The Top 5 Reasons to Visit Whitehorse, Yukon Now
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Known as the “Wilderness City,” Whitehorse has the great outdoors at its doorstep. Legend says Whitehorse got its name when gold seekers thought Miles Canyon’s wild rapids resembled the manes of charging white horses. Travel a bit farther and you’ll be able to enter Alaska. Once you’ve gotten your fill of nature, discover a captivating mix of coffee shops, museums and architecture, blended with a capital city going about its business. These are the top five reasons why Whitehorse, Yukon should be on your bucket list.
Source: Government of Yukon
1. THE HIKING
Here in the Yukon, hiking is life and the options are endless, meaning it can be tough to know where to start. For an easier trek, visit Spirit Canyon. Just barely viewable from the Alaska Highway north of Whitehorse, Spirit Canyon is a beautiful area to explore. The views on the hike to and from the canyon are beautiful, with the expansive Takhini River Valley below and the Ibex Valley to the southeast and the Sifton Range to the northeast.
Source: Government of Yukon
For those looking for a more advanced, strenuous hike—head to Hidden Lakes Trail. The main trail is a loop route with views of 3 glacier lakes. There are views along the trail but the best view is about at the half way point where one can see the nearby mountains and Schwatka Lake.
2. THE ART
The Yukon Arts Centre is proud to champion and promote artists and their stories in Whitefish and the surrounding communities. Located on the traditional territories of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and the Ta'an Kwäch'än Councilis, the Community Gallery and Yukon Electrical Youth Gallery exhibitions featuring local and youth artists.
Source: Yukon Arts Centre
The Yukon Arts Centre Public Art Gallery is open year-round and hosts ten to fourteen exhibitions a year and everyone is welcome to attend opening night receptions, with artists often in attendance. From large outdoor murals and sculptures to live music and theatre, Whitehorse delights art lovers with an array of selections.
Source: Government of Yukon
Explore Whitehorse’s thriving arts and entertainment scene where public buildings house permanent installations and outdoor art is prominently displayed in can’t-miss locations. Grab the Whitehorse Art Walk map at the Visitor Information Centre and learn the stories behind sculptures, murals, stained glass and a variety of other works inspired by nature, First Nations legends, gold rush characters and reflections on modern life in the North.
3. THE CUISINE & COCKTAILS
Antoinette’s Restaurant is an eclectic and artful local favorite with a relaxed atmosphere that serves global cuisines with a Caribbean twist. For your artisanal cocktail fix, we recommend trying the Tropical Zombie—concocted with dark, white, mango and passionfruit rums and four, fresh tropical juices, as well as the Crazy Rich Asian, a mimosa variation with Prosecco, lychee juice and ginger liqueur.
Traditional, authentic ingredients are used, enabling the talented kitchen to hold true to varied and interesting cultural recipes. An enormous amount of time is dedicated to spicing techniques at Antoinette’s Restaurant. Scrumptious dishes include Caribbean Rum Lobster sautéed in brown sugar rum butter, Duck François in a honey dijon balsamic glaze, Pacific Scallops in Fireweed Butter, as well as Caribbean Ribeye Steak in chili oregano butter.
For those craving something sweet, end your experience with Yukon Brewing Beer Ice Cream or Chocolate Rum Cake. Hungry yet?
4. THE WATER
Here, you don’t have to go far for fantastic paddling—The Yukon River runs right through the capital city of Whitehorse, presenting endless places to dip your paddle. Exploring Whitefish from the water is an unbeatable way to experience the wilderness.
Source: Government of Yukon
You can canoe an easy-going river with views of majestic mountains, or kayak thrilling white water canyons. Looking for the best places to kayak in and around Whitehorse? Kanoe People offers riverfront canoe, kayak and SUP rentals, as well as guided Yukon adventure trips.
5. THE HOT SPRINGS
Set in the vast, untamed wilderness of the Yukon, Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs is Yukon’s only hot springs, and calls to those seeking an extraordinary journey into their personal health and wellness. Scandinavian and Japanese Onsen healing practices are seamlessly blended to create a unique experience that will feed your soul. The sense of vitality and well-being generated by the hot/cold/relax therapy cycle is enhanced by the volcanically heated, mineral rich water of the hot spring pools, which are known to diminish muscle pain and positively affect a score of common health complaints.
Source: Government of Yukon
You’ll love the Onsen Pool at Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs, which is the smallest and most sheltered. Entirely lined with rock, this Japanese-style pool is fed by a cascading waterfall and overflows into a small creek. It overlooks natural tiered rock landscaping the lovely Sanctuary Bare-Foot Walk. During the warmer months, take advantage of the tucked away Hidden Pool. Used for cooling off between the use of hot springs pools, it is perfectly positioned to view the pond and surrounding mountains. It is built entirely of rock and flagstone, blending in perfectly with its surroundings.
WHERE TO STAY IN WHITEHORSE, YUKON, CANADA
Tracing its lineage back to the Klondike Gold Rush, the Edgewater Hotel, overlooking the majestic Yukon River, has a long and colorful history of welcoming adventure-seekers to Whitehorse. With 33 rooms and suites on the Yukon River, the newly-renovated hotel offers thoughtful amenities like complimentary turn-down service with luxurious Northern feather bed linens and strives to deliver guests with gold standard service.
Source: Edgewater Hotel
The SKKY Hotel is a boutique-style hotel with the perfect blend of a natural environment paired with the most up-to-date accommodations. Enjoy luxurious guest rooms and suites designed with warm earth tones, rich fabrics and custom furnishings. With refined elegance and exceptional guest services, this modern Whitefish, Yukon hotel is a hidden gold nugget tucked away in the wilds of the Yukon. Book below to reserve your room at the lowest price, guaranteed.
Note: This information was accurate when this article was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
