A Trip in Juneau, Alaska
♦ Routes (free): Detailed travel itineraries in USA
Juneau, the capital of the state of Alaska and the third largest city in the state, is considered one of the most beautiful and picturesque capitals in the USA. It is the only capital in the USA that can only be reached by sea (by boat) or air (by flight). Juneau is not connected by roads to the rest of the continent. It is entirely surrounded by nature: on one side the Gastineau Channel, on the other side Mount Juneau (1160 meters high) and Mount Roberts (1080 meters high), to the east ice fields, and to the north and south impassable forests. In the city and its surroundings, there are of course roads (with a total length of 240 km), but they end in dead ends. Many residents in the city own a light aircraft or a boat in addition to a motor vehicle in order to move easily even outside the city. Many residents of Alaska think that Juneau is not suitable to serve as the state capital and the center of Alaska's decision-making, and every few years someone influential suggests "moving the capital" and a vote is held on the subject. So far, all proposals have failed and Juneau is still the capital. Out of its 31,000 residents, 12,500 work in the state service. The government is the largest employer and the main source of income in the city. Tourism is the second most important economic branch. Thousands of tourists arrive in Juneau every year by ferries or flights, but about a million tourists arrive on the large cruise ships. Juneau is considered one of the "must-see ports" on all Alaska itineraries, and everyone who boards one of the cruise ships will arrive there sooner or later.
During the summer months, one can see four or five ships simultaneously in the port on many days. The first settlers in Juneau were Tlingit Indians who lived in the area for thousands of years before the white man's arrival. The Gastineau Channel served as a central fishing site, and the area around Juneau served as a trade area for the various Indian tribes. It was only in 1880 that the white man arrived in the area. These were two pioneering gold seekers named Joe Juneau and Richard Harris who, with the extensive help of an Indian chief named Chief Kowee, managed to find gold in the area where the city's historical center is located. They built a miners' tent camp there that quickly developed into a growing city. In 1906, it was declared the capital of Alaska instead of Sitka, which had lost its status and wealth due to the decline in the fur trade.
For sixty years, gold mines were the main component of the city's economy. The city's largest gold mine, AJ Gold Mine, provided more than 80 million dollars worth of gold. During World War II, there was a comprehensive recruitment of manpower for the war, and mining activities were suspended. With the end of the war, efforts to reopen the mines failed, and the government became the city's main employer.
♦ The main attractions in Juneau
Ordering Juneau tours adapted for cruise ship passengers (pickup from the port) from Viator:
Juneau and surrounding tours by electric bike, Segway, or vehicle
Juneau
It is easy and convenient to explore Juneau's historical center on foot. South Franklin St., adjacent to the cruise ship pier, and the neighboring Front St. are the oldest streets in the city, and the pioneering atmosphere of the gold rush days has been preserved in them. The buildings now serve as homes for souvenir shops, handicraft stores, snack shops, and even shops specializing in selling salmon. At its peak, there were 30 saloons in the city. Today, the most famous saloon of all, which is a tourist site in its own right, is the Red Dog Saloon, a kitschy and vibrant pub with a lot of character and a Wild West atmosphere. Its address is:
278 S. Franklin St
Alaska's government buildings are also located in the city center: the Alaska State Capitol Building, where a tour can be taken, the Governor's Mansion, which can only be observed from the outside, and adjacent to it, the government office building. It is recommended to bring an umbrella for the walking tour in the city.
Mendenhall Glacier
This is the most popular attraction in Juneau. The glacier is located about 19 km north of the city. it is the most accessible glacier in Alaska and also the most photographed. The glacier's length is about 20 km and its width is about 2.5 km. Every year the glacier recedes by about 10 meters. Adjacent to the glacier is the U.S. Forest Service visitor center with displays and explanations about glaciers.
Mount Roberts Tramway
Another popular attraction located across the road from the cruise ship pier. A six-minute ride in a large cable car (designed for 60 passengers) will lead you to a height of about 550 meters to the top of Mount Roberts. Highly recommended if the weather is clear and visibility is good.
Alaska Zipline Adventure
Alaska Zipline Adventures, the tour is also referred to as a "trip among the treetops" because most of your time will be spent walking on platforms between the treetops and sliding on ziplines between the trees. The final slide will lead you to a house built on a tree.
♦ Ordering a zipline park experience among the treetops from Viator: Alpine Zipline Adventure in Juneau, AK Pickup and return near the cruise port. Lasts 3:45 hours.
Glacier Gardens
Privately owned botanical gardens spanning over 200 dunams. The gardens feature alpine vegetation, rainforests, and flowers of a variety of types. The garden owners found an original way to create flower baskets: they planted huge trees upside down so that the roots hang in the air and serve as giant flower baskets. From the gardens, there is a spectacular view of Juneau and its surroundings, including the Gastineau Channel, the Mendenhall Valley, Douglas Island, and even the Chilkat Mountains on the horizon.
Macaulay Salmon Hatchery
Macaulay Salmon Hatchery – here you will learn everything you wanted to know about the life cycle and breeding of the salmon fish. From mid-June to mid-October, you can see through underwater windows how the fish struggle their way against the current and climb the "ladder". In the hatchery, about 12.5 million fingerlings are raised per year and released into the sea to enrich the amount of salmon in the ocean for the developed fishing industry in the area.
Alaska State Museum
Alaska State Museum - considered one of the most recommended museums in Alaska. It includes natural history displays, including stuffed bears and an eagle's nest. Additional displays deal with the culture of the native Indian tribes that lived in the area, displays on the Russian period in the area, and displays related to the gold rush days. The museum also has modern art exhibitions.