Juneau

Alaska's capital, unreachable by road: Mendenhall Glacier, humpback whales bubble-net feeding and helicopter landings on the icefield.

Juneau, the capital of Alaska, lies on the narrow coastline of Southeast Alaska, with the Juneau Icefield at its back and the Gastineau Channel at its front. It is the only US state capital with no road access—you can only get there by plane or boat. The climate is temperate rainforest, with cool, rainy summers; July–August are the warmest months at around 15–18°C (59–64°F). The area divides into four parts: downtown's historic district and cruise docks (the State Capitol, the Alaska State Museum, the Walter Soboleff Center for Native art, the Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway and the Red Dog Saloon); the Mendenhall Valley (Mendenhall Glacier, Nugget Falls, Glacier Gardens and the salmon hatchery); the coast north of Auke Bay (whale watching, the Shrine of St. Thérèse, Herbert Glacier and Point Bridget); and longer excursions by boat or plane (helicopter trips to the Juneau Icefield, floatplanes to Taku Glacier, Tracy Arm fjord and bear viewing at Pack Creek). The best season is May–September, when cruise ships and whale watching draw the crowds; popular helicopter and floatplane tours must be booked in advance and are often canceled due to weather, so build in 2–3 days of flexibility. Getting there: direct flights from Seattle and Anchorage, the Alaska Marine Highway ferry, or an Inside Passage cruise call. In town there are public buses and sightseeing shuttles. Be sure to pack a waterproof jacket and layers, and take bear precautions when hiking in the backcountry.

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