Juneau is the hub for all air travel in Southeast Alaska. A one-way trip will cost $2 for an adult or $1 for a child. By air - Alaska Airlines has regularly scheduled flights to Juneau International Airport from Seattle. Learning to navigate around the Panhandle is the first step in planning a trip to Juneau! For more information contact David Eckerson (907) 988-6422. Many people enjoy using rideshare services because they dont have to call for a cab. Enjoy Juneaus walkability. You might be able to snag an inexpensive commuter bike, perfect for coasting around town, that you can sell or give away at the end of the season. Learn dog sledding basics and find a packing list to help you stay warm and comfortable. 1. Know your airline's carry-on luggage size restrictions before you fly. From fishing charters to whale watching, kayaking, or guided city tours, learn what all there is to do while on shore during an Alaska cruise. ), Have an Extra Day in Juneau? Directions. If youre on an Alaskan cruise, check out our port itinerary for Juneau. No matter which mode you choose, traveling through Alaska offers a front row seat to experience inspiring scenery and exquisite wildlife. Beginners lesson at 7:30 p.m., main dance begins at 8 p.m. Pay as you can, cash at the door (suggested donation: $10/adults, $5/kids/seniors/students). If more than a couple of people, taxies charge around $35 BUT also charge up to $17 per adult for the pass (which actually costs $5 if you rent a car and drive yourself. You can read more about us here! Juneau is a major tourist city and excursion companies and hotels know that tourists would rather spend their money on experiences instead of transportation. My favorite came in 1987 when Juneau honored the remaining survivors of the USS Juneau sunk during World War II in the Pacific, he wrote. If youre on a cruise ship and youre in Juneau for less than 6 hours, you could easily walk everywhere if you arent going to the Mendenhall Glacier, visiting a friend, or doing anything else outside of the city center. You can also explore at your own pace by renting a car. A bevy of trails and landmarks are accessible via tourist buses, but if you want to go somewhere specific, reserve a car from someplace like Juneau Car Rental, which offers specials and provides pickups. The most sought-after whales to spot are the migrating humpbacks and resident orcas. City officials say funding will bring the project to full design. Learn More >, Visit a glacier in Juneau, ride a narrow-gauge train in Skagway, go fishing in Ketchikan, and find plenty more fun among Alaska's Inside Passage ports of call. This epic road trip takes you through some of the worlds wildest and most scenic country. Travel to Juneau By Ferry | Alaska Marine Highway System Want to know more? Website: donnasrestaurant.com. An easier option is the Gold Creek Flume Trail, which requires a walk uphill to the trailhead and back down at trails end but all along streets and sidewalks. You can fish for Alaskan halibut throughout the summer season, as well as a number of salmon species, depending on the time of year you visit. Among his notable Douglas impacts is running the I Live in Douglas Facebook group and composing the I Live in Douglas song for his Empty Oil Barrel Band. Both the Southeast Alaska route and the Cross-Gulf route serve the Juneau ferry terminal (JNU) at Mile 13.5 Glacier Highway in Auke Bay. Youll need to familiarize yourself with the bus stop locations and the various bus lines before arriving in Juneau. She loves getting out into nature and wildlife spotting, whether it's at home or afar. Mendenhall Glacier is probably Juneaus most popular attraction though its actually located up the valley and thus requires a rental car or bus (provided from your cruise ship) to reach. You can also explore at your own pace by renting a car. Today its a bustling small Alaskan city with the seat of government, blue-collar industry, and lots of tourism thanks to the cruise port that can host up to seven ships on a single day. Best Options for Lodging in Juneau, Alaska, How to Pack for Juneau Weather in September, Juneau Airport Hotels With the Best Ratings, The 5 Best Juneau Hotels with Kitchen or Kitchenette, Everything You Need for a Dog Sledding Adventure in Juneau, The Best Places in Juneau to Take Pictures for Social Media, What Gifts to Bring Back for Friends from Alaska, Top Travel Bloggers Exploring Juneau Alaska, The Cheapest Time to Visit Juneau Alaska Budget Your Trip in 2022, Juneau Accommodation Features and Add-Ons to Look for, Ability to be spontaneous about