Dawson City is a colourful town in northern Yukon, where the past still lingers in wooden boardwalks, preserved heritage buildings, and a strong sense of local pride.
On a recent road trip around Yukon, I spent 2 days in Dawson City learning about the region’s Gold Rush past, and gold mining present. I soaked up the beautiful views of the Yukon River and mountains, and checked out local businesses and galleries.
The first thing I learned in Dawson City? Don’t let the name fool you!
Dawson City isn’t actually a city. It’s technically a town, and a small one at that. It’s made up of around 20 named streets, and has a population that averages around 2,000 people.
So, why is it called Dawson City?
During the Klondike Gold Rush of the late 1890s, Dawson was the epicentre of all the action. At the height of the rush in 1898, Dawson City’s population boomed to nearly 40,000 people, making it the largest city in northwestern North America at the time. In fact, Dawson City was Yukon’s capital until 1953.
Ready to visit Dawson City? Let’s dive into this 2-day itinerary.
- How to Spend 2 Days in Dawson City
- Day 1: Gold Mining and Diamond Tooth Gerties
- Day 2: A Northern Spa, History, and Art
- 1. Grab Coffee and Breakfast at Red Mammoth Bistro
- 2. Go on a Dawson City Walking Tour
- 3. Lunch at Sourdough Joe’s
- 4. [Optional] Relax at the Yukon Spa
- 5. Visit the Dawson City Museum
- 6. Dinner at The Drunken Goat Taverna
- 7. Catch Beautiful Views at Midnight Dome
- 8. Join the Sourtoe Cocktail Club – If You Dare!
- [Optional!] Drinks at The Pit
- When is the Best Time To Visit Dawson City?
- How to Get to Dawson City
- Where to Stay in Dawson City
- Final Thoughts: Spending 2 Days in Dawson City, Yukon
Disclosure: This article includes affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through one of those links, I earn a small commission. Affiliate links cost you nothing to use, and keep Pina Travels reader-supported. To learn more, read my Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions, & Disclaimers.
How to Spend 2 Days in Dawson City
This itinerary is busy, but will help you make the most of your 48 hours in Dawson City. You can always leave out the activities that aren’t of interest to you, or spread this itinerary across a longer visit.
Most of these activities are within Dawson City, so you should be able to manage getting around only on foot. The longest walking distance between locations on this itinerary aren’t any more than 20 minutes, maximum.
Day 1: Gold Mining and Diamond Tooth Gerties
1. Take a Morning Gold Mining Tour
Goldbottom Mine Tours in Dawson City offer a hands-on glimpse into the territory’s Gold Rush past. The tour runs about three hours and takes you through a real, working placer gold mine that’s been active since the early 1900s.
You’ll meet your guide in Dawson City, and then start with a drive out to the historic Goldbottom claim, located in the heart of the Klondike gold fields. On the way you get a crash course in what it was like to mine gold during the rush, and what it takes to mine today.
Expect stories from past and present miners, old equipment on display, observe an active mine in action, and a walk through a mining camp.
But the real highlight is that you get to try your hand at gold panning. With a pan and some dirt pulled straight from the claim, you’ll get to wade into a glacial stream where you’ll swirl and sift your way through the gravel in search of real Klondike gold.
I was surprised by how hard it is to pan for gold! It was much more challenging than I expected to learn the right technique, and it took quite some time to eventually find a few tiny flakes of gold in my pan, which of course, I got to keep.
The guides at Goldbottom Mine Tours do a great job of explaining the differences between historic and modern gold mining, and touch on the environmental and cultural impacts of the industry too.
For this itinerary, I recommend booking their morning tour. Be sure to have breakfast in your hotel before the tour, or stop by Cheechako’s Bakeshop beforehand to grab a breakfast sandwich or pastry.
2. Grab Lunch at Riverwest Bistro
After your Goldbottom Mining Tour, head over to Riverwest Bistro to grab some lunch! This bistro is counter service with lots of indoor and outdoor seating. They serve bagels and breakfast burritos for breakfast, and wraps, hamburgers, sandwiches, tacos, and quesadillas for lunch.
3. Visit Dawson City’s Information Center
Dawson City’s Information Center is a great place to get oriented! Pick up maps, walking guides, and event schedules, and chat with the staff, who are friendly and full of helpful tips.
Be sure to spend some time checking out the small exhibits in the center, which feature artifacts and displays, including fossils. Many mammoth fossils are found in the Dawson City area, because of mining activity, so you’ll spot prehistoric mammoth tusks all around town!
