Juneau
From World travel guide
Juneau ("joo-noh") is the capital city of Alaska, located in the state's southeastern region.
Contents |
Understand
Juneau is Alaska's capital, but you still can't get there by car! One of the interesting things about Juneau and Alaska is the effect on public life of being such a geographically large state. The state legislature, for instance, takes telephone testimony during its committee hearings. They have a state-wide video conferencing system to facilitate government meetings and deliberations.
Get in
Because of its location on the rugged southeastern Alaskan coastline, there are no roads connecting Juneau to other cities. Access is only by air or by sea. Cruise ships plying the Inside Passage bring many tourists to Juneau.
Get around
See
- Mendenhall Glacier - When in Juneau take a $2 bus ($4 round trip) from the center of town, where the boats dock, to the Mendenhall Glacier park. You can pay the driver in cash or buy two tickets at one of the many kiosks on the dock. Although you can't get right up to the glacier, you get a great view of it and the visitors' center is very informative. For another low fee you can purchase a daypass, which no one seems to ever check (but buy it anyway) and then hike on the trails. If you want a moderate hike through some beautiful forest, try the East Glacier trail which loops around east of the visitors' center. Follow the trail clockwise to avoid having to climb many steps -- you'll come down those steps at the end of your hike and to keep the best views of the glacier ahead of you, instead of over your shoulder. Several businesses offer helicopter rides which will take you from the city to Mendenhall Glacier, giving you a bird's eye view of the surrounding terrain, and some time on the ice itself. They're fairly expensive (about $200 per person and up, depending on the length of the excursion), but a remarkable experience that many consider well worth the price.
- Mount Roberts - There is a tram that runs from the docks in downtown Juneau up Mount Roberts, one of the peaks overlooking the city, $20 for an all-day pass. At the top is the Mount Roberts Nature Center which features a captive eagle (not as impressive as seeing them from a distance in the wild) and some not-too-difficult scenic hiking trails with interpretive information. The more adventurous hiker can branch off from these trails and continue upward to the summit, where snowfields can be found even in the warmth of summer. It's difficult going in places, but provides some stunning views of the channel and city far below.
Do
Buy
Eat
Drink
Sleep
Get out
External links
WikiPedia:Juneau City and Borough, Alaska
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