$5/ages 13 and up, $3/ages 3-12, free/accompanying adults. The attraction is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The region attracts many tourists wanting to catch a glimpse of these underwater mammals. The native heritage of Alaska is best represented at the museum, including ancient artifacts and an extensive Eskimo-carved ivory collection. Address: 490 South Franklin Street, Juneau, Alaska. Registration required. Re: Juneau in December 12 years ago Save Welcome to TA. All ages are invited to the Kean Stage for this uplifting performance of family and friendship set to classic holiday hits. Ages 5 and up. Then, enjoy a nice lunch at the restaurant which has stunning panoramic views. Unless youre like us and are simply disappointed that you couldnt stay longer. After exploring the Capitol, head along Fourth Street and then Calhoun Avenue to see the exterior of the Governor's Mansion. Ride through the holiday village under millions of lights and meet Santa in his workshop. 1-3 pm When Alaska became a state in 1959, this territorial and federal building became the state capitol building. You can see the glacier beyond the frozen lake from the pavilion or explore one of the trails, such as Photo Point Trail, to get a closer look. You can join a guided tour or do a self-guided tour; the latter is easier as you only need to pick up a brochure at the lobby desk. , Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. While you wont get the same sweeping views as the summit trails, there are some gorgeous valley views and some cool historic buildings and artifacts along the way. Bartlett Cove is only accessible by plane or boat, with most visitors landing in the nearby Gustavus via plane or ferry. Dont miss the train! Best of all, this museum is reasonably sized so its definitely something you can explore in its entirety in a 2-4 hour visit. Juneau Winter Activities | Best Skiing & Excursions | ALASKA.ORG Eaglecrest receives plenty of heavy snow each year (over 25 feet of snow!) You cant drive to Juneau you have to fly, or ferry, which means shorter lift lines and untracked powder. On land, Bartlett Cove is the only area with developed hiking trails and designated campgrounds, as well as sea kayaks available for rent. The classic Alaska Cruise, offered by such companies as Holland America, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. The tramway is operated by the Goldbelt Corporation, one of Juneaus Alaska Native corporations, and offers fantastic views on the five-minute ride that ascends 1,800 feet from sea level to see level. (Their clever expression not mine! There are no facilities, so youll want to plan accordingly for food, water, and restrooms. 1 and 5 pm They also offer a guide to particularly important artifacts, including the oldest-known woven baskets (5,450 years old), great exhibits on the major Alaska Native groups, sections about Russian occupation, the American purchase agreement, and all of the major industries in the state. Dont leave until youve checked out The Magical Talking Tree, Christmas train and storytime with Mrs. Claus on select dates. and has 1620 feet of vertical drop. The New Jersey Festival Orchestra and dancers from Dance Theatre of Harlem will be at Westfield High School with guest Broadway soloists and songs from the Great White Way. Even though winter is not the best time for whale watching (though you might get lucky in late winter), you can still check out a life-size whale sculpture made of bronze named Tahku. Mendenhall Glacier is one of Juneaus top attractions and offers a number of ways to experience it. Stick around for fireworks at 9:15 pm and a midnight countdown. To be honest, Im not sure where the ice caves might be in 2022, since ice caves form and collapse rapidly and the landscape of the glacier is constantly changing. Alaska State Museum. $25+. from. Ill be honest that I know of more impressive glaciers you can visit such as Portage Glacier, Matanuska Glacier, or aboard the Philips 26 Glacier Cruise from Whittier but if you have your heart set on Mendenhall, you should be sure to prioritize a visit on your itinerary. Long days, lots of whales, bonfires on the beach, it doesn't get much better than that. There are a number of operators to choose from, including: and many more. Get your free Outdoor Adventure Resource Guide, If youre considering visiting Juneau, Alaska, in Winter, you might be wondering, Is it worth it?. Your email address will not be published. Companies like Allen Marine Tours offer six-hour tours in a heated catamaran. One such hike is the easy 2.0-mile Treadwell Mine Ruins trail that sets out along the coastline after the road