Fun things to do in Dawson City: 16 fun attractions and activities

Lots of fun to be had for your $20 tickets, good for all 3 shows for 3 days. Each show is different. If you like a small casino, there is lots to do. Plenty of seating for the first show but it gets busy as the night goes on. By midnight (the last show) the place was packed and standing room only. Small bar and food selection but the quality was good. Some merchandise for sale, too. The show was terrific; great costumes, singing, Cancan dancing, some audience participation and a great, family friendly atmosphere. Be aware; it can be noisy so take decibel blockers if volume is an issue for you. Wheelchair accessible onto the main floor and toilets but the wooden boardwalks in D.C. are uneven due to permafrost heaving. If you are in Dawson City, population just under 600, don't miss the show!

Diamond Tooth Gerties Gambling Hall is a historic casino and entertainment venue located in Dawson City, Yukon Territory, Canada. Established as Canada's oldest legal gambling hall, it combines elements of gaming, live performances, and Klondike Gold Rush-era ambiance to provide a unique visitor experience. Diamond Tooth Gerties Gambling Hall was founded in 1971 by the Klondike Visitors Association (KVA), a non-profit organization aimed at promoting tourism in the region. The initiative involved collaboration with a Las Vegas consultant to design the facility, which opened as the country's first legal casino. The building itself dates back to 1901, originally constructed by the Arctic Brotherhood, a fraternal organization prominent during the Gold Rush era. It has since been designated a Municipal Heritage Site, preserving its architectural and cultural significance. The hall's design and programming evoke the Klondike Gold Rush of the late 1890s, a period of rapid economic and social transformation in the Yukon, though the venue itself postdates the rush by several decades. All proceeds from operations are reinvested into the Dawson City community through the the Klondike Visitors Association (KVA). The hall is named after Gertie Lovejoy, a renowned dance-hall performer and entertainer from the Klondike Gold Rush era. Known as "Diamond Tooth Gertie," she earned her nickname by having a diamond embedded between her two front teeth. Table Games: Blackjack, North American Roulette and Red Dog. Poker, slots. Gambling is optional, allowing visitors to focus solely on entertainment if preferred. The venue is renowned for its cancan-inspired performances, featuring high-kicking dancers in period costumes, often led by a portrayal of Diamond Tooth Gertie with powerful vocals and engaging banter. Three distinct shows are presented nightly during peak season. Admission is typically $20 for the shows.

Most places in Dawson City are walkable. We walked to Diamond Tooth Gertie’s opens at 7:00,3 shows a night, bar, food and casino. Wasn’t sure what to expect after reading reviews. It was a long day we stayed only for 2 shows as all are a different, I read some reviews claiming the shows are more broadway than authentic. I enjoyed the first show as it was related more to the gold rush, the second was more broadway relating to Dawson being referred to the Paris of the north. $20 Canadian to enter which is a season pass so if you’re here more than one night you only pay once. So for the cost the shows are worth it. To enter you can charge your fee, food could also can be charged. Bar was cash only. Heard reviews saying food was not great, we ordered the Schnitzel and a large Cesar and thought they were very good, and priced reasonably.

Each show was better than the last. Drinks service was prompt and friendly, dealers at the table were friendly and helpful. It was a warm, welcoming environment and I can't wait to go back

There was only one 8:30pm show so there was no cover charge. The show was heaps of fun and more entertaining than we expected. The venue had a good vibe mixed between the bar, card tables and slot machines.

Great place! Good ambience, fantastic shows (different shows at 8:30pm, 10 and 12) and all the profits from the casino go to funding the local community (a non for profit casino!)

So good! Don't miss the opportunity to see the show and hit the casino. Such a great time!

Great museum to show the history of Dawson and gold rush.

A genuinely interesting museum. With great informative 20 minute tours offered every half hour (several different ones)

The Dawson City Museum, situated in the Old Territorial Administration Building at 595 Fifth Avenue in Dawson City, Yukon, serves as a premier heritage institution dedicated to chronicling the region's history. Designed by architect Thomas W. Fuller, it originally functioned as the territorial courthouse and administrative center, exemplifying early 20th-century architecture with features such as curved banisters and high ceilings. The museum's exhibits comprehensively trace the evolution of the Klondike from prehistory and the traditional territories of the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in (Hän First Nations) people, through the impacts of the fur trade and the Klondike Gold Rush of 1898, to Dawson's transformation into a vibrant boomtown. The second and third storeys relate to the history of the city following World War I.

