Alaska Concierge Trip Planning
Plan to Stay Awhile
Juneau, Alaska is a central location for Southeast Alaska sightseeing, cruises, wildlife viewing, hiking, glaciers, and more. Juneau is unique in that you can experience nearly every aspect of Alaska in a one place without expending excessive travel time and money traveling great distances or being stuck on a crowded bus. Walk in the Rainforest; view whales, bears, glaciers; enjoy our waters and water life by cruise, kayak, canoe, raft, or boat; bike, hike, trek, dog mush, dine, shop and escape - all within moments of your arrival. Plan your trip to experience the unique highlights that Juneau offers - at least a week, maybe 2 or longer.
Transportation to and within Juneau
Nearest Airport to Juneau:
Juneau International Airport has frequent daily domestic and international flights connecting through Seattle, Washington (95 minute flight) and Anchorage, Alaska (75 minute flight) on Alaska Airlines - Horizon Air (1-800-252-7522). In the summer months Delta also offers flights from Seattle to Juneau. Both airlines have many partners that connect from all over the world.
The Alaska State Marine Highway Ferry (1-800-642-0066) as well as small luxury adventure cruises serve Juneau and all of Southeast Alaska. They often route through Bellingham or Seattle, Washington, Vancouver, BC in Canada or the many nearby Alaska towns like Gustavus at Glacier Bay, Sitka, Haines or Skagway (which also links Alaska to the Yukon and British Columbia in Canada). There are also fast ferries in some areas.
Ground Transportation:
Most independent travelers arrive by air and benefit from the freedom of renting a car in Juneau. Chauffeur services, taxis and Ubers are also avaiable.
Budget, Avis, National and Hertz car rental agencies are located at the airport. Be sure to reserve your vehicle in advance as they often sell out in summer.
Juneau weather
The Tongass National Forest
The Tongass is the largest temperate rainforest in the world. A common misconception is that Alaska is covered in ice and snow most of the year. Actually, temperatures in Juneau, where the mountains meet the sea, are quite mild: similar to parts of England and Scotland. The temperatures are great for sightseeing and active outdoor activities. Enjoy our refreshing clean air!
In the summer, if the forecast says rain, don't despair. While occasional drizzle is often likely, it is usually brief. When the sun shines, it feels deliciously warm because the air is so pristine. Juneau is one of the most scenic destinations on earth. Come, stay a while in our rainforest paradise. Enjoy the refreshing cool crisp and clean air. Bring some fleece and raingear, to be sure, but do not expect igloos.
Juneau, AK (99801) Weather Facts
- On average, the warmest month is July, at 64°. Temperatures typically range 60-75°F in summer
- The highest recorded temperature was 90°F in July, 1975.
- The average coolest month is January, at 31°F average. Typical in mid-winter, 36°F
- The lowest recorded temperature was -22°F in 1972. Very rare.
- The maximum average precipitation occurs in October. Good time to read a book in front of a fireplace.
- The least average precipitation occurs during the summer months (April through June are driest summer months).
Lodging
Juneau offers many diverse forms of accommodations--hotels, hostels, motels, bed and breakfasts and vacation rentals. Alaska Concierge will be happy to help you plan your accommodations and we work with reserve your accommodations. Please note, Juneau lodging can be tight. Book Early!
Dining
Juneau offers a host of dining experiences, many offering fresh locally sourced options. Some of our favorites are:
- Salt Alaska, Second and Seward (downtown) 780-2221. Creative Alaskan cuisine & craft cocktails in a welcoming and modern atmosphere. Fresh and delicious.
- Tracy's King Crab Shack,2 downtown locations serves everything king crab - crab legs, award-winning crab bisque, crab cakes and dinner rolls. This is the place to go if you want crab. Reservations not taken.
- Hangar at the Wharf, 2 Marine Way (downtown) 586-5018. Great views overlooking docks. Try their chowder and jambalaya! Wide selection of micro brews (as well as wine).
- Island Pub, 1102 2nd Street (Douglas) 364-1595. Great view of the channel, friendly people and great specialty pizza's. Sometimer have jazz or other live music on weekends.
