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Alaska's isolated gem, Juneau,
is the state's scenic capital surrounded by natural beauty and offering outdoor
adventure, history, art and culture. Juneau is located in southeast Alaska,
surrounded by the Tongass
National Forest and bordered by the Gastineau Channel along with Mount
Juneau and Mount Roberts. A trip up the Mount
Roberts Tram will offer a panoramic view of the city cast against the
mountains, glaciers and seaway. The capital is often referred to as "Little
San Francisco,"
due to its hills, narrow streets and network of staircases. Named after prospector
Joe Juneau, the city was founded when gold was discovered in the area in the
late 1800s. Along with the miners, other early settlers included Russian fur
traders and the Tlingit and Haida First Nations groups. Visit the city's museums,
historic buildings and its many old mining sites to learn about Juneau's rich
past.
Juneau is Alaska's third
largest city with a population of approximately 30,000. During the summer months
the city welcomes an influx of cruise ships, which fill the lively Marine
Park on the waterfront and offer views of fishing boats and sea kayakers.
Juneau also serves as the political headquarters of the state, home to the State
Capitol building where Alaska Legislature meets and the Governor's offices
are located. Visitors can take a stroll on the historical South Franklin Street
in the downtown district and view the many original buildings that have been
converted into shops
and restaurants.
While there, souvenir hunters can pick up gifts and authentic First Nations
artwork at the many tourist-oriented spots found in the area.
Juneau is the gateway to
Alaskan adventure and beauty such as the mighty Mendenhall
Glacier that is located 13 mi (21 km) from the city center by car. Many
use the city as a jumping off point to explore Glacier
Bay National Park, accessible by ferry or air via the small community
of Gustavus. Flightseeing
trips and helicopter
tours, which take people soaring above the Juneau Icefields, are available.
Some even offer glacier landings and treks. Juneau also provides great hiking
opportunities for trekkers of all levels, with several trail networks found
in the surrounding mountains and forest. Across the channel on Douglas
Island, winter enthusiasts can enjoy downhill and cross-country skiing
at the Eaglecrest
Ski Resort.
Travelers will find a good
range of accommodations in the city, from bustling hotels
and motels to intimate bed
and breakfasts. The WorldWeb.com
Travel Guide provides information about various lodging choices when
staying in Juneau, and can assist travelers by providing the following services:
- Accommodation
Directory—This is a complete Juneau accommodation directory containing
detailed information about hotels, B&Bs, campgrounds and more. With links
to accommodation websites and interactive maps, this directory is designed
to help visitors find the right place to stay based on their personal preferences.
- Maps—The
Juneau map can assist visitors in choosing where to stay by not only indicating
where accommodations are located, but also where they are in relation to attractions,
restaurants, shops, tours and transportation.
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Governor's
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ACCESS/TRANSPORTATION
Due to its remote geographic
location, Juneau can only be reached via air or sea.
Air
Located 10 mi (16 km) from downtown, the Juneau
International Airport serves the city, with Alaska
Airlines and its partners offering connecting flights from Seattle,
Washington
and Anchorage,
Alaska. Air taxi services are also available and provide access to neighboring
communities.
Sea
Juneau is a major port of call for cruise ships as well as the Alaska
Marine Highway System, a state-run ferry system. Ferries arrive and
depart from the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal, located 14 mi (23 km) from downtown.
Cruise ships dock at the Marine Park/waterfront area and are welcomed by Patsy
Ann, a statue of a bull terrier that was known for greeting passengers
in the 1930s.
Within the City
From the Airport
and Ferry Terminal
From the airport, travelers can make their way into town by taxi, with cars
stationed at the airport, or via a local shuttle service that offers hotel transfers.
Some hotels also provide free airport pick-up service. Capital
Transit, the city's public transportation system, provides bus service
from the airport, and most major rental
car companies are situated at the airport with some offering pick-up
service at various locations including the ferry terminal. A shuttle service
is also available from the ferry terminal during summer months (May to September).
Ground Transportation
The main highway in Juneau runs north to south along the coastline and stretches
for approximately 40-to-45 mi (64-to-72 km). It is referred to as Egan Drive
between downtown and the Mendenhall Valley, and from the valley to Auke Bay,
located further north, it is known as Glacier Highway or Veterans Memorial Highway
(Route 7).
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WHEN TO VISIT
Located in the temperate
Tongass National Forest, Juneau experiences a mild climate year-round with highs
reaching the mid 30s (30°F/-1°C) in the winter and the 60s (60°F/16°C) or higher
in the summertime. July is the warmest month, with an average temperature of
64°F (18°C). The city gets its fair share of rain, averaging about 92 in (234
cm) of precipitation in the downtown core in a year. The wettest months occur
in August, September and October. May through July are fairly dry and April
experiences the least amount of moisture. Tourists can make the most of sightseeing
during the summer months, which average 18 hours of sunlight a day but often
include drizzly and overcast conditions along with sunny forecasts.
During the spring, summer
and fall, travelers will find it useful to dress in layers with a waterproof
jacket. Comfortable walking shoes are also a must, especially when hiking and
exploring the outdoors. Peak cruise season occurs from June to August, so expect
the downtown area and other popular attractions to be very busy and crowded.
It is also advisable to book accommodations for the summer well in advance,
as rooms fill up quickly.
ORIENTATION
Juneau consists of three
main tourist areas: Downtown, Mendenhall Valley and Douglas Island.
Downtown
Visitors wanting to
be close to shopping, dining and arts and culture venues will find downtown
accommodations suitable to their needs. The area can have a an overly touristy-atmosphere
with many souvenir shops and tourist-trap attractions catering to cruise ship
passengers during the summer season. Streets also get overwhelmed with people
during this time.
