(TAN): Anchorage is not the capital of Alaska. Neither is Fairbanks. That honour goes to Juneau, and chances are high you haven’t even heard about this city.
Located on a thin strip of land crisscrossed by water, between Canada’s British Columbia province and the Pacific Ocean, this city was named after a gold prospector from Quebec, Joe Juneau.
The city, which started out as a gold mining town in the late 1800s, Juneau might not be on the list of many visitors to Alaska, but it “is rich in history, art, music and Native heritage,” says the online portal of Travel Juneau, a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to the visitor industry and its economic benefit to the city. “It’s an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise, a shopper’s trove, and a food lover’s dream.”
While the city is 3,255 square miles; only 14 square miles are urban, and this area is dotted by some very colourful buildings. The downtown is very walkable and retains its old-world charm.
The city’s most famous attraction is the Mendenhall Glacier. Half-mile wide, with ice 300 to 1,800 feet deep, it is constantly moving and changes with the seasons. The glacier is a sight to behold with the frozen landscape meeting Mendenhall lake, with giant chunks of ice occasionally breaking off into the lake. The glacier’s ice caves are a big draw.
Juneau is a great destination for those who love hiking and wildlife-watching. Just choose a tour that piques your interest and you might end up seeing bears, whales, seals, mountain goats and sea lions, apart from various kinds of birds — all in a single day. Considering its location, the city is of course a great destination for seafood lovers.
An additional attraction is that the northern lights are visible from here. And whichever part of the year you visit, there are always things to do, whether it’s fishing, skiing or cycling. Keep at least four days, preferably more, to explore and get a feel of the place.
Juneau has some excellent hotels, including Four Points by Sheraton Juneau, Ramada by Wyndham Juneau, and Silverbow Inn Hotel & Suites.
It’s important to note that you cannot drive all the way up to Juneau. This is in fact the only US state capital among the 49 in mainland North America that is not accessible by road from the rest of the state or anywhere else in the continent.
Plane and seaplanes fly into Juneau International Airport from several places including Anchorage and Seattle. If you’re taking the plane, choose a window seat if you can because the view while landing is worth it. The city is also accessible by ferry.
The high tourist season is June to August. If you are not a fan of crowds, consider May and September. Some people even recommend winter as a great time to visit the place. But whenever you come, don’t forget your rain gear, because it rains a lot.
In this occasional series, we feature relatively unknown travel destinations.
