If you’re planning a trip to the Yukon, Whitehorse is the best and most practical place to start. It is the capital city of the Yukon, but it offers the best combination of small-town charm, endless outdoor adventure, and all the services families travelling with children appreciate.
In the summer, the endless daylight hours and warm weather allow you to pack in plenty of activities, from wildlife encounters and family-friendly hikes to river adventures, interactive museums, and the history of the Yukon’s Indigenous people and the Klondike Gold Rush.
We visited Whitehorse in June and experienced the best of what summer in this northern town has to offer. This guide shares 10 of the best things to do in Whitehorse with kids. First, I’ll share more about the Indigenous people of this region, as they play a significant role in the region’s history and current-day culture.
Indigenous Peoples of Kwanlin (Whitehorse)
Whitehorse is the traditional territory of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation, whose ancestors have lived here since the area was covered by mighty glaciers and lakes. Kwalin means “water through the canyon” in Southern Tutchone, which refers to the jade-green Yukon River rushing through the basalt rock columns of what is now known as Miles Canyon. Dün means “people.”
Nearby, at Lake LeBarge north of Whitehorse, are the Ta’an Kwäch’än people, who have lived beside the lake for countless generations. This rich culture continues to follow some traditions, including hunting and gathering. They welcome visitors to the area, saying Tàshäniidhį neni’I yu, which means “I am overjoyed to see you,” in the Southern Tutchone, Laberge dialect.
Where did the name Whitehorse come from?
The name Whitehorse came from prospectors during the Klondike Gold Rush. They saw the turbulent, raging rapids of the Yukon River as it powered through Miles Canyon before a dam was built to slow it down. The rapids looked like white horses, tossing their manes, and they charged through the canyon.
Top 10 Things to do in Whitehorse with Kids – Summer Edition
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1. The Yukon Wildlife Preserve
One of the draws for visitors to the Yukon is the wildlife. Moose, elk, bison, mountain goats, tinhorn sheep, foxes, lynx, mule deer and many other iconic creatures call this place home. The Yukon Wildlife Preserve offers your family a safe and memorable way to see them!
The preserve spans over 350 acres and has a 5 km loop for wildlife viewing. You can walk and bike the loop, or hop on one of their 1.5-hour guided bus tours. We recommend taking the bus tour, as it is led by a friendly and knowledgeable guide who gives interesting information about the Yukon’s wildlife. Plus, 5 km is a long way to walk for little legs!
Plan your trip to the Yukon Wildlife Preserve.
2. Miles Canyon
Miles Canyon is one of the most beautiful natural attractions in Whitehorse. Just minutes from downtown, you’ll discover a steep canyon separated by the turquoise blue waters of the Yukon River. The canyon is geologically unique, as it was formed about nine million years ago by a flood of basaltic lava. You’ll see the lava stacked in columns along the cliff walls.
Miles Canyon is close to town, offers plenty of parking and a network of easy trails that allow you to choose the length and difficulty of your walk. Kids will also love the unique suspension bridge that crosses the Yukon River.
Warning: There are no barriers along the canyon wall, and sections of the Rim Trail are narrow and close to steep drop-offs. Keep young children close!
3. Visit the S.S. Klondike
The S.S. Klondike is an iconic landmark in Whitehorse, greeting visitors as they enter the downtown area. It is one of the few remaining steam-powered paddlewheelers in Canada and marks a time in history when paddlewheelers ruled the Yukon River. They were the only mode of transportation during the Klondike Gold Rush, bringing prospectors, visitors and supplies up and down the river. These iconic boats arrived in the 1860s and provided transportation throughout the Yukon for nearly 100 years.
Parks Canada offers tours of the S.S. Klondike, where visitors will learn about the changes in life on the rivers, including Indigenous and settler history. The site also features an interactive Visitor Welcome Centre and outdoor exhibits. Plan your visit to the S.S. Klondike.
Note: At the time of writing, Summer 2025, the S.S. Klondike was undergoing extensive restoration and lead removal. Although it is not accessible to visitors, there are still things to see and learn at the Visitor Welcome Centre and through outdoor exhibits.
4. Glass Blowing demonstrations at Lumel Studios
Lumel Studios is a working glassblowing studio attached to the popular Gather Café and Taphouse. Combining a treat or lunch out with watching these incredible artists in action is a great way to entertain the kids and introduce them to local art. Lumel Studios offers free, daily demonstrations (walk-ins welcome) and my son was completely mesmerized watching them fire and blow the molten glass.
