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Things to do / Travel Guide
Alaska and Yukon Getaways
Tourists to Alaska who want to go off the beaten path won't have to look too far—in fact, most of Alaskan tourism is "off the beaten path." Excursions in this region will be unique, and you'll experience Alaskan and Yukon landscapes that are unlike any other in the contiguous 48 states.
Your trip to this region will be rugged, but compared to other parts of Alaska, these part of Alaska and the Yukon Territory are relatively accessible, even though the attractions are not found on the typical tourist itinerary. Called the "Himalayas of North America," the joint U.S.-Canada parkland includes massive ice fields and most of the highest peaks in North America. Historic mining towns can be found deep in the Alaskan wilderness. Yukon's Dawson City was the heart of the Klondike Gold Rush.
Take a Yukon road trip! Roads connect the main attractions of the region to each other, as well as to Anchorage, Fairbanks, the Panhandle, and even to the lower 48 states via the Alaska Highway (aka Alcan). Mt. McKinley (aka Denali, or "the Great One") is the highest peak in North America, but is often obscured – so it just may be in this region where you get to stand in the shadow of an 18,000 foot peak (That's about the elevation you would get if you placed the Rockies on top of the Catskills!)
Yukon Tourist Attractions
Yukon, ho! Located deep in the Canadian Yukon, Dawson City is home to one of the greatest gold rush stampedes in the world. That was back in the late 1800s, but since then, Dawson City has continued to uphold its reputation as a gold mining town. You can tour some of the mining areas, enjoy some breathtaking scenery, and enjoy quite a nice night life in Dawson City. You also won't want to miss a walk along the beautiful boardwalk of the Yukon River, especially when the northern lights can be viewed (in the winter) and the midnight sun (in the summer).
Dawson is popular among summer tourists—60,000 visitors flock to Dawson every year—but few people actually take up residence in Dawson. A mere 2,000 people call Dawson home—the sub-Arctic temperatures may have something to do with it. Average winter temps are about minus 16 degrees Fahrenheit and they get about 64 inches of snow each year.
Other Dawson City activities include panning for gold at Eureka Gold Panning Adventure, touring a modern gold mine at Goldbottom Mine Tours, taking a snowmobile trek through the mountains, or doing any number of other unique activities. Dawson is also well known for its shopping opportunities, mainly of native arts and crafts.
The closest town to the very isolated Dawson City is Whitehorse, located about 330 miles away.
Whitehorse Tourist Attractions
Whitehorse is the largest city and the capital of Yukon, Canada. In fact, Whitehorse is the largest city in all three of the Canadian arctic territories, Yukon, Northwest, and Nunavut. As such, a visit to Whitehorse would serve as a nice break from the solitude and natural isolation of some of the other places in this region. That being said…don't forget—you are still out in the middle of the Yukon territory: You want to get back into pristine nature? You'll have no trouble getting to some in minutes.
Whitehorse, Yukon Vacation Spots
Popular Whitehorse tourist attractions include the SS Klondike sternwheeler, the MacBride Museum, the Yukon Transportation Museum, the Beringia Centre, the Yukon Gardens, the Whitehorse fish ladder, the Takhini Hot Springs, and more.
Located just over the Yukon border back into Alaska, you'll find more attractive vacation spots, especially for those tourists interested in white water rafting. Take a ride down the 180 mile long Copper Section of the Chitina River. Along the way you can stop and view the abandoned Kennecott copper mine and McCarthy, a ghost town. Along both sides of the river you'll get to take in beauty of the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, one of the region's true beauties.
Alaska and Yukon Getaway Planner
With proper planning this region can be covered by car, so it's best to bring a tent or RV. Plan to spend a few weeks, minimum, in this region due to its vast size.
Tourist Attractions and Highlights in Glaciers in Southeast Alaska, Southwest Yukon
Tourist-Attractions-Highlights
Tatshenshini-Alsek Provinicial Park
Kluane National Park Reserve
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