Juneau ("joo-noh") [1] is the capital city of Alaska, located in the state's Southeastern region.

Harbor view

Understand

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

Juneau is Alaska's capital, but you still can't get there by road! 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 thousands of visitors to Juneau almost every day between May and September.

Most locals and non-cruise ship visitors fly in from Seattle or Anchorage with Alaska Airlines. There are a couple of smaller airlines that operate chartered flights out of Juneau, all have offices at the airport.

Juneau is also a main port for the Alaska Marine Highway, Alaska's ferry system. The ferry runs regularly throughout Souteast Alaska with stops in Ketchikan, Petersburg, Wrangel, Sitka, Haines, and Skagway. The closest port with a road connection is Haines, about a five hour ride away from Juneau by regular ferry and a two hour ride on one of the state's new catamaran ferries. The ferry system is the only way to transport a car to Juneau, short of shipping it up on a barge.

Get around

See

• Alaska State Museum, 395 Whittier Street, ☎ +1-907-465-2901 (fax: +1-907-465-2976), [2].

• Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, ☎ +1-907-586-1023 (fax: +1-907-465-2976). Southeast Alaska's oldest continuously operating church. $ 2.00 entrance fee.

helicopter on Mendenhall Glacier

• 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. If you don't want to pay $20 to ride up the tram, you can also hike the whole mountain. The trailhead starts at the end of 6th street and takes about an hour to climb up to the top of the tram. A one way tram ride down the mountain costs $5.

Do

Visit the Glacier.

Go for a hike. Juneau has over 90 hiking trails.

Buy

Eat

• Silverbow Had some great fresh bagels at the Silverbow - tuesday is two for one!

The Silverbow also has a movie theater where they show the occasional free movie. It is a meeting place for a diverse group of people. They host wine tastings, an independent film/video makers conference and the occasional LGBT event. A really great place.

The Hangar is a great place to sit at the bar and gaze at the view. It also has a good selection of food. The Halibut Taco is good as are the burgers and soups. It hosts a mixture of locals and tourists.

The Twisted Fish is also a good bet for food and is widely regarded as Juneau's nicest restaurant but it does close when the tourists leave. Not cheap but not outrageous either.

Over in Douglas is the Island Pub. They have good pizzas and sandwiches and it is a really classy feeling place. It also has a stunning view of the channel looking back towards Juneau. Sometimes you can catch a local bluegrass or jazz band there.

Drink

The Alaskan Bar 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.

The Hangar which is also good for food. Sit and watch the float planes takeoff and the cruise ships come and go. When tourist season is over, sit and enjoy the relative solitude.

The Triangle Bar. Looks like somewhere you wouldn't want to go, but sometimes it fills the bill, especially during legislative season when the lobbyists, lawyers and aides can be found there.

Island Pub in Douglas (see the Eats section above)

Squiers Rest out in Auke Bay for a rustic experience.

Drop into the Alaskan brewery to sample the brews.

Sleep

• Goldbelt Hotel Juneau, 51 Egan Drive, ☎ 1+907-586-6900 (fax: +1-907-463-5861), [3]. $109 +.

• Westmark Baranof Hotel, 127 North Franklin Street, ☎ 1+907-586-2660 (fax: +1-907-586-8315), [4]. $129 - $250.

• Prospector Hotel, 375 Whittier Street, ☎ 1+907-789-5005 (fax: +1-907-789-2818), [5]. $109 - $179.

• Best Western Country Lane Inn, 9300 Glacier Highway, ☎ 1+907-586-3737 (fax: +1-907-586-1204), [6]. $.

• Best Western Grandma's Feather Bed, 2358 Mendenhall Loop Road, ☎ 1+907-789-5566 (fax: +1-907-789-2818), [7].

• Aspen Hotels Alaska, 1800 Shell Simmons Drive, ☎ 1+907-790-6435 (fax: +1-907-790-6621), [8].

Get out