Downtown Whitehorse: Main Street false front Klondike Gold Rush
buildings in the Yukon, Canada. Photo by L Henry.
Whitehorse is the capital city of the Yukon, Canada and is often the first site that most travelers see in the northern territory. Smaller airports in Dawson City and Old Crow cater to flights from other northern communities, but Whitehorse is the hub city for arrivals from everywhere else in North America.
It’s possible to stay in Whitehorse and have both a small city and outdoor adventure, or use the stop as a starting point to see the rest of the Yukon. Either way, here are a few key things to do in Whitehorse, Canada (see the slideshow photos below):
Take a walk down Main Street. Smack dab in the middle of town is a step back in time with businesses situated in false front buildings reminiscent of the Klondike Gold Rush days.
A five-minute walk to the water brings into view the historic S.S. Klondike sternwheeler, its riverboat transportation days over. (A trip from Dawson to Whitehorse took four to five days in 1930s; a flight now takes 1.25 hours!)
It’s now a National Historic Site of Canada and half hour guided tours are given with a video presentation (adults $6.05 CDN). A walk, cycle or rollerblade along the Yukon River, which runs parallel to the downtown and continues on through the rest of the territory, is divine on a nice day.
A quick 10-minute drive from the downtown core is the fantastic Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre. Stepping back to the last ice age, life-size animals from the lost continent of Beringia tower over visitors. It’s an astonishing look back at mother nature and what she’s capable of.
Nightlife is all about the Frantic Follies Vaudeville Revue ($24 CDN per person). Variety shows happen every night from mid-May to mid-September at the Whitehorse Westmark Hotel.
A recommended Whitehorse inn is the High Country Inn, a hotel on the edge of downtown and within walking distance to the attractions listed here (except the Beringia Centre). Rooms are simple, clean and comfortable, and the staff are super friendly.
INSIDER’S TIP: A great little sushi joint in downtown Whitehorse haa a surprisingly large Japanese menu. Head to Sakura Sushi Japanese Restaurant (404 Wood St., 867-668-3298) for sushi, sashimi, noodles, udon, boat combos, tempura, soup and even curry. See if they have the fruit sushi combo on special- it’s delicious.
A complete list of resources related to Yukon vacations can be found here.
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Comments
Some famous names and historical stories in these smaller towns up north. I've been through Alaska, but haven't got to the Yukon yet,even though it's on my list. Lots of helpful information here.
Yes, there are definitely some gems up north. I was only in Alaska briefly, after taking the Yukon White Pass train to Skagway, but I'm sure that's not a fair representative of Alaska as a whole! I also stopped into Chicken, Alaska for lunch, which was fun!
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