Whitehorse Half-Day Tours: Top 5 Unforgettable Experiences
Whitehorse, that lovely capital of the Yukon, pretty much acts as a gateway to some unreal wilderness and history. Now, if you’re visiting and only have, like, a limited amount of time, that doesn’t mean you’re going to miss out. Thing is, there is a ton of half-day tours which give you, more or less, a taste of what makes this place so special. These tours are great if you’re hoping to squeeze in some sightseeing without, as a matter of fact, totally eating up your whole day. I mean, from seeing amazing wildlife to stepping back in time, so there’s definitely something for everyone. Read our full review: Whitehorse Yukon tours Full Review and Details
1. Yukon Wildlife Preserve Tour
Want to see some proper Canadian animals? The Yukon Wildlife Preserve is basically your best bet. It’s, like, a super expansive natural area where they keep animals native to the Yukon. That includes wood bison, caribou, and even muskoxen. In a way, the half-day tour usually involves a guided bus ride where you get, like, fairly close encounters with these majestic creatures in a really spacious habitat.
It’s almost unbelievable, but the guides are super informative. In fact, they are providing tons of details about each animal’s behavior, and, you know, their conservation status. Plus, the views around the preserve are genuinely amazing, as I was saying. Seeing these animals up close, more or less, feels like you’re getting a look into the heart of the Yukon’s wilderness, alright? So it’s absolutely fantastic. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Yukon Wildlife Preserve)
2. Miles Canyon Walking Tour
Miles Canyon? Very, very picturesque spot, only a few minutes from Whitehorse. Millions of years of the Yukon River doing its thing, just eroding rock, really, and leaving this very impressive basalt canyon. During the Klondike Gold Rush, that, in particular, was a really crucial passage for stampeders. You will see them doing their thing, floating down the river on makeshift rafts. A walking tour will, in some respects, take you along the canyon’s rim with some fantastic views and photo opportunities, of course.
Basically, the guides tend to tell very interesting stories about the canyon’s geology, its history, as a matter of fact, and how it played a role in the Gold Rush. Very possibly, you’ll walk across that cool suspension bridge. Very scenic! Plus, breathing in that fresh air, as I was saying, it’s really a fantastic change from just hanging around the town. In that case, a really superb choice if you like easy hikes with genuinely big payoffs, is that not right? See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Miles Canyon Walking Tour)
3. Takhini Hot Springs Visit
Who doesn’t like a nice relaxing soak? Takhini Hot Springs is, basically, a pretty famous spot not far from Whitehorse, typically because it’s got these naturally heated mineral waters. Going there for, say, half a day is ideal if you’re trying to relax a bit, and let all the stress slip away, I feel. The waters, alright, are known for being very soothing. The place is known for its mineral qualities, that is. Apparently, the views all around are pretty top-notch, is that not right?
Thing is, there is the added bonus, really, of enjoying them regardless of what the weather is doing. These hot springs, more or less, maintain a warm temperature throughout the whole year. So it’s totally blissful if you show up during those cold winter months. Oh, by the way, and if you want to have a true Yukon experience? It might be a bit mad, but that involves trying the hair-freezing trick when the temps are seriously low. Let’s just say that it’s super fun and generates, like, pretty cool photo opportunities, if you are so inclined. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Takhini Hot Springs Tour)
4. Whitehorse City Highlights Tour
For those hoping to get the pulse of Whitehorse, actually, this is very possibly what you want to do. Now, a highlights tour usually takes you past key locations around town. Now, what are the popular locations, you say? Locations, by the way, could include the SS Klondike sternwheeler, which I feel is now a national historic site, and the Old Log Church. Usually, there will also be spots downtown where you can explore shops. Also, perhaps stop to get something to eat, too.
Those tours will also get you insights, definitely, into the history of Whitehorse, that’s what I know, really. Very often you’ll get stories that might touch on anything from the Gold Rush days right up to the area becoming the capital of the Yukon. In that case, the guide is a super invaluable, basically, wealth of information and history if you are visiting. Very possibly, you’ll walk away with a far better sense for the spirit and identity of the city, I guess. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Whitehorse City Tour)
5. Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre
Fossils of woolly mammoths. Now, you are intrigued! This place, clearly, has a strong dedication to educating people about the Beringia, arguably a very ancient landmass that once connected Asia and North America. You’ll get to find out about the animals, actually, and the very early people which roamed that region many years back, I find. There, I said it.
Thing is, you’re probably wondering why is that important? So, for one, the exhibits are super engaging and are presenting a great amount of info about the ice age animals. In that case, animals you could get to discover more about include woolly mammoths and those amazing saber-toothed cats. You see, the cultural displays have, basically, amazing artifacts from some of the first peoples in the Yukon, actually. Also, those explain how these folks managed to thrive in a rather frigid landscape. Without a doubt, Beringia, almost, presents one more little fascinating view of this northern region, you see. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Yukon Beringia Centre)