About Juneau

If there was the perfect word to explain Juneau to a stranger then magnificent would have to be it. The Alaskan capital is a must-see destination for any self-respecting tourist looking to maximize his or her visit to the state.

The city of Juneau is situated at sea level at the base of very steep mountains. Atop these mountains are the Juneau Icefield, boasting approximately 30 glaciers. Despite its sub-arctic location, Juneau is the home to the northern-most rainforest in the world.

Located in the Southeast of the state of Alaska, Juneau (also spelled Jueno, Juno, Junea and Jueno) offers visitors an eclectic mixture of scenery, including a range of local residents from all walks of life. Juneau boasts beautiful glaciers and huge ice flows you can actually walk up to. Over 1 million tourists visit Juneau via cruise ships between May and September.

Since 1959, the year Alaska achieved statehood, Juneau has been Alaska’s capital. It is also the home for the Alaska Legislature and the offices for the Governor, and Lieutenant Governor.

Although the population of Juneau is just 30,700, the Juneau borough is the third largest municipality in land area in the United States.

Things to Do In Juneau

For those hoping to view glaciers, Juneau is unparalleled in this endeavor. For instance, places like the Mendenhall Glacier, Tracy Arm Fjord, Juneau Ice Field and Glacier Bay National Park are indescribable and must be seen in person to capture their true beauty.

For the outdoor enthusiast, there are plenty of activities to meet your needs. Juneau offers over 100 miles of groomed hiking trails. The protected waterways of the Mendenhall River and the calm waters of the Mendenhall Lake provide excellent kayaking and rafting adventures.

You can enjoy a truly breath-taking aerial view of Juneau by taking a guided zipline tour through the lush canopy of the rainforest treetops.

With humpback whales visiting the region every year you can watch these majestic while they breach the cold waters of the glacier bays and feed on the krill-rich local waters. Plenty of Orcas also congregate in the calm waters around Juneau. Whale watching is definitely an attraction not to be missed if you’re in the area.

Fishing enthusiasts flock to Juneau for the spectacular fishing opportunities, to the point that the area is known to be an angler’s paradise. Alaskan salmon, halibut and trout are common attractions for visiting fishermen, with sport-fishing licenses available for anglers wishing to try their luck at luring King Salmon.

If you're into history then the plethora of historic mine buildings and former gold rush homes will keep you entertained during your stay. Visit the remnants of the Alaska-Juneau Mining Company and the great Treadwell Mines.

Getting There

Getting to Juneau is somewhat more difficult compared to other Alaskan cities. The local airport services daily flights in and out of the city with Alaskan Airlines being the only provider to do so. Flights to Ketchikan, Sitka, Wrangell, Gustavus and Petersburg are available on a regular basis. Call 800-252-7522 or visit www.alaskaair.com.

Driving to and from Juneau is possibly only via the ferry via the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS). Our fleet of Avis rental cars will cater to every need you have to get you from A to B throughout your Alaskan vacation. We offer one-way rentals to that you can plan your vacation without the need to backtrack.

Getting Around

Unless you are visiting Juneau as a cruise passenger the best way to appreciate the local attractions is by rental car. Our Avis counter is conveniently located near the International Airport for ease of access.