Juneau (JOO-noh) is the capital of Alaska, in the state's Southeastern region. Juneau is on the North American mainland and yet cannot be reached by land. Effectively, the rugged mountains surrounding it make Juneau into an island city, reachable only by air or by sea. Juneau experiences a daily influx of thousands of people from visiting cruise ships between May and September.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
It has a population of about 32,000 (2019). The municipality of Juneau, with an area larger than Rhode Island and Delaware combined, is the second largest in area in the country. It has been the capital of Alaska since 1906, when the government of the then-Alaska Territory was moved from Sitka. Alaska became a state 53 years later. It is the only state capital that can not be reached by land from the state it serves. Moreover, Juneau is the largest US state capital in area and the only one that borders a foreign country.
Downtown Juneau is compact and very walkable, though above 4th Street it gets very hilly. The downtown streets are on a slanted grid, with Franklin, Seward, and Main Sts running parallel, and with Front, First, Second, Third, Fourth, etc., cutting across. The State Capitol is at Fourth and Main, City Hall is at the foot of Seward and Marine Way, and touristy grazing is along Franklin. Watch for the 20 historical plaques that detail the fascinating history of Juneau. The public Capital Transit provides daily bus service for downtown Juneau and vicinity and charges $2.00 for travel in one direction (Oct 2019).
1 Alaska State Museum, 395 Whittier St, ☏ +1-907-465-2901, fax: +1-907-465-2976. Tu-Sat. Summer: 9AM to 5PM, winter: 10AM to 4PM. One of Alaska's best exhibits covering the breadth of the state's history, native cultures, wildlife, industry, and art. Approximately a ten-minute walk from the cruise ship terminal. Adults: May-Sep $12, Oct-Apr $7; children 18 and under free; also free with military ID. (updated Nov 2023) 2 Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, 326 5th St, ☏ +1-907-586-1023. Tiny ornate octagonal structure that was built by the Tlingits in 1893.
The most popular activities in Juneau for visitors are shopping, flight seeing, charter fishing, brown bear viewing, visiting the Mendenhall Glacier, and hiking. Be aware that Juneau is very spread-out. It is broken into sections. There is "Downtown", and "The Valley" (where the Mendenhall Glacier, Mendenhall Mall, a skate park, and most of the residential are located). The distance between the two is a good 15 minutes. Of the cruise ship tour options, an air tour leaves the biggest impression—especially if the weather is clear. Behind Juneau lies the Juneau Icefield. Helicopter and floatplane tours are available. The most popular floatplane tour is with Wings Airways to the Taku Lodge.
1 Rainbow Foods, 224 4th St (at Franklin), ☏ +1 907 586-6476. M-F 9AM-7PM, Sa 10AM-6PM, Su noon-6PM. Natural food store in Downtown Juneau. Decent produce, awesome weekday deli, and Thursday night dinners. Prices are not so bad considering everything comes in by jet or boat. 2 Juneau Foodland IGA, 615 W Willoughby Ave (opposite D St, near junction with Glacier Ave), ☏ +1 907 586-3101. Daily 6AM-10PM. Sells deli and Filipino food made on premises. Convenient for other items you may need that you don't want to spend an arm and a leg on at Rainbow Foods. Foodland Pharmacy is an extension of Ron's Apothecary Shoppe.
By far the most popular with locals is the Alaskan Bar (South Franklin Street) to hang out with locals, listen to music (Thursday is open mic night) and drink an Alaskan (beer) with an Alaskan in the Alaskan. A bit rough looking but a great hangout. 1 The Hangar, 2 Marine Way. Sit and watch the float planes takeoff and the cruise ships come and go. During daylight hours in the tourist season, when the floatplanes are constantly arriving and taking off next door, either sit inside or plan to leave with a headache and a hoarse throat. When tourist season is over, sit outside and enjoy the relative solitude. 2 The Triangle Bar, 251 Front St.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Sep, Juneau typically sees ~15°C daytime highs and 19 rainy days.
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