Last Updated on May 9, 2026
Whitehorse is the Yukon’s largest community. Home to around 30,000 people, the city sits along the Yukon River and is framed by low mountains, which makes it a beautiful place to wander on foot.
Whitehorse, like much of The Yukon, is also a place with a long Indigenous history and ongoing cultural life, located on the traditional territories of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council.
I found myself in Whitehorse after spending a week road tripping around Yukon Territory, from Dawson City, to Kluane National Park, and Carcross. After so many days driving and camping in the great outdoors, I was excited to spend some time in the city.
One of the things I loved most about Whitehorse is how walkable it is. I really enjoyed wandering the downtown core without much of a plan. It gave me the chance to stumble into shops I didn’t plan for, notice small details, and people-watch.
With 2 days in Whitehorse, you can get a real sense of this small city by slowing down and mixing structured stops with time to wander.
I built this itinerary based on my two days in Whitehorse. On your first day, you’ll enjoy the downtown core on foot, and on the second day, you’ll day trip a short distance outside of the city to experience nearby nature and wildlife.
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How to Get to Whitehorse, Yukon
Whitehorse is best accessed by air, or by road.
Getting to Whitehorse by air
The easiest way to reach Whitehorse is by flying into Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport (YXY), which is located just a short drive from downtown. This is how I got myself to Whitehorse, I flew directly with Air North, from Toronto.
There are regular direct flights from major Canadian cities like Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton, as well as connecting flights through those hubs.
From the airport, it is about a 10 minute drive to most downtown hotels, and taxis and car rentals are readily available.
Getting to Whitehorse by road
Whitehorse is also accessible by road and is a common stop on longer northern road trips. The city sits along the Alaska Highway, which connects Yukon with northern British Columbia and Alaska.
Many people reach Whitehorse by driving north from BC, or by starting in Alaska and heading south. Roads are paved and well maintained in summer, but distances between towns can be long, so it is important to plan fuel stops in advance.
Whether you arrive by plane or by car, Whitehorse works well as both a starting and ending point for a Yukon road trip, thanks to its services, accommodations, and easy access to the rest of the territory.
Where to Stay in Whitehorse
I really enjoyed my stay at The Edgewater Hotel. This is a centrally located hotel in downtown Whitehorse, right across from the Yukon River and within walking distance to restaurants, shops, and the MacBride Museum.
Rooms are modern and well-equipped with comfortable beds, mini fridges, and air conditioning.
We stayed at The Edgewater Hotel on our final night of our Yukon road trip, and we were super comfortable there.
The rooms are spacious, and you can’t beat the location of this hotel. I very much appreciated the Nespresso machine that was in our room, and I also really enjoyed browsing all the historical photographs displayed around the hotel.
Day 1: Get to Know Whitehorse
You’ll spend your first day in Yukon’s capital city walking around on foot, getting to know the city. Whitehorse is compact and easy to navigate, with most key sights, museums, and shops clustered close together downtown.
I’ve mapped out below all the spots you’ll definitely want to visit, but feel free to also factor time into your day for unstructured wandering. I found that when I slowed down and just wandered around Whitehorse, I stumbled across interesting historic buildings and beautiful murals.
For example, while walking down Elliot Street, between 3rd and 4th Ave, I noticed a collection of painted buildings to the north (just opposite from the Old Log Church Museum).
Start Your Day at Baked Café & Bakery
Baked Café & Bakery is an easy place to start the day and get fueled up before heading out on foot. It is right downtown, serves solid coffee, and has a steady rotation of freshly baked pastries alongside breakfast and lunch options like sandwiches and soups.
There is lots of seating, so it works whether you want to sit for a bit with a coffee or grab something quick before you start walking around Whitehorse.
SS Klondike & Yukon River walk
Start your day with a walk along the Yukon River. If you’re like me, you’ll be amazed to see how fast the Yukon River moves.
This river moves so quickly because spring snowmelt sends a huge amount of water into the system at once, and in some stretches the river narrows and drops in elevation, pushing the water through at speeds that can top 12 km/h.
You can take in views of the Yukon River by following the easy paved path that runs alongside it. The walking path gives you great views and passes one of the city’s most famous landmarks: the SS Klondike.
