Rain or shine, Juneau, Alaska is without doubt one of the most scenic capital cities within the United States.
Whether or not you fly into Juneau Worldwide Airport or dock on the shores of the Gastineau Channel and step off a cruise ship, the mountain city gives vacationers a coastal neighborhood stuffed with pure wonders, wildlife adventures and the freshest seafood.
Juneau is positioned in a part of the Pacific Temperate Rainforest. Its local weather consists of cool temperatures and excessive ranges of precipitation, which creates a perfect setting for vegetation and wildlife to thrive.
Wealthy in historical past, artwork, music and Native heritage, Juneau is for the nice out of doors fanatic, the dear collector and the connoisseur meals lover. Keep a day or higher three. Juneau is the style of Alaska you’ve been craving.
For those who plan on visiting, right here’s our mini information to Juneau, Alaska.
Right here’s an outline:
The place to Keep in Juneau, Alaska
Glacier Nalu is your base camp to journey. The campground resort options tiny houses, RV, and tent websites inside strolling distance to the Mendenhall Glacier.
Located within the Tongass Nationwide Forest, the campground is barely a brief drive from Juneau Worldwide Airport and Alaska Marine Freeway Ferry Terminal and a 15 minute drive to downtown. The campground gives 30-amp hookups at every website, free WiFi and Cable TV, clear restrooms with showers, and a communal laundry facility.
For those who’re seeking to expertise tiny dwelling dwelling, Glacier Nalu Campground gives two tiny houses for a singular getaway with all of the comforts of a lodge room designed for {couples}, small teams, and households.
Dyea Tiny Residence is nestled amongst Sitka Spruce timber and boasts a one-bedroom loft retreat, a compact kitchenette, and a comfortable lavatory beginning at $140.
Tenakee Tiny Residence is crafted from yellow cedar sourced immediately from Tenakee, Alaska and gives the very best nature views from the 2 loft bedrooms; one that includes a queen mattress and the opposite a full. Full with a kitchenette and toilet with a soaking tub, the gorgeous inside is a welcoming ambiance for an unforgettable getaway beginning at $170.
Every tiny dwelling gives free WiFi, free espresso and tea, and out of doors coated gazebos with a hearth pit to roast marshmallows and make reminiscences across the campfire.
What to See in Juneau, Alaska
Mendenhall Glacier
The huge Mendenhall Glacier is a must-see for our information to Juneau.
About 12 miles from downtown, the 13.6-mile glacier is an outlet glacier of the Juneau Icefield positioned in Mendenhall Valley. Each the glacier and the encircling panorama is federally protected beneath the Tongass Nationwide Forest.
A couple of trails contained in the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Space will present some breathtaking views and picture choices of the glacier and lake. Take a brief stroll to Picture Level or hike the difficult 3.5-mile East Glacier Loop to get the very best view of the glacier. After you’re taking within the picturesque fantastic thing about the glacier, observe the Nugget Falls Path, about 2 miles spherical journey, to the bottom of a raging excessive quantity waterfall on the shores of Mendenhall Lake.
For a quieter view of Mendenhall Glacier, be part of a guided float journey or canoe tour on Mendenhall Lake or go sea kayaking on Auke Bay.
Nugget Falls Path and Waterfall
For those who’re searching for a fast and scenic journey, the Nugget Falls Path is a improbable possibility!
At simply 0.8km, this path begins midway alongside the Picture Level Path and ends on the gorgeous Nugget Falls, skirting the gorgeous shoreline of Mendenhall Lake. It’s a simple stroll, good for almost anybody.
This path was rebuilt in 2010, so it’s good and well-maintained, with a path that stays above the lake’s excessive water mark.
Getting there from downtown Juneau is a breeze! Simply head north on Egan Drive and switch proper onto Mendenhall Loop Highway. Proceed straight till the highway turns into Glacier Spur Highway after Mendenhall Loop turns left. As soon as parked, stroll down the paved path in the direction of the Customer Centre and observe the path to the suitable simply previous the Customer Centre. You’ll cross an elevated walkway by means of a surprising rock gorge after which it’s clean crusing to Nugget Falls!
Hold your eyes peeled for wildlife whilst you’re on the market. In summer time, Arctic terns nest across the lake and in the event you carry binoculars, you may catch a glimpse of goats on the encircling mountains. Black bears have additionally been noticed, so be certain your meals is safe – no have to tempt them into pondering the campsite or path is a buffet!
As you hike, you’ll be handled to gorgeous views of the glacier for many of the approach. And if you lastly attain Nugget Falls, you’ll be greeted by a spectacular show of cascading water, full with sounds and mist that basically carry the scene to life.
Shrine of St. Therese
Take a trip on Previous Glacier Freeway that result in seashores, coves, and the peaceable Shrine of St. Therese.
The stone Shrine is located in opposition to the backdrop of the Chilkat Mountains overlooking Lynn Canal on an island related by a secure causeway. Whether or not visiting the chapel or strolling tranquil paths, the Shrine of St. Therese is a spot of peace and sweetness.
Macaulay Salmon Hatchery
A go to to the Macaulay Salmon Hatchery is a very Alaskan expertise. Be taught concerning the salmon spawning course of and take within the out of doors hatchery operations.
