Summary
Dawson City is a town located on the Yukon River in Yukon, Canada. It is one of three territories in Canada sharing its border with Alaska and the Northwest Territories. It was a hot spot during the gold rush of the 19th century and visiting Dawson City feels like you have stepped back in time to the Klondike days and the Wild West.
Dawson City hit the world stage on August 16, 1896, when three Yukoners discovered gold on a tributary of the Klondike River known as Rabbit Creek (now called Bonanza Creek). Soon, thousands of prospectors were flocking to the Yukon Territories to claim their stake.
The Dawson City Gold Rush
By 1897, more than 100,000 people set out to seek their fortune in Dawson City, Yukon. Many faced hardships they never imagined; however, a few struck it rich, momentarily thriving in this bustling town.
Dawson City, Yukon – Today
Today, Dawson City maintains the charm of a Klondike town from the 19th century. It has preserved its heritage buildings that look as they did over a century ago, featuring colorful facades that recreate the Old West atmosphere.
The entire town is a National Historic Site featuring 17 significant buildings, theaters, restaurants, and bars waiting to be explored.
People live in Dawson City, and the town comes alive with actors walking through the streets dressed in period costumes, leading tours through the historic dirt road streets. Visiting Dawson City in the Yukon is an experience you will never forget.
Things to do in Dawson City, Yukon
So what can you do in Dawson City, Yukon? A lot! Let’s get started. Here are the must-see attractions and things to do in Dawson City. Watch our video below to get some inspiration before you start.
1. Experience the Midnight Sun
During the summer, it remains light for 23 hours a day, so you’ll definitely be tempted to stay out late and get to know the locals. Consequently, they’ll want you to come out with them!
We were out until 2 am, and it felt like it was 2 in the afternoon. The sun was shining, and we were wide awake. If you haven’t experienced the midnight sun, make your way up to Northern Canada for an unforgettable experience.
Midnight Dome
You can drive or hike up to the Midnight Dome for panoramic views of the Yukon River, Klondike Valleys, and the Ogilvie Mountain Range. It’s called the Midnight Dome because Dawson City is known for its midnight sun.
The Ogilvie Mountains, located just north of Dawson City, are worth exploring for their remarkable views. I have never seen such a wild and vast landscape.
Drink the Sour Toe Cocktail
The Sour Toe Cocktail is a tradition that dates back to the 1920s when moonshiners Loui and Otto Linken encountered a blizzard during one of their deliveries. Loui stepped into icy water, causing his big toe to freeze and turn black. His brother promptly amputated it and preserved it in alcohol.
Years later, Captain Dick Stevenson found the toe in a cabin and decided to serve it in a bar in downtown Dawson City.
Over the years, more than a dozen toes have been donated, including one from a recent anonymous gift, which we reluctantly tried. The Sourtoe Cocktail is served at the Downtown Hotel and costs $5 CAD.
Diamond Tooth Gerties
Diamond Tooth Gerties was Canada’s first casino, established in 1899. During the Gold Rush, it was one of the hottest spots in town. However, after the depression and the world wars, it quieted down and served various purposes until its return as a casino in 1971.
While you gamble, enjoy the lively Can-Can show playing in the background, providing a 19th-century saloon atmosphere.
Stay at a Brothel
Nothing represents the Wild West quite like a brothel. Dawson City features historic buildings, with old brothels transformed into boutique hotels. We stayed at Bombay Peggy’s.
This restored brothel boasts rooms with names like the Lipstick Room and the Green Room. Be sure to pop into the parlor for a glass of sherry—so refined.
Visit Claim 33
Dawson City served as the heart of the Klondike Gold Rush in 1896. A visit to Claim 33 provides a fun opportunity to learn about history and try your hand at panning for gold.
This family-owned museum traces the story of the Klondike Gold Rush in and around Dawson City. It is fascinating to browse the artifacts and explore the museum’s buildings and surrounding area.
Discovery Claim
Discovery Claim is a national historic site featuring a lovely riverside walk at the location where gold was first discovered in 1896. It marks the beginning of the Yukon Gold Rush—a phenomenon that changed the course of history.
The gold rush was short-lived, though; within a couple of years, every creek and hillside had been mined. By 1899, all the gold was gone, leading people to migrate south to Alaska.
