'MUST DO/MUST SEE' in Skagway

[Mccarri]

Dear All

 

What is the big 'MUST DO' or 'MUST SEE' in terms of excurions etc in Skagway?

 

We are doing floatplane/Misty Fjords in Ketchikan and whale watching/Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau.

 

Cheers

 

I + F

[cjnky]

Put Skagway in the "Search" and most of the posts you'll find will be going on the train. Lots of options - from 3 1/2 hours to 8 according to what kind of tour you want. If that doesn't appeal to you, the Forest Service does a walking tour. Renting a car to Emerald Lake is also popular. A very good friend of mine told me Skagway was her favorite place to shop in all of AK - so there's another option.

[CaribbeanBound]

Skagway: Rented a van for $75 from Avis which is located very close to the piers. We drove to Carcross, Yukon Territory, Canada (130 miles roundtrip). As it turned out, there’s really nothing in Carcross, but the trip was incredible. (It’s not the destination —– it’s the journey). There was almost no traffic at all. We saw but one bus, a truck, and maybe 2 dozen cars the entire trip. We saw bears, caribou, mountain goats and bald eagles. We saw snow capped mountains and crystal clear lakes, numerous water falls, sweeping valley and mountain views, raging rivers, the White Mountain Pass Train. The kids threw snowballs. We got back into town about 2pm and shopped. Many interesting stores. The place was packed with 4 ships in port. Enjoyed an Alaska Amber Ale at the Red Onion Saloon and were driven back to the ship by the folks at Avis. Between 8pm and 10pm that night we saw numerous Humpback whales, including tail slaps, and a breach within 50 yards of the ship.

 

We enjoyed all three Alaskan ports (Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan) and the Tracy Arm Glacier. We had incredible weather. We did not book any cruise ship excursions —– yet we saw more scenery and wildlife than most passengers. We were a family of four staying in one inside cabin aboard the Star Princess. We would do it again. Complete Alaska review: http://www.lavasurfer.com/info/alaska.html

[qiangf2]

Do what CaribbeanBound suggested. I would recommend a horseback ride with Joni at Emerald lake ranch. That was the hightlight of the trip

[Mccarri]

Dear All

 

Thanks for the suggestions. Given these, we will probably rent a car now! Just need to decide if we drive to Carcross or Emerald Lake. Anyone got any thoughts on that?

 

Also, where can we find suggested itineraries for these drives. I've read on here about a 'Murray's Guide', but can't seem to find it on-line.

 

PS. Are Sourdough and Avis the only car rental places in Skagway?

 

Cheers

 

I + F

[gonna go cruising]

This is Murrays guide. Great reading.

http://www.explorenorth.com/library/roads/sklondike-photos1.html

[tbenson81]

Do the glacier landing or dogsledding here and do whale watching in Juneau.

 

Also check out the Red Onion Saloon.

[Budget Queen]

Dear All

 

Thanks for the suggestions. Given these, we will probably rent a car now! Just need to decide if we drive to Carcross or Emerald Lake. Anyone got any thoughts on that?

 

Also, where can we find suggested itineraries for these drives. I've read on here about a 'Murray's Guide', but can't seem to find it on-line.

 

PS. Are Sourdough and Avis the only car rental places in Skagway?

 

Cheers

 

I + F

 

 

Emerald Lake is just 7 miles past Carcross, yes definately go all the way there.

 

 

Yes only 2 car rental companies. I only rent from Avis.

[Mccarri]

Dear All

 

We took your advise and have hired a car with Avis for USD74 base rate.

 

Now, I am a Brit (well live there at least, actually Irish by birth) and we have manual transmission mostly - gear stick on a central console. Will the Pontiac we have rented be automatic or will the transmisson be manual-hand operated like we see in US movies?!

 

Also, will Avis accept a UK driver's licence or will I need an International Driver's Permit from the AA (AAA to you!)?

 

About the customs crossings into Canada and back into the USA, as non US or CA passport holders, will we have to go through the usual painful immigration formalities (form filling, photos taken, fingerprints and exit/entry stamps) or is it more of a 'show your passport and on you go' affair?

 

Cheers and thanks

 

I + F

[redtr6]

Better check with Avis, as a Canadian we are not allowed to drive a US rental from Skagway into Canada and then back to Skagway:confused:

[Budget Queen]

Dear All

 

We took your advise and have hired a car with Avis for USD74 base rate.

 

Now, I am a Brit (well live there at least, actually Irish by birth) and we have manual transmission mostly - gear stick on a central console. Will the Pontiac we have rented be automatic or will the transmisson be manual-hand operated like we see in US movies?!

 

Also, will Avis accept a UK driver's licence or will I need an International Driver's Permit from the AA (AAA to you!)?

 

About the customs crossings into Canada and back into the USA, as non US or CA passport holders, will we have to go through the usual painful immigration formalities (form filling, photos taken, fingerprints and exit/entry stamps) or is it more of a 'show your passport and on you go' affair?

 

Cheers and thanks

 

I + F

 

All cars are automatic. I don't think there are ANY manual rental cars in the US, but the major companies? :) I suggest you get your customs information direct from the Canadian and US sites.

[wolfepackin]

Better check with Avis, as a Canadian we are not allowed to drive a US rental from Skagway into Canada and then back to Skagway:confused:

 

 

May I ask why????? :confused: ...

 

Mike

[Yukon]

May I ask why????? :confused: ...

 

Mike

 

Just 'cause Canada Customs says so! :(

 

Murray

[signora]

Someone suggested buying sandwiches in Skagway and bringing them on the drive. Will this be a problem at the border?

[suziqz007]

About the customs crossings into Canada and back into the USA, as non US or CA passport holders, will we have to go through the usual painful immigration formalities (form filling, photos taken, fingerprints and exit/entry stamps) or is it more of a 'show your passport and on you go' affair?

 

Show and go...we stayed in the car, answered a couple of questions (any alcohol?, how long staying in CA?), and we were on our way.