There are many places to visit in Dawson, Yukon. The town was the base for the Klondike Gold Rush and is still filled with restored frontier buildings. Explore the town’s history at the Dawson Historical Complex. The museum outlines the history of the Klondike Gold Rush and the original settlers. The museum also includes gold-pouring demonstrations.
Midnight Dome
Midnight Dome is a vantage point in Dawson that offers fantastic views of the entire region. You can reach the top by either driving up or hiking the trails. This scenic location is a must-see while in Dawson City. You’ll have a great view of the town and surrounding area from the top, and the hike is around ten minutes.
The first recorded gathering of people on Midnight Dome occurred in 1899. It was a catered event, and the poet Captain Jack Crawford came to recite some of his poems. The timing was off, however, as the sun set half an hour before midnight and rose again two hours later. After that, a road was built to allow tourists to reach Midnight Dome.
Midnight Dome is one of the highlights of Dawson City. The view from the top is amazing, and you can see mountains in every direction, including the Ogilvie Mountains, which are still snow-capped. You can drive or hike up the hill and then sit on the bench at the top. This bench is comfortable, with a foot rest.
Jack London Museum is another interesting place to visit. You can learn about the writer’s adventures in Dawson City. The museum also houses the home where the famous author lived for a winter in 1897. You can wander the museum on your own, or you can attend a scheduled interpretive session.
Tombstone Territorial Park
Located in northern Yukon, the Tombstone Territorial Park is a scenic destination worth visiting. It is more than two thousand square kilometers in size and is easily accessible from Dawson City via Dempster Highway. You can spend a day exploring the area, which offers a range of hiking opportunities and spectacular views.
This scenic area is well-known for its natural beauty. There are several hiking trails that run through the park and tourism operators can arrange excursions to view the scenery. Alternatively, you can spend the night in a designated backcountry campground. If you have time, you can take in the views at the Tombstone Range viewpoint.
For wildlife lovers, Tombstone Territorial Park is a must-see. The park is home to an abundant bird population. More than 150 species of birds can be spotted here, including some rare species. You can also take a guided tour to experience the wilderness in a more immersive way.
The park covers over two hundred square kilometers and borders the widest stretch of roadless wilderness in North America. It is also home to numerous animals, including bears, sheep, caribou, and a wide variety of birds.
Klondike Spirit Paddlewheeler
The Klondike Spirit Paddlewheeler is one of the places to see in Dawson. It’s the first paddlewheeler on the Yukon River in over 50 years. The ship was designed in a manner that met US regulations, but Transport Canada required a whole new set of drawings and tests before it could be registered. Although the engine is diesel, it makes a sound similar to a steam engine.
Besides being the only paddlewheeler in the province, the Klondike Spirit Paddlewheeler is the perfect place for a scenic, historic, and nostalgic tour of the Yukon River. You can get up close to some wildlife and learn about the history of Dawson City and the Klondike gold rush while you’re onboard.
If you want to experience the gold rush in its full glory, Dawson is the place to be. The town retains the character of gold rush days, with wood sidewalks and dirt streets. Its museum showcases the history of Yukon and displays the largest collection of artifacts in the territory.
If you’re into history, you can spend a day or two in Dawson City by taking a Klondike Spirit Paddlewheeler Cruise. These tours are approximately 90 minutes long and allow you to experience the historic area of Dawson without a hassle. A day cruise is a great way to see the town and its surroundings and kids will love this tour as well.
Danoja Zho Cultural Centre
If you’re interested in culture, you’ll find several options in Dawson City. The city’s visitor center is located in an 1897 Commercial Co. store replica, and the staff is happy to provide you with details of upcoming events, ferry schedules, and road conditions. The center also offers a free, one-hour walking tour.
You’ll find exhibits and displays of traditional and contemporary Haen culture at the Danoja Zho Cultural Centre, located across from the Dawson City Visitor Information Centre. The Centre features guided tours, audiovisual presentations, dance performances, and a gift shop.
The Danoja Zho Cultural Centre is a great place to learn about the First Nations. Here, you can buy handcrafted artifacts made by local First Nations and explore displays about the Tr’ondek Hwech’in language. During the summer months, the cultural centre has a schedule of performances and offers food and drinks.
The Tr’ondek Hwech’in Museum is located in a riverfront wood building. It features displays of traditional artifacts and a replica of a 19th-century fishing camp. You can also learn about the history of the gold rush, the Athabaskan people, and the fur trade by visiting the Dawson City Museum.
The city has a long history, and you can visit a historic cabin, the former home of a famous Yukon poet. You can also visit the Tombstone Territorial Park, a 2200km-area park home to grizzly bears, Dall sheep, and caribou. The park is a haven for wildlife and is also used by the Tr’ondek Hwech’in people for thousands of years.
Dawson City Museum
The Dawson City Museum is located in the historic Old Territorial Administration Building and is the largest collection of its kind in Yukon. The museum welcomes thousands of visitors each year. Visitors can learn about the history of the town, the Klondike gold rush, indigenous people and more. The museum also has a library and an archive where you can research local history.
The museum features several short films about the history of the Klondike Gold Rush. The exhibitions are well displayed and the staff are ready to answer questions. There are also interactive exhibits and gold pour demonstrations. The museum is open to the public and free. Its website features more information on the history of Dawson City.
The museum also features Jack London’s cabin, which was discovered after he died while trying out hard labour work in the Klondike. His time here inspired many of his famous stories. Dick North, a local, discovered the cabin and donated it to Dawson City. A memorial was erected in his honour, and the cabin is now part of the museum. Although the museum is only open in summer, visitors can also see the cabin from the outside.
The museum showcases the history of Dawson City and the Klondike Gold Rush. It has exhibits on Yukon’s First People, explorers, stampeders, entrepreneurs and demimonde. Visitors can also participate in hands-on programs related to the history of the region. For instance, they can learn about the law that existed prior to the arrival of the North-West Mounted Police.
