Skagway Alaska was the northernmost point that we went on our Disney Cruise. We knew that we wanted to take the train up to Fraser, BC, so we booked our White Pass Summit Bus and Rail excursion through Chilkoot Charters and Tours. Chilkoot picked us up right off the gangplank on the dock. Our guide Brian verified we had our passports with us and once we had everyone we were on our way. We had some time before the train departed, so Brian took us on a tour of downtown Skagway telling us an entertaining story along the way.
When we arrived at the train depot, Chilkoot Charters had been assigned the last train car…YAY! Only about half of our seats were full in the car. Which means everyone got to sit on the left side of the train car (which is the side that has the most to see when you go up). Brian did not get on the train with us, he met us in Fraser.
The train ride was narrated. There are two platforms on each car, one on the front and one on the back, that you could stand out on to take pictures. There is also a restroom in each car.
The train ride was awesome with so much to see along the route!
When we arrived in Fraser, BC we had to wait in our seat for Canadian customs to come through and clear us. We had enough time after getting off the train to use the restroom, go down to the lake to take photos and to have our passports stamped. The stamp for your passport is do it yourself on the outside of the red building as you go up the ramp to the restroom.
We loaded back on the bus with Brian to head back to Skagway. For the whole bus ride, Brian told us history and stories. He had us laughing frequently. Brian pulled over at overlook stops several times allowing us to take photos at the Welcome to Alaska sign, bridal veil falls, and to oversee the city of Skagway. Brian asked us if we would like to be dropped off in town or back at our cruise ship. We opted to be dropped at our ship, so that we could eat a quick lunch.
After lunch we hiked the Lower Dewey Lake trail up to the lake (we opted not to continue all the way around the lake). This was a challenging hike as it is a steep and rocky switchback trail up to the lake (up to the lake is .9 miles). However, S hiked all the way up and all the way down without once asking to be picked up. I was so proud of her! For more information on the hiking trails in Skagway click here.
After our hike, we headed to downtown Skagway for some ice cream and shopping. The day we were in port three other cruise ships were there too! So it was a little busy.
If you are looking for free wifi, the public library at 769 State Street is a good option.
We really enjoyed our tour with Chilhoot Charters and Tours and highly recommend them if you are heading to Skagway.
If you are looking to travel to Alaska, you may enjoy my other posts about our cruise to Alaska here.
Beautiful pictures! Looks like a fun tour.
Thank you Alli!
Isn’t it just so much fun to ride the train! We did that this past Christmas in Southwest Ga. Looks like y’all had a great time. Good pictures!
Yes Shirley!
loving going on this trip with you! We are planning to go next year so I am taking notes!
You will have a wonderful time! Alaska truly is amazing. Please let me know if you have any questions.
I love historic districts! The nature there looks so beautiful & fun =)
Me too Addie!
Awesome pictures!!! How much fun 😉
Thank you Alvina!
We loved Skagway too! my son lives in Sitka, so we have spent a lot of time in Alaska! I write about our adventures in traveling on my blog. I hope you will stop by for a visit!
http://karanandmichael.blogspot.com/2014/06/amazin-adventures-on-allure.html#gpluscomments
I found you on Social media mixer, and I’m so glad I stopped by, it brought back many memories!
We stopped in Sitka too, I think it was my favorite city that we stopped in! Thank you for stopping by, I’m gonna check out your blog!
It’s fun to see vacation pictures of people enjoying my state. I live just South of Skagway between Sitka and Ketchikan. Large cruise ships don’t visit our little town but we get plenty of little ones. Skagway is the starting point of the Klondike Road Race. Every year on the first Friday evening in September, more than 100 teams of 10 runners run all night and end up in Whitehorse YT fora big party. It’s a sleepless event. My husband and I participated for 11 straight years, running each leg of the event at least once. If you love Alaska, you might want to look at my blog….runnstitch.blogspot.com. I post items from my rural life weekly. Thank you for sharing your post about Skagway, the gateway to the Klondike.
We loved Alaska! That sounds like an awesome race! I’ll have to check out your blog. Thank you for stopping by.
oh man, you reminded me that i never blogged about our alaska cruise portion, and it was a year ago! the railroads looks like a great journey, we actually rented our own car in skagway and drove out to the yukon, then we continued on to emerald lake in bc and it was gorgeous. like another world! back in town my darling bought me my souvenir necklace that was handmade that day at a local jewelers. we almost didn’t make it back to the ship in time-literally the town was a ghost town-but thankfully a tour was late getting back, but we were the only passengers not part of a tour to arrive. stressful!!
It sounds like you had a wonderful day in and around Skagway. I’m glad you didn’t miss your ship!
Thanks so much for linking up at The Wednesday Roundup Link Party! Beautiful photos! I was lucky enough to visit Skagway once and we had such a wonderful time… the beauty of Alaska is just incredible!
I totally agree Angela!
The train trip sounds fun. I arrived in Skagway on a motorcycle twice. The first time we checked out the fields of wild irises at Dyea and the second time we played tennis at midnight.
#wakeupwednesday
That sounds awesome Lizzie!
Your pictures are gorgeous!!! I adore train rides especially in the mountains!
Me too Madaline, there is something so nostalgic about a train
Look alike you had a blast – hubby and I were just talking about taking a Disney Cruise, they’re coming to Europe next summer and it looks like a great itinerary!
Yes, I would love to do one of their Europe cruises! You should definitely go since you are so close. The ship had so many fun things to do on it for you and the kids!