Many of Juneau's downtown attractions are near hotels,
ferries and cruise ship docks.
Adventure Bound Alaska - Glaciers from the mountains to the sea, Alaskas largest
icebergs, incredible waterfalls, mountains and emerald green water.
Watch for whales, bears, eagles, mountain goats, and seals. This
can be seen all in one day on Juneaus favorite cruise. 215
Ferry Way, 907-463-2509 or 800-228-3875.
Allen Marine Tours is proud
to announce its new Glacier Bay Express ferry service, with scheduled
runs between Juneau and Glacier Bay. The service will be provided
by the M/V St. Phillip, a 78-foot catamaran capable of carrying
up to 150-passengers at 25 knots. Ferry departs from Juneau (Auke
Bay Public Boat Harbor) to Glacier Bay (NPS Dock in Bartlett Cove).
The trip will include a four-hour whale and wildlife watching tour
on the way. The early-evening service from Glacier Bay returning
to Juneau will run as a more direct, three-hour ferry. En route
to Glacier Bay, passengers will have the opportunity to observe
& photograph a variety of wildlife. An onboard naturalist
will interpret the natural history, native culture and frontier
life-styles of the region. A light meal service and a variety of
snacks and beverages are available for purchase aboard ship. Coffee,
tea and cocoa are free of charge. Comfortable seating for all passengers,
an abundance of open deck and rail spaces for panoramic viewing.
Complimentary day-use binoculars. Spacious and clean restrooms.
1-888-289-0081, 907-789-0081
Alaskan Brewing Company became the
67th operating brewery in the United States in 1986 and the only
one in Alaska. Since that time their products have brought home
more than 25 major medals and awards, including Best Beer
in the Nation in the 1988 Great American Beer Festival Consumer
Preference Poll. Since then they have continued on with the simple
philosophy of making the best beer in the Nation. They can be found
at 5429 Shaune Drive. Public bus service is available. Check with
the Visitor Center for a map. 907-780-5866
Capital Cabs—It is said that if you
want to find out the best things to do when you are in a new place,
ask a cabdriver and Juneau is no exception. Capital Cabs offers
an alternative to the pre-booked package tours and can design a
tour around your specific needs and wants. Call them to get the
tour you truly deserve. 907 586 2772
Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure, 7600 Glacier Highway; 907-790-3377. Over fifty acres of Southeast Alaska’s lush rainforest offering landscaping, floral design, and scenic vistas. Easy accessible pathways lead you to ponds, bubbling waterfalls, and exquisitely designed gardens with spectacular views of the Mendenhall Valley and its pristine surroundings. Enjoy this guided tour from the comfort of the deluxe covered golf carts. Be sure to check out the Garden Gift Shop and Wild Berry Cafe in the atrium.
Historic Juneau Gold Mine Tour—Relive
Juneaus mining heritage on a unique visit to what was once
the worlds largest gold producing mill. Constructed in 1913,
the Alaska Gastineau Mill was a revolutionary plant that introduced
new technologies to the mining industry. Following a short ride
to the site of the mill ruins, you will make your way through the
rain forest and up Mount Roberts. At a display of old equipment,
your guide will explain the different mining methods used here.
After donning hard hats you will proceed along a boardwalk into
a 360-foot long tunnel. Inside, experienced miners demonstrate hard
rock mining techniques and give you a feel for the mining lifestyle.
