by Stephanie Larkin
Skagway is a charming stop on your Alaskan cruise, which takes you back to the days of the gold rush. Most of downtown Skagway is now part of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, and it has been restored by the federal government as well as the people of Skagway to its original unique beauty.

When the gold rush began in the Yukon, Skagway was only a single cabin, but it grew overnight when a dock was erected, making it a major gateway to the Klondike. At it's height, Skagway boasted over 20,000 citizens, including quite a mix of argonauts - the gold seekers - stampeders, businessmen, and con artists. The most infamous gunfight in this often wild town occurred in July 1898 between Frank Reid, the 'good guy' who was Skagway's town surveyor, and 'bad guy' Jefferson "Soapy" Smith, a local con artist. When the gunfight - which took place on a dock downtown - was over, Smith lay dead and Reid was dying. After the gold rush, the population shrank to just 700, but thanks to the White Pass and Yukon Railroad, and today the cruise industry, the town has been able to survive some tough economic times.

Cruise ships dock just a short walk from downtown, and it is quite easy to get around Skagway, since the town is flat, and the historic sights are all located close together and near the cruise ship dock. You can't miss the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park Visitors Center as you walk into town. Here you will find photos and a movie about the sights. Right next door to the Visitors Center is the White Pass and Yukon Route Depot, which is the departure point for an amazing railway trip through spectacular scenery. This very popular shore excursion makes several round trips daily during the summer months, carrying visitors for a three-hour excursion past Bridal Veil Falls, Inspiration Point and Dead Horse Gulch on its way to the White Pass Summit. While in town, check out the Arctic Brotherhood Hall which now houses the Skagway Convention and Visitors Bureau. The Arctic Brotherhood was an organization of Yukon and Alaskan pioneers who used over 20,000 pieces of driftwood to decorate the false front of the lodge. You can also visit Corrington's Museum of Alaskan History, where you can view a collection of carved ivory pieces, and the Skagway Museum, which includes artifacts and exhibits related to Soapy Smith and Frank Reid, as well as more modern art from local artists.

For the more adventurous visitor, Skagway offers an abundance of opportunities, from a hike to the Gold Rush Cemetery and Reid Falls, located just north of town, to a helicopter flight and hike to Laughton Glacier. There are also float trips and bicycle tours available for the energetic, so there is truly something for everyone to enjoy for a day at Skagway.


About the Author
Stephanie Larkin is the editor of http://www.CruiseLinesandPorts.com, as well as http://www.Cruise-To-Alaska.net. She and her family love to cruise - her 3 children especially love the towel animals and chocolates left on the beds at night!