Juneau restaurants & things to do
Jul 29th, 2005, 08:32 AM
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Juneau restaurants & things to do
Hello-
My wife and I are staying in Juneau for just over a week in August. We're spending two of those days on the Alaska Discovery Bears of Admiralty trip and we've also lined up other activities which I'll mention below. I wanted to know if people had recommendations for dining--nothing too fancy and preferably with some local color.
The other activities we have booked include whale watching with Orca Enterprises, a glacier landing with Coastal Helicopters, and a trip to Tracy-Arm. That leaves us with one free day and two or three open half-days. Besides visiting Mendenhall glacier, could anyone recommend any inexpensive (or free!) activities for the Juneau area? Thanks for your feedback.
-Matt
My wife and I are staying in Juneau for just over a week in August. We're spending two of those days on the Alaska Discovery Bears of Admiralty trip and we've also lined up other activities which I'll mention below. I wanted to know if people had recommendations for dining--nothing too fancy and preferably with some local color.
The other activities we have booked include whale watching with Orca Enterprises, a glacier landing with Coastal Helicopters, and a trip to Tracy-Arm. That leaves us with one free day and two or three open half-days. Besides visiting Mendenhall glacier, could anyone recommend any inexpensive (or free!) activities for the Juneau area? Thanks for your feedback.
-Matt
Jul 29th, 2005, 11:41 AM
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I would not spend all the time in Juneau, take the ferry to Skagway and/or consider Bartlett Cove with a trip in Glacier Bay. As for resturants, Thane Ore house has great salmon. And Fiddleheads is nice for lunch.
Jul 29th, 2005, 05:21 PM
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Hello,
We spent a week in Juneau in early July. I highly recommend the Tracy -Arm tour with Adventure Bound!! The owner of the boat was Excellent and he spends a great deal of time to show you what you came to Alaksa to see, Blue Ice, Glaciers and beautiful scenery!!
We also took the ferry to Glacier Bay and stayed overnight at Glacier Bay Lodge, then took the Baranof Wind Boat in Glacier Bay National Park where we saw Orca Whales!! The ranger on the boat was wonderful!!
We saw about 15 humpback whales together feeding in the icy straits on the ferry to Glacier Bay which made the ferry to Bartlett Cove worth it.
We went with Northstar Treking on a 2 hour Mendenhall Glacier hike and that was wonderful... we were blessed to have a beautiful blue sky day!
We went also went Whale Watching with Orca Enterprises but were disappointed after seeing so many whales on the ferry to Glacier Bay. Captain Larry did not spend as much time to observe the one or two whales that we saw.
We loved the Shrine of St. Theresa....so peaceful there!
Also the Alaksa Brewing Company was fun for a short tour and free tastings.
Have a wonderful time, the locals are very friendly and let me know if you have any questions about Juneau.
We spent a week in Juneau in early July. I highly recommend the Tracy -Arm tour with Adventure Bound!! The owner of the boat was Excellent and he spends a great deal of time to show you what you came to Alaksa to see, Blue Ice, Glaciers and beautiful scenery!!
We also took the ferry to Glacier Bay and stayed overnight at Glacier Bay Lodge, then took the Baranof Wind Boat in Glacier Bay National Park where we saw Orca Whales!! The ranger on the boat was wonderful!!
We saw about 15 humpback whales together feeding in the icy straits on the ferry to Glacier Bay which made the ferry to Bartlett Cove worth it.
We went with Northstar Treking on a 2 hour Mendenhall Glacier hike and that was wonderful... we were blessed to have a beautiful blue sky day!
We went also went Whale Watching with Orca Enterprises but were disappointed after seeing so many whales on the ferry to Glacier Bay. Captain Larry did not spend as much time to observe the one or two whales that we saw.
We loved the Shrine of St. Theresa....so peaceful there!
Also the Alaksa Brewing Company was fun for a short tour and free tastings.
Have a wonderful time, the locals are very friendly and let me know if you have any questions about Juneau.
Jul 30th, 2005, 01:10 PM
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Travelor-
Thanks for all of the activity advice. My wife and I may have a more modest food budget than you did, but I would appreciate any dining recommendations you may have.
Also, I have read in several places that Glacier Bay and Tracy Arm are somewhat redundant, but would you recommend adding a trip to Glacier Bay as well? Because of the extra effort involved in getting there we may not have time but I could look into it. Thanks again.
Thanks for all of the activity advice. My wife and I may have a more modest food budget than you did, but I would appreciate any dining recommendations you may have.
Also, I have read in several places that Glacier Bay and Tracy Arm are somewhat redundant, but would you recommend adding a trip to Glacier Bay as well? Because of the extra effort involved in getting there we may not have time but I could look into it. Thanks again.
Jul 30th, 2005, 04:29 PM
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Hello 99mkw,
We did not find Glacier Bay and Tracy Arm redundant at all. However, Glacier Bay was VERY expensive and really that was the primary reason we flew to Juneau. Honestly we didn't have good weather in Glacier Bay to see all it's beauty. Tracy Arm was very cost effective with Adventure Bound and we would not hesitate to do that again.
