30 Things to do in Whitehorse
As the Capital of the Yukon, Whitehorse is a dynamic, modern and culturally rich city at the heart of an expansive wilderness terrain. With a healthy economy and an endless variety of recreation opportunities, here are 30 things worth experiencing in our vibrant community.
1. A must-do activity when in Whitehorse, Yukon is the Gold Rush Float Tours, with Canyon Mountain B&B. With Tours leaving the McBride Museum at 10:00am and 2:00pm daily, you can try your hand at gold panning on a 2 1/2 hour float trip in a replica of a stampeder's raft. Visit the archeological site of Canyon City and float through the pristine Miles Canyon on the Yukon River. Tours run May to September.
2. Soak in the Yukon wilderness while soaking at Takhini Hot Springs, just 15 minutes north of downtown Whitehorse. With retreat accommodation for families and group functions, relax and heal in thermal mineral hot springs. These healing waters from deep within the earth are odourless, and contain minerals such as calcium, magnesium and iron.
3. See the ancient past in modern day at the Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre. Explore an ancient land of ice sheets, giant mammals and the First People of North America in this ice age gallery. Located at Mile 914 on the Alaska Highway south of Whitehorse Airport.
4. At the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, you have over 700 acres to explore with five distinct habitats and an unforgettable wildlife viewing experience up close. This unique wildlife viewing property is home to ten major species of Northern mammals in their natural environment; moose, musk ox, mountain goats, Rocky Mountain Bighorn, Dall and Stone Sheep woodland caribou, Wapiti (elk), wood bison and mule deer. Located at Mile 5 (km 8) on the Takhini Hot Springs Road, it offers a 1.5-hour interpretive driving tour. Call ahead!
5. Take a swim or work out at Whitehorse's beautiful recreation facility, The Canada Games Centre. Fully equipped with an indoor running track, fitness gym, childcare services, a 25 meter lap pool, waterslide, sauna, steam room and whirlpool, this is a one-stop oasis for the entire family.
6. Take in a play at Nakai Theatre, or the Yukon Arts Centre. With regular productions and loads of local talent, the world of theatre is alive and well in the north. Here you'll find thriving artistic excellence of professional theatre that reflects a northern identity to local, national, and international audiences.
7. With so much expansive, pristine wilderness, it's not hard to find a Wildlife and Adventure tour in Whitehorse. Whether it's fishing, guided canoe, kayak and snowmobile tours, or backpacking or horseback riding, there's something for every adventurous soul who wants to experience the beauty of the Yukon up close.
8. What better way to experience all Whitehorse has to offer than a genuine dog sledding adventure? Enjoy the experience of a lifetime with tours and multi-day expeditions, with these professionals and their team of special dogs.
9. Get on two wheels, and bike around town instead of walk. With rental outlets, you can hit the trails for a day trip, or take a guided tour in and around Whitehorse.
10. See Whitehorse from the water, and rent a kayak or canoe. Providing all the equipment you need for your water-paddling excursion, rentals are available May to October.
11. There's plenty of artwork to see in Whitehorse. From sculptures, jewelry, ceramics and more, take a stroll through an art gallery and touring exhibits, and explore showcases of local artists.
12. Kick up your heels and soak in the live music and latest DJ world beats at the various nightclubs in Whitehorse, YT. With music for every taste, you can soak up the night-life at the Capital Hotel, Coasters or Kopper King to name a few. Ask the locals for nightclub near you, and get on the dance floor!
13. Enjoy a relaxing pint of ale at the pub and watch the game on the big screen with friends. You'll find a variety of friendly taverns to hang your hat and stay awhile. While you're there, sample Whitehorse's very own locally made ale from the Yukon Brewing Company, made with clean Yukon water.
14. Experience Whitehorse from the air! With flight tours, fly-in fishing and fly-in river rafting, you can choose your flying adventure tour, and see the breathtaking wilderness that surrounds our city in the Yukon.