where you go and for how long, Less walking is required to see many sites throughout the area, Can be easier for transporting large groups that wouldnt fit in a traditional taxi or rideshare vehicle, Can make it more challenging to sightsee since youll be focused on driving and not looking at the sights, Lower price for mild transportation use than a rental car, Freedom to enjoy the sights from the backseat while someone else drives, Options for transporting up to six people at once for larger parties, If you plan to use the service frequently during your travels, it will get pricey, Wait times can be long based on traffic and demand, Surge pricing during busy times can make budgeting for rideshare services more challenging, Taxis are driven by Juneau tour guides who can help you get to know the area, Does not have surge pricing like rideshare services, Allows you to sit back and enjoy the sights while getting to your destination, Uses professional drivers with full background checks to offer greater safety and security than rideshare services, Generally, requires phone calls to schedule transportation, Can mean waiting around for your taxi to arrive, Easy way to see the sights while in motion, A fun way to meet locals and get a feel for the area, Wont drop you at the doorstep of your location, Requires more walking than other transportation methods, Can mean waiting at bus stops for the next bus, Might require standing while in motion during busy times, Free when you use a hotel or excursion companys services, Convenient pickup and drop off at your hotel or the airport/ferry terminal, Doesnt run overnight so might not be great for early morning flights, Is only available from some hotels and excursion companies, Youll still need a way to get around to other sightseeing locations, Check with your Juneau hotel or excursion company to see if they offer shuttles. If you want to get somewhere faster than you can walk, a bike might be your best bet. I love this article overall, it gave me a lot of great ideas and I plan on basically copying it. Located in the heart of southeast Alaska's Inside Passage, Juneau came about as a gold rush town that preempted the infamous Klondike stampede of the late 1800s by almost 20 years. Every big day of adventure requires the right fuel; there are some great spots for breakfast in Downtown Juneau that are within walking distance of the cruise piers and all the hotels I recommend at the end of this post. Free buses will operate every 30 minutes between the Federal Building in downtown Juneau and Sayeik: Gastineau Community School in Douglas between noon and 6 p.m. during the day. I sponsored the event for several years. 15 Best Things to Do in Juneau (Alaska) by a Local (2023) But, if you will allow me a moment to be nitpicky lol, you did say that Juneau was the only capital that you could only reach by boat or plane and was in assessable from the mainland. Travel Juneau uses cookies to improve our site and provide a better userexperience. Take advantage of the tourist infrastructure. 6. If youre not totally sure what youll be doing in Juneau that would be the first logical step. Mendenhall Glacier - Wildnerdpix / Thinkstock. For those bringing camping gear along, consider a few nights at the Mendenhall Lake campground near the base of the Mendenhall Glacier. Divisions: ages 5-6, 7-8, and 9-10. Juneau has countless can't-miss attractions; here are ten to consider. Dont be worried Alaskans take small planes all the time. Check out the 50 best. U.S. News ranked 6,000-plus top properties for 2023. Both Uber and Lyft operate in Juneau. To be honest, I wasnt as impressed with Mendenhall as I expected to be; you cant get nearly as close to the glacier as I imagined. Sponsored by the Douglas Volunteer Fire District. You'll be surprised how far you can get with two wheels. At the time of writing, the cheapest option for a 24-hour car rental in August is $175 on Expedia, although you may be able to find an option slightly lower than that, especially if you arent coming during the tourist season of May to September. Downtown Juneau is very walkable, and you can get to many landmarks within 15 minutes from the docks. Too icy to get out of the helicopter on the glacier with the ladder, so I stayed in it when we landed on two glaciers. Decorate your bike/trike/scooter for the parade and the sidewalk in front of the library supplies provided. If youre reading this post, its likely because youre either an independent traveler headed to Alaska or going on a cruise and want to do your own thing. Once travelers arrive in the