Heading To Alaska? Top 5 Things To Do In Juneau

Whether or not you’re spending just a few days in Juneau earlier than your cruise begins or are touring round Alaska and wish to hit this capital metropolis, there’s a lot to do right here. Don’t be stunned if you find yourself staying even longer than you meant.

Canine Sledding and Helicopter Tour

It’s three unbelievable experiences in a single—a canine sledding journey, a helicopter tour and a trip over a glacier. The 90-minute journey contains 25-Half-hour of being in a helicopter flying over wonderful glaciers earlier than spending 60-70 minutes on the Herbert Glacier Canine Sled Camp. Vacationers not solely have the expertise of being pulled by a group of 10 to 12 huskies, all led by knowledgeable mushers, however additionally they spend time on the finish attending to know every canine, in addition to the puppies. The helicopter trip itself is fairly wonderful—flying over the Tongass Nationwide Forest and the Juneau Icefield, the place there’s an opportunity to identify bears, moose, goats and different animals.

Mendenhall Glacier

Situated in Tongass Nationwide Forest, guests can attain the Mendenhall Glacier Customer Heart, which overlooks the Mendenhall Valley. The easiest way to get there’s by taking the Glacier Shuttle, which runs each Half-hour. You possibly can keep as lengthy (or brief) as you need, because the shuttles runs so usually. The shuttle picks up proper on the cruise terminal dock and drops off on the customer heart. Over 400,000 guests come every year to the one glacier accessible by street in Southeast Alaska. Make sure to take the Nugget Falls path that ends at a five-story-high waterfall neighboring the glacier.

Roberts Tramway

Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway is greater than only a trip up a mountain. As soon as on the high, there are miles upon miles of lovely climbing trails that supply among the greatest views in all of Juneau. Hike amongst 200-foot-high timber and brightly coloured flowers within the sub-alpine meadow. There’s a probability to see wildlife—assume bears, mountain goats and moose—from the viewing platforms that may be discovered all through the climbing trails. The Nature Heart is a superb place to get recommendation on which climbing path to take in addition to be taught extra concerning the historical past, setting and wildlife of the world. A present store and restaurant may also be discovered on the high of Mount Roberts. However remember: The “high” of Mount Roberts is one other 2000 toes above the tramway constructing.

Glacier Salt Cave & Spa

Visiting Alaska’s Glacier Salt Cave & Spa is a well-liked alternative for vacationers, particularly after a protracted flight. The custom-made room has backlit salt block partitions, a salt flooring, and chairs for leisure whereas respiration within the dry salt air (generally known as Halotherapy) which is proven to assist with allergy symptoms and sinus points (which could be exasperated by aircraft journey). Salt caves have been round for hundreds of years in locations like Pakistan, India, and Romania. Individuals realized that by sitting in salt caves they have been combatting the results of the seasonal allergy symptoms and different illnesses. It’s thought that salt mud kills the allergens or unhealthy micro organism in your nostril, throat, and lungs. The Halogenerator is a machine that grinds up medical-grade salt into super-fine particles which can be then blown out in a confined house for straightforward inhalation. Most individuals mix a therapeutic massage with halotherapy.

Consuming and Consuming

Juneau’s Roma Bistro is a well-liked restaurant serving up tasty pizza, sandwiches, salads, calzones and tapas. In truth, the tapas are a part of the large draw—pattern all the things from butternut squash ravioli, tiger prawns, beef carpaccio and lamb osso buco. For lunch and dinner, the pizza choices are very talked-about—together with the signature “Roma” pizza with beet pesto, goat cheese and taleggio. The Rhubarb Tiramisu, made with ladyfinger biscuits, coulis and toasted pistachios is a fan favourite. The restaurant is positioned on the wharf, close to the lodges, buying and cruise ships.

The Hangar on the Wharf is among the hottest eating places in Juneau partly due to the views. You possibly can sit outdoors and take within the views of the mountains, seaplanes and cruise ships. The hangar—so named as a result of it was once the plane hangar for the float planes—has a definite Alaskan really feel and focuses on contemporary seafood together with halibut, freshly-cut salmon and their well-known King Crab. Not a fish eater? There are many different choices, together with hand-cut steaks, burgers, pasta, salads and an in depth beer menu.