Travel
The spell of the Yukon
An insider’s account of the modern-day gold rush
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Travel
The Essential Itinerary: Dawson City, Yukon
A three-day guide on what to do, where to stay and how to make the most of your time in the vibrant northern community of Dawson City
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On the traditional territory of Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation, Dawson City, Yukon is a vibrant town with a racy gold rush past. Now, it’s a hub for creatives, from musicians to movie makers, printmakers to poets. With access to bountiful subarctic nature, there’s plenty here to inspire. Here, a three-day guide to make the most of an art-filled stay.
Day 1
10 a.m. | Art immersion
Start your day with art therapy at Dënäkär Zho, which means “house of mixed colours” in the Hän language. Also known as the Klondike Institute of Arts and Culture, the building is home to ODD Gallery, a year-round exhibition space for contemporary work, including solo and group exhibitions, film screenings and more. After the art, stroll over to Red Mammoth Bistro for lunch — baking is their specialty, so leave room for a sky-high slice of cake for dessert.
2 p.m. | Open-air gallery
Summer is festival season. The Yukon Riverside Arts Festival in June sees artists offer workshops and demos in beading, glassblowing and screen printing, and stalls selling fine art and handmade wares. In August, wordsmiths descend on the Print and Publishing Festival for storytelling, literary readings and live music.
8 p.m. | Cancan camp
Dip a toe into life during the gold rush and embrace the camp at Diamond Tooth Gerties, a casino famed for its cancan show inspired by the entertainment offered here in the 1890s. Three shows nightly — the later the show, the saltier it is.
Day 2
9 a.m. | The Klondike’s first people
A hub for Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in cultural heritage, the Dänojà Zho Cultural Centre is an immersion in the history and artistic innovation of the region’s first people. Guided tours are available, and staff share stories through artifacts, photographs and heirlooms. A gift shop sells products by local Indigenous makers.
2 p.m. | Art from nature
Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in artist Jackie Olson was instrumental in developing Dawson City’s arts scene as an administrator. Now, through her own work, Olson explores the connection her family has had with the land for generations. Through Klondike Experience, book an afternoon hands-on workshop. You’ll learn how Olson forages for materials, use willow bark to weave your own original piece of art and have a discussion with the artist about her life and work.
7 p.m. | Land of the midnight sun
Head to the Midnight Dome lookout for spectacular views of the Klondike Valley and Yukon River. In the summer, there’s no better place to take in the golden glory of the midnight sun.
7 p.m. | Land of the midnight sun
Head to the Midnight Dome lookout for spectacular views of the Klondike Valley and Yukon River. In the summer, there’s no better place to take in the golden glory of the midnight sun.
Day 3
9:30 a.m. | Peak inspiration
Meet up with Klondike Experience again for the 90-minute drive along the storied Dempster Highway to Tombstone Territorial Park. Pass fields of lichen, conical pingos, and varied wildlife, from marmots to caribou, during a guided hike. When it’s time to leave, 45-minute scenic flights by Peel Wilderness Adventures offer the best ride back to town, providing a bird’s-eye view of the park’s stunning mountain ranges.
7 p.m. | Luxe meets locavore
Book your table at BonTon & Company in advance. The kitchen sources from local farms, creameries and nurseries. Owner Shelby Jordan is an expert butcher, too, serving house-cured meats, like bresaola, salami and tartare.
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This story is from the May/June 2024 Issue
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