Returning to the mill site, where after a brief demonstration, you
may pan for gold from the tailings of the mine. Pay dirt is guaranteed
and you keep what you find. Wander among the many displays, the
ruins and the gift shop. Your driver will explain the mining industrys
current role in Juneau as you return to town. Dress warmly for underground
portion of tour. Duration: Approximately 3 ¼ hours. 907-463-3900
Juneau Artists Gallery. Check out the local color at the Juneau Artists Gallery downtown. Find authentic Alaskan-made arts and crafts. This unique gallery is the shared endeavor of almost 30 local artists who own and operate the gallery year round. Specialties include jewelry, bead art, pottery, psyanky eggs, fused art glass, photography, pencil drawings, oil, ceramics, textiles, lapidary, lampwork glass, watercolors, intaglio etchings, mirrors, designer scarves and quilts. Well worth the easy walk to the Senate Mall Building at 175 South Franklin Street or visit online at
Juneau Tour Center at 76 Egan Drive books glacier adventures. The adventures include Tracy Arm, Glacier Bay and heli-glacier rides over the Juneau Ice Field. You may also book whale watching and city tours. Call 800 820 2628 or 907 586 8687
Mount Roberts Tramway From the Visitor
Center located on the Cruise Ship Pier in downtown Juneau, you ride
in comfortable tram cars 1,800 feet up to a large "Mountain
Complex" which overlooks Juneau and the magnificent scenery
surrounding the City. 907 586 8687.
NorthStar Trekking—While in Juneau
plan on joining us for an exciting trip to see the glaciers of the
Juneau Ice field. NorthStar specializes in small groups, personalized
service and in giving guests the proper gear and instruction to
spend more time on the glaciers. No experience is necessary for
your glacier exploration and NorthStar will provide all of the outerwear
and mountaineering tools that are best suited for the tour you choose.
NorthStar offers a variety of glacier trekking experiences to suit
your time frame, physical abilities and budget. 907-790-4530
Orca Eco Tours welcomes you aboard our custom built jet boat to enjoy and experience the whales and other wildlife that are encountered on this VIP tour. Capt. Larry Dupler and an onboard naturalist will entertain you with stories and knowledge that comes from over 25 years of experience with whales and other wildlife in the Juneau area. This is Southeast Alaska’s most recommended whale watching tour, and was rated in 2005 as one of the top ten whale watch tours in the world. Don’t forget to bring your camera. Roundtrip transportation to the boat from hotel or cruise ship is included. They have several tours daily and the whale sightings are guaranteed. 495 South Franklin Street, across from the Tram. Toll free 1-888-733-ORCA (6722) or 907-789 6801.
Visitor Information can be found at
Glacier Bay Lodge, 60 air miles west
of Juneau in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, is the only
overnight accommodation within the Park. 1-888-229-8687, 907-276-7234 www.aramark.com
Alaska State Museum—395 Whittier St.
907-465-2901. Open daily 8:30 - 5:30.
Alaska State Capitol—On 4th St. between
Main & Seward St. Housed here are both legislative chambers
and the Governor's office. The four giant pillars fronting
the building are constructed of Alaskan marble. Across from the
Capitol is the Court building. Free tours of Capital during summer.
Chichagof Island has the second largest
brown bear population in Southeast. No cars; bike trail. Historic
watering place for Soapy Smith’s gang. Limited accommodations.
Accessed by small commuter airlines from Juneau and the Alaska
Marine Highway Ferry System, which stops at the town of Hoonah.
Chief Kowee Plaque— Irwin St. &
Glacier Ave. This friendly chief of the Auke Tribe is reputed to
have helped Juneau and Harris find gold. Kowee died in an epidemic
and was cremated here according to Tlingit Indian custom.
Douglas, Alaska—connected to Juneau
by a 1564-foot steel bridge across Gastineau Channel, supports a
sprawling residential area.
Douglas has only its “Glory Hole” left to tell visitors that here
once flourished the Treadwell Mine, which yielded $66 million in
gold-bearing ore during a 36-year period until it was destroyed
by fire and cave-ins in 1917.
Federal Building—Glacier Ave. &
9th St. Bureau of Indian affairs native crafts exhibit can be seen
in the main lobby. Open 8-5 weekdays. Main post office is
on the main floor.
Forest Service hiking trails—Trail
of the Glacier (1/2-mile), visitor center, Mendenhall Glacier, self-guided
nature trail. Moraine Ecology Trail (1 1/2 miles), nature trail
crosses salmon spawning stream and other glacial features, visitor
center parking lot, Mendenhall Glacier. East Glacier Trail (3 miles),
visitor center, Mendenhall Glacier.