This historic sternwheeler once carried cargo and passengers along the river and is now a Parks Canada site you can visit (open seasonally). Even if you don’t go inside the SS Klondike, this riverside walk is a peaceful way to start the day.
Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre
Just a few minutes’ walk away from the riverfront is the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre. This beautiful space is more than a museum. It’s a gathering place for the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and a way to learn about the people whose territory you’re visiting.
Exhibits and programming here focus on Indigenous culture, history, and art. I found myself spending the most time in the permanent exhibit, which features work by Kwanlin Dün First Nation citizens and other First Nations artists from across the Yukon. This exhibit clearly shows both the history of the Nation and how their artistic practices continue to evolve today.
If you are visiting, it is worth checking the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre’s website in advance, as they regularly host events, workshops, and performances that are open to the public.
Where to Have Lunch in Whitehorse
Bullet Hole Bagels is a great option for a casual, filling lunch while you are enjoying downtown Whitehorse. They make small-batch Montreal-style bagels in house and serve them as sandwiches with a mix of classic and creative fillings, along with spreads and good coffee.
This is an easy stop if you want something quick without resorting to fast food, and it fits well into a walkable day around the city.
Visit Local Shops
It’s easy to support local while in Whitehorse! The city has some lots of locally owned shops to check out. You will find many of them in Horwood’s Mall, which is home to an eclectic mix of locally owned retail, commercial, food, and drink businesses in the heart of downtown Whitehorse.
For unique finds from several local makers, visit The Spruce Box. If you’re into cheese, Cultured Fine Cheese has great local and Canadian selections.
North End Gallery is a locally owned space featuring fine art, jewelry, and crafts by Yukon and northern Canadian artists, and it was my favourite stop overall. I lingered here the longest, slowly working my way through the gallery and appreciating how much care and skill goes into each piece.
And don’t miss Indigenous- and women-owned artist Vanessa Aegirsdottir’s shop. She creates handcrafted jewelry which highlights the Yukon’s wild fur harvest, and she sources her furs exclusively from First Nations trappers.
Vanessa Aegirsdottir also offers permanent jewelry! This is custom fitted and gently welded onto the wearer with a small spark, so there are no clasps to fuss with.
After Horwood’s Mall, you’ll want to walk up and down Main Street, which is lined with interesting shops and boutiques. My favourite was Mac’s Fireweed Books.
Mac’s Fireweed Books is a long-standing independent bookstore in Whitehorse that has been part of the community for decades. It has a strong northern focus, an impressive selection of books and maps, and even an antiquarian room, making it an easy place to spend some time browsing.
As you walk Main Street, keep an eye out for the Jack London memorial! Jack London is closely associated with Whitehorse because he passed through the region during the Klondike Gold Rush, and his time in the Yukon later shaped many of his most well-known stories about northern life, hardship, and survival.
MacBride Museum of Yukon History
The MacBride Museum is the spot to go for a broad look at Yukon history, starting well before the gold rush and moving through to more recent settler history.
The museum’s exhibits cover Indigenous life, trade, and daily realities in the North, alongside artifacts from the Klondike era and beyond. Plan to spend 1-2 hours in the MacBride Museum.
Wrap Up Your Day With Dinner
When you’re ready for dinner, head to Klondike Rib & Salmon. This is one of Whitehorse’s most well-loved restaurants, known for its Yukon-inspired menu featuring local fish, wild game, and hearty northern classics.
I really enjoyed their “Smokey Sticky Balls,” which are wild game meatballs that have a mix of elk and bison, with Yukon Jack BBQ Sauce. I also had their famous smoked ribs, they did not disappoint!
This restaurant is located in a historic building with a quirky, rustic vibe, which really adds to the experience of eating there. Just be warned that it’s a popular spot, so you may have a bit of a wait to be seated, especially during peak season (summer).
Day 2: Day Trip to See Nature and Wildlife
What not to do in the Yukon? Skip experiencing the territory’s incredible nature!
One of the things that makes Whitehorse a great place to visit is how quickly you can get into nature without committing to a long drive.
Within 30 to 40 minutes of town, you can reach river canyons, forested trails, and wildlife viewing areas that feel very different from the city, even though you have not gone far.
