Saturday, October 3, 2009

Best Things To See and Do in Juneau, Alaska

Best Things To See and Do in Juneau, Alaska

Post by Nancy D. Brown

Nancy D. Brown at the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, AlaskaMy favorite tips and locations for visitors to Juneau, Alaska. Thank you to Elizabeth Arnett of the Juneau Convention and Visitors Bureau. For on the ground support during your visit, follow the Juneau Visitors Center on Twitter.

The first place I take a visitor from out of town is to the Mendenhall Glacier.

When I crave Juneau cuisine, I turn to Tracy's King Crab Shack for her king crab.

To escape work I drive out to the Shrine of St. Therese for meditation and awesome scenery.

For complete quiet, I can hide away at the beach at the end of False Outer Point trail.

Mt. Roberts TramwayIf you come to Juneau, get your picture taken at the top of Mount Roberts Tramway.

If you have to order one thing off the menu at Twisted Fish Alaskan Grill, get the coconut salmon appetizer.

Juneau is my one stop shop for glaciers, whale watching and wilderness adventure. I went with Dolphin Jet Boat Tours and had a fine trip. In fact, the company guarantees you'll see whales or you'll receive $100 back.

When I want something other than seafood, I go to Chan's Thai Kitchen.

For a huge splurge, I go to the Gold Room at the Westmark Baranof Hotel.

Photo ops in Juneau include Photo Point at the Mendenhall glacier, the bronze bear on Main Street and the Mt. Roberts Tram.

The best vantage points are taken by walking to the top of Main Street or across the Douglas Bridge to the Breeze Inn parking lot.

The most random thing about�Juneau is the Alaska Folk Festival.

In Juneau, an active day outdoors involves walking or hiking the East Glacier Trail.

My favorite walking route is the Mendenhall Wetlands trail near the airport.

Juneau's best museum is Alaska State Museum followed closely by the Juneau-Douglas City Museum.

For a night of dancing, go to the Viking Lounge.

McDonald's is the spot for late night dining.

To find out what's going on at night or on weekends, read the Juneau Empire.

In the spring you should attend Juneau Jazz and Classics.

In the summer you should attend Gold Rush Days and the July 4th Celebrations.

In the fall you should go deer hunting.

In the winter you should go to Eaglecrest Ski Area.

A hidden gem in Juneau is Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure.

For a great breakfast treat or espresso, go to the Silverbow Bakery or Heritage Coffee Cafe.

Just outside of Juneau you can visit Taku Glacier and have lunch at the Taku Glacier Lodge.

The best way to see Juneau is to walk the historic downtown streets, ride the Mt. Roberts Tram or go flight seeing. (But don't go in September, as you are more apt to have fog, as was the case for my trip.)

Fish Ladder at the Macaulay Salmon Hatchery, Juneau, AlaskaIf you have kids, you won't want to miss Gold Creek Salmon Bake and roasting marshmallows. I also enjoyed visiting the Macaulay Salmon Hatchery and looking at the fish ladder.

Photos by Nancy D. Brown


Source: www.nancydbrown.com

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