Day 5 Diamond Princess Alaska Cruise - Skagway Downtown

Alaska Cruise (Skagway) . 2012 . Sep 19

Skagway has a relatively simple downtown and is easy to navigate by foot.  It is also much smaller compared to the ports of Ketchikan and Juneau.   A 1 hour leisurely walk should take you to most of the places of interest within the small town.

White Pass & Yukon Route Rail

For those on the Yukon Expedition & White Pass Scenic Railway land excursion, the return trip on the White Pass & Yukon Route Rail will end at the train station located in the heart of Skagway downtown. 
For more information on the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad, visit their official website here.

The Sights of Skagway downtown 

Most visitors to Skagway will soon find that Broadway Street is the place where most of the happenings are, be it restaurants, jewellers, galleries or gift shops.  In general, shopping at Skagway is not as fantastic as compared to Ketchikan and Juneau 

Totem poles are still prevalent even in Skagway.

Unknown to many, Skagway is also the native homeland of Sarah Palin, the Republican nominee for Vice President in the 2008 presidential election.  You’ll see many shops displaying her name in their shop fronts. 

Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park Visitor Centre

Located at the junction of Broadway Street and 2nd Avenue, you'll find the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park Visitor Centre.  You may want to make this your first stop as they have maps and walking tours.

Artic Brotherhood Hall

The Artic Brotherhood Hall is located along Broadway Street, between 2nd and 3rd Avenue.  The Artic Brotherhood was formed by eleven man in 1899 to provide friendship and assistance to each other in the gold-mining community.  With its unique façade made up of more than 8800 pieces of driftwood attached to the building in 1899, this building stands out from the rest and you won’t be able to miss it if you walk pass.  In the days of the gold rush, this was the one gathering place for those who had successfully returned from their adventures in Yukon.  Carefully renovated in 2005, it now claims to be the most photographed building in Alaska and houses the Skagway's Visitors Bureau.   Be sure to stop here for a photo opportunity.

Red Onion Saloon (http://www.redonion1898.com/)

Used to be a brothel, this building has now been converted into a museum and bar and restaurant, while great pains were taken to preserve its original spirit.  Located at the intersection of 2nd Avenue and Broadway, do stop by for a pint or do one of their museum tours.  Who knows, you may get the chance to meet their resident ghost Lydia.
 
Address:  271 Broadway  Skagway, AK 99840, United States

Alaska Shirt Company

This outlet pales in comparison to its bigger and better-stocked outlet in Juneau.   However, you'll still be able to pick out a last minute gift or souvenir at this outlet.  

Skagway Centennial Park

Skagway Centennial Park located at Broadway and 1st street.  You'll definitely pass by this park on the way back to the dock where the cruise ships are.  Stop by for some historical information at its bronze statues.

Transport at Skagway

For those who would like to go to the Klondike Gold Fields/Jewel Gardens, there is a SMART bus stop within the downtown with the bus schedule.  A $5 all day pass per person is required.  Look out for the signage on the bus that says it goes to the Gold Fields.

The SMART bus also plies another route from the dock to downtown.  Unlike the shuttle at Ketchikan which is free, passengers on the SMART bus have to pay $2 for a one way trip.

Check out the details of the SMART bus here.

Broadway Dock and Railway Dock

The three cruiselines docked at Skagway today – Norwegian Pearl, Holland America’s Zaandam, and the Diamond Princess.  This picture shows how far the Diamond Princess is parked (we are the one furthest away in the picture!!).  Once again, we could not help but envy passengers on the Norwegian Cruiselines.  At our first port of call in Ketchikan, Holland America’s Zaandam occupied the best spot right at the Downtown.  At the second stop at Juneau, the Norwegian Jewel occupied the best parking lot at Franklin Square.  At Skagway, with the absence of the Norwegian Jewel, the best spot at the Broadway Dock is taken over by its sister the Norwegian Pearl.

These trees filled with bright red berries are plentiful along the way to the docks and in many parts of Alaska.  We think they are red elderberries based on the guide in the Alaska Cruise Companion.

Notice that little yellow cartoonish Captain on the bridge of the Norwegain Pearl?

Zooming in...

The long and seemingly never-ending road to the Diamond Princess.  The entire walk from the edge of Skagway downtown to the cruise ship took us some 20 mins!

Since we had to endure the long walk back to the cruise ship, we might as well enjoy some of the scenery along the journey.

Amazing pieces of art work line the natural stone formation at the side of the dock. Can you spot the Princess Cruises logo on any of these pictures?

Coming up next: Join us in our epic journey across Glacier Bay National Park.

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