We also ventured to the back room of the Dawson City Information Center where you can watch a few films. The films touch on Dawson’s history, and show really interesting archival footage. They are totally free to watch so be sure to check those out!
4. Dänojà Zho Cultural Centre
What not to do in the Yukon? Don’t skip learning about the territory’s 14 First Nations.
Dänojà Zho Cultural Centre is run by the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation and offers exhibits and programming focused on their history, traditions, and contemporary life.
The Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in are the Indigenous people whose traditional territory includes the land around present-day Dawson City. For generations before the Gold Rush, they lived along the Yukon River, relying on seasonal migrations to hunt, fish, and gather. The Hän language name “Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in” means “people of the river at the mouth of the Klondike,” referencing their deep connection to the land and water.
When gold was discovered in the Klondike in 1896, thousands of prospectors flooded the region, displacing the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in and disrupting their way of life. Despite this upheaval, they maintained strong ties to their land and culture.
In 1998, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation signed a modern treaty with the Canadian government, reclaiming self-governance and recognition of their rights and title within their traditional territory.
Dänojà Zho Cultural Centre is a great place to take a pause and learn more about this history, and the deeper story of the Dawson City region, beyond Gold Rush history.
5. Klondike Institute of Art and Culture
The Klondike Institute of Art and Culture (KIAC) is Dawson City’s creative hub. Located in a converted heritage building that once served as the town’s Odd Fellows Hall, KIAC is home to a gallery, performance space, classrooms, and artist studios.
It hosts a rotating lineup of exhibitions, film screenings, concerts, and community workshops, and plays a major role in fostering contemporary art in the Yukon. One of its best-known programs is the ODD Gallery, which showcases work from Northern, national, and international artists.
KIAC also runs an artist-in-residence program that invites creators from around the world to live and work in Dawson City, encouraging cultural exchange and collaboration.
Whether you’re into visual arts, music, or just want to connect with the local creative scene, KIAC is worth a visit. When we visited in July 2025, the institute had a fantastic free exhibition of locally-made textiles on!
6. Shopping Along Front Street
Dawson City has some great local businesses where you can find hand-made souvenirs, vintage and antique goods, jewelry, home goods, and more!
One of our favourite shops was Maximilian’s Gold Rush Emporium. You’ll find there a mix of quirky souvenirs, local books, antiques, and Gold Rush-themed gifts. It’s a fun spot to browse if you’re looking for something playful or distinctly Dawson.
For handmade goods, The Alchemy Café & Goods offers a curated selection of Yukon-made items, from natural skincare products to ceramics and textiles. For books, including locally-written ones, pop into Dancing Moose Gifts.
And if you’re interested in locally-made jewelry, including jewelry made from Klondike gold, don’t miss The Rock Jewelry & Art Merchants. Whether you’re souvenir shopping or just window shopping, Dawson’s shops offer a great way to support local makers and learn more about the town’s creative side.
7. Diamond Tooth Gertie’s Gambling Hall
A visit to Dawson City isn’t complete without a night out at Diamond Tooth Gerties Gambling Hall. This historic saloon is Canada’s oldest casino! It’s part cabaret, part casino, and all-around entertainment.
The building itself feels like stepping back into Gold Rush days, with creaky wooden floors, old-timey décor, and staff dressed in period costume.
Gertie’s runs three can-can shows a night during the summer season, each one a little different, with dancers kicking up their heels and an emcee channeling the spirit of the hall’s namesake, the real-life Diamond Tooth Gertie. The real-life Gertie was a Gold Rush-era dancehall queen who famously had a diamond set into her front tooth.
At Diamond Tooth Gertie’s you can grab a drink, play a hand of blackjack, try your luck at the slots, then settle in for the show. You can also grab dinner at Gertie’s! Inside the gambling hall you’ll find Grumpy Schnitzel, a counter-service eatery that is famous for, of course, its German-style schnitzel. I had their Big Grumpy Burger, which was delicious.
Even if gambling’s not your thing, the can-can performances are worth it for the atmosphere alone, especially the final late-night show, which tends to be a bit cheekier. The showtimes are 8:30 p.m., 10:00 p.m., and midnight. You can make a whole night of it by staying for all three shows!
This is one of Dawson City’s most famous attractions, and so it gets busy. Be sure to head to Gertie’s well before the first showtime if you’d like to snag a table. Proceeds from the casino actually go back into supporting local nonprofits, so your night out helps the community, too.
