Best Things to Do in Juneau, Alaska

many travelers stay away from destinations like alaska known for their consistently cold weather doing that means missing out on the meaningful experiences they could have there juno is the capital of alaska and it's a can't-miss location for everyone traveling to the most northern state in the u.s thrill seekers can ski or zip line down its many mountains while its many lodges provide a more relaxed experience for those who prefer to keep their travels more low-key nature lovers can see bears and whales in the wild or enjoy alaska's flowers and trees keep watching to learn about the best things to do in juneau alaska mendenhall glacier this 3000 year old glacier is the most popular spot in juneau go to the viewing platforms in the summer or fall to see black bears in their natural environment your trail options include the short trail of time or the more difficult three mile east glacier loop they both end at the visitor center where you'll find a shop full of local goods view a short video and see displays about the glacier and the wildlife that live there you can also try an ice caves adventure tour the canoe paddle and trekking tour or glacier rafting tour to get even closer to all that mendenhall glacier has to offer you can also have a helicopter tour land you directly on the glacier let you climb through its crevices or ride through on a dog sled stop by the mendenhall ice caves as well they're formed by the glacier's rapid recession and they change often make sure to see them before they melt entirely and vanish from existence museums alaska was officially declared a state on january 3rd 1959 it may have been the second to last to be added to the union but it's developed a rich history since then that has been honored by several museums worth visiting the juno douglas city museum was built on the exact location where alaska officially became a state it features a range of exhibits and gives you a chance to watch an award-winning documentary about the city you can also take a walking tour of downtown and the alaska state capitol if you visit from may to september the alaska state museum was redesigned in 2016 it has a variety of historic local artifacts including clothing weapons tools and ceremonial objects it also has a discovery room replica sailing ship fine art gallery gift shop and cafe the last chance mining museum sits on last chance basin one of the few remaining buildings of the alaska juno gold mining company its artifacts include old tools and mining train cars visiting it requires a hike uphill gold mining adventures joe juno founded the city which bears his namesake in 1880 when he found gold in the last chance basin now known as gold creek you can tour this historic spot and panned for gold yourself led by a guide who dresses and speaks like a historic prospector finish the experience by having a salmon bake like the settlers enjoyed years ago downtown juneau this shopping district feels like an 1898 gold rush mining town but it also features modern shops and restaurants for tourists you'll find plenty of native books art and souvenirs stop by the food cart row and don't miss a chance to see the red dog a replica of a gold rush era saloon it has a sawdust floor with walls covered in artifacts such as wyatt earp's gun a walrus usyk mounted wildlife and money signed by the miners who have visited it mount roberts and mount juno alaska is known for its snow glaciers and beautiful mountains two of the finest are mount roberts and mount juno they're similar but different enough that visiting both is worth the effort the hike up and down mount juneau is three miles you'll enjoy beautiful views the entire time and feel accomplished once you reach the summit a two to three hour 4.5 mile hike will take you 3 800 feet up to the top of mount roberts you'll see plenty of local wildlife on the way including grouse marmots and black bears a five-minute ride on the mount roberts tram will take you directly to the top and give you a gorgeous view without the need to do any hiking you can also visit its restaurants and souvenir shops the visitor center will educate you about native culture and give you a chance to see a live bald eagle if you feel reinvigorated after reaching the summit you can take the alpine loop trail down alaska folk festival the alaska folk festival occurs every april it gathers all the alaska native tribes together to dance sell crafts and more they arrive on dlingit war canoes and then parade with traditional regalia to the convention center where each tribe performs for 15 minutes from 7 to 10 pm workshops and dancers play during the day on weekends with live bands in the evening whale watching blue whales are the largest animals in the world and other species such as humpbacks and sperm whales are just as imposing seeing one surface for air is an unforgettable experience and the city of juneau offers a wide range of