Thinking of getting a northern journey? Juneau is the capital metropolis of Alaska, and whereas it may not be the primary place you’d consider visiting, there’s a lot to do right here that you can simply spend a few weeks actually attending to know the realm.
Juneau is known for its wildlife, each on land and at sea. Hundreds of species of birds, together with bald eagles, black and brown bears, salmon, and orca whales, are simply a number of the normally-elusive animals you might be more likely to spot.
Numerous the tourism right here relies on getting out into nature, so for those who love climbing, tenting, or something of the type, then you definately’ll have the time of your life in Juneau. Juneau is Alaska’s capital metropolis, so it could possibly get busy when a number of cruises are in port. Juneau is a cruise ship terminal that’s visited by virtually each Alaskan cruise.
How do I get to the perfect locations in Juneau?
Juneau isn’t accessible by automobile, however you possibly can cowl a lot of the journey there by taking the Alaska-Canadian Highway, which runs about 1500 miles. Then, it’s only a brief ferry experience till you attain Juneau. If you might be driving, you’ll want to e book forward, as car slots promote out rapidly and aren’t all the time obtainable on standby.
No matter the way you arrive, by aircraft or automobile, or cruise ship Juneau is a photogenic metropolis to go to, with astonishing pure magnificence proper in its yard. If you need an thought of what to anticipate from a visit to the Alaskan capital, learn on for our listing of the highest 10 Things to do in Juneau and the perfect place to go to.
If you’ve got learn a few of our different articles, chances are you’ll keep in mind our first journey to Alaska we drove. You can learn extra about driving to Alaska right here. Since we drove, we didn’t go to Juneau. On our final journey, we took an Alaska cruise with Holland America and had each youngsters with us. It was an awesome household trip to Alaska, and cruising was nice for us.
Best Places to Visit in Alaska
1. Mount Roberts Tramway
This isn’t your common tram experience. The Goldbelt Tram is likely one of the greatest methods to see Juneau, so long as you’re not afraid of heights (however even then, it’s solely 5 minutes to the highest). It’s the perfect view you’ll get in Juneau and isn’t to be missed!
The Mt. Roberts tramway begins from the cruise ship pier, ascending 1800 ft up the aspect of Mount Roberts. As the carriage will get increased, the notable sights of downtown Juneau, the Chilkat Mountain vary and surrounding islands seem earlier than you in a wide ranging view you received’t imagine. A pair of binoculars, a digicam, and a zoom lens (if in case you have one) are a good suggestion so you possibly can take advantage of the view.
Once on the high, you’ll discover the Mountain House, a cultural middle run by a local group. They have an academic theater, a present store, and the Timberline Restaurant, which is a superb place to pattern native beers with some freshly-caught Alaskan seafood.
If you might be on the lookout for issues to do in Juneau which might be tremendous near the port, that is it. I’d simply stroll up and purchase tickets the day of.
2. Mendenhall Glacier(ice caves)
Located simply 12 miles from Juneau’s metropolis middle, the Mendenhall Glacier is a must-see for those who’re visiting this a part of Alaska. The Juneau icefield is most well-known for its enchanting, magical ice caves.
We went on this tour. It was a combo tour that included wildlife& whale watching and visiting the Mendenhall Glacier. This was an awesome tour as you bought to do two of the perfect issues to do in Juneau with one tour. The solely draw back was that we didn’t have sufficient time on the Mendenhall Glacier to hike to Nugget Falls.
Visitors can stand contained in the hole glacier’s caves made totally of ice whereas water runs overhead and underfoot, creating the phantasm of being inside a frozen bubble. Be positive to cease at Mendenhall Lake, as it’s a part of the Mendenhall Valley Glacier Recreation space. Be positive to cease on the Mendenhall Glacier Visitors middle to study extra concerning the previous of this wonderful glacier.
Since glaciers are continually evolving in a globally-changing ambiance, they’ll shift and even collapse. Old caves collapse or disappear over time, and new ones type over time, so there’s no assure that any caves will probably be there to discover for those who go to. But the sheer chance is sufficient for a go to since this is likely one of the most original experiences most individuals may have of their lifetime!