I recommend renting a car for the day. This will give you the flexibility to move at your own pace, stop when something catches your eye, and get back to Whitehorse in time for dinner.
Grab a Quick Breakfast
Before heading out for the day, stop for breakfast at Burnt Toast Café in downtown Whitehorse. It is a relaxed, locally loved spot with solid coffee and hearty breakfast options that are well suited to a day spent outdoors.
Burnt Toast Café has vegetarian and gluten free options. I recommend getting the Cowboy Scramble, a tasty medley of eggs, sausage, veggies, and cheese.
Morning: Miles Canyon
Miles Canyon is a steep-walled gorge just outside of Whitehorse. This canyon was carved by the Yukon River, and was at one time one of the most dangerous stretches of water along the Klondike Gold Rush route.
Stampeder boats had to navigate the fast-moving rapids here on their way to Dawson City. Today, the rapids are gone (thanks to a modern hydro dam), but the basalt canyon remains very cool to see.
When you visit Miles Canyon you have the flexibility to spend as long or as little time as you like. For a shorter visit, simply take in the views from the viewing areas that are right by the parking lot and walk across the suspension bridge to look over the river.
If you have more time, I recommend walking the 3.5-kilometre (2.2-mile) loop trail that brings you along the canyon. I really enjoyed learning about the area’s natural and cultural history from interpretive signs along the way.
As you walk the trail, you’ll come across some gentle inclines and uneven ground, and you do need to be cautious on parts of the trail that go close to the river, but overall the trail is easy. As you walk it you have beautiful views of the turquoise water flowing in the river below, and of the canyon.
There aren’t any official facilities at Miles Canyon, except for an outhouse near the parking lot that was there when we visited (July 2025).
I would plan to spend 2-3 hours at Miles Canyon, especially if you intend to walk the full trail. As you hike, please keep in mind the best practices for responsible wildlife tourism, pack in and pack out, and consider bringing bear spray for safety.
The suspension bridge and trail at Miles Canyon.
Head Back Into Whitehorse For Lunch
When you’re finished enjoying Miles Canyon, you’ll likely be hungry! Enjoy a packed lunch, or start the 30 minute drive to your next stop, the Yukon Wildlife Preserve. The drive will take you past Whitehorse, so you can stop somewhere to eat along the way if you haven’t brought lunch.
If you don’t mind a quick detour, drop by the Woodcutter’s Blanket. This restaurant sources most of its ingredients from local suppliers, and their menu has a range of options, from tacos to curries and pasta.
Afternoon: Yukon Wildlife Preserve
The Yukon Wildlife Preserve is a 700-acre facility that provides a safe, spacious environment for native Yukon species like moose, muskoxen, lynx, and caribou. Originally developed in the 1960s as a hobby farm, it evolved into a wildlife rehabilitation and education centre that now focuses on conservation and public awareness.
Many of the animals you see at the preserve, like its moose, are animals that were found injured and brought to the preserve for rehabilitation. In many cases, it isn’t safe for them to be re-released, and so they live the rest of their life at the preserve.
Visiting the Yukon Wildlife Preserve gives you a chance to see animals in their natural habitats while learning about their behaviours and the challenges they face in the wild.
I recommend going on one of the guided bus tours that are available. These 1.5 hour tours are led by knowledgeable staff who share stories about the animals, how they arrived at the preserve, and what’s being done to support wildlife health and survival across the Yukon.
I joined one of these guided bus tours and felt that it was absolutely worth it. The preserve is big, and because the sanctuaries for the animals are so large, it can be challenging to spot the animals if you’re not familiar with them.
The guided bus tour means you spend less time walking long distances and more time watching animals. Our guide was pro at spotting the animals for us, and she shared a lot of fascinating information about the species we saw, their behaviours, and about the history of the Yukon Wildlife Preserve.
We even got lucky and spotted Jake, one of the preserve’s young moose! The moose have a large sanctuary enclosure, and they can be pretty elusive, so our guide told us we were very lucky to see him.
Jake was found injured on the side of a road in southern Yukon, and brought to the Yukon Wildlife Preserve for rehabilitation. Since he’s now accustomed to humans, he can’t be re-released into the wild. But he’s living a happy life in the moose sanctuary!
