One of the main character traits that built the America of today has been loads of pioneer spirit. Settlers moved into unknown territories with nothing more than the essentials and built prosperous communities. Sometimes the discovery of gold helped to draw people to an area and this was certainly the case with the Klondike. If you want to follow in these pioneering footsteps, you may want to consider some Skagway private tours.
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.
For many centuries, the only people living in the area were the Tlingit. However, people of European descent started moving in during the late nineteenth century. The most notable was Captain William Moore, who built a homestead in 1887 and whose cabin is still there. Moore had a feeling that there was gold here and was ready for the gold rush that followed only some years later. The historic downtown part of town dates from this era and to learn more about those exciting days, you can visit the Mascot Saloon Museum, the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park or the Skagway Museum.
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.
A very popular attraction is the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad. It's a good way to enjoy the scenery without putting in too much effort. For a different view, consider spoiling yourself with a helicopter ride. Another great way to spend a day is to take the ferry through the Tayia Inlet and on to Haines. The landscape is one of steep cliffs and in the water you might be able to spot whales and seals.
Alaska is often associated with snow and you'll indeed find snow in the area during the winter months. However, to fully appreciate the beauty of the area and to enjoy the outdoors, it's better to come in the warmer, drier summertime. Bear in mind though that this is high season and cruise ships bring thousands of day trippers.
To visit, you have the option of taking a cruise ship. However, if you want to spend more than a day in the area, it's better to come by ferry. The Alaska Marine Highway is a ferry service that plies the route from British Columbia and via Juneau. Another option is to catch an airplane from Juneau or to drive in, since Skagway has a connection to the Klondike Highway from Canada.
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.
For many centuries, the only people living in the area were the Tlingit. However, people of European descent started moving in during the late nineteenth century. The most notable was Captain William Moore, who built a homestead in 1887 and whose cabin is still there. Moore had a feeling that there was gold here and was ready for the gold rush that followed only some years later. The historic downtown part of town dates from this era and to learn more about those exciting days, you can visit the Mascot Saloon Museum, the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park or the Skagway Museum.
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.
A very popular attraction is the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad. It's a good way to enjoy the scenery without putting in too much effort. For a different view, consider spoiling yourself with a helicopter ride. Another great way to spend a day is to take the ferry through the Tayia Inlet and on to Haines. The landscape is one of steep cliffs and in the water you might be able to spot whales and seals.
Alaska is often associated with snow and you'll indeed find snow in the area during the winter months. However, to fully appreciate the beauty of the area and to enjoy the outdoors, it's better to come in the warmer, drier summertime. Bear in mind though that this is high season and cruise ships bring thousands of day trippers.
To visit, you have the option of taking a cruise ship. However, if you want to spend more than a day in the area, it's better to come by ferry. The Alaska Marine Highway is a ferry service that plies the route from British Columbia and via Juneau. Another option is to catch an airplane from Juneau or to drive in, since Skagway has a connection to the Klondike Highway from Canada.
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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