- Twisted Fish, 550 S. Franklin (downtown) 463-5033. Some of the best seafood in town. Try their Halibut Taco's or Salmon Puff Pastries. Good bar; lots of micro brews.
Attractions
Juneau's waters, trails, mountains, glaciers, ice fields, wild life offer opportunities beyond compare. Check our Activities web page and feel free to call us with questions..
Packing Tips
Alaska is VERY casual, leave your heels and wingtips at home, unless you are meeting with the governor.
BRING for your vacation...
- Clothing you can layer: Long underwear, a fleece, and a waterproof/breathable shell with a hood.
- Comfortable shoes with good traction: Running shoes with good support are adequate for anything you'll do except hike steep hillsides (which you may not do). If you prefer something sturdier, lightweight hikers are great, and some are waterproof as well. Alaskan homes and inns are typically shoe-free, so bring on some shoes that are easy to slip on and off.
- Sun protection: Lightweight, brimmed hat (sun and rain); sunglasses and sunscreen.
- Light winter cap/gloves/scarf: These really keep you warm if it gets unseasonably cold-or if you're feeling the effects of glacier-chilled wind-without adding a lot of weight.
- Summer clothing: Unless you prefer last-minute local shopping, pack shorts and short sleeve shirts. Recent Alaskan summers have been hot and sunny
- Formal vs. casual: Very casual dress is the way to go in Alaska. Some cruise-goers bring formal attire for onboard the ship, then break out the jeans on land. No one cares how you look, just dress down and be comfortable and you'll look like a local.
- Mosquito repellent: The bugs generally aren't as bad as people fear, and they're really only a big consideration in June and July if you are in the interior. Generally in Southeast Alaska and Juneau, they are very light. If you really want to protect yourself, there's nothing as effective as 100% DEET products. Mosquito head nets tend to be overkill unless you plan on doing a lot of hiking or tent camping in the arctic, as they obscure visibility and can get warm
- Fishing license: You can order this ahead of time online.
- Small first aid kit: Most lodging properties and tour operators will have you covered, but it's convenient to have Band-Aids and ointment for minor emergencies.
- Camera/video camera: Capture your Alaska experiences in pictures and don't forget the extras: batteries, lenses, chargers, and memory cards.
- Backpack or tote bag (medium to large).
- Binoculars/spotting scope.
- Zipper-top bags: Freezer-size zipper-top bags are great to keep clothing folded and toiletries isolated (in case of leaks). Separate baggies make it easier to repack in case your luggage is searched, and extra bags are handy for storing dirty or damp clothing.
- Identification and/or passport (passport necessary to go into Whitehorse Yukon or to take the White Pass Railroad north out of Skagway.
- Watch/alarm clock: With so much daylight, it's easy to lose track of time.
- Contact information: Bring cards with your contact information to give to new friends and mailing labels and stamps for sending postcards. Keep ID on you when you are hiking.
What Should I Wear?
If you've done a little homework, you've probably seen or heard this advice a thousand times: dress in layers. From spring to early fall in Alaska, be prepared for temperatures in the 50-80 degree range, always with the possibility of a little rain and wind thrown in there. Your best bet is to dress in layers and bring a backpack, you'll stay warm and dry when it's chilly or wet, and you can peel off layers and stow them as the weather changes. Be sure to get the outer layer right. You want a shell that's waterproof and breathable to stay warm when it's windy and dry when it's rainy. One with a hood so you can throw it up if there is an unexpected shower. Gore-Tex is probably the most popular material that fills this bill.
Footwear: We advise against old-fashioned heavy hiking boots. They're heavy, stiff, and can cause blisters. Instead, get yourself a comfortable pair of lightweight hikers with good traction two pairs, actually, in case one gets wet. Some are made with Gore-Tex, so they're both waterproof and breathable.
Sun Protection: Bring a lightweight, brimmed hat for sun and rain, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Interestingly, the intensity of the sun in Alaska on a peak summer day is probably equivalent to a spring day in the Lower 48, because of the lower angle of the sun in the subarctic regions. But due to the long summer days, there are twice as many hours of daylight, so you definitely want to protect your skin.