Skagway



Skagway is a town with a population of less than a thousand in Southeastern Alaska. It is the northern terminus of the Alaska Marine Highway System. It sprang up during the Klondike Gold Rush of 1896-1899, and now subsists almost entirely on tourism. The historical interest and natural beauty of the area make it a worthwhile place to visit.

By boat


The most common way to get to Skagway is by boat, whether cruise ship or Alaska Marine Highway ferry.

By car
The only road access to the remainder of the continent is on Highway 98, which travels to Whitehorse, Yukon via Carcross, Yukon. The highway is named Highway 2 (South Klondike Highway) in Canada within British Columbia and Yukon.

By plane
Skagway is accessible by commuter flight from Juneau.

Get around
The city is only a few blocks wide and a couple dozen blocks long, on level ground; walking works just fine. S.M.A.R.T. City Transit provides small buses around town and to and from the cruise ship docks. Bus fare for the short route that travels from the cruise ship docks to Broadway and 8th Street costs $2 per trip or $5 for an all-day pass. Buses run from May 1 - October 1, 7AM-9PM, 7 days a week. The fare for the bus route that goes from Broadway and 8th street along State Street to Jewel Gardens and Klondike Gold Fields is $5.

See


Start by stepping away from any buildings and turning 360 degrees for an impressive view of the nearby peaks that enclose Skagway.



Buy
There is no shortage of shops along Skagway's main street (actually Broadway Street, one block from Main), offering an array of standard tourist souvenirs, native/local crafts and imported imitations, jewelry, and other goods. Here are a few:



Eat
A few restaurants and bars along the main street offering a variety of brews and cooking provide a pleasant alternative to - or break from - shopping and excursions.



Connect
As of 2013, cellular users in Skagway and Haines have reported substantial network delays due to the load placed on existing infrastructure when passengers from multiple arriving cruise ships access the system simultaneously. An upgrade to 4G is planned but not yet implemented.