In Whitehorse, visit the McBride Museum. Lots of historical stuff.
A dinner (or lunch) out wouldn't be complete without a meal at the Klondike Rib and Salmon. Fabulous meals and desserts.
Kanoe People are great folk. Rent a canoe to experience the Yukon River for a short 12 mile trip down to the Takini River takeout. In 8 trips through this section I have never seen less than 30+ eagles, far more concentrated than on any lower section of the river. But I agree with littleredcanoe..... do not venture out into Lake Laberge unless you are well prepared and know your stuff.
However, the campground on the west side of the lake, near the island, is a good one. Nearby find "Yukon Sourdough and Mom's Bakery", really good stuff, pie to die for. On the other hand, the "famous" cinnamon buns at Braeburn Lodge, also nearby, are indeed huge but otherwise did not impress me. Below average taste, and the owner was kind of gruff and unpleasant.
Miles Canyon is a must. Be sure to cross the suspension bridge and hike the short tail on the other side. Don't plan to paddle it unless you are in race training.
Speaking of races, watch for me (and a few others) beginning the Yukon 1000 Mile Canoe Race. It starts in Whitehorse at 11:00 on Monday, 18 July. Takes about 6 days for us to complete.
Lots of places to stay in Whitehorse, ranging from camping to hostels to fine hotels. If camping, the Robert Service Campground just south of the city is a good one. From there you can walk a bridge over the river to visit the Whitehorse Salmon Fishway at the dam. Pretty interesting.
Dawson is a long way away, but worth the trip if you have the time. It is a bit touristy, but set up like an old west town with board sidewalks and dirt streets. Be sure to partake of the "sourtoe cocktail" in the Downtown Hotel. Klondike Kate's is a good place to stay the night, and enjoy a good meal. Diamond Tooth Gertie's is a hot spot. A short drive up the Dome will give you a spectacular view of the river.
On the way to Dawson be sure to stop at Five Fingers Rapids. Take the 300+ wood stair step, then nearly a mile through the woods, down to the observation platform directly overlooking the rapids. Watch me negotiate and plow through the huge standing waves on the only really rough part of the river during the Y1K.
Kluane is breathtaking for its beauty. Head on over to Haines on the long drive, or take the ferry from Skagway. Make a round trip of it.
Skagway is the epitomy of a tourist town. If you realize that, with a jewelry and T-shirt shop every few yards, it is otherwise worth the trip for the scenery along the way if nothing else. Definitely try to avoid times when the huge tourist ships are in town, offloading literally thousands of tourists at a time. You can find the landing times online.
The ferry from Skagway to much quieter, less touristy, but much smaller Haines is cheap. Haines has a great movie-scape rustic frontier town. Small, but not crowded at all (unless the small tour boat is in town). The microbrew there is fantastic. Try the spruce tip beer. Pizza at the inn is good too.
Carcross is interesting for its colorful buildings. Not much there, but they are trying, and unique. It's on the way to Skagway. Lots of interesting history in this area to learn.
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