ends. Things to Do in Juneau Chum Fun Charters Chum Fun Charters See all things to do Chum Fun Charters 5 91 reviews #30 of 60 Boat Tours & Water Sports in Juneau Fishing Charters & Tours Closed now 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM Write a review See all photos About No boat! THE 10 BEST Things to Do in Juneau - Tripadvisor Of particular interest at Last Chance Mining Museum are one of the world's largest air compressors, built in 1912, and an electric locomotive. Also on Dec. 21. Free personal GPSdriven travel guide to Alaska. Take your little ones to see theAngry Birds Universe Exhibitwhere they can shoot at life-size Angry Birds with massive slingshots ($30-35). The Alaska Juneau Gold Mining Company operated on this site from 1912 until 1944, and the location truly looks like an old mine with uneven ground, rusting buildings, and old equipment decaying quietly in the trees. It includes concerts, theatre, festivals, kids events, and entertainment, that have appeal to people of all ages and interest. The 36 runs and four chairlifts cater to beginners and seasoned skiers alike, and 10 miles of Nordic trails appeal to cross-country skiers in the area. The 23 Best Things to Do in Juneau (According to an Alaskan!) 1-2:30 pm Travel Colorfully - 5 Things To Do in Juneau, Alaska - Vandi Fair 1:30-4 pm This trail is 4.6 miles out-and-back and has about 1,350 feet in elevation change over its course. Unique Things to Do in JUNEAU, ALASKA - The Holly Express One of the most commonly asked questions about visiting Mendenhall Glacier is about how to visit the ice caves. This year, you can catch the shows Viennese music, ballroom dancers and witty conductor at the State Theatre in New Brunswick. Theres something so natural about waking up to fresh snow. I dont usually call out specific food or drink establishments in my things to do lists, but I couldnt skip over Alaskas most famous craft brewery which is located right in the heart of downtown Juneau. Free. And the best part? Your must-have activity guide + map while in Alaska. Youll get to experience this winter wonderland more like a local with virtually no crowds and embracing the snow and beauty of the mountains. The impressive twin Sawyer Glaciers are at the head of the fjord, and their radiant blue ice is considered especially enchanting. Discover the optimal month due to daylight, temperature, and rain. (And keep in mind that Alaskans almost always dress in regular clothes when shopping and going out to eat). Hunterdon County Arboretum, Lebanon Discover the optimal month due to daylight, temperature, and rain. Arusha & our flight to the . Stick around to see NJs local militia, then visit the gift shop and taste a traditional Dutch Speculass cookie. For a more moderate hike that departs from the same general area as Mount Roberts and Mount Juneau, the Perseverance Trail is a good candidate. Mount Roberts Tramway Vacations. Lets do this! Keep your eyes peeled on the cliffs in the distance you might be able to spot mountain goats! Winter in Juneau | Skiing, Snowboarding & Ice Skating 21 Awesome Things to Do in Juneau, Alaska You Need to Try Therefore, I would not consider it to be wheelchair or stroller friendly. Other permanent exhibits at the hatchery include a bear and eagle display; education exhibits; and an outdoor viewing window, where you can see salmon swimming upstream from June through early October. $19.99/adults, $14.99/ages 3-12, free/ages 3 and under, for the Vernon Lights Festival, where theyll marvel at lantern displays, splurge at food trucks, listen to holiday music, watch performances and visit the creativity pavilion, $29.95/adults, $22.95/kids, free/ages 2 and under. The tour spends approximately 45 minutes at Mendenhall, where guests are free to explore on their own. Silverbow Inn & Suites hosted us during our stay. Top Things to Do in Juneau, Alaska with Kids | Travel Mamas Theres also a nature center that points out local hiking trails, including an easy quarter-mile loop through the trees with an accompanying audio tour. Eaglecrest is the ski resort owned by the City and Borough of Juneau. The paved road ends around Echo Cove Boat Launch. On weekends, hop on the Christmas Express and chat with the big man himself. Mt. Use an old-fashioned hand crank cider press to make apple cider, then learn fun facts about apples and sample cider. 