Pondering of getting a northern journey? Juneau is the capital metropolis of Alaska, and whereas it won’t be the primary place you’d consider visiting, there may be a lot to do right here that you can simply spend a few weeks actually attending to know the world.
Juneau is known for its wildlife, each on land and at sea. Lots of 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 prone to spot.
Numerous the tourism right here relies on getting out into nature, so should you love mountain climbing, tenting, or something of the kind, then you definitely’ll have the time of your life in Juneau. Juneau is Alaska’s capital metropolis, so it may well get busy when a number of cruises are in port. Juneau is a cruise ship terminal that’s visited by nearly each Alaskan cruise.
How do I get to one of the best locations in Juneau?
Juneau isn’t accessible by automotive, however you’ll be able to cowl many of the journey there by taking the Alaska-Canadian Freeway, which runs about 1500 miles. Then, it’s only a brief ferry experience till you attain Juneau. In case you are driving, make sure to ebook forward, as automobile slots promote out rapidly and aren’t all the time accessible on standby.
Irrespective of the way you arrive, by aircraft or automotive, or cruise ship Juneau is a photogenic metropolis to go to, with astonishing pure magnificence proper in its yard. If you would like an thought of what to anticipate from a visit to the Alaskan capital, learn on for our record of the highest 10 Issues to do in Juneau and one of the best place to go to.
When you’ve got learn a few of our different articles, it’s possible you’ll bear in mind our first journey to Alaska we drove. You’ll be able to 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 children with us. It was an amazing household trip to Alaska, and cruising was nice for us.
Greatest Locations to Go to in Alaska
1. Mount Roberts Tramway
This isn’t your common tram experience. The Goldbelt Tram is without doubt one of the finest 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 one of the best 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. Because the carriage will get larger, the notable sights of downtown Juneau, the Chilkat Mountain vary and surrounding islands seem earlier than you in a panoramic view you received’t imagine. A pair of binoculars, a digicam, and a zoom lens (you probably have one) are a good suggestion so you’ll be able to benefit from the view.
As soon as on the high, you’ll discover the Mountain Home, a cultural middle run by a local group. They’ve 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.
In case you are on the lookout for issues to do in Juneau which are tremendous near the port, that is it. I might simply stroll up and purchase tickets the day of.
2. Mendenhall Glacier(ice caves)
Positioned simply 12 miles from Juneau’s metropolis middle, the Mendenhall Glacier is a must-see should you’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 amazing tour as you bought to do two of one of the best issues to do in Juneau with one tour. The one draw back was that we didn’t have sufficient time on the Mendenhall Glacier to hike to Nugget Falls.
Guests 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. You should definitely cease at Mendenhall Lake, as it’s a part of the Mendenhall Valley Glacier Recreation space. You should definitely cease on the Mendenhall Glacier Guests middle to study extra concerning the previous of this wonderful glacier.
Since glaciers are continuously evolving in a globally-changing environment, they will shift and even collapse. Outdated caves collapse or disappear over time, and new ones kind through the years, so there’s no assure that any caves can be there to discover should you go to. However the sheer risk is sufficient for a go to since this is without doubt one of the most original experiences most individuals could have of their lifetime!
In case you are new to glacier mountain climbing, it’s finest to rent a tour information whose knowledgeable security data can maintain you from any harmful conditions on these mountain climbing trails. You should definitely put on heat and waterproof boots and a jacket since it’s chilly and damp contained in the caves.
3. Glacier Backyard Rainforest Journey
How does a botanical backyard inside a glacial rainforest sound? That’s what you’ll be able to anticipate should you go to the Glacier Gardens Rainforest Journey, an engineered and artfully-designed botanical backyard positioned inside Alaska’s Tongass Nationwide Forest.
This can be 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 bushes, pure swimming pools are surrounded by lush bushes and creeping vines, and brilliant wildflowers bloom from each nook of the designer landscapes.
Click on 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 vegetation to be prepared for switch to the gardens. A part of the nursery additionally sells potted vegetation and seed packets, particularly these that may survive a chilly local weather like Alaska’s. When you stay someplace related and are curious about a grow-your-own memento, make sure to go to the nursery to see what’s in season and produce 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 widespread (and value 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 comfy catamarans, so you’ll be able to calm down whereas seeing this wonderful surprise of Alaska’s spectacular surroundings. Boats are small to allow them to navigate the ice-ridden waters. Actually, since you’ll be gliding by means of waters with floating ice chunks!
One other 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 Worldwide Airport (solely quarter-hour from downtown) for $300.
An alternative choice, should you actually need one thing luxurious, is to rent a non-public chartered tour information. There are various choices for this, whether or not you wish 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. Convey your digicam for this unforgettable expertise!
