10 Free or Cheap Things to Do in Skagway

Skagway is a great town to visit. But because of its status as a cruise ship destination, many of the activities are centered around excursions. Have no fear! If you're not looking to spend too much money, there's still plenty of things to do in this Gold Rush town.

Here is our list of 10 free or cheap things to do in Skagway.

1. Hike to Yakutania Point and Smuggler's Cove

We've already discussed Skagway's numerous easy day hikes, but they also comprise some of the best things to do in Skagway without spending any money.

Yakutania Point and Smuggler's Cove are both short, easy hikes that end at a picturesque point perfect for a picnic lunch or some "scenic drinking."

Cost: FREE!

2. Have a spruce tip ale at the Skagway Brewing Company

The popularity of the spruce tip ale means that the Brew Co. is often tapped out, but if you can get your hands on a pint, you won't be disappointed. They use spruce tips instead of hops in this libation. This beer is unique to southeast Alaska, but each of the local breweries puts its own spin on the recipe.

The food is also very tasty, and their selection of burgers is awesome. I'm a fan of the Big Kahuna, with pineapple, ham and BBQ sauce.

Cost: $6 for a pint

3. Visit the Gold Rush Cemetery

The Gold Rush of 1898 is what put Skagway on the map, and some of the event's less fortunate participants can be found at the north end of town across the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad tracks.

The cemetery is down a short path off of a parking lot, and a short walk further brings you to the base of Reid Falls. If you get there at the right time, you can spend a couple minutes waving to the passengers on the WP&YR trains headed up the pass.

Cost: FREE!

4. Play disc golf at Seven Pastures

The most unique thing about the disc golf course at Seven Pastures is the holes. While most courses on the mainland use chain baskets, Skagway didn't have any of those, so each of their 18 holes is denoted by an overturned keg on a post.

The tees are much easier to find now that there's a set of new signs pointing the way, but there is definitely the possibility of losing a disc or 2 on the heavily wooded course.

Cost: FREE! if you've already got a disc. If not, you can pick one up for cheap at the Mountain Shop.

5. Watch the Days of '98 Show

One of Skagway's longest running attractions, the Days of '98 Show promises "1 hour of non-shopping fun." It's kitschy and fun and exactly what you'd expect to find in a small town theatre.

If you're lucky, perhaps you'll be picked to dance the can-can (ladies) or head up into the mysterious back room (gents).

Cost: $20 for daytime shows, $22 for evening shows, under 12 are half price

6. Take the Red Onion brothel tour

$10 for 15 minutes is the saying at Skagway's last remaining brothel. This tour takes you through the house of ill-repute, as one of its madams leads the way, entertaining you with stories of days gone by.

The Red Onion has transformed itself from dance hall bordello to a historic bar & grill, with some of the best food in town if you're so inclined.

Cost: $10

7. Tour the city museum and sculpture garden

The Skagway town museum and the sculpture garden are located right next to each other on 8th and Spring, so if you go to one, you might as well hit up the other.

The museum concentrates on the illustrious history of the town, with an emphasis on Soapy Smith, the local con man.

The sculpture garden contains nearly 50 different sculptures from local, regional and renown artisans.

Cost: $2 for the museum, $5 for the sculpture garden.

8. Visit the National Park museums and Moore Homestead

Broadway contains a number of small museums depicting different parts of life during the Gold Rush. All of them are free to the public. The museums include the Visitor Center on 2nd and Broadway, the Park Museum next to the Visitor Center, the Mascot Saloon Museum on 3rd and Broadway, the Chilkoot Trail Center between 5th and 6th avenues, and the Moore Homestead.

The Moore cabin on 5th and Spring is the oldest building in Skagway, built in 1887. The wooden home right next to it was also built by the Moore family near the turn of the century. It's been painstakingly restored by the National Park Service and contains information and artifacts from Skagway's "First Family."

Cost: FREE!

9. Watch the salmon run at Pullen Creek

The size of the salmon run in Skagway varies yearly. The vast majority of the run is made up of pink salmon, which run every other year. The last big run was 2015, so 2016 might be a small one, but still worth checking out.

You don't want to be fishing for any of these guys though. As soon as the salmon leave the saltwater of the ocean for the freshwater of the streams, they stop eating and their skin begins to decay. Couple that with the fact that pink salmon is usually very oily and not the best to eat anyways, and it's just a waste of time to try and catch them.

Pullen Creek is also the location for Skagway's Duck Derby, where thousands of rubber ducks make their way down to Pullen Pond every year on the 4th of July. If your duck gets there first, you win the cash!

Cost: FREE!

10. Swim in Lower Dewey Lake

Not for the faint of heart, but on a warm summer's day, a quick dip in Lower Dewey Lake can be very refreshing. The water in the glacially-fed lake hovers around 40 degrees Fahrenheit, so swimming in the lake mostly consists of jumping in, then climbing out as fast as possible.

There are plenty of picnic spots around the lake though, so it's worth the hike just to get away from the hustle and bustle of the 10,000 cruise ship passengers that descend on Skagway on the busiest port days.

Cost: FREE!