As for Food, we ate at the Twisted Fish downtown and had an excellent broiled salmon and halibut combo plate. Their desserts were huge!! We had a Moose Tacks Pie and Chocolate Brownie Sunday!! We also ate at Bullwinkles Pizza which was good and The Broiler at the Mendenhall Mall which a local place. By far, we liked the Twisted Fish the best.
I hear that Admiralty Island is awesome and you'll have to let us know about it when you get back.
We did not find Glacier Bay and Tracy Arm redundant at all. However, Glacier Bay was VERY expensive and really that was the primary reason we flew to Juneau. Honestly we didn't have good weather in Glacier Bay to see all it's beauty. Tracy Arm was very cost effective with Adventure Bound and we would not hesitate to do that again.
As for Food, we ate at the Twisted Fish downtown and had an excellent broiled salmon and halibut combo plate. Their desserts were huge!! We had a Moose Tacks Pie and Chocolate Brownie Sunday!! We also ate at Bullwinkles Pizza which was good and The Broiler at the Mendenhall Mall which a local place. By far, we liked the Twisted Fish the best.
I hear that Admiralty Island is awesome and you'll have to let us know about it when you get back.
Jul 31st, 2005, 12:34 AM
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Our favorite local hangout is The Hangar on the Wharf with over 100 microbrews (same owners as the Twisted Fish) further on down the wharf. It has a more varied menu (not mainly seafood) and the best cocunut shrimp I've had, and is quieter. It is right above where the sightseeing planes load/unload and it is fun to sit at the big windows and watch the harbor activitiy while you relax and eat.
One (two?) block off the main street you have Olivia's Mexican food (222 Seward St.) all homemade, or Bacars (203 Seward St.) for down home cook'in and breakfast all day long in a diner-friendly environment. For fine dining...the Gold Room at the Baranoff Hotel can't be beat, but obviously is a little pricey. If you get out to Auk Bay (you'll pass it if you go to St. Theresa's Shrine) there's a very tasty little hamburger/BBQ shack called The Hot Bite...only locals know about it pretty much.
Someone mentioned Fiddlehead. We used to like it, but it has gone down hill a little bit IMHO; they were advertising for a chef and service was really slow the last time we ate there. Breakfasts are $$$for what you get.
For funky, go across the bridge to Douglas to the Douglas Cafe. Only locals and excellent food, middle of the road prices (by Alaskan standards).
One (two?) block off the main street you have Olivia's Mexican food (222 Seward St.) all homemade, or Bacars (203 Seward St.) for down home cook'in and breakfast all day long in a diner-friendly environment. For fine dining...the Gold Room at the Baranoff Hotel can't be beat, but obviously is a little pricey. If you get out to Auk Bay (you'll pass it if you go to St. Theresa's Shrine) there's a very tasty little hamburger/BBQ shack called The Hot Bite...only locals know about it pretty much.
Someone mentioned Fiddlehead. We used to like it, but it has gone down hill a little bit IMHO; they were advertising for a chef and service was really slow the last time we ate there. Breakfasts are $$$for what you get.
For funky, go across the bridge to Douglas to the Douglas Cafe. Only locals and excellent food, middle of the road prices (by Alaskan standards).
Aug 8th, 2005, 03:48 AM
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We just got back. We like the state museum very much. One day we rented a car from Rent A Wreck and drove around. Going towards Thane there is a raging little creek called Sheeps Creek - very scenic. Going in the other direction, St. Therese's Shrine is a neat place to walk around. Some inexpensive places to eat that we enjoyed were: Bullwinkle's for pizza, Valentine's for calzones (both downtown) and a drive over to Douglas for burgers and beer at the Douglas Cafe (turn left after you cross the bridge).
Aug 8th, 2005, 05:44 PM
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Whether its Alaska or another location, a great way to see an area for free is to take a walking tour of the city. Check out the Year Round walks or Seasonal walks sponsored by the American Volkssport Association. Their web site lists all of their routes by state on www.ava.org. When you pick up the route info it usually includes descriptions of sites you pass.
From Juneau we took the float place to the Taku Lodge for a salmon bake. It was a great trip, but pricey.
From Juneau we took the float place to the Taku Lodge for a salmon bake. It was a great trip, but pricey.
Aug 14th, 2005, 11:06 AM
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I'm not sure if you are already in Juneau, but this may benefit someone else if you are there. Another vote for Twisted Fish. It's locally owned, which is tough to find in that general area. Many of the shops and restaurants are tourisy and not locally-owned. The locals recommend the halibut tacos, but I had one of the salmon dishes and it was wonderful! The desserts are amazing too. We went on the guide's choice adventure hike through Gastineau Adventure's and it was excellent. Our guide, Del, did a fantastic job of educating us about the rainforest, Juneau, and several facts about Alaska. Enjoy!
