Skagway in 1898 was a rough town, and its dance halls, saloons and brothels were part of the economy. The Goodtime Girls tour tells that story with a costumed guide who plays one of the women of the era, leading a small group through the historic district and into the Red Onion Saloon, which operated as a saloon and brothel during the rush. The tour includes a visit to the upstairs museum, where preserved rooms and artifacts show how the business worked, who the women were and how the town regulated and tolerated the trade. The tone is lively but informed. The guide combines humor with real history, covering the era's laws, the role of money and the challenges the women faced. You learn about famous residents and lesser-known figures, and the walk includes stories of Soapy Smith's gang, saloon culture and the changing fortunes of the town. Many visitors find it the most entertaining tour in town, and it gives a broader and more human picture of the rush than a list of dates.
Expect a walking tour of about an hour or so, with stops along Broadway and inside the Red Onion. The route is level and manageable, though it involves stairs at the museum. The tour is adult in theme but generally not explicit, and the humor is geared toward adults and mature teens. Parents should consider whether it suits their children. Check the operator's guidance on age, and note that the saloon is a working business that serves food and drinks.
Why it works
The story is a necessary piece of the stampede. Thousands of men arrived with little to do while they waited for the weather or for supplies, and an entire economy grew up around them. The tour's performer makes this history personal and memorable, and the museum rooms make the details tangible. Pair it with the national park's exhibits for the formal story and this tour for the rowdier one.
Practical notes
Wear comfortable shoes and check the start point, as tours typically begin on Broadway near the saloon. The tour runs in the visitor season and times are limited, so book ahead during busy weeks. If you want a drink or a meal afterward, the Red Onion is a natural stop. For a different view of the town, add the self-guided audio walk or the Gold Rush cemetery, where some of the characters in the stories are buried.
Context helps. The red-light district of Skagway operated for years in a gray zone of local regulation, with fines treated as a kind of tax, until the authorities moved to close it in the early twentieth century. Learning that background explains why the buildings are preserved and why the stories remain so vivid. The guide may also touch on the lives of the women, including how some saved money, married or moved on, which adds nuance to the colorful image.
Pair the tour with a quiet look at the exhibits in the national park center and you will have a layered understanding of what the boomtown was like for both its winners and its casualties.
Tickets sell out on busy days, so reserve early and arrive at the meeting point a few minutes before the start.
What to expect
The experience
A costumed guide leads a walking tour of the historic district and the Red Onion Saloon's upstairs brothel museum.
Best time
Daytime departures on summer days; book ahead for busy weeks.
How long
About an hour to an hour and a half.
Tips
Wear comfortable shoes, expect stairs at the museum and consider whether the adult humor suits your group.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Adults and mature teens who enjoy lively history.
- Families
- Not aimed at young children; check the operator's age guidance.
- Couples
- A fun and memorable shared tour.
- Pair with
- A drink or meal at the Red Onion and the park visitor center.
- Time needed
- About an hour and a half.
Good questions
Is the tour explicit?+
It is adult in theme but generally delivered with humor and history rather than explicit content.
Does it include the museum?+
Yes, the tour includes the upstairs museum at the Red Onion Saloon.
Is it suitable for children?+
It is better for adults and mature teens. Check the operator's age guidance.
How much walking is involved?+
A short, level walk along Broadway, with stairs at the museum.
Where does it start?+
Typically on Broadway near the saloon. Confirm the meeting point when you book.