If you might be new to glacier climbing, it’s greatest to rent a tour information whose professional security data can preserve you from any harmful conditions on these climbing trails. Be positive to put on heat and waterproof boots and a jacket since it’s chilly and damp contained in the caves.
3. Glacier Garden Rainforest Adventure
How does a botanical backyard inside a glacial rainforest sound? That’s what you possibly can count on for those who go to the Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure, an engineered and artfully-designed botanical backyard positioned inside Alaska’s Tongass National Forest.
This is a guided tour in a partially-covered van that takes you thru the backyard, as much as fairly a excessive elevation to a viewing space with panoramic views of Juneau, and again down. Cascading ‘flower towers’ spill from fallen timber, pure swimming pools are surrounded by lush timber and creeping vines, and vivid wildflowers bloom from each nook of the designer landscapes.
Click right here to get present pricing and make reservations. After your tour, cease by the plant nursery and study how the employees are seeding new crops to be prepared for switch to the gardens. Part of the nursery additionally sells potted crops and seed packets, particularly these that may survive a chilly local weather like Alaska’s. If you reside someplace comparable and are fascinated with a grow-your-own memento, you’ll want to go to the nursery to see what’s in season and convey again a few of Alaska’s pure habitat.
4. Tracy Arm Fjord
The well-known Tracy Arm Fjord is about 45 miles south of the state capital of Juneau and is a shining instance of the astounding pure magnificence for which Alaska is known. The ice caves are extraordinarily common (and price seeing), however Tracy Arm is the lesser-known hidden gem, stuffed with unspoiled magnificence.
Most visits to the fjord are run by tour corporations aboard snug catamarans, so you possibly can loosen up whereas seeing this wonderful marvel of Alaska’s spectacular surroundings. Boats are small to allow them to navigate the ice-ridden waters. Literally, since you’ll be gliding by means of waters with floating ice chunks!
Another wonderful viewpoint for this legendary glacier is to discover it by air from a seaplane tour or helicopter tour. Alaska Seaplanes runs half-hour excursions from Juneau International Airport (solely quarter-hour from downtown) for $300.
Another possibility, for those who really need one thing luxurious, is to rent a non-public chartered tour information. There are many choices for this, whether or not you need to go by sea or by air. You’ll see larger-than-life glaciers, cascading waterfalls, and loads of wild animals like humpback whales and seals. Bring your digicam for this unforgettable expertise!
5. Whale Watching
If whale watching is in your bucket listing, then Juneau is the proper place to do it. Alaska is well-known for its marine wildlife, and simply off the coast, there are humpbacks, orcas, and belugas aplenty. We went on this whale watching tour in Juneau and had a good time.
Although there’s an opportunity of seeing whales year-round, the perfect occasions of the 12 months for whale watching in Juneau is April by means of November. Hundreds of humpbacks go by means of the channel, and most whale watching excursions assure a minimum of one sighting, though you’re more likely to see a number of in your tour.
Most whale watching excursions in Juneau will run for no less than 2-3 hours and have a tendency to start out at round $150-200. Most excursions assure sightings, so that you received’t need to depart your digicam at residence! But possibly put money into a water-proof cowl, simply in case.
6. Alaskan Brewing Company
There’s nothing higher than an ice-cold beer after a day exploring the fjords, forests, and oceans of Alaska. Fortunately, we’ve bought the proper spot to just do this: the Alaskan Brewing Company, in any other case referred to as Alaska’s largest brewery.
They have seven year-round beers and launch extra seasonal, specialty, and even limited-edition brews all year long, usually in the summertime months. For anybody alongside for the experience who isn’t into beer, one in every of their exhausting seltzers or sodas is likely to be simply the refreshment you want.
They run brewery excursions and tastings of their tasting room in the summertime months, the proper finish to a heat day. If you want what you’ve tasted, seize a six-pack or fill a growler, and take it residence with you.
The Alaskan Brewing Company is only a 10-minute drive from downtown Juneau space, however for those who can’t make the drive then their Depot to purchase their beers or seize their summer season shuttle that can take you straight to the principle brewery. Kids are allowed in if accompanied by an grownup, but it surely’s in all probability higher suited to a child-free day.
