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13 Things to do in Skagway Alaska from Cruise Ship

Beautiful picturesque view of mountains from the small port.
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Things to do in Skagway Alaska from Cruise Ship are Dog Sled Ride and Lower Dewey Lake Trail Hike. Passengers can also do shopping in Skagway.

The city is popular amongst cruise ships as a port on call and has a long gold mining industry history. Alongside this, the city has one of the oldest railways operating through rugged mountains.

Skagway is the sunshine capital of Alaska - it receives only 27 inches of precipitation yearly. This makes the city ideal for visiting and exploring the region's scenic beauty.

Skagway's port serves several round-a-year excursions like Zipling, Hiking to the rainforests, Cycling and more. Our team has gathered a few of them in this list:

1. Ride with Dogs in a Sled

Dogs pulling the sled on snow covered ground under blue sky.
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Ride with Dogs in a Sled is one of the top things to do near Cruise Port in Skagway Alaska. 16 powerful huskies will take for an exhilarating tour.

The tour is family-friendly and there is no bar of age to participate. It has a convenient pick-up from the port and they will take you to the location.

Before beginning a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, the organizers will introduce the puppies and make them friendly. The sled ride is scheduled for 11 miles long beautiful coastline of the sunshine city of Skagway.

  • Address: Dyea Rd, Skagway, AK 99840
  • Phone: (907) 983-4444
  • Cost: $149 per person

2. Try Local Cuisine of Skagway Restaurants

View of empty outdoor restaurant during midnight.
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Things to do in Skagway on your own is trying the cuisine of local restaurants. There are several restaurants located near the port.

Skagway Fish Company, The Smokehouse and The Station Grill & Bar are a few of them. The authentic cuisine of Alaska, like oysters, crab, salmon and halibut are some tasty dishes to spread the love.

While most of the food is influenced by seafood here in this place, visitors can also find amazing Chinese, Thai or Indian delicacies in some places.

3. Do Shopping in Skagway

You might be wondering what to do in Skagway Alaska Port? Well, you can go shopping in Skagway in local places.

The made-in-Skagway products are famous among the passengers. There are varieties of products ranging from art made from ivory to authentic wood-carved handicrafts.

Local Klondike gold is also famous among cruise ship passengers. Jewelry is pretty cheap and duty-free here, so do not forget to buy a gift for your loved one from here.

4. Stroll in Jewell Gardens

Beautiful garden with restaurant.
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Free things to do in Skagway Alaska from cruise ship is visiting Jewell Gardens. It is an escape peaceful environment where one can interact with birds and plants. 

Jewell Gardens is a certified organic show with shops inside. You can find restaurants and shops serving organic produce from the farm daily.

An admission fee of $12.50 per person is required for the 90 minutes tour; however, cruise companies pay for the tour so you won't need to worry about it.

  • Address: 703 Spring St, Skagway, AK 99840
  • Phone: (907) 983-3311
  • Cost: $12.50 per person

Related: Things to do in Nassau Bahamas Near Cruise Port

5. Explore Emerald Lake in Rental Car

Mountains seen from the Emerald lake.
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Emerald Lake is a silt body of water that looks visible emerald-green in color. It is in the Carcross region, 12 km upside of the Klondike Highway.

The lake is surrounded by Surprise Mountain and Mt Gilliam. Reaching here from the city takes around 4 hours (72 miles).

Emerald Lake rental car is provided by Emerald Lake Tours company which offers SUVs with a full-day package. The car doesn't have fuel, so you have to add fuel while embarking on the journey.

There are no specific car rental criteria, but you have to submit copies of the necessary documents.

  • Address: 975 Spring St, Skagway, AK 99840
  • Phone: (907) 983-1897
  • Cost: $131 per car

6. Test Your Luck in Klondike Gold Fields

A woman gold panning.
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Klondike Gold Fields is one of the renowned gold mining places in the world. The mining was started in 1896 by Skookum Jim.

Alaska shore tours organize gold panning and factory observation for cruise ship passengers. It is a 2-hour luck testing tour where passengers can pan gold by replicating the old 'Panning' process.

They can view how machinery produces Gold on a mass scale through the factory tour. 

No matter how much gold you can pan, it is all yours. Some tourists have claimed to pan more than 20-30 grams of gold in a lucky day, so don't miss to try your luck!