tours to let you do just that they include three to four hour boat rides with a naturalist on board or an all-day cruise to the tracy arm fjord some tours even guarantee you'll see one or your money back bear viewing bears are another magnificent animal you may get a chance to see during your trip to juneau you can join a five-person helicopter tour to watch brown bears foraging for salmon there's one brown bear per square mile in admiralty island giving you unbelievably high odds of seeing one you can also try the pack creek sanctuary book your trip between june and september for the best experience hey if you're enjoying this video so far be sure to give it a like and subscribe to viewcasion for more and stick around for more of the best of juno alaska tracyarmfjord reach this spot by taking an eight hour sightseeing tour on a two-story catamaran you'll stay comfortable on cushioned benches and tables with hot drinks and snacks at all times an onboard naturalist will point out nearby wildlife but you'll also get a pair of binoculars to help you spot other natural wonders like glaciers caves and waterfalls douglas island this 76 square mile island has plenty to offer visit the eagle crest ski area for its variety of slopes and nine kilometers of groomed trails or relax at the lodge ice skate ski or sled across mendenhall lake use one of the seven zip lines to fly along the middle if you're more of a history buff or marine biology enthusiast than thrill seeker you can visit the douglas island pink and chum or deepak hatchery to learn about the impact of the salmon industry on the area here you'll see halibut starfish anemones and other creatures visit the fish runs to learn about the life cycle of the salmon and how they leave and return during the spawning season jensen olsen arboretum jensen olsen was a master gardener who donated this area to the city of juneau it now serves as one of the most beautiful picnic spots in the city you'll enjoy flowering trees bushes local foliage and a fenced vegetable garden it's also one of the best things to do in juneau if you want to learn more about southern alaska gardening glacier gardens rainforest adventure juno may not be a city where you'd expect to find a rainforest but you'll be surprised once you see what it has to offer take a cart ride up the mountain along a dirt road it winds through the gorgeous rainforest while the driver points out the beautiful flora and explains how the area has changed over the years you'll enjoy beautiful views once you've reached the top and can also visit the building that serves as a greenhouse convention space and gift shop old glacier highway and the shrine of saint teresa these areas are located due north of juneau 40 miles of paved road leads you to beaches caves gardens trails and more at the end you'll see the shrine of saint teresa here you can view the beautiful chapel walk along its paths or stay in its rental cabins taku glacier lodge this spot is only accessible by airplane so consult wings airway for a ride and sightseeing tour once you arrive you'll get a two-hour meal and may get to watch a bear on the grounds the trip may only last a day but it's still one of the best things to do in juneau glacier bay national park fans of national parks need to find time to visit this one book a day trip to get a basic overview of its many sites or stay a few nights in a lodge to see more tracy's crab shack foodies will consider this one of the best things to do in juno especially if they're also fans of cooking shows because it was featured on an episode of top chef its menu includes crab bisque and other delicious dishes you can try an entire bucket of the king crab legs but be warned they're huge alaskan brewing and bottling company this spot in east juneau on suhoon drive is one of the best things to do in juneau for beer lovers tours are free and a guide will take you around the entire brewery to educate you about its history and products you'll get a chance to taste local beers including those that aren't sold publicly now it's time to hear from you did we miss any of your favorites in juneau let us know in the comments section below and before you go make sure you give this video a like and subscribe to viewcasion if you haven't already click the bell icon to stay updated on all our latest content [Music] you

Channel: ViewCation

Views: 144,248

Keywords: Best Things to Do in Juneau Alaska, best things to do in Juneau, Juneau Alaska, Juneau AK, Juneau, fun things to do in Juneau, fun things to do in Juneau AK, going to Juneau Alaska, visiting Juneau, Juneau Alaska travel, where to go in Juneau, where to go in Alaska, traveling to Juneau, traveling to Alaska, things to do in Juneau, what to do in Alaska, best places to visit in Alaska, best places to visit in Juneau, places to visit in Juneau Alaska, things to do in alaska

Id: 4GRYJuquARc

Length: 9min 34sec (574 seconds)

Published: Wed Jan 12 2022