Dredge #4
Dredge #4 was the largest wooden hull gold mine in North America. After migration to Alaska, large companies began dredging the rivers. The Canadian Klondike Mining Company and the Yukon Gold Company utilized hydroelectric power to extract gold. Dredge #4 was constructed in 1912 and was in use until 1959. Today, it stands as a national historic site, commemorating the gold industry in the Yukon from 1899 to 1966.
See the Estate of Pierre Burton
Dawson City is a haven for artists, and each year, the estate of renowned Canadian writer Pierre Burton hosts aspiring playwrights, poets, and nonfiction writers for a three-month retreat.
Pierre Burton was a national treasure in Canada, having been the managing editor of Maclean’s Magazine and a staple on the CBC. His family moved to the Yukon during the Gold Rush in 1898. This house was his childhood home in Dawson City.
Today, writers can apply for a grant to immerse themselves in their craft—wouldn’t that be a dream?
Explore the Jack London Museum
Visitors can visit the Jack London Museum, which showcases the home of the author of *White Fang*, who resided in the area during the Gold Rush. Jack London was not only a famous writer but also a fortune seeker, spending his time in the Klondike in search of gold. This museum features the house where he lived during the winter of 1897 in Dawson City.
Gold Rush Cemetery
At its peak, Dawson City was home to 40,000 residents, making its cemeteries above the town worth a visit to learn about the characters who lived in this isolated area. Take a hike above Dawson City to discover this plot of land dedicated to early settlers.
The cemetery features a map to help you locate the graves of those buried there. Though not as ornate as some, it reminds visitors of the Pere LaChaise Cemetery in Paris, where interesting individuals are celebrated.
There are 10 historic cemeteries to explore in Dawson City.
Tour the Heritage Buildings
Dawson City is a designated national historic site that has restored much of its original structures.
A walking tour of the heritage buildings allows visitors to appreciate the restored architecture dating back to 1896. The facades were designed to give simple buildings the illusion of grandeur and importance, while also permitting advertising.
This is a quick, easy, yet very interesting self-guided tour around town.
SS Keno
The SS Keno is a preserved paddle wheeler that transported everything from gold dust to passengers. Although these boats were retired in the 1950s, you can take a tour of this iconic vessel located on the Yukon River.
Paddleboat Tour of the Yukon River
You can also embark on a paddleboat tour along the Yukon River. The Klondike Spirit is the only paddle wheeler currently operating on the Yukon, offering a tour that delves into Dawson City’s Klondike history and life on the Yukon River.
The Paddle Wheel Graveyard
If you continue along the Yukon River, you will discover a graveyard containing all the paddlewheel ships from the Yukon River’s glory days. The SS Keno was the last paddle wheel to run the Yukon, while the others are falling apart just a short walk from the Dawson City campground.
Walk the Waterfront Trails
The waterfront trail runs from Dawson City to where the Klondike and Yukon Rivers meet, offering a beautiful, scenic walk. Numerous trails run through town, so be sure to explore the surrounding natural beauty.
Explore the Dempster Highway
Renting a car to explore a bit of the Dempster Highway is highly recommended. We drove 736 km down the Dempster from Inuvik in the Northwest Territories to Dawson City, a journey that ranks among the greatest drives on Earth, crossing the Arctic Circle and passing through the Tombstone Mountains, the Mackenzie River, while spotting caribou and grizzly bears along the way.
Alternatively, you can take a short day trip out to the Tombstone Mountains, just 90 minutes away, showcasing some of the most beautiful landscapes you will ever see.
The two-day journey from Inuvik to Dawson City was incredible; hence, we highly recommend it. You can rent one-way SUVs from Dawson City or Inuvik NWT for your journey. An overnight stay at Eagle Planes Hotel is just as historic and interesting as touring the buildings in Dawson City.
Stop in at the Visitor’s Centre
The friendly people of Dawson City, especially at the Visitors Centre, are knowledgeable about everything. They can provide information on road conditions on the Dempster Highway, water conditions on the Yukon River, and local events. Additionally, it’s worth visiting to see the artifacts leftover from the Gold Rush days.
Your trip to Dawson City will be unforgettable. By the time you leave, you will have made new friends and created lifelong memories.
And that, my friends, is a tour of Dawson City, Yukon. When are you going to visit?