12:30 and 2:30 pm And most of the federal and state cabins can be rented out during the winter. Im also a not-so-secret space nerd and speak fluent emoji! Up close, flying right by us, in the water - everywhere. Times and prices vary. Tracy Arm Fjord Vacations. Theres plenty to do. However, you can still visit, see the glacier, and explore the trails on other days. Jewish Museum, NYC Liberty Hall Museum, Union In addition to the hiking trails I already mentioned near Menhendhall Glacier, there are literally dozens of other hiking trails near Juneau or off the 42-mile road that runs through town. Meet him at Alstede Farms for homemade brunch, drinks and dessert and a hayride to Harvest Hall. Plan your journey with this gorgeous printed map. Barnegat Light House State Park. Visiting Juneau Alaska in Winter: 7 Incredible Things to Do In addition to the two hiking trails I already mentioned, there are several other trails. Find how many days you need based on what you want to see and do in Alaska. Browse then vote for your favorite. Cost includes materials. Many may be covered in snow, so we recommend bringing microspikes and/or snowshoes, depending on conditions and your plans. For more sightseeing, the small, steep streets surrounding the museum are lined with old wooden heritage homes and lush gardens, as well as the pretty blue-and-white St. Nicholas Orthodox Church which dates to 1894. Alaskans embrace this season with high spirits; restaurants, shops, theaters, and malls grow crowded and sometimes raucous. Although we prefer to spend as much time adventuring as possible when we travel, we also enjoy learning about the history and culture of the places we visit. Best things to do in Juneau in the winter - Juneau Tours and Excursions - Juneau, AK City and Glacier Tour Juneau Best things to do in Juneau in the winter By Mollie Barnes March 7, 2019 No Comments Our favorite time in Juneau is the summer. Car, train, or group tour. 10-11:30 am We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip. Relive the film with a magical one-hour trip to the North Pole. Alaskas capital city, the second-oldest city in the state (one day after Skagway! Included with admission. A shared kitchen downstairs is open 24 hours and is stocked with several options for breakfast (or a late-night craving). Tours at this family-friendly attraction begin with a guided walk through the lower landscaped gardens, including the story behind the unique Flower Tower planters derived from a massive 1984 landslide. Address: 7600 Glacier Highway, Juneau, Alaska. Tis the season to be jolly at Liberty Hall Museum in Union, where your family can dine with Saint Nick himself. This is a relatively flat two-mile trail that brings you to the plunge pool at the base of the Nugget waterfall. Times vary Check out an authentic Jersey Dutch out kitchen and tour all three sandstone houses. In the evening, youll see boats coming in after a day of fishing, and if youre lucky, you might even catch some seals playing and feeding! Address: 2697 Channel Drive, Juneau, Alaska. We encourage you to follow all state and federal guidelines during your adventures and to double-check details prior to heading out. Humpback and other whales migrate back to the waters of Alaska during the late spring and summer. $39-125. Discover parties, concerts, meets,shows, sports, club, reunion, Performance happening in 2022 in Juneau, Alaska. 9 am-4 pm Insider tips to pick the best Alaska cruise. Long days, lots of whales, bonfires on the beach, it doesnt get much better than that. $15/online before Christmas, $10/online after Christmas. Well, now you do! This post may include affiliate links. Aside from the elevation gain you need to reach (or walk back from) the two trailheads, this is a completely flat trail as it follows the Gold Creek Flume that was once used to provide power to the city. Kids will make decorative inedible gingerbread houses, then listen to gingery stories. Barnegat Light, NJ. Whatever you do, these holiday attractions are sure to make lasting memories with your family. more, Maintained for hiking year-round and cross-country skiing when there is enough snow. Facebook page. The Tour with Taste allows you to try eight different city establishments, including must-tries like Tracys Crab Shack and the Alaskan Bar, and newcomers like Deckhand Daves. The Hermitage, Ho-Ho-Kus A good way to explore the glacier is by booking a private tour with round-trip transportation. Ive been to Juneau three times: once as a kid growing up in Alaska for a swim meet (we had to fly there! 7-10 days is the most common. There is a dirt road that continues for a bit beyond this point. The best and only guaranteed way to see whales is by getting on a boat. Visiting Nugget Falls is one of the most popular things to do in Juneau, Alaska. Hikers, start out on Mt. Want to know how to "do" Juneau? Visit Sitka The 2020 Juneau Public Market is virtual, with guests shopping on individual vendors' websites. 