Skagway, Alaska

This "Gateway to the Klondike" watched as countless fortune-seekers passed on its streets as they headed to the Chilkoot and White Pass Trails during the heyday of Alaska's Gold Rush. Today, you can still feel like a prospector in Skagway, as you walk along its rustic boardwalks and frontier-style storefronts. With only 750 residents, this cozy town lies at the head of the Lynn Canal and offers a pleasant respite from the hustle and bustle of most cities. The weather is much different - and drier - here compared to the rest of southeastern Alaska, as it gets an average of just 22 inches of precipitation each year.

A LINK TO HISTORY

More than a century after the Gold Rush, Skagway remains a popular destination for visitors, young and old. With its classic cars and one of the oldest narrow-gauge railroads in the world, the city retains the flavor of days gone by and remains an important link to Alaska's rich history.

ON BROADWAY...

Seven blocks on Broadway make up downtown, and a stroll down this main thoroughfare is a must. Highlights include a stop at the Arctic Brotherhood Hall, the only remaining example of turn-of-the-century Alaskan driftwood architecture. Other buildings like the Trail of '98 Museum, Corrington's Museum of Alaskan History and the Alaskan Wildlife Adventure and Museum present different facets of prospecting times.

WELL-MARKED TRAILS

Before hitting the famous Chilkoot Trail, there are other well-marked trails to try. Hiking to Lower Dewey Lake is an easy, 20-minute climb, and there are more adventurous trails that lead to remote Sturgill's Landing, Upper Dewey Lake and the Devil's Punchbowl. Off the trails and away from Broadway, the White Pass Scenic Railway and Eagle Preserve Wildlife Quest provide additional options for history and nature lovers alike.