Discover the Charm: Top 12 Fun and Fascinating Facts About Juneau, Alaska

1. Juneau's Willy Wonka Transportation

Who would've thought that Juneau, the Willy Wonka of Alaskan transportation, hides scrumdiddlyumptious ways for adventurers to reach this rugged wonderland?: Well, unbeknownst to many, Juneau International Airport offers daily direct flights from Seattle and Anchorage, and serves as a major air transport hub for Southeast Alaska. Plus, the state-operated Alaska Marine Highway ferry system connects over 30 coastal communities, providing intrepid explorers with a golden ticket to the Alaskan frontier.
Source => traveljuneau.com

2. No Road Trip to Juneau

If you're dreaming of a road trip to Juneau, you can leave your car keys at home and start practicing your doggy paddle or wing flapping: Juneau, Alaska's third largest city, is only accessible via air or water, due to its unique location in the Southeast Alaska Panhandle region, surrounded by steep mountains, glaciers, and the picturesque islands of the Alexander Archipelago.
Source => weather.gov

Did you know that during winter solstice, Anchorage, Alaska enjoys a mere 5.5 hours of daylight, creating a beautiful pastel landscape and prime opportunities for spotting the Northern Lights? Discover more intriguing Alaskan facts!

=> Fun Facts about Alaska

3. Car-less Capital City

Who needs roads when you've got wings, fins, and legs? Juneau, Alaska scoffs at the notion that a capital city should lay out the welcome mat for cars and trucks: It proudly holds the title for being the only state capital in the United States that cannot be accessed by road. Instead, it relies on ferries, planes, and good ol' muscle-powered hiking to transport its visitors through a picturesque adventure.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

4. Mendenhall Glacier's Social Media Woes

If Mendenhall Glacier were an influencer on social media, it would definitely be on the list of "Who to Unfollow" for its rather confusing "now I'm here, now I'm not" attitude: For the past few decades, this ever-changing wonder in Juneau, Alaska, has been dramatically retreating at a rate of 170 feet per year, offering spectators astounding shows of "calving" where chunks of ice break off and create icebergs. Though their own Instagram accounts remain uncertain, you can still up-close and personal via hiking trails, bikes, rafts, canoes, or even kayaking if you swing by Juneau for a visit with this fickle icy friend.
Source => downtownjuneauhotel.com

5. Glacial Airbnb for Wildlife

Mendenhall Glacier is like that houseguest who slowly inches towards the door but never actually leaves: it's been retreating since the mid-1700s and still covers 1500 square miles. The imposing ice mass takes its sweet time – about 200-250 years – to travel from the Juneau Icefield to Mendenhall Lake, and its departure process has fueled the comeback story of various plants and animals. So the next time you find yourself in the company of porcupines, beavers, salmon, black bears, and eagles, remember to thank the glacial Airbnb for hosting them in Juneau, Alaska!
Source => fs.usda.gov

6. Dog Sledding Adventures in Juneau

If you're mushing for an ice-cold adventure and can't wait to doggedly pursue your passion for all things canine, Juneau the place to go: In Juneau, Alaska, you can enjoy dog sledding atop glaciers by taking helicopter tours to reach dog sled camps, where visitors can ride with the sled teams or even be the top dog by driving the team themselves.
Source => alaskashoreexcursions.com

7. Juneau's Icy Limbo and Nugget Falls

Who would have thought that the Juneau Icecapades were an actual thing and not a figure-skating tournament gone horribly wrong? Feast your eyes upon the most spectacular edition of this icy extravaganza: Nugget Falls in Juneau, Alaska! A magnificent 377-foot drop fueled by the melty residue of the Nugget Glacier, these falls have shifted from splattering onto Mendenhall Glacier's face to diving headfirst into Mendenhall Lake below. Sounds like a watery version of the limbo! So grab your laughing boots and cackle your way through a mile-long hike for the adventure of a lifetime to witness frosty icebergs idling in an aquamarine fantasy land, and the ever-shy Mendenhall Glacier withdrawing stage-left: A hilarious prelude to a breathtaking fact – the massive Nugget Falls once splattered onto Mendenhall Glacier itself before receding to its current location, now merely a mile-long hike from the Mendenhall Visitor Center.
Source => alaska.org

8. Rainforest Vacation in Alaska

Who needs a tropical getaway when you can have a wet 'n wild vacation in the Alaskan rainforest? That's right, Juneau might just be your perfect umbrella-clad escape, at a chilly 64 degrees: This capital city clocks in at a whopping 70.6 inches of rainfall annually, putting Arizona's 9.2 inches to shame and keeping those parka-clad sunbathers on their toes.
Source => bestplaces.net

9. Wheelchair-Friendly Wildlife Trails

If a bear encounters you in the middle of Juneau, don't play dead, just roll along: Juneau's Mendenhall Visitor Center has wheelchair- and stroller-friendly trails between .25 and 1-mile long, offering incredible views of glaciers, spawning salmon streams, and safe yet close-up bear viewing experiences during peak salmon runs in Southeast Alaska.
Source => traveljuneau.com

10. Eagle-mania in Juneau

In Juneau, Alaska, it's a veritable eagle-mania: the city is more densely packed with bald eagles than a school dance packed with teenagers. You might want to watch your head, as your chance of spotting an eagle is on par with meeting a new neighbor: with approximately 20,000 bald eagles residing in Juneau, there's almost one feathered friend for every three locals. Embrace your inner David Attenborough and catch a glimpse of these regal raptors congregating around salmon spawning streams and herring season festivities, or you just might find one crashing the local bear-watching party, right alongside the town's frequently spotted black bears.
Source => traveljuneau.com

11. PEG: The Marine Debris Avengers

When it's marine debris season, the locals don't call for Ghostbusters, they call for the Pinniped Entanglement Group (PEG): a crusading crew of over 160 members from 18 different countries who save sea lions, harbor seals, and fur seals from the perils of litter. Stationed in none other than Juneau, Alaska, this underwater justice league even houses the Alaska Regional Coordinator of NOAA’s Ocean Guardian School Program, passing on their heroism to a new generation of ocean defenders.
Source => adfg.alaska.gov

12. Boat or Plane Needed for Juneau Road Trip

If you're planning to road trip to Juneau, don't forget your boat or plane keys: Juneau, Alaska's capital city, is nestled between the vast Tongass National Forest and the Gastineau Channel, making it accessible only by boat or plane and earning it the title of second largest city in the United States by area, encompassing over 3,000 square miles of land and waterways.
Source => alaskanbeer.com