Written by Alexander Kopp, Hannah McKinsey, Jake Evans
01/08/2025
Ken Cheung, Pexels
Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories, offers a unique blend of urban life and untamed northern wilderness. It is primarily renowned for its exceptional opportunities to view the Aurora Borealis, alongside a range of outdoor adventures like dog sledding, snowmobiling, hiking, and fishing on Great Slave Lake. The city also provides a rich cultural experience through its historical Old Town, museums, and vibrant arts scene.
Old Town Yellowknife serves as a central hub for visitors, featuring unique restaurants such as Bullock's Bistro, which is a popular spot for dining. The Woodyard brewpub is also highlighted as a place to socialize. Various tours, including Northern Lights excursions, offer opportunities to connect with other travelers. The city also hosts festivals like Snowking's Winter Festival in March and Folk on the Rocks in the summer, providing community immersion and social interaction.
Top 6 Things to do in Yellowknife
Yellowknife offers a range of activities focused on its unique northern environment and rich cultural history, from breathtaking aurora displays to exhilarating outdoor adventures and immersive cultural experiences.
1. Northern Lights Viewing Tour
Experience the captivating Aurora Borealis, a highlight of any Yellowknife visit. Yellowknife's location under the auroral oval and its typically clear skies provide excellent viewing opportunities, especially from late August to April. Tours often involve comfortable viewing areas, sometimes with heated shelters like teepees or cabins, and professional photographers to capture the moment. It is recommended to book multi-night tours to maximize your chances of seeing the aurora due to weather variability.
Cost: Tour prices for Northern Lights viewing typically range from $65 to $85 CAD per person per night. Some tours offer a discount for multiple nights, such as $85 for the first night, $75 for the second, and $65 for the third or more. Packages including hotel stays and multiple nights of aurora hunting can vary significantly in price, starting from around $889 CAD for 3 nights.
Transport: Most Northern Lights tours include pick-up and drop-off from your hotel or accommodation, as viewing locations are typically outside the city for optimal darkness.
2. Dog Sledding Adventure
Immerse yourself in a traditional northern experience by gliding through snowy trails pulled by a team of energetic sled dogs. This activity offers a unique connection to the history and traditions of the North. Many tours provide an opportunity to interact with the dogs, and some include a stop at a heated cabin for hot beverages and traditional bannock, along with storytelling about Indigenous culture and the history of dog sledding.
Cost: Dog sledding tours typically start from $90 to $180 CAD per person for a 1-2 hour experience. Some tours offer a 'U-drive' option where you can drive your own team.
Transport: Many dog sledding tour operators offer pick-up and drop-off services from hotels in Yellowknife.
3. Snowmobiling Tour
Experience the thrill of exploring Yellowknife's winter wonderland on a snowmobile. You can ride through forest trails, across frozen lakes, and take in the vast, snowy landscapes. Tours often use modern snowmobiles with heated features, making the experience comfortable even in cold temperatures. It's an excellent way to cover more ground and see the beauty of the boreal forest and Great Slave Lake.
Cost: Snowmobiling tours range from approximately $85 to $270 CAD per person, depending on the duration (e.g., 1 to 3 hours) and whether you drive your own snowmobile or ride with a guide. Snowmobile rentals are also available for around $325 CAD per day, plus gas, if you prefer to explore independently.
Transport: Most snowmobiling tours include pick-up and drop-off from your hotel.
4. Explore Old Town and Pilot's Monument
Wander through Yellowknife's historic Old Town, the city's original heart, characterized by its unique architecture and waterfront charm. You can explore a mix of old log cabins and modern homes, discover local artisan shops, and enjoy unique restaurants. Climb to the Pilot's Monument, situated on a rock outcrop, for a panoramic 360-degree view of Old Town, Great Slave Lake, and the city. This area provides a glimpse into Yellowknife's gold rush past and its vibrant present.
Cost: Exploring Old Town and climbing Pilot's Monument is free. Guided walking tours of Old Town are available, with some city tours including this area for around $55 CAD. A more comprehensive full-day Old Town tour including a boat tour and lunch costs approximately $145 CAD per adult.
Transport: Old Town is often within walking distance or a short taxi ride from the downtown area. Public transit also serves the area. Taxis in Yellowknife are generally affordable.
5. Visit the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre
Delve into the rich history, diverse cultures, and natural heritage of the Northwest Territories at this comprehensive museum. The centre houses extensive collections of artifacts, artworks, and historical documents, including exhibits on Indigenous cultures, the fur trade, and the region's unique wildlife. It provides valuable context for understanding Yellowknife and the wider NWT.
Cost: Admission to the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre is free, though donations are welcome.
Transport: The centre is conveniently located near downtown Yellowknife, on the shores of Frame Lake, and is within walking distance of many hotels. Public bus routes also pass by.
6. Ice Fishing or Great Slave Lake Fishing
Experience fishing on Great Slave Lake, one of the world's largest and deepest lakes. In winter, this involves ice fishing, often from heated tents on the frozen lake, targeting species like Lake Trout and Northern Pike. In summer, guided boat charters offer opportunities for sport fishing and can include a traditional shore lunch where your catch is cooked fresh. It's a unique way to enjoy the vast northern wilderness.
Cost: Half-day fishing trips on Great Slave Lake typically start around $135 CAD per person. Some winter ice fishing tours are priced similarly, for example, a 2-hour ice fishing tour for $125 CAD per person. Multi-day fishing packages can be significantly more expensive.
Transport: Fishing tours generally include transportation to and from the lake.
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Our typical audience are those that want to see something new and get involved with authentic experiences of a country. Whether you are a backpacker, solo traveller, solo female traveller, straight or LGBTQ+ couple, family, you will find local and authentic experiences here.