This is one of the best small town museums I've ever visited! And it rivals some of the bigger city ones also. CA$10 for entry is worth every penny. Lots of local history intermingled with what it was like to live in the Yukon and Dawson City near the turn of the century, and it's presented in an easy to digest manner. The reading of information is quick, but effective and the stories are entertaining. Routing the whole museum takes maybe 60-90 minutes and is worth it. If you're in Dawson City for a day, VISIT!!

A must see if you are in Dawson, amazing building. Give yourself at least 2hrs because there is a lot to see and read.

Very interesting museum! Lots of historical items, but my favorite thing was from outside! They had a placard dedicated to the man who helped romania during ww1! As a half romanian I never expected seeing this all the way here!

Enjoyed the museum and especially the locomotive your happening at scheduled times. I'm a fan of beads and found many artifacts of that kind! Check their special events too (I got a free Robert Service reenactment!)

Great place, just a 3 minute drive from Dawson City. Nice hilltop viewpoint. Gives great bird's eye view of Dawson City as well as the surrounding area. Don't take a tour, you can just drive up yourself. Lots of parking around the top.

This is a great place to see the entire valley with the river coming through it. You get great views of Dawson City and the surrounding area. It is usually very quiet and relaxing.

We originally learned of this spot from YouTube Art We There Yet. It was everything they described. We originally rode our bikes up. It's a SUPER tough and long uphill, but oh so fun downhill ride. We then drove our Earthroamer to the top. There is a fantastic bench to relax and enjoy the view of Dawson Creek. Well worth the two visits!!

Great view of the river, the tailings & half the town. The Dome Rd is paved. T1he short cut from the middle of town is unpaved, but still a good road.

Top of the hill,you can see the whole Dawson city,beautiful view

Absolutely stunning view of Dawson City and its surroundings. Would absolutely recommend!

Such a beautiful view of Dawson City and the merging of the Yukon & Klondike River.

Very interesting tour by Parks Canada. Definitely worth a visit.

Great tour today from Nicholas. What an enthusiastic, energetic and knowledgeable guide. His voice projection was fantastic and I could hear him no matter where I was standing. He was articulate. He answered every question and clearly knew his stuff we gave him some questions that made him think and he gave us credible answers. Highly recommend the tour. It’s a small ship and you don’t think it’s much looking at from the outside but there is a lot of well documented and presented history and stories and the guide is the icing on the cake.

