Juneau: Cold, Icy and Beautiful
Juneau—cold, icy and beautiful—is the capital of Alaska (America’s northern most state) and also one of its more visited destinations. Juneau is also unique in that it is the only state capital in the United States of America to be located along an international border (Juneau lies to the west of Canada) and also is the only American state capital to not be connected to the rest of the state by either road or rail.
Juneau is a major tourist centre in Alaska and during the peak season sees visits from numerous cruise ships multiple times almost every day. The city also has a very colourful history, and owing to its rather isolated nature, is much closer to some of Mother Nature’s best works. A vibrant and colourful city with just the right dose of Alaskan culture, Juneau is a definite visit. The city’s fine infrastructure and cultural uniqueness are perhaps the most inviting of the many Juneau tourist attractions.
Places to visit in Juneau
Though small and almost always on its own, Juneau is home to a decent number of significant and noteworthy buildings and structures, the beauty of which is only enhanced by the city’s rugged environs and unique geography. Juneau is a beautiful city and is home to some of the best attractions in the whole of Alaska.
Some of the more prominent Juneau tourist sights include:
- The Alaska State Capitol
- Juneau City Hall
- Alaska Governor’s House
- Alaska State Museum
- Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church
- Perseverance Theatre
- Mendenhall Glacier Park
- Mendenhall Glacier Western Glacier Trail
- Mendenhall Glacier Eastern Glacier Trail
- Alaskan Brewing Company Brewery Tour
Juneau- Travel tips, languages spoken, cuisine
Juneau is very safe for tourists; nevertheless, it is advisable that certain rather necessary precautions be taken including avoiding certain areas after dark, keeping valuables out of sight, etc. Juneau is beautiful and the city’s eclectic nature and natural environs are simply seen to be believed. Besides having some of the best natural attractions in the world, Juneau also boasts a decent but vibrant and very good nightlife. The city is home to a multitude of restaurants, cafes, nightclubs, bars, discos, etc. English is well understood by one and all. The local currency is United States dollars (USD). The local cuisine draws influences from a variety of cuisines but has its own unique and distinct flavour. What’s more, it is freely available at very affordable prices. Juneau has a large number of eateries catering to all types of cuisines and suited to all types of budgets.
Best time to visit Juneau
The best time to visit Juneau is during the summer cruise season, i.e., from July or August.
Best way to reach Juneau
- By Air: Juneau is one of the region’s most important travel hubs, and is connected to most major destinations in the regions via regular flights. Air travel plays an even more prominent role in Juneau given that city has no land connectivity with the rest of the world. Several local small airlines also exist that connect to major tourist destinations and neighbouring towns via helicopters, small aircrafts, floatplanes, seaplanes, etc.
- By Rail: Alaska does not have a railway system.
- By Road: Juneau is not connected to either Alaska or the rest of the United States by road. Local road connectivity, however, is good and Juneau is well connected to all regional destinations and popular attractions. Juneau, being a rather important city, is also an excellent jump-off point when visiting the nearby United States attractions.
- By Sea: Juneau is one of the major ports in Alaska and is one of the hubs of the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS), a fast ferry based system that connects many of Alaska’s distant towns. Further, private boats and ferries abound.
Accommodation
The Juneau accommodation scene is very active and wide enough to cater to all budgets and needs. Juneau is home of some of the finest hotels in the continent. Further, many local and international tour operators offer Juneau vacation package tours. These tours cover most of the Juneau tourist destinations, but do not carry the element of risk and adventure that going solo does. One might even miss out on the many hidden attractions and surprises Juneau may hold.