Dawson City is a good family destination because so much of its history can be touched, panned or climbed on. Children who might groan at the word museum often come alive when they are holding a gold pan, riding a paddle steamer or standing under a huge dredge. This guide covers the best activities for families, how to pace the day and what to pack for a trip to a small, remote town.
Start with gold panning
The most popular family activity is panning for gold, and it works for almost any age. At Goldbottom, a guided visit takes you into a working mining area, and a guide shows you how to use the pan, find colour in the gravel and take home your flakes. The tour lasts about three hours, so it suits children who can concentrate, and group arrangements need advance notice. For younger children, a short town panning session is easier, and the thrill of finding a speck of gold is the same.
Ride the S.S. Keno
The S.S. Keno is a sternwheeler on the waterfront, and a tour of the boat gives children a sense of the way people and cargo moved along the Yukon River before roads existed. The visit is short, around an hour, and the setting by the river is pleasant for a picnic or a walk afterwards. Check the Parks Canada schedule for times in the summer season.
See Dredge No. 4
The sheer size of the dredge makes an impression on children, and the one-hour tour is short enough to hold their attention. The machine is eight storeys high, and guides explain how it dug, washed and sorted gravel. There are steep stairs and industrial surfaces, so hold hands, use closed shoes and keep an eye on smaller children. It is better suited to ages six and up.
Walk the town
The Historic Town Walking Tour runs for about 90 minutes, which is long for some children, so consider skipping it or joining for a part and then exploring on your own. The boardwalks and false-front buildings are fun to wander, and the Palace Grand Theatre and the Robert Service cabin offer shorter, more theatrical visits. The Dawson City Museum has exhibits that children can see and touch, and it works well on a rainy day.
Add a show or a view
Diamond Tooth Gerties is a gambling hall with age restrictions, so check the policy before you plan to bring children, and note that the Sourdough Saloon is a bar. A better evening plan for families is a drive up to the Midnight Dome for the view, where children can run around a bit and look out at the river. In summer the late light means you can go after dinner without worrying about darkness.
Think about the road
Distances in the Yukon are long, and the best sights are spread out. Plan short drives, bring snacks, water and activities for the car, and keep fuel topped up. The Dempster Highway to Tombstone Territorial Park is a full day and can be rough, so it suits older children and parents who enjoy a bit of adventure. The Top of the World ferry is a short and free ride that kids often love.
Winter with children
The northern lights can be magical for older children, but the cold is serious, and late nights are hard on younger ones. If you visit in winter, dress in layers, carry hot drinks, plan short outings and choose a hotel that stays open and has a restaurant on site.
Where to stay
Look for rooms with space, kitchenettes or an on-site restaurant. The Triple J Hotel & Cabins offers kitchenette rooms and cabins, and other hotels in town offer family rooms. Book early in summer, since Dawson has few rooms and they fill quickly.
Pack for the day
Bring layers, rain jackets, sturdy shoes, hats, sunscreen, insect repellent and a refillable water bottle. A small first-aid kit, wet wipes and snacks will make the day smoother. Children often enjoy a notebook or a camera to record what they see, and a small bag to collect gold flakes or souvenirs.
