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Capital of Alaska, United States
Photo: Gillfoto, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Juneau (JOO-noh) is the capital of Alaska, in the state's Southeastern region. Juneau is on the North American mainland and yet cannot be reached by land. Effectively, the rugged mountains surrounding it make Juneau into an island city, reachable only by air or by sea. Juneau experiences a daily influx of thousands of people from visiting cruise ships between May and September.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
One of Alaska's best exhibits covering the breadth of the state's history, native cultures, wildlife, industry, and art. Approximately a ten-minute walk from the cruise ship terminal.
Tiny ornate octagonal structure that was built by the Tlingits in 1893. When the Russians were still in Sitka 50 years earlier, Father Ivan Veniaminov of the Russian Orthodox Church translated the Bible into Tlingit. Thus this building became southeast Alaska's oldest continuously operating church.
Completed in 1931 as the territorial capitol, this building does not have the typical imposing architecture of a state capitol. This capitol building, remodeled in 2006, houses the State Legislature, the Governor, and the Lieutenant Governor. Extensive exhibit of historic photographs in the hallways. Complimentary 30-minute tours are available from mid-May through mid-September.
This is a massive 1.5-mile-wide glacier calving into its own lake about 13 miles north of downtown Juneau. To get there, you may take a bus or taxi from where the ships dock to the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area. You can pay the driver in cash or buy two tickets at one of the many kiosks on the dock. A taxi ride is about the same cost as a bus if you have 5 or more passengers.
Although you can't get right up to the glacier without a long walk, you can get a great view of it from the visitors center, which is operated by the US Forest Service and is very informative. Photo Point Trail and the salmon, bear and Steep Creek Trail are easy and accessible trails. In August and September, black bears, often with cubs, visit Steep Creek to feed on spawning sockeye (red) salmon. Some trails may be closed then. A series of viewing platforms let the bears walk underneath the many folks watching them fish. No food or soft drinks are allowed in the recreation area, and dogs must be on leash.
If you want a moderate hike through some beautiful forest, try the East Glacier trail which loops around east of the visitors' center. Follow the trail clockwise to avoid having to climb many steps -- you'll come down those steps at the end of your hike and to keep the best views of the glacier ahead of you, instead of over your shoulder.
For the more adventurous, the West Glacier trail which leads directly to the glacier (you can walk on it, but be careful to stay away from crevasses!) and also to a look out. Get off the bus just past the Mendenhall Glacier Campground stop. The stop is called Montana Creek. Walk up the road to the car park at the end (around 2 km) and you will see the trail-head. Stick to the path, maybe dropping down to the lake side to checkout the icebergs and grab some photos. Continue along the path, across several bridges and up some switchbacks with fixed cables. Soon you will come to fork in the path, the left is steep and heads to the lookout, the right goes downhill into some dense vegetation. Shortly into the right-hand trail you will come across a shelter slightly off the track. Continue for several miles along the track, taking care on the slippery rock areas. Eventually you will come to a break in the cliff where it is possible to scramble or climb to the top. Recommend taking crampons if you want to walk on the glacier, stay away from crevasses and don't fall in. There are usually guides walking people out there so watch where they walk. Return the way you arrived, the whole thing should take about 5 hours. Don't forget to sign out when you leave the area.
A "forest" of tree stumps, turned upside-down, planted in the ground, and seeded with lots of colorful flowers.
Mount Roberts Tramway
There is a tram that runs from the docks in downtown Juneau up Mount Roberts, one of the peaks overlooking the city. At the top is the Mount Roberts Nature Center which features a captive eagle (not as impressive as seeing them from a distance in the wild) and some not-too-difficult scenic hiking trails with interpretive information. The more adventurous hiker can branch off from these trails and continue upward to the summit, where snowfields can be found even in the warmth of summer. It's difficult going in places, but provides some stunning views of the channel and city far below. If you don't want to pay $27 to ride up the tram, you can also hike the whole mountain. The trailhead is on Basin Road and takes about an hour to climb up to the top of the tram. A one way tram ride down the mountain is $5 or free if you eat at the restaurant at the top and show your receipt.