5. Whale Watching
If whale watching is in your bucket record, then Juneau is the right 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.
Though there’s an opportunity of seeing whales year-round, one of the best occasions of the yr for whale watching in Juneau is April by means of November. Lots of of humpbacks move by means of the channel, and most whale watching excursions assure at the least one sighting, though you’re prone to see a number of in your tour.
Most whale watching excursions in Juneau will run for at least 2-3 hours and have a tendency to start out at round $150-200. Most excursions assure sightings, so that you received’t wish to go away your digicam at house! However possibly put money into a water-proof cowl, simply in case.
6. Alaskan Brewing Firm
There’s nothing higher than an ice-cold beer after a day exploring the fjords, forests, and oceans of Alaska. Happily, we’ve bought the right spot to do exactly this: the Alaskan Brewing Firm, in any other case often known as Alaska’s largest brewery.
They’ve seven year-round beers and launch further seasonal, specialty, and even limited-edition brews all year long, typically in the summertime months. For anybody alongside for the experience who isn’t into beer, one in all their laborious 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 right finish to a heat day. When you like what you’ve tasted, seize a six-pack or fill a growler, and take it house with you.
The Alaskan Brewing Firm is only a 10-minute drive from downtown Juneau space, however should you 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 primary brewery. Youngsters are allowed in if accompanied by an grownup, however it’s most likely higher suited to a child-free day.
You may even see an Alaskan Brewing Firm proper in downtown, however notice they don’t serve or promote any beer right here. They solely promote shirts, glasses, and different merchandise. We all know as a result of we sadly came upon the laborious manner.
7. Final Likelihood Mining Museum
With Alaska’s historical past and involvement with the gold rush, mining kinds an enormous a part of its latest cultural identification. The Final Likelihood Mining Museum is a testomony to the pure historical past, with a seasonal exhibit positioned on the museum’s important 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 Final Likelihood Mining Museum, and the final surviving piece of the unique mine, is the air compressor constructing. The unique compressor remains to be inside, untouched for the reason that mine’s golden age (actually). There are additionally numerous remnants of the railroad, which have been used to move staff, items, equipment, and instruments to and from the mine.
The museum is open from mid-Could by means of September, Friday by means of Monday. Tickets are $5, and hours might be sporadic, so it’s all the time a good suggestion to name forward and ensure opening hours earlier than arriving.
8. DIPAC Macaulay Salmon Hatchery
Salmon is one in all Alaska’s greatest exports, with over a billion {dollars} price of annual export. There are various salmon hatcheries all through the state, and should you’ve ever wished 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.
Guests get to see the spawning course of firsthand, from the thousands and thousands of child salmon rising from eggs to the 1000’s of salmon combating to swim upstream. There may be additionally an aquarium with over 150 species of marine life animals, and a contact tank that children will love.
Along with studying concerning the strategy of salmon hatching and rearing, guests can discover souvenirs within the present store, pattern various kinds of smoked salmon, and even ship some tasty items house to proceed having fun with after your Alaskan journey ends.
The hatchery is open for walk-in excursions every day from Could by means of September, and by appointment from October by means of April.
9. Nugget Falls Path
For out of doors lovers, the Nugget Falls Path is your one-stop store. It’s an extension of Mendenhall Glacier and leaves from the customer’s middle. This can be a nice exercise you are able to do together with your children because it’s a fairly relaxed self-guided stroll, and the entire path takes lower than an hour, or you’ll be able to take your time and make it a leisurely stroll. Leashed canines are welcome on the path too, however be certain that to choose up after them.
The waterfall itself is a staggering 375 ft tall, and you will get very near it from the shoreline. The Falls additionally fan out on the base, overlaying near 100 ft in width. When you’re fortunate, you would possibly spot some black bears fishing for sockeye salmon and revel in different wildlife viewing. This species of bear tends to maintain their distance from folks, however train acceptable warning should you do spot any. This path is the right addition to any day journey close to Mendenhall Glacier and is a spotlight of the within passage.
Except for the spectacular views of the glacier and Nugget Falls, it is a lovely path for birdwatching, wildflower recognizing, and by extension images. So deliver your digicam!
10. Alaska State Museum
The ultimate factor on our record of issues to do in Juneau is the Alaska State Museum. Typically known as the APK, this is without doubt one of the most essential cultural museums for preserving and displaying info 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 displays.
When you’re visiting in the summertime, ask about their guided excursions, the place an knowledgeable will give deeper context on the artifacts. And once you’re achieved, make sure to take a look at the arboretum, which homes many bushes and vegetation native to Alaska.
The museum was renovated in 2016 and given a contemporary, up to date design to raised go well with the subject material. Entrance charges assist help the persevering with preservation of native heritage.
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