If you want to try glass blowing yourself, you can book a session with the artists for a hands-on demonstration. However, my son was happy to watch them in action from a distance, browse the glass art on display in the studio and grab a hot chocolate from the café.
5. Rotary Peace Park
Located downtown and on the edge of the Yukon River, the Rotary Peace Park is a great place to spend the afternoon as a family. It has a fantastic playground that offers structures for kids of all ages. There is also a fun splash park, sheltered picnic areas and clean washrooms on site. In the summer, there are seasonal food trucks, including a spot to get ice cream!
On a sunny day, a visit to this park is definitely one of the funnest things to do in Whitehorse with kids. Families can also go for a riverside stroll from the park, along the Riverfront Trail.
6. Paddle the Yukon River
Paddling the Yukon River was a must-do for our family, as we love kayaking and the Yukon River has deep historical and cultural significance to the area. Indigenous people have used it for travel, fishing, trade, gathering and ceremony for thousands of years, and it was critical for transportation during the Klondike Gold Rush and for settlers in the Yukon.
The best way to experience the Yukon River, in my opinion, is to be on the Yukon River! Several outfitters make getting on the river a breeze, offering self-guided trips that include rentals and shuttle services for the day or half-day. They also offer fully guided trips, if that’s more your jam.
Is it safe to paddle with kids on the Yukon River? Yes! The river is not swift moving, and rated a Class One, which is a beginner’s river. It is safe to do with kids, who can ride in a three-person canoe or in a tandem kayak.
We rented kayaks and did a self-guided half-day trip with Up North Adventures. Booking it was simple, and we walked our rented gear right to the beach from their shop. After a four-hour paddle and a picnic on the shores of the Yukon River, they picked us up in their van, loaded the gear and brought us back to town.
7. Visit the Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre
Visiting the Beringia Interpretive Centre is a great rainy-day activity, but it’s still worth the visit if it’s not! The museum is very kid-friendly, offering hands-on exhibits that teach visitors about the animals of the Ice Age and the First Peoples who lived among them. Kids will love the murals and dioramas, and the museum also features films, art on display, and exhibits of discovered remains from this era throughout the Yukon. It really feels like you’re stepping into the land before time!
Plan your visit to the Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre.
What is Beringia? Beringia refers to the land bridge that once stretched from the Yukon to Siberia, where people and animals crossed on the floor of the Bering Sea during the Ice Age. Due to the dry climate, ice didn’t form in this region, keeping the bridge open to large animals such as woolly mammoths, bison, giant short-faced bears, American lions, and others.
8. Explore family-friendly trails
Several trails in and around Whitehorse are suitable for families with children. The area offers plenty of natural wonders, including rivers, forests, waterfalls, lakes, mountains and valley views. Here are a few you can check out:
Riverview Millennium Trail: Located right in town, this 5 km flat, paved trail is good for either biking or walking. It follows the Yukon River and goes by the S.S. Klondike and the Whitehorse Fishladder and Hatchery.
Wolf Creek Loop: With only 64 metres of elevation gain, this easy 6 km trail offers hilltop views of the Yukon River and the chance to explore a mixed forest. It starts at the Wolf Creek Campground just outside of Whitehorse.
Hidden Lakes Trails: Accessible near the Riverdale neighbourhood via Peewee Hill or the Chadburn Lake Road, the Hidden Lakes area offers several loops. The most common route is called the Hidden Lakes Loop, and it runs about 4.5 km (83m gain) around a few small lakes.
Miles Canyon: If you haven’t been there already, head to Miles Canyon for a scenic family hike. There are several trails of varying difficulty and lengths. As mentioned, the kids love that suspension bridge.
Safety Tip: Bears live in the Yukon and like to share the trails, but they can be avoided with some bear smarts. Always travel in a group, make a little noise, keep children close and carry bear spray.
9. Food and souvenirs on historic Main Street
In the heart of downtown Whitehorse, Main Street gives serious Klondike-era vibes. The buildings are all refurbished in late 1800s style, and the street is lined with boutique shops, souvenir stores, restaurants and cafes. The street pays tribute to several historical and well-known artists and Yukoners, including statues of Jack London, Ted Harrison and Robert Service.
Mac’s Fireweed Books is an excellent place to shop for kid-friendly souvenirs, as it has many kids’ books written and illustrated by local authors and artists.
Depending on the time of day, you can pop in for lunch or a treat at the Baked Café and Bakery, or enjoy a casual taco dinner at La Caras on the corner.