If you head down to the Alaskan Brewing Company headquarters in Lemon Creek, they will give you a tasting of their great beer. A good way to end a day of hiking. To get there, jump on the bus and ask the driver which stop to get off at. Walk across the road and turn at the second right. Alaska On Tap leads Juneau Brewery tours, which pick up downtown and visit Devils Club Brewing Company, Alaskan Brewing Company, and Forbidden Peak Brewing, as well as two scenic stops. Each stop includes a tasting flight of curated beers and the story of each beer and brewery.
This is a Catholic retreat center operated by the Diocese of Juneau, with a small stone chapel on a small island connected by a causeway to the mainland, a very peaceful and scenic location. The three albums of wedding pictures demonstrate the Shrine's popularity as a wedding site. There are extensive gardens, a prayer labyrinth, and a columbarium (memorial site for storing ashes of the deceased) with an outdoor chapel, and a lodge and cabins that are available for rental when they are not being used for Church purposes. Sunday Mass is held in the Shrine Chapel at 1:30PM on Sundays from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The Shrine may be closed occasionally to the public for retreats. Free, but donations are encouraged.
A log cabin church from the 1950s with an amazing view of Auke Lake and Mendenhall Glacier through its picture window.
JAHC
Built in 1959 as the National Guard Armory, this building was retired in 2004, and lay empty for several years, until the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly, under Mayor Bruce Botelho, turned the facility over to the Juneau Arts & Humanities Council to manage as the Juneau Arts & Culture Center. It houses a gallery and lobby shop that represent only local artists and artisans. They have a large and diverse selection of jewelry, pottery, glassware, and native arts.
House of Wickersham
Wild Coast Excursions' guides are Juneau's bear viewing specialists. Their fly-in wilderness bear viewing trips to Admiralty Island and Chichagof Island are signature Alaskan experiences that are not to be missed. Their most popular small-group and private trips visit Pack Creek and Waterfall Creek and run from May to September.
Zipline at Eaglecrest Ski Area
Alaska On Tap offers uniquely Alaskan and uniquely Juneau brewery and sightseeing tours. Often cited as the best rainy-day activity in town, Alaska On Tap's brewery tours visit three breweries and two stunning local vistas. Guides are lifetime locals and engaging storytellers.
Natural food store in Downtown Juneau. Decent produce, awesome weekday deli, and Thursday night dinners. Prices are not so bad considering everything comes in by jet or boat.
Sells deli and Filipino food made on premises. Convenient for other items you may need that you don't want to spend an arm and a leg on at Rainbow Foods. Foodland Pharmacy is an extension of Ron's Apothecary Shoppe.
Kroger
Part of the Kroger chain. Contains a Starbucks cafe.
Has the same weekly specials as Foodland IGA.
Bakery, quick mart with wine, beer and liquor.
Not convenient for cruise ship passengers, but if you're making an extended stay around Southeast Alaska, may be worth stocking up here. Membership required. This is also the smallest Costco Warehouse in the world at 76,696 sq ft, about half the size of a typical Costco Warehouse in most places. Being the smallest means they don't have in-house bakery, no indoor seating at the food court, and no gas pumps but they do offer plenty of products.
Better for drinks. Not a very relaxing atmosphere during the summer, and the food isn't that great. An order of bread will get you a sandwich roll from Costco with some cheese on it.
One of the best, most consistent restaurants in town.
Far from downtown and slow, but serves great Thai food.
Try the halibut fajitas or the halibut fajita salad. A Juneau institution for 30 years. No hot sauce (aside from Tabasco) or liquor available.
Small and crowded but has good sushi and sashimi.
Great place to sit at the bar and gaze at the view. It also has a good selection of food. The Halibut Taco is good as are the burgers and soups. It hosts a mixture of locals and tourists. On warmer days you can sit outside on the deck overlooking the float planes (can get noisy though).
