When planning your cruise vacation, Juneau, Alaska is one location that should be on your mind. This is where we at Pederson Travel Service in Watertown, South Dakota, come in. We’ll gladly handle the planning of your cruise to Alaska and lots more. Juneau is one of the places that your cruise ship will port at while on your Alaskan cruise. So, here are some of the best ways that you can enjoy Juneau while on your cruise.
· Explore Juneau Town
Your ship will dock on any of the three berths found near the city center so you can debark and start your exploration quite easily. Points of interest that you should look at include but are not limited to; the state capital building, the governor’s mansion and old St. Nicholas Orthodox church. You can enjoy a 30 minutes free tour rich in history at the state capital building. It has great interior decor and impressive furnishing in the lobby.
A great place for your photo is the exterior of the building and the replica liberty bell at the front. From there, enjoy a lesson on the history and culture of the Tlingit people at the Juneau-Douglas museum which is quite close. The governor’s mansion is an architectural wonder which is located on Calhoun Avenue and affords you a chance for great photos too.
· Visit the Mendenhall Ice Caves
These stunning ice caves are found in the Mendenhall glacier which stretches 12 miles east of Juneau. Your visit to Juneau is not complete if you ignore it! The caves were formed as a result of glacial ice left behind during the recession of the Mendenhall Glacier. This means that they are only accessible via a kayak or canoe and involve a bit of hiking to get to. The blue ice on the cave's ceiling will convince you that it’s all worth it in the end. You also shouldn’t waste any time visiting these stunning caves as they are melting at a rapid rate due to global warming and may soon no longer exist.
· Go Shopping in Juneau
Juneau does not disappoint when it comes to shopping as it has numerous galleries showcasing the local talent’s work. Shopping at Juneau port starts right at the dock, with a variety of jewelry, clothing, and sculptures to choose from at the various shopping stands. We, however, suggest that you watch out for fake or counterfeit items. If you venture further into the town, you are rewarded with breathtaking art, books, sculptures and more.
Here at Pederson Travel Service, we think that there are few cruises as satisfying and fun as a cruise to Alaska. You’ll have a chance to test this if you let us plan one for you. So how about that? Give us a call today!