Juneau, Alaska, sits below the Mendenhall and Lemon Creek glaciers and was founded in 1880 by prospectors Joe Juneau and Richard Harris, although no-one really knows why only one of their names got top billing. Established as the state capital in 1906, Juneau is home to the Perseverance Theater, Alaska’s only professional theater company,
the Juneau Symphony, Lyric Opera, Opera to Go, and artists the likes of Rie Munoz, Elise Tomlinson, Barbara Craver and James Schoppert.
Things to Do
The monthly First Friday Gallery Walk begins at the Alaska State Museum and tours the many downtown galleries. Past exhibitions include the drawings of MK McNaughton, Cameron Byrnes photographs, and the paintings of Alan Munro, all notable names for anyone interested in all things arty.
Outdoor Entertainment
All man-made art aside, Juneau’s natural terrain is a work of art in and of itself. The Juneau Icefield, spanning 1,500 square miles and reaching depths of more than 4,000 feet, is North America’s fifth-largest icefield. Devil’s Paw, its highest peak, straddles the Alaska-Canada border and reaches a towering 8,584 feet. While it is dangerous to walk the field without professional training and equipment, chartered helicopter tours and dogsled rides are available to visitors. In particular, the surrounding trails of Mendenhall Lake offer stunning glacier views.
Every year, the Southeast Road Runners organize several races around the glaciers, to include the East Glacier Trail Tangle. Beginning at 6pm at the trailhead off Mendenhall Loop Road, this six-mile race is part of the Empire Cup Series, which also includes the Midsummer Night Run, and the Windfall Lake Challenge.
Places to See
Juneau is one of those stunningly beautiful Alaskan towns that seem to have stepped straight out of TV series Northern Exposure. Even those who are usually more comfortable with a few indoor pursuits and some room service will have a hard time failing to be charmed by the Orca whales that stop by during their migration, and the views that stretch all the way to the horizon after a relatively sedate one-hour hike up any one of the surrounding hills.
There is a group of around 130 Juneau residents who volunteer to meet any visitors to the city, so proud are they of the things their home has to offer. Any of these folk will be able to offer handy hints and tips, as well as 'adopting' sightseers for a little local foray into the cosy bars that serve as the central meeting points in Juneau.
Hotels in Juneau
After a day of running, sledding, theater-going or helicopter touring, its back to one of the (limited range, but very comfortable) hotels. Plenty of folk camp or bring their RV, but those who travel in a more traditional way can opt for either a true hotel (Juneau’s Alaskan Hotel & Bar is a good example, rates from around $60 per night depending on the time of year) or a B&B-style room for about $70 per night per couple.
Use the Hotelsio Rate Finder to find top accommodation and cheap hotels in Juneau, Alaska.
(Photo:iStockPhoto/lightasafeather)