  • Address: PO Box 995, Skagway AK 99840
  • Phone: (844) 626-9600
  • Price: $89 per person
  • Duration: 2 Hours

7. Ride in White Pass & Yukon Railway

Train moving forward with a scenic view of mountains.
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White Pass & Yukon Railway is the world's most isolated railway without direct connection to other lines. It traverses from Alaska to Canadian provinces.

While on a Princess Cruise To Alaska the passengers have plenty of time to spend in Skagway port. So, this route might be a memorable shore excursion for the guests.

The railways take you past glacial rivers, waterfalls, and gorges of wild Alaska. Each coach on the train has expansive big windows that offer panoramic views of the place.

  • Address: 201 2nd Ave, Skagway, AK 99840
  • Phone: (800) 343-7373
  • Length: 107 miles
  • Ticket Price: $280 (Two-Way)

Related: Things to do in Cozumel Mexico Near Port

8. Try Freshly Brewed Beer in Klondike Brewing Company

Beer bottles kept in wooden shelf.
Source : pexels

Klondike Brewing Company offers full factory & brewing process tours. Royal Caribbean Cruise to Alaska has included this as shore excursions.

Tours are scheduled daily from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Pre-booking is required because space is limited for the factory tour.

The company has come up with an excellent idea of providing brewery-fresh beer for tourists. Before leaving, each person can buy gifts on 2nd Avenue.

While touring, the production manager will guide you regarding the brewing process; he/she'll tell you how malts are processed and crafted into fine beer.

  • Address: 305 2nd Ave, Skagway, AK 99840
  • Phone: (907) 983-2778
  • Entry: $20 per person

9. Get Thrilled from Rainforest Bicycle Tour

Norwegian Cruise to Alaska has shore excursions including Rainforest Bicycle Tour. It is a five-mile ride on a dirt road of Klondike Gold Rush National Park.

Before the ride, the tour organizers will have an orientation regarding safety and the map. After that, they will lead you through the scenic passageway of the Chilkoot trailhead.

It is suitable for children above 10 years and adults below 60 years. The cost per person is $95.00 including taxes.

10. Indulge Yourself in Lower Dewey Lake Trail Hike

People walking in snow covered lake..
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Lower Dewey Lake is situated near Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. Walking down the trails takes up to 15-20 minutes.

The hiking track covers up to 2.5 miles of distance around the pine forest. For a full hike, it takes around 1-2 hours determined by the stamina of a person.

You have to wear raincoats and nice big boots while walking down the lake because it may be wet and rainy. Also, do not forget to take food and water with you.

  • Estimated Time: 1-2 hours
  • Distance Covered: 3.6 miles (5.8 km) around the lake
  • Rating: 2.5 stars
  • Elevation: 500 ft.
  • Entry: Free

11. Visit Pitchfork Falls

It is the most scenic waterfalls in the whole state. Representative Image.
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Pitchfork Falls is viewable from the Klondike Highway along with the rail tracks. Things to do in Skagway Alaska for free is a visit to Pitchfork Falls.

The mammoth 2,146-foot-tall pure force of white water is only 30 minutes drive from the city.

To go to this falls, you have to head north on Broadway Street until you see a turn that leads to Klondike Highway. After that, you must follow the road for 4 more miles until a left turn into White Pass.

You have to continue driving 4 miles till Pitchfork Fall Road is visible. There is a detailed map of the falls that will lead you to the destination.

12. Hike to Laughton Glacier

Body of water in between Mountains.
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Hike to Laughton Glacier is the best free things to do in Skagway Alaska from cruise ship. The trail is around 4.4 miles of embark and return journey.

Laughton Glacier is predominantly known for bird-watching and enjoying solitude for a while.

The trail starts from Glacier Station White Pass/Yukon Route Railroad and ends at Laughton Glacier Cabin. It is not much challenging to climb atop; however, first-timers might feel the blasting winds and thrill of altitude.

It takes an average of 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete the journey. If you have never gone for a glacier hike, then you must have 4 hours calculated before leaving for the tour.

13. Pay Homage in Gold Rush Cemetery

Gold Rush Cemetery is the history of gold mining in Alaska.
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Gold Rush Cemetery is 2.5 miles of walk from the port. It takes 30 minutes to reach there on average.

Cruise ship passengers come here to see the graveyards of Gold Rush men who are laid to rest in peace.

Two of the famous people in Alaska: Jefferson "Soapy" Smith and gold and tourism promoter Martin Itjen, are buried in this cemetery.

You can pay homage to those who started gold rush campaigns in Alaska. These men's blood propelled a significant amount of agricultural developments & rapid industrialization that created modern America.