Yukon

A world apart, the Yukon gives tourists something different and a little daring. From Northern Lights, ancient Tlingit tales, and woolly mammoth casts, to sternwheeler cruises, dogsled rides, and fresh-brewed beer, the Yukon is a traveler’s adventureland.
Where else to begin our Yukon tour in the town of Watson Lake than at Watson Lake Visitors Center? As the “Gateway to the Yukon,” the center provides oodles of information about the construction of the famed Alaska Hwy and the pleasing Watson Lake Walking Tour. The Northern Lights Centre keeps visitors well-informed about the Aurora Borealis phenomenon, via several multi-media presentations. See how many signs you can read in one visit at Signpost Forest, a remarkable tourist spot that currently contains 60,000-plus individual signs, originated by homesick American soldier, Carl Lindley.
From Watson Lake, travel on Alaska Hwy 1, all the way to Teslin. At the lakeside George Johnston Museum, artifacts, exhibits and photos taken by the famous Tlingit elder and entrepreneur depict the Inland Tlingits’ fascinating history. Teslin Tlingit Heritage Centre presents details about the traditional Tlingits’ daily lifestyle and cultural practices.
Marsh Lake, along Alaska Hwy 1, is next. An ideal place to spend an afternoon on the beach, enjoy a tasty meal at a local café, or board a boat tour that departs from the town marina.
Tap into your adventurous side in the capital city of Whitehorse for some serious fishing, mountain biking, rafting on the wild Yukon River, or wildlife watching. Shop till you drop in the downtown district and don’t be timid when sampling the selection of local restaurants. See a restored sternwheeler at the S.S. Klondike National Historic Site or a life-size model of a woolly mammoth at Yukon Beringia Interpretive Center.
From vintage planes to dogsleds, discover regional travel options at Yukon Transportation Museum. Take in theatre productions, musical concerts, and the work of local artists at the Yukon Arts Centre & Gallery. See caribous, musk ox, moose, and elk at Yukon Wildlife Preserve. A visit to the Chinook salmon hatchery at Whitehorse Fishway will educate you on their environmental stewardship program. Also plan to attend a spirited variety show at Gold Rush Vaudeville and sip a sample of beer on a tour of Yukon Brewery. Repeat as necessary.
www.touryukon.com; 800/661-0494.