things to do in juneau in december

Roberts Tram. We enjoyed learning about the mine and the experience of the miners at the information plaques all along the trail. $242.96. Go Whale Watching Whale watching is not to be confused with watching Wales. Eaglecrest Ski Area Vacations. 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. Make sure if you do any hikes in the winter you bring along a flashlight or head lamp, as it can get dark very early in Alaska in the winter. And we saw so. 1 Railroad Plaza, Whippany Hike, bike or ride horseback at High Point State Park in Sussex, explore the natural area at Swartswood State Park in Swartswood or go fishing at Monksville Reservoir in Long Pond Ironworks State Park in Hewitt. Find untouched powder and countless faceshots on a heli-skiing adventure in the southern Chilkats, Coast Range, or the mountains surrounding the Juneau Icefield. 4 pm-midnight It's located northwest of downtown, toward Mendenhall Glacier. Included with admission. After taking a family photo, open presents from the North Pole, head to cookie decorating or make snacks for reindeer (additional cost). 6 Epic Things to Do in Juneau, Alaska | U.S. News Travel 1 and 5 pm Miller-Cory House Museum, Westfield At midnight, watch fireworks light the sky from 5th St. Beach. ), and Alaska Icefield Expeditions. Many. If you visit in December, youll experience some of the shortest days. 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. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. This concert has been a longtime staple on NYE. Reeves-Reed Arboretum, Summit Step into the 18th century for hearth cooking, crafters and demos true to the time period. Today the flume has been covered with treated wood, making this boardwalk trail perfect for all ages and abilities. THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Juneau - Tripadvisor The days are short, the nights are long, and usually, the landscape has been stunningly transformed by a durable white cover. The shorter 1.2 miles only has about 1,700 feet of elevation, so its challenging but manageable; if you go the full distance, be prepared for over 3,600 feet of elevation change each way. There is a truly scenic panorama just 12 miles from downtown Juneau. It is often thought that Anchorage, as alaska's best-known and largest city, is also the capital - but since Alaska became the 49th state to the United States in 1959, the small town of Juneau has been the capital of Alaska. Therell be live music and treats available at the Snowflake Cafe. Emlen Physick Estate, Cape May Silverbow Inn & Suites hosted us during our stay. In any case, if you find this kind of history fascinating, you can spot a number of building ruins and one glory hole a now-water-filled excavation pit that served to connect a number of the mine shafts and parts of the mine. 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. Also on Dec. 7 at the Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts in Toms River at 1 pm ($12/adults, $10/kids). Dont forget Juneau Food Tours (#7 above) if you love trying lots of different types of food in quick succession. $20/adults,$15/kids. Both are located out on Douglas Island, which is the island across Gastineau Channel from Juneau and connected by a bridge. Free admission. Still, we wouldnt recommend this in a rental especially not without the proper winter recovery gear (and making sure you wont wind up with extra fees). Whether youre a beginner or advanced rider, youll find exactly what you need at Eaglecrest. 10-11:30 am Children (18 & under) and active duty military are free. They recently acquired several more snow guns, so even when its not snowing much you can still get out on the mountain. This 120-seat theatre shows the 18-minute award-winning film "Seeing Daylight," which highlights the continuing legacy of the Tlingit People. and holidays, including the Lohri Festival, St. Lucia Day, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Christmas. There are a number of operators that offer glacier flightseeing by plane, floatplane, or helicopter, including Alaska Seaplane Adventures, NorthStar Helicopters, TEMSCO (helicopters), and Wings Airways. While my top recommendation for where to go whale watching in Alaska is from Seward in Kenai Fjords National Park, Juneau is a close second a short boat ride out of Gastineau Channel puts you in the prime whale-watching waterways of Alaskas Inside Passage. Sign-up for any of the following email series to help plan your Alaska trip. Things to know about Juneau - the capital of Alaska. $4/ages 3 and up. Skylands Stadium Christmas Light Show & Village, Skylands Stadium, Augusta You might find an open state park restroom, but that is about it. Head to Historic Smithville for its annual Holiday Light Show Thursdays through Sundays in Dec. Youll see more than 100 Christmas trees float on Lake Meone and light up to music. 13. 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. $15/members, $25/non-members. A good way to explore the glacier is by booking a private tour with round-trip transportation. Times vary While Juneau doesnt have any high-rises or iconic buildings-with-a-view (like the Space Needle in Seattle or even the Crows Nest restaurant in Anchorage), there is one great way to get above it all and see the city sprawl out below you: the Mount Roberts Tramway. Ages 5 and up. The replica Liberty Bell outside is a fun spot to pose for a picture. Purchase your favorite calendar in local Juneau stores or at markkelley.com. Check out an authentic Jersey Dutch out kitchen and tour all three sandstone houses. I obviously havent eaten everywhere in town, but heres a shortlist of my favorite places that I recommend. Many people are surprised to learn that Juneau is the capital of Alaska, since its such a small town (home to about 33,000 people) and not accessible by road from the rest of the state (the only state capital like that!). A typical season at Eaglecrest runs from December through April, and come summertime, the area is a great hiking and downhill mountain biking destination. Past creations include Hogwarts, an enchanted garden, pirate ship and Santas workshop. The Mountain House at the top also hosts a live eagle display, a collection of tree carvings, and Alaskan art for sale. 