city, there are a handful of options to get around. You wont ever forget a small plane ride into or out of Juneau its a lot like taking a New York taxi, only instead of lurching through city traffic, youre gliding over the Tongass National Forest, the nations largest designated wilderness area. 6 Best Things To Do in Juneau Updated March 27, 2023 There are not a great number of things to do in small Juneau. This can make taxis more reliable than rideshare services and they dont have the same surge pricing as rideshares. If you are flying in and staying at a hotel near the airport, walking will be slightly more difficult. A: The best How to Get Around in Alaska according to Viator travelers are: The Blue Bus Glacier Express Is a fully narrated trip to the Mendenhall Glacier. The only way into Juneau is through ferry or plane and the closest cities are pretty far away. The only problem was that I am short and I could not get in and out of the helicopter (maybe just the smaller one I was on) without a short ladder. Thanks for the correction , It looks like there was a typo should it be Tlingit people?. But that doesnt mean you want to use this during your travels. A number of charters operate from all around the Juneau area; Travel Juneau has a great resource page with everything you need to know about charters, fishing licenses, and more. Regional air carriers and charters serve the smaller communities surrounding Juneau. Then a week cruising. Dolphin and Whale Watching Source: EvelB / shutterstock Whale Watching, Juneau, Alaska Between April and September, you have the chance to these amazing sea creatures in their natural habitat. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. If you only have one day in Juneau, you probably dont have a car available, so stick close to downtown for a hike. But its also a great place to live. If the nonstop flight costs more than $100, I highly recommend booking a flight with a layover in Ketchikan.It may be cheaper and you will get to enjoy a day trip to the beautiful "Salmon Capital of the World". By plane, youll fly into Juneau International Airport. Its a fun way to skip all the vertical feet youd otherwise have to hike to get out of the city. Capital Transit (The City Bus) Juneau's city bus system is reliable, although maybe not the fastest mode of transportation. Even with such a rich mining history, Juneau today is best known as an Alaska cruise port of call and the Alaska state capital. Its tough to get lost in Juneau its bounded by mountains on one side and water on the other, and its longest main road extends less than 50 miles. Whenever you visit, its best to plan for rain! Luxury meets sustainability at these unique ecolodges. By Rental Car-- A car is a hindrance in compact downtown Juneau, but if you're going to any of the attractions out the road or on Douglas Island, renting a car for a day or two is a good idea.Hertz, Avis, Budget, Alamo, and National are based at the airport. This includes repair parts and the cars themselves, leading to higher prices. Watermelon eating contest at 6 p.m., sand dollar search at 7 p.m. Pre-Fireworks Contra Dance, 7:30-11 p.m., St. Anns Parish Hall, 430 5th St. Many of the region's commuter and air-taxi operators also maintain desks at the airport and have flights out of Juneau. Sandpiper Cafe is another good option, though they can fill up really fast (we tried to go here and the line was crazy long). So its more walkable than most. It was by all accounts significantly more successful, too. I share travel resources and stories based on my personal experience and knowledge. If youre in Juneau for more than a few hours, you may want to consider renting a car. Full Circle will play contra dance music and Odette Edgar will be calling. Learn More >, With a mild maritime climate and abundant "liquid sunshine," this coastal region's many fjords, glaciers, and charming ports of call draw a million summertime cruise passengers. Mendenhall Glacier | Glacier views, trails, waterfall, visitor center, rafting/kayaking Jutting out of the massive Juneau Icefield, the Mendenhall Glacier is one of the city's biggest attractions. For example, the Mendenhall Glacier is a fantastic day trip from Juneau, and a $20 bus ride on the Blue Glacier Express will take you there. That way you dont even have to get yourself to the car rental place. Youve come to the right place! But if youre coming to engage in excursions, know that most companies will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the excursion location for no additional charge. If a rental car is NOT necessary