After you wrap up your evening at Gertie’s head back to your hotel for the night! This 2 days in Dawson City itinerary is pretty busy, so you’ll want to get a solid sleep in before day two.
Day 2: A Northern Spa, History, and Art
1. Grab Coffee and Breakfast at Red Mammoth Bistro
Start your second day in Dawson City at Red Mammoth Bistro, a cozy café that’s a local favourite for good coffee, hearty breakfasts, and friendly service.
The space is bright and welcoming, with plenty of seating and a community bulletin board that gives you a sense of what’s going on in town. Be sure to keep an eye out for the mammoth tusk they have up on the wall, too!
The breakfast menu at Red Mammoth Bistro includes deli sandwiches and freshly baked goods, plus they serve great espresso and drip coffee. If the weather’s nice, enjoy your breakfast on their outdoor patio.
2. Go on a Dawson City Walking Tour
Dawson City is compact and full of character, which makes it perfect for a walking tour. You’ve got two great options: join a Parks Canada walking tour, or go at your own pace with a self-guided route.
The Parks Canada tours are led by knowledgeable and often costumed guides who bring the Gold Rush era to life with stories about the town’s most notorious residents, historic buildings, and fascinating past.
You’ll get access to restored interiors like the Commissioner’s Residence or old-time saloons that you wouldn’t see otherwise. It’s theatrical, informative, and a fun way to dig into Dawson’s unique history. You can purchase tickets for this walking tour at the Dawson City Information Center.
If you prefer to wander on your own, the self-guided walking tour map put together by Yukon Tourism is a great resource. You can download the PDF here. It includes a route through downtown Dawson with short descriptions of each stop, from heritage buildings to riverside views.
You can easily do the loop in a couple of hours, and it’s a great way to enjoy Dawson City at your own pace, especially if you want to stop into shops, grab photos, or linger at one of the town’s many interpretive signs. Be sure to stop by the famous S.S. Keno National Historic Site on Front Street!
3. Lunch at Sourdough Joe’s
After your morning walking tour, you’ll be ready for lunch, so head to Sourdough Joe’s.
Located right on Front Street, this casual spot serves up fish and chips, burgers, and hearty mains, with a focus on fresh, local ingredients.
The Yukon Arctic char is a standout if it’s on the menu, and the fish and chips made with wild-caught halibut were delicious. You’ll also find plenty of vegetarian options, and a great selection of Yukon Brewing beers on tap.
The restaurant is named after one of Dawson’s legendary Gold Rush characters!
Sourdough Joe was a legendary Gold Rush prospector known for his storytelling, rugged lifestyle, and status as one of the original “sourdoughs,” seasoned northern pioneers who survived multiple Yukon winters. The décor in this restaurant nods to that history, with old photos and mining relics on display.
After lunch you might be in the mood for something sweet. Head to Pie For Now! We stumbled on this small bakery by total accident, and we’re glad we did, because the little pies we picked up there were fantastic. This bakery is so new, when I checked, it didn’t appear on Google Maps. It’s located right behind Kurt’s Pizza on Second Ave.
4. [Optional] Relax at the Yukon Spa
Located in the heart of Dawson City, the Yukon Spa is Canada’s most northern spa! After lunch, head there for a cozy wellness retreat offering a range of treatments including massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, and body wraps.
The spa uses locally made, natural skincare products and offers customizable services based on your needs, whether you’re sore from hiking or just want to relax. The space is small and intimate, with a peaceful vibe.
Appointments are by booking only, and spots can fill up fast in peak season, so it’s best to schedule in advance. You can even pair a visit to the spa with a coffee and pastry next door at the Yukon Spa Café.
I have noted this activity as optional, because we didn’t end up going ourselves. We did pop by to check the space out, but because the weather was so glorious that day we decided to go for a long walk along the Yukon River instead.
5. Visit the Dawson City Museum
After lunch, and a relaxing visit to the Yukon Spa, you’ll walk a few minutes to the Dawson City Museum.
Housed in the beautifully restored Old Territorial Administration Building, the Dawson City Museum is one of the best places to dive into the region’s complex history. The building itself dates back to 1901 and once served as the seat of government during the height of the Klondike Gold Rush.
Today, it’s home to exhibits that cover everything from the Indigenous history of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, to the arrival of stampeders, to the rise (and fall) of Dawson as a booming frontier town.
