Tips on Avoiding Skagway Tourist Traps

Skagway Tourist Traps

A visit to Skagway, Alaska will be full of memories, here are a few tips to make your trip more enjoyable and to help you avoid tourist traps.

Avoid Fishing Trips from Skagway

Alaska is full of ports to fish from and tours to take. Waters in Skagway aren’t the smoothest to fish from, and you’d do better to go to the Skagway Fish Company and order the seafood you want from there. If you want to fish in Alaska, book a fishing trip from a port south of Skagway for smoother waters.

Fake Alaskan Art

Check any items you are looking to buy in a gift shop to see where it was made. Your best bet is to look for a local shop run by a local Alaskan. If you are on a budget, you can buy something small like an abalone shell and there are 50% off t-shirts all over Skagway.

Little Switzerland

Many shops in Skagway cater to the cruise lines that stop there and on a busy day you are likely to be one of thousands of visitors to the area. This is very much a tourist trap and you could avoid it completely and try Corrington’s Ivory Museum and Skagway News Depot for gifts.

When the cruise ships leave the port, most places close early, The Red Onion might be open and could be worth a visit if you’ve ever wanted to go into a genuine saloon.

The White Pass & Yukon Route Train

This is an interesting learning experience and fun, but it is overpriced. You should still go, and expect to take lots of pictures, just expect to overpay for the ride.

Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about tourist traps to avoid in Skagway, Alaska.