15. With Whitehorse as your home base, why not take a day trip to Skagway, Alaska? Just a 2 hour, 45 minute drive south from Whitehorse, you can explore the gateway to the Klondike. Or in the summer months, take in the scenic route on the historic Yukon Railway.
16. Ride the rails on the historic "White Pass and Yukon Route" of the Yukon Railway. Take an unforgettable train ride along the trail that followed the frantic gold seekers in 1898. With regular rail excursions departing Whitehorse from May to September, you can plan your sightseeing trip by calling 1-800-343-7373.
17. Take a hike in the wilderness gem Kluane National Park. Located at Haines Junction, just 160 km west of Whitehorse, explore this wonderland with the world's largest non-polar ice fields, and valleys that protect the greatest diversity of plant and wildlife in northern Canada. Enjoy guided or solo activities such as rafting the Alsek River, camping, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing (license required), canoeing, flying over the Icefield ranges, mountain climbing, wildlife viewing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.
18. Visit the museum and tour the historical events that shaped this community at MacBride Museum. Learn about the gold rush, the railway and historical figures, while the kids have an interactive experience in the Kids Discovery Zone. Or take a journey that retraces the history of transportation in Whitehorse at the Yukon Transportation Museum. There is much rich history to explore.
19. Sore muscles after all those activities seeing the sights? Treat yourself to a massage, facial and more at one of Whitehorse's many spas and massage clinics.
20. Giddy up, and get on the trails with a horsepacking adventure. Let these professionals take you off the beaten track and explore the region on day trips, or a multi-day horsepacking trip, complete with a ranch stay.
21. Only 15 minutes south of Whitehorse is skiing and snowboarding at Mount Sima. With 12 beautiful runs, lessons and a full service day lodge, it's the perfect way to spend the day with the whole family.
22. If X-country skiing is more your thing, there's endless trails to explore around Whitehorse. The Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club offers information on 75 kilometers of well-groomed trails for classic and skate skiing. Take part in this fun winter activity, and get fit while you're at it!
23. An early morning, or multi-day fishing excursion is yours to enjoy in Whitehorse. You can experience a fly-in lodge, or local boat rentals with equipment and expert knowledge of the best fishing spots.
24. Take a coffee break at one of Whitehorse's many cafés and bakeries. From Tim Horton's, to various unique coffee shops around town, it's easy to find a good cup of java. Settle in with a good book or newspaper and enjoy a variety of specialty teas or international coffees.
25. Browse through the many gift stores and souvenir shops around Whitehorse. With an abundance of local artists, there are many treasures to be found in local First Nations crafts, gems and stones, handmade wares and imported products. You'll find the perfect gift or keepsake you're looking for.
26. Take in the latest movie and some popcorn at your choice of two cinemas in Whitehorse, Landmark Qwanlin Cinema Centre or Landmark Yukon Cinema Centre.
27. Strap up the laces and hit the ice, with indoor skating in Whitehorse. Takhini Arena offers ice figure skating, and adult and youth hockey. Call (867) 668-8380 for rink times.
28. Take advantage of the warm summer months with a round of golf. Mountain View Golf Course, an eighteen-hole fully serviced golf course, is just five minutes from Whitehorse. Situated along the banks of the Yukon River, it provides facilities such as a clubhouse, licensed restaurant and lounge, pro shop, and a variety of programs for all ages and skill level.
29. Running from May to September is what's known as the most popular and successful show in the Yukon and Alaska. Frantic Follies is a turn of the century vaudeville revue, depicting the entertainment seen by the pioneers of the Great Klondike Gold Rush of 1898. Over one million people have seen the show. An evening of fun awaits you here!
30. Tour the S.S. Klondike National Historic Site of Canada. Built in Whitehorse, in 1929 by the British Yukon Navigation Company, this sternwheeler represents an age when the City of Whitehorse served a major function as the transportation hub of the entire region, taking miners, their families and the adventurous souls to the gold rush. Be sure to tour this historic sternwheeler for a glimpse into the past.
