Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park - Seattle Unit
The Basics
Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park offers free admission to its Seattle location in the historic Cadillac Hotel. (There are three other locations in Skagway, Alaska.) The park is a stop on some tours of Seattle. Visitors enjoy watching gold panning demonstrations and movies about the gold rush, as well as browsing the on-site museum exhibits.
Things to Know Before You Go
This is a must-visit for history buffs, and family-friendly activities make it fun for children, as well.
Get tips on visiting Skagway gold rush locations in Alaska from on-site rangers.
Free Wi-Fi is available at the national historical park.
How to Get There
Located on South Jackson Street in Seattle’s Pioneer Square neighborhood, the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park is a short distance from several public transit stops. To reach the museum, travel to the King Street Amtrak Station or bus stops on Jackson Street, First Avenue South, and Second Avenue. Limited street parking and multiple parking garages are also available nearby.
Trip ideas
When to Get There
From mid-June through early September, the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park is open daily. For the rest of the year, the park is open Tuesday through Sunday. The park is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day, and it closes early the day before each of these holidays.
Why is Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park Important for Seattle?
After the Great Seattle Fire of 1889, the Klondike Gold Rush gave the city’s economy a badly needed boost. A prime location as the departure point for Alaska meant that Seattle could profit from the dreams of gold-hungry miners headed north. By the time the gold rush ended, Seattle had more than doubled in size.