The SS Keno is a historic sternwheel paddle steamer. onstructed in 1922, it exemplifies the vital role of riverboats in the development of the Yukon Territory, transporting goods and passengers along the Yukon River and its tributaries during the early 20th century. Although built after the Klondike Gold Rush (1896–1899), the vessel continued the legacy of sternwheelers. Construction and Design The SS Keno was built in Whitehorse, Yukon, by the British Yukon Navigation Company, a subsidiary of the White Pass and Yukon Route railway company, specifically to service the silver mining district around Mayo Landing on the Stewart River, approximately 290 kilometers upstream from its confluence with the Yukon River. Designed for shallow water navigation on the narrow, winding, and often treacherous Stewart River, it featured a carvel-built wooden hull with a shallow draught of two to three feet, allowing it to maneuver around sandbars and tight curves. Key specifications include: Decks: Three levels—the main deck for freight, the saloon deck for passengers, and the upper "Texas" deck with staterooms. Propulsion: Powered by a wood-fired, locomotive-style boiler. Capacity: Licensed for up to 78 passengers (with sleeping berths for 32–53), 120 short tons of cargo, and an additional 225 tons on a towed barge. Service History: the SS Keno's maiden voyage commenced on 15 August 1922, transporting 120 tons of meat supplies upstream. For nearly three decades, its primary role involved hauling silver, zinc, and lead ore from the United Keno Hill Mine and other properties in the Mayo district down the Stewart River to Stewart City, where larger sternwheelers transferred the cargo to Whitehorse for rail shipment to smelters in the United States. Upriver trips to deliver supplies and food to mining camps took three days, while downstream ore runs lasted about 12 hours. The vessel operated seasonally from late spring through fall, stockpiling ore during winter for spring transport. It frequently towed barges, such as the Tookeno loaded with oil barrels near Mayo around 1932. During World War II, in 1942, the Keno supported Alaska Highway construction by ferrying U.S. Army personnel and equipment. Challenges included navigating hazards like submerged rocks and sandbars; notable incidents were a 1927 sinking after striking a rock (repaired) and a 1933 paddlewheel damage. By 1951, post-war improvements to the Klondike Highway and the Whitehorse-Mayo road shifted ore transport to trucks, leading to the Keno's retirement. It was laid up at the BYN Co. shipyard in Whitehorse, joining other decommissioned sternwheelers as the company ended paddle steamer operations in 1955. Role in the Klondike Gold Rush and Broader Yukon History While the SS Keno postdated the Klondike Gold Rush, it was integral to the Yukon's mining economy that stemmed from the rush. Sternwheelers like the Keno were the primary means of transport on the Yukon River system from the 1890s to the 1950s, moving gold dust, passengers, supplies, and later ore. Approximately 250 such vessels operated in the region, forming a lifeline until highways supplanted them. The Keno's service on the Stewart River supported silver mining at Keno Hill, a key post-rush industry, and it represents the technological adaptation of steam-powered navigation to northern rivers. Its operations were confined to the upper Yukon and Stewart Rivers, within Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in traditional territory. Visitor Information and Tours The SS Keno, located on Dawson City's waterfront beside Front Street, is open seasonally from May to September as part of the Klondike National Historic Sites. Guided tours, led by Parks Canada interpreters.

This boat is 100 years old and the tour was just great. The paddles located in the rear to protect them from debris in the water. It sits only 18 inches in the water. Good part of history saved for other people or younger generations to see.

The streamer was fascinating. We were privileged because no one else signed up so we got a private tour. Absolutely worth the gold.

Wonderful National Historic Site. If travelling with kids as for the free kids pack. Worth a visit for sure! Shame there was a deck closed to the public at our time of visiting.

Great tour, great guide! Really interesting learning about the history of the Keno and the people who sailed her. A short tour (around 30-45 min), price is very reasonable for the tour.

A wonderful glimpse into the life of Jack London. Really cool to see his cabin where he lived while in the Yukon after reading all of his vividly written stories. Staff was extremely friendly and knowledgeable.

Jack London Museum and Cabin The Jack London Museum and Cabin, located in Dawson City, Yukon, Canada, at the corner of Eighth Avenue and Firth Street, is a historical site dedicated to the life, writings, and Klondike experiences of the renowned author Jack London. Operated by the Klondike Visitors Association, a not-for-profit organization, the museum highlights London's year in the Yukon during the 1897-1898 Klondike Gold Rush, where he engaged in mining efforts but primarily gathered material for his literary works, such as White Fang and The Call of the Wild. The facility features interpretive exhibits, including over 60 photographs, documents, and memorabilia that chronicle London's adventures, as well as the investigative work of Yukon author Dick North, who played a pivotal role in locating and authenticating London's original cabin. Visitors can explore a replica cabin, furnished with period-appropriate objects representative of a gold rush stampeder's living conditions. Jack London's Original Cabin Regarding Jack London's original cabin, it was constructed in 1897 on the North Fork (also referred to as the left fork) of Henderson Creek, approximately 120 kilometers south of Dawson City, where London overwintered during his Klondike sojourn. The structure remained abandoned in the wilderness until its rediscovery in March 1965 by Dick North, assisted by local guides Joe Henry, Victor Henry, and others, following leads from mining records and discussions with trappers. Authentication involved multiple verification methods: a signature reading "Jack London Miner Author Jan 27 1898" was located on a removed log slab, confirmed by handwriting experts; tree-ring dating placed the logs' cutting between 1875 and 1900; and cross-references between London's stories and historical records matched names and details. The signature slab was physically refitted to the cabin log, providing conclusive proof. In 1969, the cabin was dismantled by Rudy and Robin Burian, with the logs divided to create two smaller replicas for preservation and public display. One half forms the replica at the Jack London Museum in Dawson City, while the other half was transported to Oakland, California—London's birthplace—and reassembled at Jack London Square as a tourist attraction. This division ensured the historical artifact's legacy could be shared between the Yukon and California's literary heritage sites.

