Things To Do in Whitehorse & Whitehorse Airport Layover Ideas

The S.S. Klondike was the largest of a fleet of steanwheelers that plied the upper Yukon River between Whitehorse and Dawson City for the first half of the 20th Century. Originally built in 1929, she sank in 1936, was rebuilt and launched in the spring of 1937. Today the S.S. Klondike sits on the banks of the Yukon River, restored to her original appearance, paying tribute to an era of riverboats and inland water transportation that was once linked the Yukon to the outside world.

Whitehorse is one of the best places in Canada to view the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights. If you visit between April to August, don't expect to get much sleep. Depending on the conditions, you could spend hours watching the magical light show overhead. There is really nothing like it.

Learn about more than 100 years of the Yukon's transportation history, ranging from the stories of the of bush pilots, to those who made their way by boat, foot and train to the Klondike gold fields. Here too is the story of the people that shaped the Alaska Highway, the road still essential to life in the Yukon. 

Takhini Hot Springs is a natural hot springs, fortunate to contain no sulphurous odour, as is common to most hot springs. The pool is divided into two sections: the hot side and the cool side. The temperature on the hot side is 42º Celsius / 107.6º Fahrenheit (it is 46.5º Celsius / 118º Fahrenheit at the source), the cool side is 36 Celsius / 96.8º Fahrenheit. The historic site is very popular with both tourists and locals, and is a pleasant soak, whichever side you choose. This locally run business also has a campground with over 80 sites. Located just outside the city limits, 28 kilometres (17.4 miles) from city centre.

The Whitehorse Fishway is instrumental to the survival of the Yukon River's Chinook salmon run. The ladders were built in 1959, shortly after completion of the Whitehorse Rapids hydroelectric dam. This was followed by the Whitehorse Fish Hatchery in the 1980's. Best viewing is in the summer when the salmon return from the Bering Sea to their natal stream to spawn. Rated Whitehorse's number one visitor attraction, also frequented by locals. By donation.

The MacBride Museum promotes the value, understanding and enjoyment of Yukon history, with a special emphasis on storytelling. Located in downtown Whitehorse, the MacBride Museum's collection includes more than 30,000 photographs, documents and objects. Kids can try their hand at panning for gold in the summer, just one reason why it was the city's most-visited attraction in 2012. Closed Mondays in the winter. 

On the edge of the Arctic, between two continents, once lay a place called Beringia. The First Peoples of North America made their home here, on these ancient lands of ice, along with giant mammals. The interpretive centre includes art, murals, dioramas and interactive multi-media presentations, a film, and more, depicting the flora, fauna and landscape of Beringia. Guided tours. Wheelchair accessible. Limited winter hours. Located at km 1473 on the Alaska Highway, just south of the Whitehorse International Airport.