Yellowknife holidays
The remote capital of Canada’s Northwest Territories and a hub of Indigenous culture, Yellowknife is a land of many riches. Gold, diamonds and lithium are found in the city’s mines, and the wealth extends to its outdoor attractions. The best holidays to Yellowknife embrace nature in all its forms, from the frozen tundra to lush forests to vast lakefronts where people gather to enjoy some of the world’s best views of the Aurora Borealis.
Yellowknife holiday highlights
Night lights
Many take holidays to Yellowknife for the Aurora Borealis, which paints the night sky in shades of green and purple. You’ll find the aurora is highly visible here from mid-August through September and mid-November to April — ‘Northern Lighthouses’ flash red when a good display is predicted. Aurora chasers can choose from a variety of viewing experiences, from a dark lakeshore to a swift dogsled.
Frontier spirit
Yellowknife buzzes with the energy of people who thrive in extreme weather and live close to nature. Visit the hilltop Bush Pilot’s Monument — dedicated to those who delivered supplies by plane to the fledgling Yellowknife — for the best view in town. Stroll the lakeshore to observe colourful houseboats and locals who commute by canoe. And in winter explore an enormous, volunteer-built snow castle.
Where to stay
Commerce in Yellowknife clusters around downtown, so stay in the heart of it for easy walks to restaurants, shopping and cultural sites. For funkier vibes, book lodging in the nearby Old Town neighbourhood. To commune with nature, stay at lodges outside of town that focus on outdoor activities, especially aurora chasing.
Yellowknife: Know before you go
Language
English, French
Currency
Canadian dollar ($)
Time zone
UTC-7 (MST) and UTC-6 (MDT)
High season
December – March
Low season
April – May
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Things to do in Yellowknife
Places to eat
As remote as Yellowknife might seem, its food scene is incredibly accessible. You can eat your way around the world in the city’s restaurants, from injera bread at a family-run Ethiopian spot to German schnitzel to a number of traditional sushi joints. You’ll also find plenty of bistros where you can sample locally caught fish and wild elk.
Shopping
Some of the best souvenirs in Yellowknife come from the city’s thriving community of artists, many of whom sell their creations in galleries around Old Town. Original paintings, glasswork and Indigenous craftwork — from sculpture to intricate beadwork to moosehide moccasins — can be found here. Look for the NWT Arts logo to identify authentic works.
Take in the culture
Don’t pass over the historical museums in Yellowknife. The Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre boasts objects from the Northwest Territories as diverse as biplanes and a mooseskin boat to an Ice Age bison skull and mineral samples. The Yellowknife Historical Museum documents the city’s mining culture in over 1,300 artefacts — including a shuffleboard court once used by miners.
FAQs about Yellowknife holidays
During your city break in Yellowknife, you'll hear the locals mostly speaking in English and French.
With temperatures peaking at 24ºC (75ºF), July is the hottest month in Yellowknife.
Old Town and Fred Henne Territorial Park are only the tip of the iceberg of what's waiting for you here. Check out the list of things to do in Yellowknife and find out why it should be your next stop.
January offers the coolest conditions for a Yellowknife holiday. Go during this time and you'll experience lows of -32ºC (-26ºF).
During your trip to Yellowknife, you'll be using the Canadian dollar (CAD) for all your expenses. You may find it helpful to carry a mix of cards and cash for more flexibility when paying.
Your holiday to Yellowknife should be a smooth experience, as the city is generally considered safe. Even so, you'll want to take a few commonsense precautions. Remain alert in busy areas and ensure valuables like your credit cards and phone are safely stored away. An anti-theft bag or money belt is a smart travel essential wherever you go.
With an average rainfall of 5 cm, August is the wettest month to go on a Yellowknife holiday. When the clouds roll in, venture indoors and enjoy the city's shops, museums, cafes and more.
You may have travelled a fair distance to holiday in Yellowknife. Make the most of the journey by allowing several days — a week would be ideal — to explore the city of Yellowknife, experience the vast landscape and maximise your chances of seeing the Northern Lights.
For snow sports and aurora viewing, autumn and winter are the best times to take a holiday in Yellowknife. Travel in summer to enjoy hiking, kayaking, extra-long days and events like the popular Folk on the Rocks music festival that takes place in July.
Flights and hotels to Yellowknife can be pricey, as is dining out. But many of the museums and sites of interest are free. Summer affords more opportunities for free outdoor activities, as winter excursions are often best tackled with a paid guide and transport.
