If we rent a car and drive ourselves,will we be able to see the same views, or much the same, as taking the railroad? Will we be able to stop at Liarsville, Go to the Red Onion Saloon, etc. In short, will we miss beautiful scenery and stuff to do by not taking the railroad tour offered?
There will be four of us and we are leaning toward renting a car. A Mistake?

It is spectacular scenery via the Klondike Highway, but to specifically answer you question- the White Pass RR is definately superior for scenery, history, engineering.

Definately consider the car with the cost savings- and print out Murray's excellent guide www.explorenorth.com and take it with you. Plan on driving to Emerald Lake and return, allow about 4-5 hours for the 150 mile round trip. Yes you can stop in Liarsville, right outside of Skagway. The Red Onion is an easy walk right downtown, Broadway and Second. Be sure to also consider a stop at the National Park Service Visitor center, across the street. www.nps.gov/klgo

Thanks BudgetQueen.

We have reservations for the Misty Fjords tour in Ketchikan via Southeast Aviation per your recommendation. I was also going to make reservation with Coastal Helicopters in Juneau for an Icefield excursion. However, DH just finished doing our taxes and we owe TONS this year, so, he said no more expensive tours. Is there someway we can take public transportion or and inexpensive tour to Mendenhall Glaceir? Is there a trail that we can walk and walk on the Glacier? Thanks again!

You can take the shuttle bus for about $12 round trip to Mendenhall Glacier, but you have no glacier access unless you get to the west side with a trekking tour- shuttle does not go there.

Thank you BudgetQueen.

p.s. BudgetQueen
Murray's ExploreNorth website is fantastic! What information! So complete!