Visit the MacBride Museum in downtown Whitehorse for a fascinating look into the Yukon’s gold rush era. The original portion of the museum is a charming log building built in 1900, still sitting in its original location across the street from the historic Yukon River. Inside, the interesting exhibits include an impressive display of Yukon gold—there’s even an authentic nugget once owned by Klondike legend, Skookum Jim. Learn the tales of other gold rush characters and their journey to Dawson City, and how the discovery at Bonanza Creek changed the territory forever.
From the museum, stroll a short block along the railway tracks for a photo at the iconic White Pass & Yukon Route depot. Carry on down Main Street to see the outdoor art recognizing two gold rush legends. The sculpture of an oversized desk commemorates “the Bard of the Yukon” Robert Service, right across from the bank where he once worked. A bit farther down, see the bust of Jack London, whose time in the Yukon during the gold rush inspired his famous novel, The Call of the Wild.
Other outdoor art includes giant murals depicting gold rush scenes, like gold panners, sled dogs, colourful can-can dancers, and the famous trek over the Chilkoot Pass. Travellers can find their own pieces of art at galleries and gift shops. Downtown stores carry gold nugget jewellery, books about the Klondike, painted gold pans and other keepsakes.
Tour operators offer immersive experiences like flightseeing over Miles Canyon and boat trips up the Yukon River in between the canyon walls. The river is now tamed by the hydro dam, but for the goldseekers it was treacherous. Filled with whitewater rapids resembling charging white horses, the rushing water through this canyon is how Whitehorse got its name. Today a picturesque pedestrian bridge spans the Yukon River at Miles Canyon. Join a guided walking tour here to follow the thin trail along the river to Canyon City. Visitors to this abandoned site hear captivating stories of the boomtown and its tramway built to bypass the rapids in the quest for Klondike gold.