39. While this means most people consider it a summer destination, theres something exceptional about visiting Juneau in winter. Last and certainly not least Juneau is yet another great destination for fishing charters in Alaska (along with places like Whittier, Homer, Sitka, and many other waterfront communities). Therell also be ice carving demos, caroling, train rides and holiday music. For a big mountain experience with a small mountain feel, the community-owned and operated Eaglecrest Ski Area offers 640 acres of groomed trails, extensive backcountry, a terrain park and panoramic views up and down the Inside Passage. If you love deep, dark winter punctuated by the dazzle of holiday activities, December is an exhilarating time to visit Alaska. Treadwell Historic Mine Trail. The tour stops at various locations, boardwalks, and viewpoints overlooking the Mendenhall Valley, Chilkat Mountains, Gastineau Channel, and Juneau. Make sure to bring fuel or wood depending on the type of stove in your cabin of choice. All offer great options for this multi-bucket-list experience. Just dress warm because it can get pretty windy down along the water. There are plenty of switchbacks and some insanely epic views as you climb up above the treeline; be prepared to spend a whole day out on the trail if this one sounds good to you. Ages 2-8 can learn about steam engines and dino diets, excavate fossils, cook a meal over a campfire and chill in a dino nest. December Events: Our Top Picks To Plan Your Day Out in New Jersey All in all, you can do most summer activities during the winter, you just need to be prepared. Here are some things to do in Juneau in the winter. This annual shindig features a visit with Father Christmas and a seasonal tale told by a storyteller. True Alaskans swear by winter camping. We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip. Roberts Tramway. Kayaking and rafting tours also venture out on the very cold lake. Trips available from Whittier, Homer, Seward, Juneau, and Sitka. Bus Tours. It is located on Douglas Island, just a short drive from the downtown area. Join us for a colorful narrated tour! Shady Brook Farm, Yardley, PA Events in Juneau, Alaska | Current & Upcoming Happenings We are happy to send you the visitors guide in the mail or you can view the latest guide online. The best part? Stick around for traditional treats. There is no road to Juneau, the capital of Alaska. Liberty Science Center, Jersey City Start your research by checking out Alaska Heli-Mush, True Alaskan Tours (operated by the same parent company as Alaskan Dream Cruises! Times vary Also on Nov. 30. 9 am-4:30 pm Rutgers University Geology Museum, New Brunswick $46-80/adults, $41-75/ages 2-11. 10 and 11:30 am, 1 pm 10 Fun Things to Do in Juneau June 2023 | Expedia Jill Ramiel & Ken Alper bought it in 1997 and started the Silverbow Bakery. Many of Alaska's famous attractions and visitor facilities are shuttered, but you can find plenty of lodges and bed and breakfasts operating on winter schedules. Boutique, small ship adventure cruises in Alaska's Inside Passage, Cruises depart from Whittier, a 1 hr drive from Anchorage. The Juneau-Douglas City Museum, next to the State Capitol building, offers exhibits on the Tlingit culture, the early gold-mining days, and the history of the Juneau-Douglas area. Read on to discover the best things to do in Juneau more than you can fit into a single trip and get inspired for your own visit to the Alaskan capital. No boat fishing! How many hours of daylight does Juneau get in winter? In downtown Juneau, the Alaska State Museum features more than 25,000 historical objects spanning Alaska's entire multicultural heritage. Today the flume has been covered with treated wood, making this boardwalk trail perfect for all ages and abilities. We saw countless numbers on the day we did this drive. Theres rarely a lift line! Best things to do in Juneau in the winter - Juneau Tours Times vary Skylands Stadium in Augusta will be home to light tunnels and a course featuring more than two million sparkling lights. Day trips and flightseeing excursions are available from Juneau, as well as longer overnight cruise adventures. Obviously, there are lots of options good luck choosing! Use our calculator to find out, Stay casual, dress in layers, and get proper footwear, View All Southcentral & Interior Towns on a Map, Cruises depart Juneau or Sitka. Visit September to April to see the Northern Lights. This is your chance! However, you can still visit, see the glacier, and explore the trails on other days. Step into the 18th century for hearth cooking, crafters and demos true to the time period.