Juneau, Alaska

The shopping in Juneau is fantastic, and the layout of the city is one of interesting complexity. Juneau combines ancient Alaskan traditions with Western commercialism and bustling city life. This is a very popular area, especially during peak ski and fishing seasons. The hiking in Juneau is terrific, as is the shopping. The wide array of stores offer unique-to-Juneau artwork and handicrafts of particularly high quality.

In the summer this city is definitely the most popular destination in Alaska for cruise passengers from the United States mainland. There are a number of spectacular art galleries and specialty stores very much like those in many big cities. But, if it is remote and isolated wilderness you are in search of, Juneau will be more than happy to comply. There are great hiking areas, plenty of ocean for sea kayaking expeditions, and wonderful trails for mountain biking and other outdoor activities.

The population here is 300,000, but during the off-peak season, Juneau seems like a quaint little town with limited growth potential because of the area's geography, comprised of impenetrable natural barriers. Mount Roberts and Mount Juneau surround the small city, and avalanche threats have prevented any true expansion.

The Juneau Ice field is a site that demands a visit; it too has hindered the growth of Juneau. Efforts to brave the mountains or forge the Ice field in hopes of expanding the city are just not feasible. Perhaps this is nature's way of telling the local government to leave this exquisite town just as it is.

• Mendenhall Glacier & Salmon Hatchery: Discover the city of Juneau with your driver/guide who will share the history of Juneau's gold rush era as you depart downtown. Visit the Macauley Salmon Hatchery where you see may adult spawning salmon (late June through September) or have the opportunity to feed immature salmon fry (May through early June). Learn about the reproductive cycle of Pacific salmon and view exhibits detailing the hatchery's annual production of over 150 million salmon and numerous aquariums showcasing local marine wildlife.
  
  
• Gold Panning Adventure: Relive Juneau's gold rush history and pan for gold in the authentic setting of Last Chance Basin. A costumed prospector will accompany you on a narrated van ride through a historic residential area en route to Last Chance Basin. Trace the route taken by Joe Juneau and Richard Harris in their search for gold over 100 years ago. Near the famous Alaska-Juneau gold mine, one of the world's largest hard rock mining operations, you will get hands-on experience panning for gold in the creek. "Guaranteed gold" for everyone! Your prospector/guide recaptures the history of Juneau's gold discovery and hard rock mining as you view remnants of the mine.
  
  
• Four Glacier Adventure via Helicopter: This unique flightseeing tour takes you to see four of Alaska's glaciers. The extended flight time on this tour allows you to see more of the Juneau Icefield and its rapidly changing glaciers. You'll remain with the same pilot/guide throughout the entire adventure and view the Juneau Icefield as you fly over the ice spires and pinnacles of the "cascading" Hole-in-the-Wall Glacier, the "advancing" Taku Glacier, the "retreating" Norris Glacier and a one-of-a-kind "floating" glacier. New areas emerge each day on this active glacial icefield. Your pilot will choose one of these areas and land on a remote glacier where you may step out and explore the ancient landscape. Peer down into a crevasse and watch for a glacial stream that emerges and then disappears beneath the icy surface. As you fly over the rain forest surrounding Juneau on your return trip, watch for bears, mountain goats and moose.
  
  
• Juneau Sportfishing: Fish the inside waterways on a private sport-fishing boat fully equipped with all the necessary fishing gear, a heated cabin, smoked salmon snacks and hot or cold beverages. You will be fishing for salmon in one of the best fishing grounds in Southeast Alaska, amidst some of the most glorious scenery on earth with 4-6 fishermen per boat. If you wish, your catch can be prepared locally (smoked or frozen) and shipped to your home for an additional charge (US addresses only) payable at the conclusion of your tour. Credit card payment is required. We regret that fish cannot be stored on board the ship.
  
  
• Glacier Dogsled Adventure via Helicopter: Join in a combination of Alaska's most highly desired activities - helicopter flightseeing, a glacier landing, and a dogsled ride. This excursion combines the Four Glacier Adventure via Helicopter Tour with a once-in-a-lifetime dogsled ride on a glacier. Fly over the Juneau Icefield and land on the Middle Branch of the Norris Glacier, home of the exclusive dog mushing camp. After your helicopter touches down on the snow-capped glacier, view the scenery high above as you hear stories of the famous 1,000 mile Iditarod dogsled race from Anchorage to Nome. The highlight of your visit to the camp is a dogsled ride on the snow-covered glacier. Your flightseeing resumes over the glacial landscape as you watch for bears, mountain goats, and moose. Warm layered clothing, jacket and gloves are recommended.
  
  
• Mendenhall Glacier Rafting Trip: Join a white-water rafting trip that is popular with beginner and experienced rafters of all ages. Your adventure begins with a drive to Mendenhall Lake, where you may view the Mendenhall Glacier, which measures 1.5 miles wide and 150 feet high at the face. Near the shoreline you'll suit up with rain gear, life jackets and rubber boots. Each raft carries eight to twelve people and is rowed by an experienced guide. While boarding your raft, view the Mendenhall Glacier and its floating icebergs in the distance. Hanging glaciers, towering peaks and glacial topography may also be seen. As your raft proceeds down the river, your guide will explain the natural phenomena in the valley and you'll encounter stretches of rapids, adding excitement to the trip. Make an Alaskan-style snack stop near the end of the river where smoked salmon spread, reindeer sausage, cheese, crackers and beverages are provided. After your adventure return to the ship via motor coach.
  
  
• Whale Watching & Wildlife Cruise: Whale sighting guaranteed! Your driver/guide will share local history and points of interest as you make your way through Juneau to Auke Bay, where you'll board a sightseeing vessel specially designed for wildlife viewing. Relax in warm comfort as your captain and crew take you on a personally guided tour through Stevens Passage, an area known for an abundance of humpback whales. Your naturalist and crew will explain the behavior and habits of whales and other wildlife you may encounter. Humpback and killer whales, Stellers sea lions, Dalls porpoise, harbor seals and bald eagles are common sights. Maybe you'll even spot a bear or Sitka blacktail deer as you cruise along the shoreline of these wilderness islands. Snow covered mountains and green rainforests serve as a backdrop to your many photo opportunities.
  
  
• Glacier Flightseeing via Floatplane: Experience the grandeur of Alaska on this multi-glacier flightseeing tour. Everyone has a window seat while flying in a nostalgic floatplane over five of the Juneau Icefield's glaciers. Your adventure begins as your aircraft departs from Juneau's waterfront, amid the remains of early gold mines. Fly past waterfalls and rain forests, over lakes and winding river banks, en-route to five distinctly different glaciers of the 1,500 square mile Juneau Icefield. Soar over the deep crevasses and azure blue meltwater pools of the Norris, Hole-In-The-Wall, East and West Twin Glaciers, and the mighty Taku. Of the 36 named glaciers of the Juneau Icefield, the Taku Glacier, five miles wide at its base, is the only glacier not retreating but advancing. With the unique location of the historic floatplane dock in the center of downtown Juneau, you have the advantage of short flight distances into the heart of the glaciers, allowing you to see the most of the Juneau Icefield with time left to enjoy the city itself or explore Alaska's state capital on another shore excursion.
  
  

• City of Juneau
  
  
• Juneau.com
  
  
• Juneau Empire (local newspaper)