Gold Creek—Early-day prospectors Joe Juneau and Dick Harris discovered
dime-to-the-pan gold in this creek. Today the creek has the less colorful distinction of providing water for the city.
Governor's Mansion—Calhoun Avenue. The elegant colonial-style mansion was constructed and furnished in 1910 at a cost of $40,000. The totem pole on the grounds was carved by
Tlingit Indians as a gift for the Governor in 1940. There are no regularly scheduled tours.
Graves of Joe Juneau and Dick Harris—Irwin St. Both men discovered
and mined gold claims here. Juneau moved on to the Klondike and died there. His remains were moved here in 1903. Harris lost his claims through court litigation. He died in Oregon and his remains were brought here in 1907.
Harris & Juneau Monument—Glacier
Ave. near Gold Creek. Richard Harris and Joe Juneau, the pioneer
gold discoverers, camped in this spot, and their subsequent discovery
of gold led to the founding of Juneau in 1880.
Juneau-Douglas City Museum—Main &
4th, 907-586-3572. Focuses on Juneau's mining history and has some
excellent displays. The "Four-Story" Totem Pole, carved
in 1940, is located in front of the City Museum.
web: www.juneau.org/parksrec/museum
Juneau Memorial Library—4th floor,
Marine Park, parking garage. A wall mural by Rie Munoz, a local
artist, depicts famous Haines Chilkat Dancers in ceremonial costume.
Open daily.
Macaulay Salmon Hatchery—The $10 million
hatchery is a major producer of salmon for Southeast Alaska. Learn
first hand about Alaskas salmon and observe over 100 species
of marine life indigenous to Southeast Alaska in the largest aquarium
in the state. Three miles North of downtown Juneau. 2697 Channel
Drive. 907-463-4810
Mendenhall Glacier—This world-famous
glacier, 13 miles northwest of Juneau, is one of the most photographed
attractions in Alaska. The Forest Service Visitor Center at the
glacier features daily interpretive talks and information, video
programs, nature walks and trail hikes. Visitor center summer hours
are 8 to 6 daily. 907-789-0097.
Red Dog Saloon—This famous Alaska Saloon with its swinging doors, sawdust floors, artifacts and antiques attracts thousands of Juneau visitors and local citizens.
St. Nicholas Orthodox Church — On 5th St. between Franklin & Gold St. Constructed in 1894, this octagonally-shaped building is the oldest original Russian church in Southeast Alaska. An exhibit of Russian icons, vestments and old liturgical books can be seen during summer months.
State Office Building—This sprawling,
multi-story complex houses several of the state agencies in
Juneau. The eighth floor grand court features a restored 1928
Kimball theater organ.The 8th floor plaza opens onto an outdoor
balcony which affords a panoramic view of Juneau, Douglas and the
Gastineau Channel. Nearby stands a century-old totem pole—the Old
Witch Totem—that was originally erected in the village of Sukwan.
Tenakee Springs developed as a winter
retreat for fishermen and prospectors. The hot sulphur springs with
temperatures ranging from 106 to 108 degrees still provide a vacation
and retirement retreat for many Southeasterners.
U.S. Forest Service Cabins are scattered
throughout the area including Admiralty Island. Most cabins are
30 - 50 flight minutes away, with the exception of 5 hike-in cabins
off Juneau's Road System. For cabin reservations call 877-444-6777,
National Recreation Reservation Service.
Wickersham State Historic Site—213
7th Street. Home of James Wickersham, a federal judge and
Alaska's territorial delegate to Congress for 7 terms. He
first introduced the idea of statehood for Alaska, to Congress,
in 1917.
Fishing Saltwater
fishing is best in the Juneau area from May through September.
Although five species of salmon are native to local waters, the
king, coho and pinks are most commonly caught by sports fishermen.
Halibut weighing over a 100 pounds are also caught and shellfish,
such as dungeness crab, are plentiful.
Juneau's Golden North Salmon Derby, is held annually in August. This is one of Alaska's largest king salmon fishing events.