them online and book in advance to avoid disappointment.
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