10. Day trip to Carcross
If you have the time, I highly recommend a day or half-day trip to Carcross. There is a lot to see and do there, especially for families.
Carcross Commons
This unique shopping and dining village has artisan shops, cafes, ice cream and an incredible natural structure playground your kids will love. Plus, the entire complex is covered in traditional Tlingit and Tagish art, including 4 impressive Totem Poles.
Bennett Lake Beach
One of the best beaches near Whitehorse is surprisingly uncrowded. Bennett Lake is beautiful, backed by snowcapped mountains and the village of Carcross/Tagish First Nation. The water is warm enough for swimming, and kids will love playing on the sandy beach.
Carcross Dessert
Imagine a vast landscape of sand dunes nestled between mountains and boreal forests. The Carcross desert is what used to be the bottom of an ancient glacial lake and is a fun place to explore and photograph. Kids will love to jump off the top of the dunes. Just make sure to shake those shoes out before getting back in the car.
Tips for families travelling to Whitehorse in the summer
Whitehorse is a beautiful destination, and preparing for your trip will ensure it’s comfortable, safe and memorable.
What to pack
While the temperatures can be warm, and the sun stays up into the night in the summer, be prepared for all types of weather! Bring warm layers, rain gear, hats, sunscreen and sturdy shoes. We also brought warm weather clothes and packed our sandals.
Bugs, like mosquitoes and black flies, can be bad in some natural areas throughout the summer. They were not bad at all during our visit, but be sure to bring bug spray or protection just in case.
Getting here and around
By flight
Several carriers offer flights into Whitehorse via the Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport. We highly recommend Air North, Yukon’s Airline. It offers service from several major Canadian cities and has the best service on a domestic airline we’ve experienced in years, including a lovely sandwich lunch on board. Book a flight to Whitehorse.
By car
Whitehorse is on the famous Alaska Highway (Highway 1), north of the British Columbia border. Many people make the iconic voyage by car or in their RV, coming from all over North America.
Getting around
There is a bus service in town, but if you want to get out and see most of the attractions listed in this guide, you’ll need a car. If you didn’t drive into town, rental cars are available at the airport and downtown. Rent a car in Whitehorse.
Where to stay
Whitehorse is a fully serviced city, though a small one, and offers a wide range of accommodation. When we are not camping, our family prefers to stay in guesthouses or vacation rentals, as it’s easier to prepare breakfasts and packed lunches for the kids when you have access to a kitchen.
If you’re looking for a hotels that work for families, the Edgewater Hotel is a family-friendly hotel downtown that offers full suites. There’s also the highly-rated Raven Inn, as well as the reliable Best Western Gold Rush Inn on Main Street.
If you’re looking for camping, the Robert Service Campground is the closest one to town and offers shady sites along the Yukon River. The Route 302 bus takes campers right downtown. For something more rustic, check out the Wolf Creek Campground just 15 km south of town.
Where to eat
Finding a restaurant that offered both kid-friendly food and something adults want to eat was a bit tricky in Whitehorse, but not impossible! There are the standbys, chain restaurants like Boston Pizza and Ricky’s All Day Grill, but we wanted to check out the local spots that offer unique food and atmospheres.
La Cara didn’t have a kids’ menu, but it did have quesadillas, ground beef hardshell tacos and Jarritos, which my son loved. Plus, it was a really casual atmosphere. We also ate at the Big Bear Eatery & Tap House, which serves pizza, hot dogs and burgers (no kids’ menu). For breakfast and lunch, check out the Burnt Toast Café.
We really liked the menu and vibe at the Gather Cafe and Taphouse, but they didn’t have anything very kid-friendly.
Go explore Canada’s north!
Once you visit Canada’s north, you’ll fall in love with it. In fact, many Whitehorse residents came for a visit and decided to build a life there! It’s truly a place where wilderness meets community, and families create lasting memories exploring the wild landscapes, unique history and community-focused culture.
With a bit of planning and a sense of adventure, we know that your family will have the trip of a lifetime in the Yukon. First stop: Whitehorse.
Plan your trip to the Yukon with these helpful guides:
- Whitehorse to Dawson City: 7-Day Yukon Itinerary
- 5 Weird and Wonderful Things to Do in Dawson City
- Goldensides Hike in Tombstone Territorial Park: Plan your trip
To discover more things to do in Whitehorse with kids, check out these other family-friendly activities.