What a wonderful experience and Helen is a wealth of knowledge concerning Jack London and his life. Her presentation is riveting.

Arrived 25 minutes before closing and Helen was giving a pleasant audio tour of the author, his life, the cabin, and etc. Love it!

Nice little historic site with lots of well-organized display photos from Jack London's life. Short but nice interpretive talk was the highlight.

Museum is wonderful! Thanks designer and stuff who established this memorized place for phenomenal writer - Jack London! Front desk women is very educated. We enjoyed our visit to see it.

The museum & cabin are closed during the winter, but the grounds remain open for free. You could walk up (through the snow) to the cabin to take a peek inside. A cool historical place in town.

This was a fun tour and out tour guide did an excellent job explaining the history of the theater and showing us around. It's great to see that it's been refurbished and is seeing current use. One point of confusion is that the sign on the door doesn't mention that you have to buy tickets at the Visitor Information Center. I mentioned to our guide the sign needs to mention that and was going to look into it. But until then, buy your ticket at the Visitor Information Center first before joining the tour.

It is one of the most well-preserved original buildings in Dawson City.

So I show up at the Grand Theatre expecting creaky floorboards and a local drama troupe doing Hamlet in Yukon accents. Instead, I’m handed a program printed on cured moose hide and told to “mind the echoes they remember.” Charming! The moment I sit down, the seat warms under me like it's alive. The chandeliers flicker in Morse code (I later realize they’re spelling “RUN”), but by then it’s too late. A woman in an 1898 gown floats past offering peppermints and unsolicited life advice. I accept both. The play begins. Except there’s no curtain call, no clear cast, and somehow the audience seems to be performing? A man beside me turns and says, “You’re doing great,” though I hadn’t said a word. I glance again—he’s gone. Just a steaming cup of spruce tea left on the seat. Act II opens with a literal portal—maybe fog machine, maybe transdimensional tear, unclear—through which a chorus line of prospectors reenacts the downfall of the Gold Rush using only interpretive dance and spoons. By Act III, I’ve aged 6 minutes and 40 years. Someone hands me a certificate of completion signed by "The Spirit of the Yukon." I leave to find my watch runs backward now, and my shadow refuses to follow me down Queen Street. 10/10—life-changing, reality-warping, would recommend if you enjoy experimental theatre or being permanently altered.

Went to 2 shows! Refurbished by Parks Canada to its 1898 glory

when i walked i saw kayne west on stage, and he stared singing cousins and we where all jamming to this very relatable song. then micheal jackson came out and him and kayne statred kissing on stage and we all cheered

Great tour covering the history of theatre in Dawson

Fun hang out place for local music concerts

A must do when in Dawson. Cross the river with the free ferry. Take the lower road through the campsite until it beers left by a yellow metal gate. Go through the gate down to the river and follow the flat river bank about 300 m. There are some more wrecks with big wheels in the woods close by. (within 50m of the main site)

Really cool place to explore! It's a little eerie going through it but definitely worth checking it out. You can get to it by driving through the campground, then parking at the end of the main road at the point closest to it that's a road, and then its a 5 minute easy walk on the rivers edge.

One of my most favorite areas we saw on our trip to the Yukon. I would go all the way back just to walk this area again.

A nice beach for a walk. The old paddle wheelers were easy to find.

6/3/24 We're in the Yukon River campground, was able to just walk the riverbed to the site.

Not part of a regular trail. Across the river, Yukon, from Dawson City. Need to take free ferry, then walk through the Yukon River Camp ground, to the end. path starts there, down to the water. Path can be a bit tricky, recommend you don't go alone. Several old steamers there, one is right off the river bank, but several are behind it. Worth it.

Very unique. You don’t get this opportunity to see these relics like this anywhere else.

Awesome, welcoming, contemporary art space that contributes so much to the community and shows visitors the true culture of Dawson. Pop in to one of their events. Give them all your money!