Has good pizzas and sandwiches, a good vibe, and a stunning view of the channel looking back towards Juneau. Sometimes you can catch a local bluegrass or jazz band there.
Also a good bet for food but it caters to tourists (closed in the winter). Not cheap but not outrageous either. A bit loud for quiet conversation.
Suwanna Cafe is run by two Thai sisters and their mother. Open M-F only for lunch, they have great summer rolls that are like a salad in an uncooked rice wrap, great Thai curries, wonderful satay, and pad Thai, along with Thai iced tea. Great lunch.
Offers great king crab legs and crab cakes. Their bisque is to die for.
Pel Meni serves authentic Russian Dumplings. There is no menu as Pel Meni dumplings are all they serve. it's small and not the fanciest place in the world, but it is a must visit while in Juneau. Only $6 per order. A local favorite because it's cheap, quick, delicious, and open after bar-closing hours.
Full espresso bar and Filipino food. The Chicken Adobo and Pork Adobo are great, and they also have other Filipino soups and stews. When it's not raining, you can sit under the trees on the deck in back and eat your lunch or drink your latte. Open for coffee around 9AM, for lunch from 10AM until food's gone.
By day a cafe serving Stumptown coffee, pastries, and lunch items. At night transforms into a bistro with a rotating menu, often featuring Alaskan seafood
Upscale restaurant featuring Alaskan seafood
Italian restaurant with wood fired pizza and homemade pasta. Specials often feature Alaskan seafood
Sit and watch the float planes takeoff and the cruise ships come and go. During daylight hours in the tourist season, when the floatplanes are constantly arriving and taking off next door, either sit inside or plan to leave with a headache and a hoarse throat. When tourist season is over, sit outside and enjoy the relative solitude.
Looks like somewhere you wouldn't want to go, but sometimes it fills the bill, especially during legislative season when the lobbyists, lawyers and aides can be found there.
In Douglas (see the Eat section above).
Out in Auke Bay for a rustic experience.
Drop into the brewery to sample the brews.
Craft cocktail bar with large whisky selection and beer on tap
Micro distillery with tasting room featuring gin and tonics on tap
New micro brewery with tasting room. Some of the best beer in Alaska.
Lockout from 9AM-5PM daily. Guests are assigned a daily job. Walking distance to downtown. Curfew at 10:30PM (winter) or 11PM (summer). Five night maximum stay.
This is one of Juneau's extremely rare waterfront inns. Beachside Villa has views of Mt. Juneau and Mt. Roberts as well as the city lights and cruise ships, watercraft and Alaskan wildlife on the water. Sometimes you can see whales out in the harbor. The rooms are nice and have fresh nice coffee, tea and cocoa in the rooms.
In downtown Juneau. You will also find a restaurant, a liquor store and a deli nearby.
24-hour complimentary shuttle to airport and ferry terminal, indoor heated pool, meeting rooms, on-site Mexican restaurant ("Mi Casa").
Downtown hotel with great character, excellent suites, and rooftop hot tubs.
For awesome pins.
Has customizable gifts for travelers who don't want a boring, touristy-looking T-shirt.
Also has good Alaska-based products that are popular with locals and tourists alike. There is a large gift shop downtown on South Franklin that also offers a shuttle to the brewery.
Contract postal station selling curated gifts including some made by local artists
Selling art and design work by contemporary Alaska Native artists
By plane
By sea
Juneau is a main port for the , Alaska's ferry system. The ferry runs regularly throughout Southeast Alaska with regular stops in Ketchikan, Petersburg, Wrangel, Sitka, Haines, and Skagway.
By bus
00 for travel in one direction (Oct 2019). The Downtown Transit Center is on Main St and Front St, two blocks northwest of City Hall.
By taxi
Taxis are an economical alternative. Taxi vans can carry up to 7 passengers and cost about the same as buses for 5 or more.
By car
Car rentals are available at the airport and are necessary if you wish to explore the surrounding areas, outside of town on your own. The following are the main roads through the area:
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Juneau · Regional · JNU
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