Juneau Vacation and Trip Information

Juneau is the capital of Alaska and is located on the Gastineau Channel in the narrow section of Alaska that runs down along the coast to the south east of the main part of the state. It was once a major gold mining area, and in fact, is named after one of its miners, Canadian Joe Juneau who co-founded Juneau along with Richard Harris.

Today, visitors go to Juneau to tour its nearby glaciers, experience the downtown art scene or participate in myriad outdoor activities. In addition to its glaciers, humpback whales and orcas are popular attractions; April to November is the prime time to see these marine mammals in their natural environment.  

For some outdoor fun, tourists can explore everything from rafting and kayaking to cycling along more than 250 miles of trails, where native plants, such as skunk cabbage, grow and animals like bears and mountain goats roam the territory. The quaint historic cabins nestled along the trails, are ideal for family camping trips or places to rest after a long day of hiking.

Zip lining offers tourists the opportunity to see more of Juneau’s natural surroundings including rainforest, mountainous terrain and nearby lakes. Skiing and snowboarding are among the popular winter sports for locals and visitors alike.