Things to do in Whitehorse, the Yukon

Insider tips about things to do in Whitehorse, places to see, and where to eat and drink, provided by a local resident of the Yukon, Canada, and told to Stuart Forster.

Whitehorse is the territorial capital of the Yukon. To gain a local’s perspective of what the city offers visitors I chatted with Teena Dickson.

Teena is the owner of Who What Where Tours. The company was presented with the Small Business of the Year Award at the 2019 Yukon Tourism Awards of Excellence.

Now home to around 30,000 people, Whitehorse was established during the Klondike Gold Rush of the late 1890s. Nicknamed ‘the wilderness city’, Whitehorse is a gateway to exploring the likes of Dawson City and Kluane National Park and Reserve.

The MacBride Museum (1124 Front Street) provides insights into the territory’s history. Prefer natural history and anthropology? Pop into the Yukon Beringia Interpretative Centre, close to the city’s airport. The attraction is named after the land bridge that once connected the region with the landmass today known as Siberia.

Why should people visit Whitehorse?

Visitors should come here because we have the cleanest air, the best water and we are a big natural playground. We sell wilderness and it’s very easy to have that experience.

What is your personal favourite place?

I have several places. You could easily go off the beaten path for an hour. I would say the Kusawa River Valley area has lots of great hiking, paddling, easy camping and no people.

Where would you take a visitor for a meal in Whitehorse?

I would take them to the Miner’s Daughter (103 Main Street) because it has such a sexy name and it is owned by a gold miner’s daughter. It’s in a historic building where many gold miners used to hang out.

They have great food and it has a great atmosphere. People come there to have fun and enjoy local fish and local vegetables. The meats are done very rustic, in terms of that good old steak or ribs that we’re known for.

Where do you recommend for a drink?

I would take guests to the Woodcutter’s Blanket (112 Strickland); what another great name! It used to be an old taxidermy cabin. It has two moose on top.

They have amazing cocktails and good Yukon brews. It’s turned into a bit of a brewhouse. It has an atmosphere and characters walking by. You can’t just have one cocktail there!

What is your favourite quirky piece of Whitehorse history?

The Dirty Northern Bastard, right next to the restaurant I was just talking about, is a great pub. It’s a local house and used to be a hotel for miners.

A long time ago they found a mummified cat in there. It’s now in a glass case and is considered the oldest pussy in the north!

What do you recommend near Whitehorse if people have a day to spare?

I would definitely send them to the Carcross area, which is 45 minutes’ drive south of Whitehorse. It has mountain vistas, pristine southern lakes and the world’s smallest desert. It has a [First Nations’] cultural learning centre and a touch of the gold rush.

Getting to Whitehorse

Air Canada and Air North operate flights to Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport (YXY).

Further information

See the Travel Yukon and the Destination Canada websites for information about things to do and see in the Yukon.

Photos illustrating this post are by Why Eye Photography. Why Eye Photography is based in North East England. To discuss photography projects contact 07947 587136.

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