Things To Do in Whitehorse
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Whitehorse Attractions
Whitehorse has a large collection of historic Gold Rush buildings and landmarks scattered throughout the city, though without context, they may just seem like old buildings. The Yukon Historical and Museums Association (Donnenworth House, 3126 3rd Ave., next to Le Page Park and behind the T. C. Richard's Building; tel. 867/667-4704; http://heritageyukon.ca) offers Whitehorse Heritage Buildings walking tours June to August. Monday through Saturday, the hour-long tours are at 11am, 1, and 3pm by donation. They pass many of the Gold Rush-era structures and historic sites, such the unusual log cabin skyscrapers, and are a good introduction to the town.
Be sure to stop by city hall, on 2nd Avenue, between Steele and Wood streets, for a free 3-day parking permit.
Wildlife Tours
North of Whitehorse 26km (16 miles), the Yukon Wildlife Preserve (Mile 5, Takhini Hot Springs Rd., 1.5km/1 mile east of the Takhini Hot Springs; tel. 867/456-7400; www.yukonwildlife.ca) manages populations of many different indigenous animal species for breeding and conservation purposes, and is open for public viewing. The preserve covers hundreds of acres of forests, marshes, and meadows, and features such animals as bison, moose, musk ox, elk, mountain goats, and rare peregrine falcons. Local wildlife also frequents the preserve. From mid-June to August, the preserve offers five guided 90-minute driving tours; cost is C$22 adults, C$20 seniors, C$10 children 6-17, free for children 5 & under; C$50 families.
River Cruises
The MV Schwatka (tel. 867/668-4716 for reservations) is a river craft that cruises the Yukon River through the famous Miles Canyon. This stretch -- once the most hazardous section of water in the territory -- is now dammed and tamed, though it still offers fascinating wilderness scenery. The cruise takes 2 hours, accompanied by narration telling the story of the old "wild river" times. Adults pay C$30; children 11 and under pay half price. Trips are offered late May through September 15. The boat leaves 5km (3 miles) south of Whitehorse; follow the signs for Miles Canyon.
- Tour
SS <i>Klondike</i>
Take a tour of the largest of the 250 riverboats that chugged up and down the Yukon River between 1929 and 1955, primarily as a cargo transport. Actually, the one on view was built in 1936 to replace the first Klondike, which ran aground. The Klondike is now permanently dry-docked… - Gym/Spa
Takhini Hot Springs
A swimming pool fed by natural hot springs and surrounded by rolling hills and hiking trails, the developed Takhini Hot Springs might be just what you need after days on the Alaska Highway. After swimming, you can refresh yourself at the restaurant. Depending on the season, wall… - Zoo/Aquarium
Whitehorse Fishway
Narrowly bounded by high basalt walls and once one of the roughest sections of the Yukon River, Miles Canyon is now the site of a hydroelectric dam and the world's longest wooden fish ladder. The native Chinook salmon that migrate past Whitehorse use the fishway to bypass the dam, on…
Whitehorse Shopping
The Yukon Gallery (2054 2nd Ave; tel. 867/667-2391; www.yukongallery.ca) is Whitehorse's best commercial visual-arts gallery, featuring a large show space devoted to Yukon and regional artists. There's an extensive display of paintings and prints, as well as some ceramics and Northern crafts, like moose-hair tufting. Mac's Fireweed Books (203 Main St.; tel. 800/661-0508, 867/668-6104, or 800/661-0508; www.yukonbooks.com) is the best bookstore in town, specializing in Yukon-related books and "Arcticana," as well as a vast selection of magazines.
Whitehorse Nightlife
The top-of-the-bill attraction in Whitehorse is the Frantic Follies (tel. 867/668-2042; www.franticfollies.com), a singing, dancing, clowning, and declaiming Gold Rush revue that has become famous throughout the North. The show is an entertaining mélange of skits; music-hall drollery; whooping, high-kicking, garter-flashing cancan dancers; sentimental ballads; and deadpan corn, interspersed with rolling recitations of Robert Service's poetry. Shows take place nightly May through September at the Westmark Whitehorse Hotel (tel. 800/544-0970). Tickets are C$24 adults, C$10 children 12 and under.
Whitehorse has quite the local music scene. The bar at the Capital Hotel (103 Main St.; tel.) 867/667-2565) has live music nightly, while Lizards Lounge, at the Town and Mountain Hotel (401 Main St.; tel. 867/668-7644), also has live bands frequently. Also, check out what's happening at the Boiler Room, at the Yukon Inn, (4220 4th Ave.; tel. 867/667-2527), which has live music and DJs.