Guests may have the chance to be taught concerning the life cycle of pacific salmon, discover saltwater aquariums with over 150 completely different species of marine life and get to pattern quite a lot of smoked salmon merchandise.
Open Summer season Could-September and Winter October 1—April 30, the hatchery is a singular expertise whereas in Alaska.
Admission charges vary from $7 for adults and $5 for youngsters (beneath the age of two are freed from cost) and consists of limitless impartial exploration of reveals and aquariums.
Gold Creek Salmon Bake
One factor you possibly can’t go away Juneau with out attempting is the Alaskan-caught wild salmon.
With recent salmon grilling over an open, alder wooden hearth, Gold Creek Salmon Bake is a tour-plus-feast providing scrumptious Alaskan flavors in a panoramic rainforest setting.
The all-you-can-eat expertise is greater than only a meal. Positioned proper exterior downtown, the meal consists of roasted salmon, baked “cheechako” rooster (“cheechako” is slang for “newcomers”), Gold Rush potatoes, baked beans, wild rice pilaf, recent salads and corn bread. Roast your personal marshmallows over an open hearth as people music carried out by native musicians compliments the two-hour expertise.
After dinner, stroll by means of the plush surroundings of Southeast Alaska’s rainforest to the Salmon Creek Waterfall, the place you possibly can see salmon spawning (in season), the previous shaft from the historic Wagner Mine the place Joe Juneau and Richard Harris first struck gold in 1880 and even pan for gold your self!
Tickets are round $80 for adults and $50 for youngsters (youngsters 3 and beneath are free).
The place to Eat in Juneau, Alaska
Downtown is filled with recent seafood eating places, breweries and even a well-known fudge manufacturing facility, Alaskan Fudge Co. However a number of locations in Juneau stood out for the range, ambiance, and affordability.
Satan’s Membership Brewing Co.
First up is Satan’s Membership Brewing Co. Recognized for his or her easy bites and contemporary-styled European beer selection, this contemporary brewery is a favourite amongst locals and vacationers alike.
Sandwiches, shareables and typically pizza are all on a rotating menu, however the freshly popped Home Popcorn is a should. Topped with dietary yeast and salt along with your alternative of olive oil or butter, this popcorn is the right accompaniment to one in all their IPAs, or signature stouts.
The beers are all brewed with care, proper in downtown Juneau.
Deal with: 100 N Franklin St, Juneau
Meals Vans Gunakadeit Park
Positioned in Gunakadeit Park, there are a number of meals vehicles providing recent shucked oysters, home made crepes from Alaskan Creep Escape, one-of-a-kind s’mores from Captain S’extra and Brew and Alaskan fish tacos from Deckhand Dave’s Fish Tacos.
Tables line the park with loads of chairs located round hearth pits to take a seat and luxuriate in whilst you feed your senses.
With a full bar on website, you possibly can attempt some extra native brews from Alaskan Brewing Co. and Barnaby Brewing Firm.
Deal with: 139 S Franklin St, Juneau
Forbidden Peak Brewery
Take a trip exterior of downtown, and you’ll find yourself in scenic Auke Bay, the place Forbidden Peak Brewery brews beer, onerous seltzer, soda, and cold-brew espresso.
Providing a taproom and an enormous patio with hearth pit and an unobstructed view of Auke Bay, the family-owned brewery is a the picture-perfect place to finish a day’s journey.
Deal with: 11798 Glacier Hwy, Juneau
Purple Spruce AK, a world avenue meals eatery, is positioned contained in the taproom. Serving varied burgers, Asian-inspired noodle dishes, Alaskan favorites and hand-tossed salads, there’s something to fulfill all style buds.
Deal with: 11798 Glacier Hwy, Juneau
We hope our information to Juneau, Alaska offers you sufficient info to plan a vacation to the Pacific Temperate Rainforest!
As we wrap up this mini-guide to Juneau, Alaska, it’s clear that there’s a lot to discover on this gorgeous capital metropolis. From climbing the gorgeous trails to discovering the fascinating historical past, Juneau has one thing for everybody.
Don’t neglect to feast on recent seafood, style the personal brewed beer and take a tour to see the majestic glaciers up shut and to discover the wilderness!
Whether or not you’re searching for journey or simply need to absorb the pure magnificence, Juneau gained’t disappoint. So pack your baggage and prepare for an unforgettable expertise!
For extra journey suggestions and tales about Alaska, take a look at our different journey suggestions – there’s all the time a brand new journey ready for you:
Rust’s Flying Service
For those who’re planning a much bigger Alaskan journey, Rust’s Flying Service – Lake Hood’s oldest and largest floatplane operator – ought to be on the prime of your record.
Owned by the Rust household, the corporate has robust neighborhood ties and a heritage that’s as wealthy because the Alaskan panorama itself. Every pilot is hand-picked for his or her unrivalled expertise, ability and information, guaranteeing you’re in the very best arms to discover the wilderness.
Plus, you possibly can take pleasure in a 10% low cost utilizing the code “traveldudes” to make your unforgettable journey much more rewarding.
