Rain or shine, Juneau, Alaska is likely 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 situated in a part of the Pacific Temperate Rainforest. Its local weather consists of cool temperatures and excessive ranges of precipitation, which creates an excellent setting for vegetation and wildlife to thrive.
Wealthy in historical past, artwork, music and Native heritage, Juneau is for the good out of doors fanatic, the precious collector and the gourmand meals lover. Keep a day or higher three. Juneau is the style of Alaska you’ve been craving.
If you happen to 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 web site, free WiFi and Cable TV, clear restrooms with showers, and a communal laundry facility.
If you happen to’re trying to expertise tiny residence dwelling, Glacier Nalu Campground gives two tiny houses for a novel getaway with all of the comforts of a lodge room designed for {couples}, small teams, and households.
Dyea Tiny Dwelling is nestled amongst Sitka Spruce bushes and boasts a one-bedroom loft retreat, a compact kitchenette, and a comfy toilet beginning at $140.
Tenakee Tiny Dwelling is crafted from yellow cedar sourced straight 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 loo with a soaking tub, the attractive inside is a welcoming ambiance for an unforgettable getaway beginning at $170.
Every tiny residence gives free WiFi, free espresso and tea, and out of doors coated gazebos with a fireplace pit to roast marshmallows and make recollections across the campfire.
What to See in Juneau, Alaska
Mendenhall Glacier
The large 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 situated in Mendenhall Valley. Each the glacier and the encompassing panorama is federally protected beneath the Tongass Nationwide Forest.
A number of trails contained in the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Space will present some breathtaking views and photograph 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 are taking within the picturesque great 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 a part of a guided float journey or canoe tour on Mendenhall Lake or go sea kayaking on Auke Bay.
Nugget Falls Path and Waterfall
If you happen to’re on the lookout for a fast and scenic journey, the Nugget Falls Path is a incredible possibility!
At simply 0.8km, this path begins midway alongside the Picture Level Path and ends on the beautiful Nugget Falls, skirting the attractive shoreline of Mendenhall Lake. It’s a straightforward 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 street turns into Glacier Spur Highway after Mendenhall Loop turns left. As soon as parked, stroll down the paved path in direction of the Customer Centre and observe the path to the fitting simply previous the Customer Centre. You’ll cross an elevated walkway by a surprising rock gorge after which it’s clean crusing to Nugget Falls!
Hold your eyes peeled for wildlife when you’re on the market. In summer season, Arctic terns nest across the lake and should you deliver binoculars, you would possibly catch a glimpse of goats on the encompassing mountains. Black bears have additionally been noticed, so ensure that your meals is safe – no must tempt them into considering the campsite or path is a buffet!
As you hike, you’ll be handled to beautiful views of the glacier for many of the approach. And whenever you lastly attain Nugget Falls, you’ll be greeted by a spectacular show of cascading water, full with sounds and mist that basically deliver the scene to life.
Shrine of St. Therese
Take a journey on Previous Glacier Freeway that result in seashores, coves, and the peaceable Shrine of St. Therese.
The stone Shrine is located towards the backdrop of the Chilkat Mountains overlooking Lynn Canal on an island related by a protected causeway. Whether or not visiting the chapel or strolling tranquil paths, the Shrine of St. Therese is a spot of peace and wonder.
Macaulay Salmon Hatchery
A go to to the Macaulay Salmon Hatchery is a really Alaskan expertise. Study concerning the salmon spawning course of and take within the out of doors hatchery operations.
Guests can have the chance to be taught concerning the life cycle of pacific salmon, discover saltwater aquariums with over 150 totally different species of marine life and get to pattern a wide range of smoked salmon merchandise.
Open Summer time Could-September and Winter October 1—April 30, the hatchery is a novel expertise whereas in Alaska.
Admission charges vary from $7 for adults and $5 for kids (beneath the age of two are freed from cost) and contains limitless impartial exploration of reveals and aquariums.
Gold Creek Salmon Bake
One factor you possibly can’t go away Juneau with out making an attempt 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. Situated proper outdoors downtown, the meal contains roasted salmon, baked “cheechako” hen (“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 folks music carried out by native musicians compliments the two-hour expertise.
After dinner, stroll by the luxurious 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 kids (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 unit, Alaskan Fudge Co. However a number of locations in Juneau stood out for the variety, ambiance, and affordability.
Satan’s Membership Brewing Co.
First up is Satan’s Membership Brewing Co. Identified 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 proper accompaniment to considered one of 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
Situated 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 sit down and luxuriate in when you feed your senses.
With a full bar on web site, you possibly can strive some extra native brews from Alaskan Brewing Co. and Barnaby Brewing Firm.
Deal with: 139 S Franklin St, Juneau
Forbidden Peak Brewery
Take a journey outdoors of downtown, and you’ll find yourself in scenic Auke Bay, the place Forbidden Peak Brewery brews beer, laborious 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 situated contained in the taproom. Serving numerous 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 beautiful capital metropolis. From climbing the beautiful 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 on the lookout for journey or simply wish to absorb the pure magnificence, Juneau received’t disappoint. So pack your luggage and prepare for an unforgettable expertise!
For extra journey suggestions and tales about Alaska, try our different journey suggestions – there’s at all times a brand new journey ready for you:
Rust’s Flying Service
If you happen to’re planning an even bigger Alaskan journey, Rust’s Flying Service – Lake Hood’s oldest and largest floatplane operator – ought to be on the high of your listing.
Owned by the Rust household, the corporate has sturdy 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, making certain you’re in the very best arms to discover the wilderness.
Plus, you possibly can get pleasure from a 10% low cost utilizing the code “traveldudes” to make your unforgettable journey much more rewarding.