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. The impressive twin Sawyer Glaciers are at the head of the fjord, and their radiant blue ice is considered especially enchanting. So, we were stoked to learn about the Alaska State Museum and Sealaska Heritage Institute. 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. On weekends, climb aboard this round-trip train at Black River and Western Railroad in Flemington for a journey with Saint Nick himself. Sunset Cove Beach is located near the north end of The Road, but it deserves its own place on the list. All ages are invited to learn about mastodons, saber tooth cats and other Ice Age creatures through demos, crafts and other activities throughout the museum. Which one is right for you? Theres plenty to do. When you say youre having a beach day, rocks and snow isnt normally what comes to mind. Another great way to get to know a place is by discovering the flavors and foods you can enjoy there. Times vary Experience Mendenhall Glacier Mendenhall Glacier There is a truly scenic panorama just 12 miles from downtown Juneau. 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. If you have your heart set on visiting Glacier Bay National Park but dont have the time for a cruise, flightseeing is also an option for that. For tips, see our winter clothing guide. We think staying in Downtown Juneau is the best location for easy access to winter activities. The Best Things to Do & See in Juneau, Alaska | ALASKA.ORG ), Popular Alaska Itineraries Using In-State Airlines, Anchorage to Denali National Park Driving Map, Denali National Park Campgrounds & RV Parks. Dance to Joanie Leeds & The Nightlights and watch a one-of-a-kind Hanukkah performance. Although Juneau, Alaska, may be more popular during the summer months, visiting in winter is a unique experience that we think is not to be missed. Treadwell Historic Mine Trail. Rutgers University Geology Museum, New Brunswick Discover the people and places that make Juneau extraordinary every day. Get to know winter in Juneau, a destination thats always in season. Have any other questions about the best things to do in Juneau and planning a trip to the Alaskan capital? Four generations of his family were raised in the building until 1980. Skylands Stadium in Augusta will be home to light tunnels and a course featuring more than two million sparkling lights. Choo-choo! Find things to do including outdoor excursions, wildlife viewing, arts, shopping, eateries, breweries, Alaska Native culture, and so much more. Please bring a blanket and a cooler with your food. All will get you out on the water for a good time and some epic views of Southeast Alaska even if you dont have much success with catching anything. The big upsides of November: You'll see increasing amounts of cheery light displays, and there are plenty of lit trails around town for a winter hike or ski. Registration required. In addition to alpine skiing, Eaglecrest offers Nordic skiing as well. many. Dont miss the train! The Macaulay Salmon Hatchery provides a look underwater with saltwater aquariums and tide-pool touch tanks. $5. 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! Planning a trip to the capital of the Last Frontier? 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. Included with admission. Long days, lots of whales, bonfires on the beach, it doesn't get much better than that. Times vary Campgrounds, RV Parks & Public Use Cabins. Of course, tackling winter sports might require extra layers or specialized winter gear, especially if you plan to be outdoors for many hours or to travel into the backcountry. After exploring the Capitol, head along Fourth Street and then Calhoun Avenue to see the exterior of the Governor's Mansion. Dont leave until youve checked out The Magical Talking Tree, Christmas train and storytime with Mrs. Claus on select dates. This 5.4-mile out-and-back trail gains about 3,100 feet in elevation to reach the summit of Mount Jumbo, also called Mount Bradley. Plus, the darkness means it's easier to see the famed northern lights! For the faint at heart, you can go to the indoor rink at Treadwell Arena. 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. Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier - Viator Throughout December you can climb aboard the Polar Express in Whippany with your family. Jill Ramiel & Ken Alper bought it in 1997 and started the Silverbow Bakery. Copyright 2023 PlanetWare Inc. All rights reserved. This state museun begins with the early Native Alaskans and takes you through the development of Alaska through the. I started this site to share my travel stories and inspiration to help you complete bucket list trips. 17 UNIQUE Things to Do in Juneau [in 2023] - The Broke Backpacker Alaskas capital city, the second-oldest city in the state (one day after Skagway! Lets do this! Joe Juneau, a French Canadian prospector, and miner, is the city's founder.

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