Inside, you’ll find artifacts from daily life during the Gold Rush, interactive displays, and even restored courtrooms and jail cells. The museum does a great job of unpacking both the myth and reality of the Gold Rush, offering stories that go beyond the typical frontier narrative. There’s also a short film that gives helpful context, and if you’re lucky, you might catch one of their summer programs or historic walking tours. It’s a must-visit if you want a deeper understanding of how Dawson City came to be, and how it continues to evolve.
6. Dinner at The Drunken Goat Taverna
After a day of history, art, and relaxation in Dawson City, you’ll be ready for dinner!
Everyone we spoke to in Dawson City recommended The Drunken Goat Taverna, so it was a must-visit for us, and should be for you, too.
It’s a bit unexpected to find a Greek taverna this far north in Canada, but that’s part of what made it so memorable. The menu is stacked with classic dishes like souvlaki, moussaka, grilled lamb, and big Greek salads topped with yummy feta. I had the chicken souvlaki and it hit the spot.
If you’re craving comfort food, good service, and a lively crowd, The Drunken Goat is a solid dinner choice in Dawson.
7. Catch Beautiful Views at Midnight Dome
Your final activity of the day is a trip up to a beautiful viewpoint. You can either drive or hike up to Midnight Dome, a lookout that’s positioned right above Dawson City with sweeping views of the Yukon River, Klondike Valley, and distant mountain ranges.
It’s the perfect spot to wrap up your trip to Dawson City! And if you visit near the summer solstice, the sun barely sets, making for an especially beautiful view.
You can reach the dome on your own by car or by hiking the steep trail from town, but for an easier and more informative visit, book a guided tour with Klondike Experience. They offer evening trips that time perfectly with the sunset and include transportation, local insights, and a chance to catch that iconic panoramic view without the climb.
8. Join the Sourtoe Cocktail Club – If You Dare!
In Dawson City, Yukon, there’s a quirky tradition that draws the curious and the brave: the Sourtoe Cocktail. Served at the Sourdough Saloon, this infamous drink isn’t about the liquid ingredients in your glass..it’s about what’s floating in it. A mummified human toe is dropped into a shot of whiskey, and to join the Sourtoe Cocktail Club, your lips must touch the toe as you swig back the shot.
This ritual began over 50 years ago, born from local lore involving frostbite and bootlegging during Prohibition. Today, it’s a fully sanctioned event offered nightly from 6 to 10 PM, complete with an official oath, a club ledger, and a designated corner of the bar. To date, the club has over 100,000 members.
Before and after joining the Sourtoe Cocktail Club!
My husband and I love a quirky tradition, so we knew we had to join the Sourtoe Cocktail Club. We showed up around 7:30 PM to take the shot, and there wasn’t a long wait. Once we joined the waitlist, the bartender provided us our shots in a rocks glass, and when our turn rolled around, we were called over to a specific area of the saloon.
Before the shot, I had to agree to the oath, “you can drink fast, you can drink it slow, but your lips must touch that gnarly toe”. Then, the mummified toe was dropped into my glass and it was go time! To be honest, it wasn’t nearly as bad as I expected. I closed my eyes and swigged fast! As soon as I was done, I received my certificate confirming I am officially part of the Sourtoe Cocktail Club!
This activity isn’t for everyone, so no worries if you skip it! But there was no way I could write and publish this itinerary without bragging about the fact that I was brave enough to join this exclusive club, haha.
[Optional!] Drinks at The Pit
If you’ve still got some energy to spend after your trip up to the Midnight Dome, head to The Pit, Dawson City’s most legendary watering hole.
Officially called the Westminster Hotel, this spot has been serving locals, miners, artists, and travellers for over a century. It’s a true dive bar with decades of stories behind it!
Having a drink at The Pit felt to us like a rite of passage in Dawson. We grabbed a seat at the bar and ordered pints of Yukon Gold, a locally brewed ale from Yukon Brewing. It ended up being my favourite beer in Yukon!
If you’re hungry, be sure to grab a hot dog at The Pit. They cook their hot dogs using a vintage automatic hot dog machine, which you’ll spot on the counter behind the bar.
The vibe at The Pit is friendly and unpretentious. It’s the kind of place where you’ll end up chatting with someone who came to Dawson City for a summer and never left!
Inside The Pit in Dawson City
When is the Best Time To Visit Dawson City?
The best time to visit Dawson City is during the summer months, June to August, when the town really comes alive.
Almost everything is open, the days are long (we’re talking 20+ hours of daylight!), and there’s a full calendar of events, like the Dawson City Music Festival and weekly cultural programming at the Dänojà Zho Cultural Centre.
