Juneau

Alaska's capital is always bustling with activity thanks to its location nestled between ocean, mountains and rainforest. The main tourism draw is undoubtedly the spectacular Mendenhall Glacier, just a short drive from downtown, while ocean-going activities - particularly whale watching - are extremely popular during the summer months. As the nights draw in, so too do the the skiers, snowboarders and Northern Lights aficionados. Juneau’s ski resort, Eaglecrest, boasts some of the most reliable snowfall anywhere in the world, making it a powder-hunter’s paradise. Juneau’s town centre has a lot more going for it than just natural beauty too: impressive art galleries, quality regional theatre and a number of excellent seafood restaurants complement strong shopping and museum scenes.

Hike the Mendenhall Glacier
The mile-and-a-half-wide Mendenhall Glacier, just 13 miles north of Juneau, is one of the most accessible anywhere in the US. Motorists can drive right up to the face of the ice, while foot passengers can take the half-hourly ‘Glacier Express’ up to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center before hiking across the surface. Choose between a number of well-marked hiking trails, the most popular being the West Glacier Trail which includes a stretch through some stunning ice caves. You can also enjoy the glacier from the air as part of a flight seeing tour: most helicopter tours offer glacier landings, treks and dog sled rides.

Ski Eaglecrest
Eaglecrest Ski Area on the outskirts of Juneau boasts one of the heaviest snowfalls of any US resort (an average 200-300 inches per year), so if you like your steeps and deeps, you’ve come to the right place. The 36 marked alpine runs are almost always sparsely populated, promising beautiful, untroubled, open skiing over more than 640 acres of terrain. The resort also includes a professionally staffed snow sports school, full-service rental and repair shop and six kilometres of well-groomed Nordic Trails. There’s even a regular bus to shuttle snow fiends backwards and forwards along the 15 minute ride to downtown Juneau, for just $10 return.

Eat your way across town
A new addition to the city, Juneau Food Tours showcases the best of Alaskan food over a leisurely 2.5 hour stroll through downtown. As you stop to sample dishes like Alaskan king crab, smoked salmon dip, Alaskan cod tacos - and locally brewed award-winning beer - your guide will also fill you in on the colourful history of Juneau, and Alaska as a whole. There are nine tastings in total, taking in legendary local eateries including Panhandle Provisions, Alaskan Gourmet Foods and Silver Bow Bakery. You’ll get a gift bag of food to take away too - just in case you haven’t eaten enough already.

Go Whale Watching
A number of operators offer whale-watching trips from Auke Bay, a short bus ride north of Juneau. Find one sailing up the Lynn Canal to Berners Bay and you’re sure to see enormous sea lions basking on the rocks and harbour seals bobbing in the water. There are about 60 humpback whales that frequent the area so regularly that many tour operators offer a guaranteed sighting or your money back. Late spring tends to be best for the most plentiful sightings, while deeper into the summer you’re also likely to see orcas surfacing in these waters.

Surrounded by ocean, mountains, wooded valleys and glaciers, Juneau is thought of by many as America’s most beautiful capital city. But this former Russian outpost has serious substance to back up that rugged style too - in the form of outstanding shopping, museums, galleries and restaurants. On top of this, it has one of North America’s best and most underrated ski resorts, with some of the deepest, most consistent snow in the world. Add reliable Northern Lights, guaranteed whale sightings and deliciously fresh seafood for a must-visit destination. Isn’t it time you experienced the capital of Last Frontier State?

Browse our amazing range of holidays in Juneau

• 

  Baranof Hotel - BW Signature Collection

  from £49

  The Westmark Baranof is a historic and elegant hotel with an excellent position in the heart of downtown Juneau, close to shopping and the waterfront.

  Rooms ...see more

• 

  Glacier Bay National Park Adventure Cruise with UnCruise

  from £6,039

  A special package tailored to break away from the masses, to engage, connect & explore the hidden gems of Alaska, for the ultimate wilderness adventure ...see more

Rugged and isolated but still a US state capital, this unique combination allows Juneau to offer big-city amenities with a rustic flair. Everything is walkable and there is plenty to see and do, particularly if you venture into the South Franklin Street Historic District, up to the nearby Mendenhall Glacier or across the bridge to adjacent Douglas Island. Late spring and early summer are excellent times to visit, when the weather allows more freedom of movement, but there is plenty to see and do here all year round. To help, we’ve combined this list of top tips for you.

Top tips for visiting Juneau

1. Show Russia some love

• The onion-shaped dome of St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church talks to not only another era, but another world power controlling US territory. This beautifully preserved place of worship on Fifth Street also contains a number of ancient icons and religious treasures, and is well worth a visit.

2. Check out Douglas Island

• The City and Borough of Juneau also includes Douglas Island, a tidal island located to the west of mainland Juneau. This can be easily reached via the Douglas Bridge and is home to a number of points of interest including Eaglecrest Ski Area and the picturesque Treadwell Mine Historic Trail.

3. Hit up 'Food Truck Fridays'

• These relatively new events take place once a week at the Juneau Arts and Culture Centre (www.jahc.org).
• They feature live music and a selection of intriguing mobile stands alongside the permanently-stationed burger specialist, Pucker Wilson’s.

4. Seek inspiration at the Juneau Artists’ Gallery

• A co-operative shop on South Franklin St that offers jewellery, prints, pottery and painting by local artists, there are serious bargains to be had here.
• Whatever you do, make friends with the gallery staff - each is an artist and member of the co-op, and knows exactly what they’re selling.

5. Follow the Tracy Arm Fjord

• One of the best day-trips from Juneau is up the narrow, twisting Tracy Arm Fjord, with waterfall-fringed cliffs and common sightings of whales and seals.
• Take a day-cruise up there with Adventure Bound Alaska. For more: www.adventureboundalaska.com.

6. Toast your trip at Hangar on the Wharf

• A former seaplane hangar at Merchants Wharf, this is a great place for a drink as the sun sets, with fantastic waterfront views. There are over 20 beers on tap, plus pool tables and live music on weekends. (And the halibut tacos are renowned).
• For more: www.hangaronthewharf.com

7. Dig into Alaska’s past

• History buffs will love the newly renovated Alaska State Museum on Whittier Street, which houses a collection covering the Athabascans, Aleuts and other Alaska natives, the state’s history as a Russian colony and the gold rush that helped create Juneau.
• Its pride and joy is the logbook in which Bering reported his first sighting of Alaska.

8. Grab lunch at Tracy’s King Crab Shack

• Tracy LaBarge’s original crab shack behind Juneau’s library was revered to near-religious levels by locals. In 2014 she was able to double its size and move to the main drag of South Franklin Street, and still they kept coming in their droves.
• The smart order is the cream-based crab bisque - almost certainly the most famous dish in Juneau.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•