There’s a few guided tours per day, just be sure to book in advance. You can book your tour tickets on the Yukon Wildlife Preserve website.
Jake, the young moose at Yukon Wildlife Preserve!
Evening: Soak at Eclipse Takhini Hot Springs
You know what feels amazing after a day spent outdoors? Soaking in natural mineral hot springs!
Eclipse Takhini Hot Springs is just a few minutes down the road from the Yukon Wildlife Preserve. It’s a modern wellness centre built around a natural mineral hot spring that’s been used for generations.
Unlike typical pools, the water here is untreated and geothermally heated, flowing continuously through the pools. The facility includes hot pools of varying temperatures, quiet rest areas, cold plunges, saunas, and lounging decks with mountain views.
Our favourite experience at the Eclipse Takhini Hot Springs was the Japanese clay tubs. These are small tubs, made of clay, filled with warm mineral water. Each tub fits one single person, and so we each got one to ourselves, which was really fun!
Wrap Up Your Day With Dinner
The easiest option for dinner is to have it at Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs before driving back into Whitehorse. The Hot Rock Café is located inside the spa, and serves reliable favourites like banh mi and sushi, which makes it a simple, low effort way to end the day without adding another stop.
If you prefer to head back into Whitehorse for dinner, I recommend going to Gather Café & Taphouse. This is a laid-back spot in Whitehorse serving up fresh, seasonal meals and local beers on tap. It’s a great place for a casual dinner with views of the Yukon River.
What to Know Before You Go to Whitehorse
Let’s dive into some of the practical stuff you’ll want to know before visiting Whitehorse.
When is the best time to visit Whitehorse?
The best time to visit Whitehorse really depends on the kind of experience you are looking for.
Summer brings long daylight hours, warmer temperatures, and easy access to hiking, wildlife viewing, and river walks, while spring and fall offer quieter streets, fewer visitors, and a slower pace that still works well for walking the city and taking short day trips.
Winter is a great time for northern lights and cold weather activities, but it requires a very different plan.
This particular itinerary is best suited to spring, summer, or fall, when roads, trails, museums, and outdoor sites are all easy to access.
How much daylight should I expect in summer in Whitehorse?
In summer, you can expect very long daylight hours in Whitehorse. From late May through July, Whitehorse regularly sees 18 to 20 hours of daylight, with only a short period of twilight overnight rather than full darkness.
This extended daylight makes it easy to fit more into your day, whether you are walking around downtown in the evening or heading out on a late afternoon hike or wildlife outing.
Can you get around Whitehorse without a car?
Yes, you can get around Whitehorse without a car, especially if you are staying downtown. The city centre is compact and walkable, with many hotels, restaurants, museums, and shops located close together.
Whitehorse also has a local bus system and taxis, which can help cover longer distances if needed. That said, if you want to visit places outside the city, like Miles Canyon, the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, or nearby hot springs, renting a car for at least one day makes getting around much easier and more flexible.
What type of vehicle should you rent for Whitehorse?
If you are only planning to drive within Whitehorse and the nearby surrounding area, almost any standard vehicle will be perfectly fine, as roads are paved and easy to navigate.
If you plan to go farther afield, choose a vehicle with enough clearance for gravel roads, and double check that your rental agreement allows travel outside Yukon if you are thinking about heading into Alaska or northern BC.
Need a car rental? Discover Cars compares the prices for a vehicle from a variety of suppliers to ensure you get the cheapest rate, and you can reserve your car rental in advance. Reserve a car rental here!
How to Make the Most of 2 Days in Whitehorse
Whether you’re just in Whitehorse for a weekend, using it as a home base for a longer trip, or as the start and end point of a Yukon road trip, Whitehorse is well worth visiting.
In general, I always encourage people to spend more than two days in a place when they can, but Whitehorse is compact enough that you can experience a lot of what it offers in a short amount of time.
My 2-day stay in Whitehorse was a perfect mix of walking around the city on foot, visiting key sites, and enjoying an epic canyon and wildlife viewing. That balance also comes with a responsibility to be thoughtful about how we move through this place and the impact we have while we are here.
If you’re planning to visit the Yukon, here are some resources to help you visit in a mindful way:
- 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.
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