Attractions
On the plus side, downtown Juneau has a varied mix of quality attractions and
a vibrant nightlife complete with museums, shops, coffee houses, theaters, bars
and restaurants. The historical portion of downtown features a late-Victorian
architectural style as well as late-19th-and early-20th century American movements.
Buildings include the 100-year-old St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, noted
for its onion-shaped domes, and the Governor's Mansion, built in 1912. A trip
to the
Alaska State Museum and the Juneau-Douglas
City Museum offers insight into the city's gold mining past and its
earliest settlers.
In addition, visitors can
hang out with locals at the Alaskan
Hotel and Bar, housed in an authentic gold rush hotel. Other attractions
include several shops and galleries, which sell a variety of true Alaskan souvenirs
such as genuine First Nations art work and crafts.
Orientation
Downtown is found west of the Mendenhall Glacier and is situated across from
Douglas Island. The historical sector consists of an L-shaped area starting
from South Franklin Street and continuing up to Second Street. Franklin Street
extends south of the city leading to the hamlet of Thane.
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Mendenhall
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Accommodations
There are approximately a dozen hotels located in downtown Juneau, with several
B&Bs scattered throughout the city. Hotels fill up quickly during the summer
so book well in advance. B&Bs often offer an affordable stay but some, especially
those housed in historic buildings, can be costly.
A standard choice, complete
with modern services and amenities including king-and queen-size beds and cherry
wood furnishings, is the Prospector
Hotel located adjacent to the Juneau
Convention Center and near the Alaska State Museum. Luxury rooms are
available that feature views of the Gastineau
Channel.
Several inns and B&Bs
are also located in the downtown area such as Alaska's
Capital Inn and
Silverbow Inn, both housed in restored heritage buildings. The Capital
Inn is a luxury B&B furnished with Alaskan decor and crafts, as well as
claw-foot soaker tubs. The Silverbow offers a more casual atmosphere and is
reminiscent of a European-style pension. Guests can sample fresh baked goods
such as bagels at the bakery onsite or catch a flick in the small movie theater
in the back.
Mendenhall Valley
Known as "the Valley" by locals, the Mendenhall Valley is mostly a
residential area with schools, churches and parks.
Attractions
One of the most popular attractions in Juneau, the Mendenhall
Glacier is found at the head of the Valley on Glacier Spur Road. This
impressive sight extends from the Juneau
Icefields, measuring 12 mi (19 km) in length. Stop in at the onsite
visitor center for information and great views of the glacier. Take in the beautiful
surroundings by playing a round of golf at the Mendenhall
Golf Course, offering views of the mountains and glacier.
Other sights in the area
include the Nugget
Mall and Mendenhall
Malls, two main shopping centers in the city.
Orientation
Mendenhall Valley is located 10 mi (16 km) from downtown and encompasses an
area that includes the airport, the glacier and Mendenhall
Lake and River.
The district ends 10 mi (16 km) further west at Auke Bay.
Accommodations
Both business travelers and vacationers will find suitable accommodations in
the Medenhall Valley. Lodging options in this area are located near the airport,
ferry terminal and glacier. Two hotel choices include the Best
Western Country Lane Inn and Travelodge
Hotel Juneau Airport, both located minutes from the airport. The Country
Lane Inn is a 100 per cent non-smoking hotel and features a business center
and courtesy van. The Travelodge offers 24 hour airport/ferry shuttle service,
as well as a scheduled downtown shuttle. B&Bs are also found in the area
and include A
Bear's Den Inn, featuring a continental breakfast with homemade jams
and jellies, and A
Cozy Log Bed and Breakfast, housed in a rustic log home.
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Douglas Island
Part of the City and Borough of Juneau, Douglas
Island has a land area of 76.9 sq mi (199.2 sq km) and a population
just over 5,000. Adventure seekers and those looking to get away from the big
crowds will find refuge here.
Attractions
Major attractions on the island include the Eaglecrest
Ski Resort, located 18 mi (29 km) from the Juneau International Airport.
The resort is open from December to mid-April and has an abundant terrain without
huge crowds. Visitors can enjoy downhill skiing, cross-country trails and tubing.
Other attractions on the island include beach-combing on Sandy
Beach, where remnants of old gold mines can still be found. As for arts
and culture, Douglas Island offers the Perseverance
Theatre, Alaska's leading professional theater company showcasing a
number of stage productions, events and educational programs. The theater aims
to produce plays that celebrate Alaska's culture and identity, as well as promote
local artists.
Orientation
Douglas Island is accessible via the Juneau-Douglas
Bridge, across the Gastineau
Channel from downtown Juneau. The bedroom community of Douglas is located
at the south end of the Douglas Highway, and the area known as North Douglas
is found at north of the access bridge.
Accommodations
There are a few B&Bs and inns on the island that offer an alternative to
the hectic and touristy pace of downtown. The Beachside
Villa Bed and Breakfast is a luxury inn offering beds with 600 thread-count
sheets and down comforters. Another B&B on the island is the Fireweed
House, which spoils guests with gourmet breakfasts and offers winter
Eaglecrest Ski Resort packages. Both are conveniently located minutes from downtown,
giving visitors the chance to enjoy the major sights and attractions before
heading back to rest comfortably in their rooms, away from the crowds.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF:
- c/o Juneau CVB; Mount
Roberts Tram; Juneau, AK, USA
- c/o Juneau CVB; Governor's
Mansion; Juneau, AK, USA
- c/o Juneau CVB; Centennial
Hall; Juneau, AK, USA
- c/o Juneau CVB; Mendenhall
Glacier; Juneau, AK, USA
- c/o Juneau CVB; Gastineau
Channel; Juneau, AK, USA
