6 minute read
Visiting is a capital idea
TAKING IN THE SIGHTS AROUND ALASKA’S CAPITAL CITY, JUNEAU
A pedestrian walks the Gold Creek Flume Trail on a soggy morning in Juneau.
PHOTO BY MARC LESTER
By MOLLIE BARNES
Juneau is anked by white snowcapped mountains, elds of blue ice, verdant green forests and frigid turquoise waters, making it the perfect town for travelers who love cozy small-town vibes, as well as those who seek extreme outdoor adventures in nature. Long the land inhabited by the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian people, the capital city of Alaska got its Western name and infrastructure during the Gold Rush. is waterfront town is an outdoor enthusiast’s haven, and boasts that it has more miles of trails and mining tunnels than road (of which there are just 190).
Make sure you pack your rain gear, as this town of 32,000 gets 70 inches of rain a year, and has around 235 days of precipitation. But no matter the forecast, locals and travelers alike will be out enjoying nature. As the Scandinavians say, “ ere is no bad weather, only bad clothes.” e absolute must-see for most travelers is the Mendenhall Glacier. ere are many ways to see the glacier, depending on your level of comfort. e West Glacier Trail is by far one of the best bangs for your buck. While it includes a little bit of scrambling (up a waterfall, for example) the payo is worth far more than it will cost you to get there. e trail is 3.5 miles out and back and brings you right up to the face of the glacier. For less experienced hikers, Above and Beyond Alaska o ers guided hiking tours.
For a more family-friendly/accessible option, the Nugget Falls Trail brings you around the other side of the Mendenhall Lake directly to a massive waterfall with views of the glacier from a bit farther away. ( e short, informational video in the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center is the cheapest tour of Juneau you’ll get.)
Liquid Alaska o ers canoe tours that go across the lake to bring you to the face of the glacier and across the top of the ice. Or, if you’re balling without a budget, you can charter a helicopter through Northstar, Coastal or Temsco Helicopters for a ightseeing tour that will land you on the glacier (tours cost $300 or more).
If you’re looking for a more relaxing way than hiking to sightsee and get up close to a glacier, try a full day boat trip to Tracy Arm Fjord with Adventure Bound. For $175, this 10-hour tour is an exceptional value and unforgettable experience. Make sure to pack a cooler with snacks and beverages to enjoy while you cruise through a steep ord, usually seeing whales, bears, eagles, harbor seals along the way, and culminating at one of the Sawyer Glaciers, which are o en actively calving. Even if it’s cloudy or rainy, this trip is sure to be memorable and enjoyable — the glacier can look more blue when it’s overcast. If you’re looking for a shorter tour, several other companies o er two- to three-hour whale watching or city tours during the summer cruise ship season (check out Juneau Tours & Whale Watch and Allen Marine for options).
If you’re more of a plant lover than animal lover, check out the upside-down tree gardens at Glacier Gardens. ey also o er tours up the mountain in small trams during the summer season. A good place to see reweed is along Point Bridget Trail. e drive out the road to this trail also makes for great views of the looming Chilkat Mountains.
Another top-notch Juneau experience is cabin camping. You can rent cabins online; however, weekends can generally get booked up to six months in advance so make sure to book far ahead of time. Most public cabins are in backcountry and require hiking your gear out. However, there are some private cabins that can be rented that are more accessible, such as those at the Shrine of St. erese or on Airbnb. Nights at Eaglecrest Ski Resort’s newest cabin, Hilda Dam, during
Water gushes down Nugget Falls as visitors make a short hike to the cataract adjacent to Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau.
PHOTO BY ERIK HILL
Low clouds hug the mountains at Mendenhall Lake near the Mendenhall Glacier Visitors Center in Juneau.
PHOTO BY MARC LESTER
the winter, and a new city cabin, Amalga, are among the most coveted reservations in town.
Good family activities include walking along Sandy Beach on Douglas Island. Ruins from the old mine that collapsed there give the beach a historic vibe, and informational signs along the way entertain and inform little ones. e Mount Roberts Tram usually runs during the summer cruise season.
Here are some quick favorites if you’re looking for places to eat, drink, and shop:
BEST VALUE BREAKFAST: Donna’s Restaurant.
BEST FOOD IN THE MENDENHALL VALLEY: Zerelda’s Bistro (check their Instagram for specials).
BEST FOOD DOWNTOWN: In Bocca Al Lupo (the chef specials are where it’s at, he was recently nominated as a James Beard semi nalist).
BEST FOOD ON DOUGLAS ISLAND: e Island Pub (try the salmon dip).
BEST FAMILY DINING: e Hangar on the Wharf (can’t go wrong with anything with the halibut, great views of seaplanes taking o during the summer).
BEST TACOS: Deckhand Dave’s (only open in summer).
BEST ICE CREAM: Gelato by the pint from In Bocca Al Lupo.
BEST BAR: Alaskan Hotel & Bar (especially on open mic nights or live music nights, check their Instagram for updates).
BEST COCKTAILS: Amalga Distillery (early hours — closes at 8 p.m.), e Narrows (late night).
BEST BREWERY: Devil’s Club Brewery Co. (you cannot go wrong with the signature IPA).
BEST PLACE TO DRINK WITH KIDS: Forbidden Peak Brewery.
BEST DRUNK FOOD: Pel’mini’s. (if you’re not drunk try them anyway, a Juneau staple of dumplings topped with butter, curry, cilantro, Sriracha and sour cream).
BEST PEOPLE WATCHING: Triangle Club Bar and the downtown cruise ship docks.
BEST PLACE TO NURSE A HANGOVER WITH SALTY POPCORN AND A BLOODY MARY: Red Dog Saloon (also best kitschy decor).
BEST COFFEE: e Grind Co ee Co.
BEST SHOPPING: Resolute Boutique, Treetop Tees.
BEST CHEAP SOUVENIRS: Alaska Shirt Company.
BEST INSTAGRAM PHOTO OPS: e Whale Project, the ower wallpaper at Amalga Distillery, Nugget Falls, holding crab legs at Tracy’s Crab Shack, atop the platforms on the top of the Mount Roberts Tram.
BEST SOUVENIRS: Whale tail necklaces from various downtown jewelry stores, whale tail salad tossers, Tlingit silver bracelets from Mt. Juneau Trading Post and others, kitschy matching shirts from the T-Shirt Company, Alaskan Brewing Company sweatshirts, smoked salmon from Taku Store, a Ray Troll “Spawn Till You Die” shirt.
BEST PLACE TO CATCH A SUNSET WHEN IT’S SUNNY: Bon re on the Outer Point Beach on North Douglas or Auke Recreation Area.
BEST FOOD WHEN YOU’RE COLD FROM WALKING AROUND IN THE RAIN: Old Friend Noodle Soup from Lemon Tree Cafe.