within Juneau, please advise the best way to get around - and if anyone knows how much taxis are for short jaunts across town, etc., that would be appreciated. Juneau, Alaska has more to offer than amazing scenery; the complete guide showcases everything to see and do. For a more casual option, Devils Club Brewing Company has a cool tasting room and really good bar-food menu. Most of Juneaus car rental companies operate out of Juneau International Airport, which is about 8 miles from downtown. Want to get your adventures started off right while in Juneau? Arrived the night before the cruise hoping to get a helicopter flight the day the cruise started, but the weather did not cooperate. Given Alaska's climate (it normally doesn't get any toastier than the low-60s Fahrenheit), super-warm clothes and lots of layers are essential nearly year-round. This wont affect the price you pay and helps us offer the best product recommendations. Taxi Service: Taxi service is available in Juneau through the EverGreen Taxi Company (907) 586-2121. At 10:20 a.m., JPD will begin closing all roads leading into the downtown Juneau parade route. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Starting at the Dept. Your email address will not be published. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File), Voices of Alaska theme for downtown parade reflects range of Juneaus traditional holiday events. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. Juneau is well-known for its icefield, which impacts travel to and from the city but also offers a memorable excursion opportunity. This 1.4-mile one-way trail is a great way to feel like youre way out of town though its close and easy to reach. This report contains information from law enforcement and public safety agencies. It can be worth renting a car in Juneau, Alaska, depending on what you hope to do. You cant drive to all the way to Juneau without taking the ferry, but you can get much of the way along the 1,500-mile Alaska-Canadian Highway (ALCAN). Alternatively, consider trying Uber or Lyft; both operate in Juneau. Its a fitting theme for the four grand marshals. Bus Service: Grey Line Tours of Alaska (907) 586-3773 offers travelers airport transfers, charters, package tours, and step-on guides. On the way back down, dont forget to take in the sights again for that three-minute descent. We hope you like the items we recommend and discuss! In addition to bears (and a designated viewing area), Admiralty Island is also home to a traditional Tlingit community called Angoon. Whether Juneau is your home base or just another stop along the route, getting to Juneau by ferry is easy. But you can also take advantage of a variety of other transportation methods while enjoying your stay at our local hotel. Juneau has tons of hotels for tourists to choose from, but where to stay (and how much to budget) depends on what travelers are interested in. more, View the Juneau events calendar and you will find events ranging from gallery walks, open mic nights, IRONMAN more. Packing a lunch is a smart idea, or pick up something to go before departing. The best time to visit Juneau, Alaska depends on what travelers want to experience. I highly recommend a car and an offline map, as cell phone service can be spotty past Auke Bay. The many other organized excursions available for cruise passengers and independent travelers include city tours, gold panning, restaurant tours, guided hikes, whale watching, and photo safaris. Even long-time locals will occasionally use the tramway to scale Mt. Jumbo trail or the Treadwell Mine Historic Trail. Alaska Tour & Travel uses cookies to track your trip selections and favorites. The best way to make the most of one day in Juneaus dining scene is by taking the Tour with Taste from Juneau Food Tours. Directions - Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park 18 Top Things to Do in Alaska - U.S. News Travel As the capital, Juneau welcomes more politicians and dignitaries than any other Alaskan city and demands an impressive array of lodging options as a result. 