DAWSON CITY, YT

Dawson City – a Real Gem!

Dawson City is like a great old aunt. She’s old, but boy has she got some great stories to tell. And there’s still life left in that old girl, with a small population of interesting, friendly and eclectic people. Of course Dawson’s claim to fame was the gold rush of 1898 when the population went from almost nothing to over 30,000 almost overnight.

Downtown Hotel, Dawson City

You can almost see and feel what it was like, as the streets are still dirt and the buildings have simple wooden boardwalks running in front. A good portion of the buildings are original with some refurbishments, some re-creations, some just preserved as is and some new buildings but all with the original flavor of the early days of the boom.

A coffee shop in a log cabin and the stabilized ‘Kissing Buildings’ (leaning because of the permafrost)

Old residence in Dawson City

The poet, Robert Service’s Cabin

There are shops now selling everything from trinkets to original and beautiful gold jewelry. There are some basic amenities such as groceries, hardware and a Laundromat. There are also quite a few restaurants, one of which I can highly recommend which is Klondike Kates. A good selection of bar-b-que, burgers and such as well as a selection of local beer. On a nice night their patio is the place to be.

Shops along Front St

Dirt Streets & boardwalks

2nd Ave Dawson City

While in town check out the many museums and historical spots. The best one as far as I’m concerned is the Dawson City Museum. They have two floors of artifacts, pictures and recreations as well as a theater with different films on the area, all housed in the Old Territorial Administration Building, which is a National Historic Site. VERY worthwhile!

Dawson City Museum in the Old Territorial Administration Building

Dawson City Museum Train exhibit is housed in a separated building down the street

There is a path along the waterfront offering great views of the Yukon River, great for a stroll or just sitting on one of the benches and enjoy a coffee or ice cream, like we did!

The Klondike Spirit Paddle Wheeler tour boat

Of course, you have to take the drive up Upper Bonanza Creek Rd to the site of the Discovery Claim, where the first big gold strike was made, and to check out the huge Dredge #4 National Historic Site. At Discovery Claim they have a self guided walking tour with displays of all the various mining methods used in the area. Along the road you will also see ongoing modern placer mining operations in action.