You may even see an Alaskan Brewing Company proper in downtown, however word they don’t serve or promote any beer right here. They solely promote shirts, glasses, and different merchandise. We know as a result of we sadly discovered the exhausting means.
7. Last Chance Mining Museum
With Alaska’s historical past and involvement with the gold rush, mining kinds an enormous a part of its current cultural identification. The Last Chance Mining Museum is a testomony to the pure historical past, with a seasonal exhibit positioned on the museum’s foremost constructing, which stands on the positioning of a former gold mine only a mile north of downtown Juneau.
The camp, though not in operation anymore, was the positioning of Juneau’s largest gold mine, which produced over $80 million {dollars} price of gold earlier than closing in 1944.
The jewel of the Last Chance Mining Museum, and the final surviving piece of the unique mine, is the air compressor constructing. The authentic compressor continues to be inside, untouched because the mine’s golden age (actually). There are additionally numerous remnants of the railroad, which have been used to move employees, items, equipment, and instruments to and from the mine.
The museum is open from mid-May by means of September, Friday by means of Monday. Tickets are $5, and hours could be sporadic, so it’s all the time a good suggestion to name forward and make sure opening hours earlier than arriving.
8. DIPAC Macaulay Salmon Hatchery
Salmon is one in every of Alaska’s largest exports, with over a billion {dollars} price of annual export. There are many salmon hatcheries all through the state, and for those who’ve ever needed to go to one, you’re in luck as a result of the DIPAC Macaulay Salmon Hatchery is positioned a 20-minute drive from downtown Juneau.
Visitors get to see the spawning course of firsthand, from the thousands and thousands of child salmon rising from eggs to the hundreds of salmon combating to swim upstream. There can also be an aquarium with over 150 species of marine life animals, and a contact tank that youngsters will love.
In addition to studying concerning the technique of salmon hatching and rearing, guests can discover souvenirs within the present store, pattern several types of smoked salmon, and even ship some tasty items residence to proceed having fun with after your Alaskan journey ends.
The hatchery is open for walk-in excursions day by day from May by means of September, and by appointment from October by means of April.
9. Nugget Falls Trail
For out of doors fans, the Nugget Falls Trail is your one-stop store. It’s an extension of Mendenhall Glacier and leaves from the customer’s middle. This is a superb exercise you are able to do along with your youngsters because it’s a fairly relaxed self-guided stroll, and the entire path takes lower than an hour, or you possibly can take your time and make it a leisurely stroll. Leashed canine are welcome on the path too, however ensure that to choose up after them.
The waterfall itself is a staggering 375 ft tall, and you may get very near it from the shoreline. The Falls additionally fan out on the base, masking near 100 ft in width. If you’re fortunate, you may spot some black bears fishing for sockeye salmon and revel in different wildlife viewing. This species of bear tends to maintain their distance from individuals, however train acceptable warning for those who do spot any. This path is the proper addition to any day journey close to Mendenhall Glacier and is a spotlight of the within passage.
Aside from the spectacular views of the glacier and Nugget Falls, this can be a lovely path for birdwatching, wildflower recognizing, and by extension pictures. So deliver your digicam!
10. Alaska State Museum
The ultimate factor on our listing of issues to do in Juneau is the Alaska State Museum. Sometimes known as the APK, this is likely one of the most necessary cultural museums for preserving and displaying data and artifacts from the historical past of indigenous peoples from the area.
Many native cultures are represented right here, together with Haida, Tlingit, and Tsimshian, in addition to smaller bands from the encompassing Prince William Sound and Kodiak Island. The museum unifies these cultures and showcases their tales, artwork, and historical past by means of rotating seasonal reveals.
If you’re visiting in the summertime, ask about their guided excursions, the place an professional will give deeper context on the artifacts. And if you’re finished, you’ll want to try the arboretum, which homes many timber and crops native to Alaska.
The museum was renovated in 2016 and given a recent, up to date design to raised go well with the subject material. Entrance charges assist assist the persevering with preservation of native heritage.
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