If you have just 1 day to explore Skagway with kids, here are some family-friendly activities to make the most of your visit.
Skagway was the third stop on our unforgettable Alaskan cruise aboard the Princess Cruises’ Grand Princess, which took us on a 7-day adventure from Vancouver, Canada. We made stops in Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, and ended our journey in Whittier. Traveling with our two kids (ages 4 and 9), their grandmother, and great-grandfather, this cruise turned out to be the perfect multi-generational family adventure. For more about our journey, check out “Alaska Cruise with Kids: Our 7-Day Cruise Adventure“. Here, I’ll share our experience of exploring Skagway with kids in 1 day during our cruise port stop in Alaska.
1. Discovering Skagway
During our trip to Skagway with kids, like most visitors, we arrived as part of an Alaska cruise. With over 90% of visitors arriving by cruise ship, most have only a short window to explore this tucked-away Alaskan town. But don’t worry—there’s plenty to fit into just one day in Skagway.
If you prefer to skip cruise excursions and explore independently, it’s easy to plan a day tailored to your interests. From historical landmarks to stunning scenery, Skagway offers much to experience in a limited time. One day is more than enough to absorb the town’s gold rush history, enjoy its natural beauty, and leave inspired to return.
Founded in 1897, Skagway became a crucial gateway during the Klondike Gold Rush. Over 100,000 prospectors passed through, seeking fortune. Strolling its old streets, you’re transported back in time. Well-preserved buildings and wooden sidewalks vividly reflect the town’s rich history.
Tourism, particularly from cruise ships, plays a vital role in Skagway’s economy, attracting over a million visitors annually. One of the town’s most famous attractions is the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad, built in 1898 to support the gold rush. This scenic railway offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, steep cliffs, and lush valleys. Skagway’s dramatic landscapes, including fjords and nearby glaciers, provide ample opportunities for outdoor adventures like hiking, wildlife viewing, and glacier excursions.
2. Family-friendly activities in Skagway
White Pass & Yukon Route Railway
One of the best activities in Skagway with kids was riding the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway. This historic narrow-gauge train clings to White Pass’s rugged slopes, crossing bridges, trestles, and tunnels carved from mountains. Connecting Skagway with Yukon, the railway offers a 41-mile roundtrip journey to White Pass summit, nearly 3,000 feet high.
During the ride, we were treated to stunning views of valleys and mountain landscapes. The trip provides a fascinating glimpse into the Klondike Gold Rush era, traveling from sea level to the summit with grades of up to 3.9% and dramatic 16-degree turns. Also, the vintage railcars add to the authentic experience as the train passes through two tunnels and over numerous bridges and trestles.
The entire ride takes about three hours round-trip and departs multiple times a day. For the best experience, book the earliest departure for a full day of exploring Skagway. The railroad only runs from early May through to late September to coincide with the cruise ship season. Onboard, a guide provides regular audio commentary, and staff often walk through the carriages to answer questions. Each carriage has a leaflet in various languages with information about the train’s history, as well as puzzles and games. Free water bottles are available, but no other food or drink is sold. Bring snacks and any activity booklets for kids. While panoramic windows offer excellent views from your seat, you can also visit the open-air viewing platforms at the front and back of the carriage for great photo opportunities.
History of the White Pass & Yukon Railroad
The White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad has a colorful history linked to the Klondike Gold Rush. In 1896, George Carmack, Skookum Jim, and Dawson Charlie discovered gold. Skagway founder Captain William Moore had predicted this rush. Moore, hired by William Ogilvie’s Canadian survey party, sought a safer route than Chilkoot Pass. They discovered and named the White Pass, honoring Canadian Interior Minister Sir Thomas White.
The 1897 gold discovery ignited a frenzy, with tens of thousands flocking to Dyea and Skagway for dangerous journeys. To ease travel, the White Pass & Yukon Railroad was built between 1898 and 1900, replacing hazardous trails. Designated an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 1994, the railroad became a tourist attraction in the late 1980s. It now offers scenic rides from Skagway to White Pass Summit.
Explore Historic Town
After you get off the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway, you’ll be right in the middle of historic Skagway. You can easily spend a couple of hours exploring the town on a self-guided walking tour. We started our visit at the National Park Visitor Center at Broadway and 2nd Avenue. Open daily, it’s the perfect spot to dive into the history of the Klondike Gold Rush. In addition, the center offers many free activities, including hourly showings of historic films, ranger presentations on various topics, and special evening events.
Then we browsed through the many interesting shops selling souvenirs and hand crafted local art and crafts. Take some time to wander around Skagway with kids and check out the old buildings from the late 19th century. In its heyday, Skagway had over 80 bars, including the Red Onion Saloon, the town’s most famous brothel. There is also the most photographed building on Broadway Street: the Arctic Brotherhood Hall. Built in 1899, it is the only remaining example of turn-of-the-century driftwood architecture in Alaska. Along Broadway, several street signs offer historical tidbits, and I especially enjoyed a photograph from August 1897 showing the same street as a simple dirt road. Skagway has clearly come a long way since then. Later, walking towards the port, we came across the historic district train depot where the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad began its journey.
I’d love to hear about your own adventures in Skagway or answer any questions you might have, so feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. And if you enjoyed reading about our experience, don’t forget to share this post with fellow travelers!
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