Skagway Alaska Downtown
Skagway Alaska Downtown
4.5
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4.5
443 reviews
Excellent
231
Very good
158
Average
38
Poor
11
Terrible
5
Paul and Kim A
Toronto, Canada284 contributions
Sept 2022 • Couples
We were in Whitehorse and a number of people told us to visit Skagway in Alaska, so we fueled up the car and drove over. The scenery on the drive was the best part. Skagway as a town clearly only exists as a cruise ship stop. The streets are full of cruise ship tourists on their leashed trips off boat. There are stores to take their money and restaurants to feed them something other than the ships buffet. It was vaguely depressing and had no feeling of authenticity at all. If you’re on a cruise that stops there, sure walk around. (Don’t for a minute believe anything is actually sale priced though.). But if you’re somewhere else in the North and deciding whether to drive over, we say skip it. The gold rush was, of course, a real thing but Skagway is a subpar would be Disnified version of it. If you can get to Dawson city, that might be worth it - we didn’t have the time - but don’t go to Skagway just because you can’t get to Dawson. The soup at the Fish Company was good at least.
Written 25 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John W
Derby, KS1 contribution
Sept 2024 • Couples
So Skagway is just a tourist trap town. If you can arrange for an excursion then do so as most of the tour guides are great. The biggest issue with Skagway is the Smart Bus shuttle service. There were 2 other cruise ships docked when we went so I understand that although we were on the biggest of the ships, the Smart Bus operators need to accommodate them too. No problem with that if each ship was at least accommodated fairly. Again I have no issue with that, except for there being 3 Smart Buses running for each of those ships but one running for our ship and even then not on the schedule that was stated by them. The drivers were a bit rude and uncaring about the folks needing to be picked up. For a town that survives on cruise passengers the town should have a discussion with the drivers and bus service as a whole.
Written 5 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisa_in_TN
Nashville, TN106 contributions
June 2022 • Couples
We took a tour of the town and enjoyed learning about the colorful history of the area as well as the overlook looking back at the cruise port.
We spent most of the time in town wondering around from shop to shop. There are lots of beautiful art galleries, places to buy furs, jewelry stores, souvenir shops and of course great places to eat!
It was a very relaxed day!
We spent most of the time in town wondering around from shop to shop. There are lots of beautiful art galleries, places to buy furs, jewelry stores, souvenir shops and of course great places to eat!
It was a very relaxed day!
Written 3 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PBPG
Yorkshire, UK8,501 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
Skagway is such a unique place, it still feels like it is right out of the cowboy films. The sidewalks and the buildings are wood, There are plenty of eating and drinking places around So many interesting buildings to look and indeed visit. It was very busy, I think there were four or five cruise ships in that day.
Written 23 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jill D
Saint Louis, MO202 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
There are tons a cute small shops to see here. I would have loved to buys lots of stuff, but was a little pricy. The fur store was great and got a real dwal at the fine jewelry store
Written 21 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
storckd
McKinney, TX17 contributions
May 2014 • Couples
Arrived in Skagway and started walking down Main Street from our cruise ship. Observed several trinket type stores and happened upon The Loom. What a great store of handmade AK products - handbags, wallets, table runners, cowboy boots, and much more. Very high quality. A diamond in the rough!
Written 5 June 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DilrukshiH
Colombo, Sri Lanka2,668 contributions
Sept 2019
Compared to most Down Towns in USA, Skagway Down Town is very small.It was nice to see the old world charm that had been preserved.
Hardly any vehicles on the roads & there were only 3 Police offices in the whole town, as told by a guide. Which is amazing.
Also rarely or to that matter, no crime is reported in this town.What a blessing.
A lovely place to walk around & do some shopping while enjoying the beauty of this place.
It would have been nicer to have stayed longer but time was restricted due to the fact we came on a cruise ship.
Lovely to take photographs, but the photos do not do justice to the real beauty.
Well worth a visit at least once in a life time.
Hardly any vehicles on the roads & there were only 3 Police offices in the whole town, as told by a guide. Which is amazing.
Also rarely or to that matter, no crime is reported in this town.What a blessing.
A lovely place to walk around & do some shopping while enjoying the beauty of this place.
It would have been nicer to have stayed longer but time was restricted due to the fact we came on a cruise ship.
Lovely to take photographs, but the photos do not do justice to the real beauty.
Well worth a visit at least once in a life time.
Written 22 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RoniTC
Houston, TX83 contributions
Aug 2014 • Friends
While doing back to back cruises, August 19-September 2 I had the opportunity to visit Skagway twice. I always enjoy Skagway.