71 reviews 129 helpful votes 1. Divisions: ages 5-6, 7-8, and 9-10 (practice only). Roberts; its right next to the cruise port and travel information office. If you want to take a day trip and explore many places quickly, a car might be the best option. For this reason, if youre flying into Juneau, I highly recommend renting a car. Juneau boasts an impressive 88 miles of bike lanes and 19 miles of shared-use paths. For those who need some hand-holding, a seemingly infinite number of guided excursions will unlock Juneau's wilder. But its also the only transportation option where youll need to use a navigation system to get around Juneau. TheTravel has affiliate and sponsored partnerships, so we receive a share of the revenue from some of your purchases. Getting to Juneau can be a challenge, but once vacationers arrive, it's like exploring a whole new world. The cost of gasoline is also a factor, as the price of a gallon of fuel is usually 75 cents above the national average. If youre headed for the Glacier Bay, Alaska Airlines operates a seasonal summer route connecting Juneau and Gustavus (Glacier Bay). This post was produced as part of our partnership. I started this site to share my travel stories and inspiration to help you complete bucket list trips. Hot dogs, box cars and pie mark the Fourth of July in Douglas, An Independence Day tribute to the seen and unseen, Celebrating the freedom to begin Fourth festivities early, State ferry system says it is unable to provide hiring numbers, Temporary bridge installed over Montana Creek, no funding yet for permanent one, Feds award $16.5M toward design of second Juneau-Douglas crossing, Juneau prison to undergo multimillion-dollar repair and renovation project. Thats why many hotels offer airport and ferry terminal shuttles. This is because everything is compact and located within just a few square miles. Beaches, The Shrine of St. Therese, Mendenhall Glacier, and many other beautiful sights are included. (If the weather is really nice, I recommend spending the whole afternoon outside: walk along the Juneau Seawalk, spend the entire time on Mt. And if you want to get around Juneau a little faster, you probably want to buy a good mountain bike when you arrive. Alaska Airlines provides daily jet service from Juneau to Gustavus (about 30 minutes) in the summer season. Juneau vs. Anchorage Which Is A Better Travel Destination? Sponsored by Jo Betts and the Douglas 4th of July Committee with assistance from volunteers from the Juneau Huskies Football Team. Eaglecrest Ski Area is about a 15-minute drive from Juneau (it's located on Douglas Island). 1016 3rd St. Olde Time Firemens Hose Race. The most snowfall occurs between November and January, with February and March seeing under a foot of snow on average. Yes, you canheres how. When visiting Juneau, Alaska, you have many transportation options. Steep creek access - Juneau Forum - Tripadvisor One iconic piece of local history is Juneau's Russian Orthodox Church. You'll find whale watching, local art and music, more, Fresh food from the ocean to the table, craft breweries, gin & whiskey, food tours. State seeks contractor for work estimated to cost between $5-10 million. To learn more about the peoples who call these lands home, I invite you to exploreNative Land. If this is your chosen method of transportation and you want to see the Mendenhall Glacier, you can expect to spend about 4 hours roundtrip. The museum starts by educating about the Alaska Native groups across the state, covers the chapters of Alaskan territorialism, and more modern aspects like tourism, the oil industry, and more. For those not visiting by cruise ship, you might need a place to stay for a night or more while visiting Juneau. Have any questions about visiting Juneau? You cant miss the tramway station at the bottom of Mt. BBQ Sandwiches and Homemade Pies, 11:30 a.m.- 3 p.m., (or until food runs out), 3rd and E Streets. Come with U.S. News on a tour of the XV Beacon Hotel in Boston. Per Wikipedia: The absence of a road network is due to the extremely rugged terrain surrounding the city. We are happy to send you the visitors guide in the mail or you can view the latest guide online. Search Tip: Use quotes to find results containing your phrase, exactly, e.g., "Juneau Empire". There are also rotating exhibits with modern and traditional art including weaving and dioramas (when I visited). Lifetime Southeast Alaska resident departing July 31 after career of more than 30 years. Getting around the Alaskan Panhandle can be complicated, but it's totally doable and even enjoyable as part of an Alaskan vacation. There are several taxicab companies in town, but they might be a little different from taxis youve used in other places. Though having the fireworks show the night of July 3 might seem odd to some, its been a tradition dating back to the 1800s. How To Get Around In Juneau, Alaska As A Tourist (5 Ways) Skiing is a must anywhere there's snow, but Eaglecrest is unique in that it's a community-owned spot to dive into the powder.

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