We went to see an improvisational musician...performance was...difficult. but KIAC is awesome and welcoming and very worthy of support. Go. Enjoy. Be challenged

It is a very nice place for the community to gather. We went and saw a concert of some of our local talent. It was awesome

We didn't buy anything, but the random lady at the front desk was really chill

A lovely little gallery. Currently showcasing pieces from various local artists.

Great performances, great artists

Great space for events

It's just an office. You might be able to book tickets here the festival in the summer, but in the winter it's generally closed.

They were very helpful.

Very small but interesting. It’s totally by donation and I didn’t expect to get a guided tour as part of that - the man who gave the tour was clearly very passionate about Dawson’s fire fighting history!

Small museum located at the end of town, near the ferry. They are proud of the exhibits and that shows. The person at the museum was very knowledgeable and he showed us around the exhibits and trucks, all very well maintained. Entry by donation.

Loved coming in today and see all the equipment! Buff was a great guide! So much Dawson history!

I am surprised to see some old fire trucks, in good condition. The staff must have spend lots of effort to maintain them.

Nice tour

(Translated by Google) Nice fire department museum in Dawson City, for a small donation you can see a little bit. (Original) Nettes Feuerwehr Museum in Dawson City,gegen kleine Spende kriegt man n bisschen was zu sehen.

Boat appears to be on a trailer by the ferry, Doesn’t look like it’s moved in a bit

It has not floated for 2 years

The Commissioner’s Residence is a key component of the Dawson Historical Complex National Historic Site, managed by Parks Canada. Built in 1901 by architect Thomas Fuller, the Commissioner’s Residence is a two-and-a-half-story wooden structure with classical architectural influences, featuring a platform frame, wood cladding, and landscaped grounds facing the Yukon River. Designed as the official home for the Commissioner of the Yukon—a federal appointee tasked with territorial administration—it symbolized Canadian authority, stability, and refinement during the chaotic gold rush period. The building’s elegant exterior and interior, including period furnishings, underscored the government’s efforts to establish order amid the influx of prospectors and to assert colonial control. The residence housed successive commissioners until 1916. Today, the Commissioner’s Residence is open to the public for guided tours, interpretive programs, and special activities such as escape rooms and flower-pressing workshops, providing insights into the Yukon’s social, political, and cultural history.

Beautiful, charming house! We did a “murder mystery escape room” well worth the price, the kids also loved it! Tickets must be purchased in advance at the Dawson information office

Such gorgeous architecture and a beautiful place to explore.

Beautiful and completely restored. Looks just like the 1914 photos. Only open during Parks Canada programs and special events. The Commissioner's Tea in early June takes place on the lawn and is a great time

The Commissioner's Residence in Dawson City was built at the turn of the last century (1901) and is now a Parks Canada historic site. The annual Commissioner's Tea happens each year on the lawns of the grand Commissioner's Residence in Dawson City. Six commissioners lived in the residence from 1901 to 1916. The best known was George Black, who with his wife Martha, lived in the residence from 1912 to 1916. The Blacks were favorites among locals because they were considered real “Sourdoughs”, having trekked over the Chillkoot Trail and survived many harsh Yukon winters. The main floor has been restored and replicated to show how George and Martha Black would have lived in 1916. George Black was the last Commissioner to reside there dating from the days when Dawson City was the capital of the Yukon. In the late 1940s and early 1950s the Sisters of St. Anne used it as a residence and senior citizen's home. It sat empty for many years and now after restoration, it stands as a symbol of an era in Dawson City that was opulent and fine. The Commissioner's Residence is certainly the most impressive house in Dawson. A huge influx of stampeders raced to the Klondike after gold was discovered in 1896, leading the Government of Canada to create the Yukon Territory in 1898 and send a commissioner to Dawson City to take charge. Built in 1901 by Thomas Fuller, the Commissioner's Residence represents the strong government presence that followed the Gold Rush, and showed the world that Dawson City was here to stay. Located on Front Street beside St Paul’s Anglican Church.

"Red Serge" presentation by Benny was an eye opener. Klondike Goldrush in the eyes of the First Nation people's. The display representing the history and future of all peoples is encouraging.

Excellent place to tour while in Dawson. Was able to enjoy a historical recreation of it's past prominance.

This isnt a tourist attraction this is a hazard