I bought a grey hoodie sweatshirt with "Alaska". Written across the front the first cruise. I decided to wear the shirt while cruising the glaciers but when I went to put it on I noticed three hole on the back right shoulder. I placed the shirt back in the bag and decided to exchange the shirt the next cruise. When I went to exchange the shirt, the owner of the store refused to exchange the shirt and accused me of wearing the shirt and doing the damage. She said if she took the shirt back, she would have to make it down and "take a 50% hit" and she wasn't going to do that. This was a $15 dollar shirt meaning she would lose $7.50. She was loud and rude. I filed a complaint with the Visitors center on the suggestion of another Skagway store owner. I will never do business with Skagway Mining Co located on Second across from the Whitepass Yukon Railroad.
I bought a grey hoodie sweatshirt with "Alaska". Written across the front the first cruise. I decided to wear the shirt while cruising the glaciers but when I went to put it on I noticed three hole on the back right shoulder. I placed the shirt back in the bag and decided to exchange the shirt the next cruise. When I went to exchange the shirt, the owner of the store refused to exchange the shirt and accused me of wearing the shirt and doing the damage. She said if she took the shirt back, she would have to make it down and "take a 50% hit" and she wasn't going to do that. This was a $15 dollar shirt meaning she would lose $7.50. She was loud and rude. I filed a complaint with the Visitors center on the suggestion of another Skagway store owner. I will never do business with Skagway Mining Co located on Second across from the Whitepass Yukon Railroad.
Written 13 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Levitate Style
New York City, NY126 contributions
Aug 2019
Nice buildings along the main street - good vibes to walk around and enjoy the town. Mostly tourist shops with jewelry and souvenirs similar to other ports in Alaska. Casual way to spend some time before going on the train tour.
Written 11 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BeataBallo
Anaheim, CA252 contributions
July 2018 • Couples
This little town has a lot for the tourists. Everyone is so helpful and knows where everything is. All you need to do is ask. Folks are friendly and it reminds me of a scene in a movie where everyone knows everyone and they all help who needs help.
I really enjoyed Skagway. The air is clean and fresh. The stores are cute with lots of people walking in and out. Even the children's playground is adorable and set up like pine tree tops.
Public bathrooms were very clean and the buses are only a few dollars and run all the time. You can go on and off. Hardly any waiting time.
First thing we did is to take the local bus around a nice circle so we get a feel for the town. Then, we got on and off in front of the stores we wanted to see. The lady with the husky photo on her tip jar was super sweet and helpful. All the bus drivers were very kind.
There is even a local craft store around that is not advertised but worth going to.
Granny's Gallery on 272 State Street.
The owner is super sweet. The sign says to call her and she will open up. I called and within 30 seconds she was there. I think she lives upstairs. Darling shop with crafting stamps and painting supplies and so much more --- and she is super helpful. Ask the locals they will direct you. You won't find her otherwise :)
That store is not listed so it's a local little secret that is worth checking out.
Some shops are tour shops and They have tours that they offer and better prices than if you book with the cruise. Much better. We chose Skagway Tours and I am so glad we did. We just walked in and booked our tour. I reviewed them as well and gave 5 stars.
Again, ask the local shop keepers or the local bus drivers. They are very helpful.
Dress layered because weather changes fast. Take your cameras with plenty of memory cards because the scenery is beautiful. You can find many types of gifts the locals make and are not advertised on the ships. They pass the saving on to you.
I just loved this town and its ambiance. Good food and good shops and amazing tours it offered.
I really enjoyed Skagway. The air is clean and fresh. The stores are cute with lots of people walking in and out. Even the children's playground is adorable and set up like pine tree tops.
Public bathrooms were very clean and the buses are only a few dollars and run all the time. You can go on and off. Hardly any waiting time.
First thing we did is to take the local bus around a nice circle so we get a feel for the town. Then, we got on and off in front of the stores we wanted to see. The lady with the husky photo on her tip jar was super sweet and helpful. All the bus drivers were very kind.
There is even a local craft store around that is not advertised but worth going to.
Granny's Gallery on 272 State Street.
The owner is super sweet. The sign says to call her and she will open up. I called and within 30 seconds she was there. I think she lives upstairs. Darling shop with crafting stamps and painting supplies and so much more --- and she is super helpful. Ask the locals they will direct you. You won't find her otherwise :)
That store is not listed so it's a local little secret that is worth checking out.
Some shops are tour shops and They have tours that they offer and better prices than if you book with the cruise. Much better. We chose Skagway Tours and I am so glad we did. We just walked in and booked our tour. I reviewed them as well and gave 5 stars.
Again, ask the local shop keepers or the local bus drivers. They are very helpful.
Dress layered because weather changes fast. Take your cameras with plenty of memory cards because the scenery is beautiful. You can find many types of gifts the locals make and are not advertised on the ships. They pass the saving on to you.
I just loved this town and its ambiance. Good food and good shops and amazing tours it offered.
Written 31 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Olá. Gostaria de ir a Skagway em Outubro, mas nĂŁo estou achando nada nesse perĂodo, nem hospedagens. AlguĂ©m saberia informar o que acontece com a cidade esse perĂodo?
Written 26 May 2019
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