That said, “best time” depends a bit on what you’re into, and what kind of experience you would like to have in Dawson City. Shoulder season (late May or early September) can be a good call if you want to avoid the town’s busiest season but still catch decent weather.
And then there’s winter! From what locals in Dawson City told us, winter has a completely different vibe. Most shops and restaurants shut down for the season, and there’s only a few hours of sunlight every day.
If you don’t mind the cold winter conditions, and want to catch the northern lights, winter is the time to go to Dawson City! Just know that visiting in winter takes a lot more planning.
How to Get to Dawson City
You’ve got two main options for getting to Dawson City: by road or by plane.
Flying to Dawson City
If you’re already in Whitehorse, you can catch a short flight with Air North. It takes about an hour, and it’s the quickest way to get there. This is a great option if you’re short on time or not up for a long drive.
This is how we got to Dawson City, and the short flight with Air North was a really fun experience! We had views of mountains, rivers, and rolling hills, which made for one of the most scenic flights I’ve ever experienced in Canada.
Driving to Dawson City
If you’re up for a road trip, the drive from Whitehorse to Dawson City takes about 6 hours. The route follows the Klondike Highway. The drive is scenic and quiet, with views of forests, rivers, and mountains.
The route is fully paved, and there are some gas stations and stops you can make along the way. Regardless, you’ll want to leave Whitehorse with a full tank of gas, and some water and food packed. Cell service is spotty along the way, so downloading maps and playlists ahead of time is a good move, too.
Where to Stay in Dawson City
Dawson City has about 20 named streets arranged in a grid along the Yukon River, plus a few smaller roads and lanes that branch off. The town’s main street, called Front Street, is Dawson City’s only paved road. It runs parallel to the river and eventually becomes the famous Klondike Highway.
Because Dawson City is small, it’s very walkable. If you’re comfortable walking 15 minute stretches, then you don’t need to worry too much about the location of your accommodation within Dawson.
The Bunkhouse
We spent three nights in The Bunkhouse and were really happy with it! The Bunkhouse is a no-frills, budget-friendly spot that’s clean, central, and cozy. It’s located right on Second Avenue, just steps from Front Street, so you’ll be close to cafés, shops, and the riverfront.
The rooms are simple and compact with shared bathrooms, and there’s helpful amenities like free Wi-Fi, communal fridges, and a lounge space with a kettle and tea. There’s no air conditioning or TVs in the rooms at The Bunkhouse, but for the price and location, it’s a solid pick.
Klondike Kate’s Cabins
Klondike Kate’s Cabins are a popular pick in Dawson City! You’ll stay in a cozy log-style cabin that gives you a rustic vibe with modern touches. You can choose from a queen room, triple room, or quadruple room.
Each cabin is private and comes with its own bathroom, a small fridge, coffee maker, and comfy beds. The setup feels more personal than a hotel, and the central location of Klondike Kate’s Cabins makes it easy to walk to everything in town.
Bonus: the on-site restaurant, Klondike Kate’s, is one of the best places to eat in Dawson, especially for dinner. In the busy summer months, it’s a good idea to make a reservation ahead of time.
Final Thoughts: Spending 2 Days in Dawson City, Yukon
Spending two days in Dawson City gave me a better understanding of the Yukon’s history, culture, and community. Between gold panning at Goldbottom Mine, learning about the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in at Dänojà Zho Cultural Centre, and seeing a can-can show at Diamond Tooth Gerties, the days were full, but never felt rushed. It helps that Dawson City is quite small!
What stood out most was how connected everything felt, from the local shops to the historic sites to the conversations I had over coffee or at The Pit. It was obvious to me, even after just a few days in Dawson City, that the town is built around, and celebrates, community.
If you’re visiting Dawson City, you’re likely going to spend time in southern Yukon as well. Read by 7-Day Yukon Road Trip Itinerary to help with your planning.
Visiting Dawson City? Here are some resources to help you visit in a way that focuses on the pros versus cons of tourism:
- Learn the main tips for being a responsible tourist.
- Use sustainable tourism tips to travel eco-consciously.
- Travel to places that aren’t facing overtourism to reduce your impact.
- Be aware of cultural appropriation and avoid it.
- Practice responsible wildlife tourism.
- Learn about how you can decenter yourself in travel.
- Shop for souvenirs responsibly.
- Create and share photos and videos in a respectful way.
If you enjoyed this blog, you’ll love my newsletter, as well as my Facebook group. You’re welcome to join these communities – I would love to see you there!
