Live. Work. Play. – The motto of this small adventure town.
Juneau is the capital of beautiful Alaska. This unique city is accessible by boat or small international airport and has a population of around 35,000 people.
The main draw to Juneau is it’s vast variety of adventure on land, in the air, and on the water.
People primarily come here on cruise ships or as a summertime travel destination. According to the Juneau Travel website, there is a growing number of entrepreneurs who have come to Juneau on holiday and stayed to make it into their hometown.
Juneau is situated at the base of Mount Roberts; a local tram can take you up the mountain to where an abundance of outdoor adventure awaits, all with a world-class view. But, that’s not all….Juneau has much more to offer.
Our top 5 in Juneau, Alaska
1. Mendenhall Glacier
This is the most iconic sight of Juneau, 20km long and almost 1km wide this glacier (as seen in the photo above) will not be around forever. Tourists gather at this natural wonder to be in awe of what beauty and power mother nature is capable of creating. The visitor centre is a great place to learn about the glacier, its history and spot some wildlife from the panoramic windows that surround the building.
2. Mendenhall Lake
This lake is located at the base of the Mendenhall Glacier. Due to its location, the lake is scattered with icebergs and typically freezes over in the winter months. During the summer months, you can paddle on the lake creating some amazing photo opportunities of the glacier/ surrounding scenery.
Between the lake and the glacier is Nugget Falls. This waterfall is formed from the outflow of the glacier into the lake. It’s an impressive sight to see and is larger than most people would think, at a width of 30 meters and length of 85 meters. You are able to get close to the waterfall but, use precaution.
3. Celebration
Celebration is the largest century-old tradition in Alaska. It is usually held over 3-4 days in the summer months. In 2018 it will be held in June. The celebration is full of song, dance, food, culture, and crafts. This is an amazing opportunity to learn about traditions from the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian cultures.
Take a peek at the website for full programming details.
4. Mount Roberts Tramway
This speedy tramway takes you up to 1750 feet, above the tree line of Mount Roberts. Up here you can see some of the world’s most jaw-dropping views. There is also a restaurant, cultural centre and abundance of hiking trails ranging from beginner to advanced.
If you are looking for some more adventure, there is a hiking trail that goes up the mountain, enabling you to skip the tramway and hike in yourself.
5. Tracy Arm Fjord
Typically when we think of Fjord we think of places like Norway. However, Juneau has a stunning 40km Fjord, that is ready to be explored. On the water in the Fjord, you can come face to face with the mystical Sawyer Glacier. This active tidewater glacier is a memorable sight to see.
If you are lucky enough to catch this glacier as it’s calving, you won’t forget the magnificent sound that is created when ice chunks as big as a bus come crashing down into the water. Wildlife such as birds and harbour seals are also a common sighting in the fjords and are best seen during the summer months.
Tours, tours, and more tours!
Juneau has a wide variety of tours. If you can think of an adventure, there will likely be a tour that can get you there. Common tours include whale watching, heli tours, zodiac adventures, water rafting, kayaking, trekking, ziplining, culinary classes and brewery tours.
If you have any questions about travelling to or within Alaska, please contact our experienced travel specialists for personalized travel advice.
