Skagway, Alaska

History lovers and nature enthusiasts will have much to see and do in this fine city on the northern most point in Southeast Alaska.

Land wise, Skagway is Alaska’s largest city and covers over 450 square miles. Its population however is quite small; as of 2000, just over 860 people called Skagway home.

When cries of “Gold!” resonated throughout the Yukon in 1898, Skagway quickly became gateway town. The discovery led to Skagway becoming Alaska’s first incorporated city in 1900. Nowadays, Skagway is a very busy port-of-call for cruise ships, and tourism is the city’s main business. For example, The White Pass and Yukon Route narrow gauge railroad, both of which were created during Skagway’s mining past, now operate only during the summer season for the entertainment of tourists. The downtown area is a collection of Old West false-fronted buildings and wooden boardwalks meant to recapture the feeling of older times.

Skagway’s main attraction is the Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park. Additionally, there are a number of guided tours which can be taken in Skagway which include the Trail of ’98 Museum and the Gold Rush Cemetery. One of the best ways to view the city is from a lookout perch on a mountain above the city – the views are spectacular.

Weather-wise, cool summer temperatures in the 50s and 60s are followed by fairly mild winter temperatures in the 20s and 30s. Skagway is rainy like much of Alaska, though not as much as the rest of Southeast Alaska.

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