If you try to drive to the capital city of Alaska USA, you’re going to have a very bad time. Or, more accurately, you’re just going to run out of pavement.
Most people assume that because Juneau is the capital of the largest state in the union, it must be connected to the rest of the world by a highway. It isn't. You can’t drive there from Anchorage. You can’t drive there from Seattle. Honestly, you can’t even drive there from the next town over. To get into Juneau, you’re either flying in on a 737 or floating in on a boat. It’s a literal island of civilization carved into a massive temperate rainforest.
Why Juneau is the Capital City of Alaska USA (and Why it Stays That Way)
There is a weird, recurring drama in Alaskan politics. Every few years, someone in Anchorage or the Mat-Su Valley gets the bright idea to move the capital. They argue that Juneau is too hard to get to, that it’s too small, or that it’s too far from the "real" population center. They've tried to move it to Willow. They've tried to move it to Anchorage. They always fail.
Juneau became the capital in 1906, taking the title from Sitka. At the time, gold was the only thing anyone cared about. Sitka was a fading relic of the Russian fur trade, while Juneau was a booming mining camp. Joe Juneau and Richard Harris had found gold nuggets "as large as beans" in Gold Creek, and that was that. The money was here, so the power followed.
Moving a capital today would cost billions. We're talking about building an entire city from scratch or relocating thousands of state employees. Plus, there is a fierce pride in Southeast Alaska. Juneauites know their city is impractical. They kinda love it that way.
The Geography is Basically Vertical
Juneau isn't just remote; it's physically squeezed. The city sits on a narrow strip of land between the Gastineau Channel and the nearly vertical walls of Mount Juneau and Mount Roberts.
📖 Related: Tipos de cangrejos de mar: Lo que nadie te cuenta sobre estos bichos
If you look at a map, Juneau is actually the largest state capital in the U.S. by land area—about 3,255 square miles. But don't let that fool you. Most of that "land" is actually the Juneau Icefield, a 1,500-square-mile sheet of ice that feeds 38 different glaciers. Only about 14 square miles are actually inhabited. It's a high-density urban core surrounded by absolute, unforgiving wilderness.
Living in a Temperate Rainforest
You’ve probably heard that Alaska is a frozen wasteland. Not here. Juneau is a temperate rainforest. It rains. A lot.
On average, Juneau gets about 62 inches of rain at the airport, but if you live downtown against the mountains, that number can jump to 90 inches. It’s a wet, mossy, green world where bald eagles are basically the local pigeons. You’ll see them sitting on trash cans or perched on the masts of fishing boats.
Winter here isn't the -40°F you find in Fairbanks. It’s usually in the 30s. It’s "slushy" more often than it’s "frozen." But the trade-off is the darkness. In December, the sun barely clears the mountains for about six hours. You learn to appreciate a good coffee shop real fast.
What to Actually Do in the Capital City
If you’re visiting the capital city of Alaska USA, you have to see the Mendenhall Glacier. It’s the only glacier in the world where you can take a city bus to the trailhead.
👉 See also: The Rees Hotel Luxury Apartments & Lakeside Residences: Why This Spot Still Wins Queenstown
Most tourists just walk the paved path to Photo Point, take a selfie, and leave. Don't do that. If you have the legs for it, hike the West Glacier Trail. It’s a bit of a scramble, and you’ll definitely get muddy, but it gets you away from the cruise ship crowds.
Eating Like a Local
Forget the fancy "fusion" places on the waterfront. If you want the real Juneau experience:
- The Hangar on the Wharf: Go here for a halibut burger. Sit by the window and watch the floatplanes land. It’s the quintessential Juneau sound—that high-pitched hum of a DeHavilland Beaver touching down on the water.
- Tracy’s King Crab Shack: It’s famous for a reason. Yes, it’s expensive. Yes, there’s a line. But the crab bisque is worth it.
- Panty Peeler: It’s a drink at the Alaskan Bar. It’s a local legend. Be careful.
- The Filipino BBQ: Down by the docks, look for the long line of ship crews. It's the best cheap eat in town.
The Road to Nowhere
There is a road in Juneau called Glacier Highway. Locals just call it "The Road." It goes north for about 40 miles and then... it just ends. At a place called Echo Cove.
There’s a popular bumper sticker here that says, "Juneau: A Quaint Little Town with a Drinking Problem and a Road to Nowhere." It’s a bit of self-deprecating humor, but it captures the vibe perfectly. People come here to be "off the grid" while still having access to a Costco and a high-speed internet connection.
Surprising Facts About Juneau
- It borders Canada: Juneau is the only U.S. state capital that shares a border with another country (British Columbia). Though, good luck crossing it—you’d have to hike over a mountain range and an icefield.
- The "Taku Winds": In the winter, cold air from the interior gets sucked down the mountains and can hit the city with 100 mph gusts. It’ll literally flip a small plane or blow the windows out of a house.
- Deaf Dog Legend: There’s a statue of a dog named Patsy Ann on the wharf. She was a deaf Bull Terrier in the 1930s who could somehow "sense" when steamships were coming and would run to the docks to greet them. She’s still the "Official Greeter" of Juneau.
- No Permafrost: Unlike the North Slope, Juneau is in a USDA Hardiness Zone 6 or 7. People actually grow decent gardens here, though the slugs are the size of hot dogs.
Actionable Advice for Your Trip
If you’re planning to visit the capital city of Alaska USA in 2026, keep these things in mind:
✨ Don't miss: The Largest Spider in the World: What Most People Get Wrong
Book your flights early. Alaska Airlines is the main player here. If there’s fog—and there’s often fog—flights get cancelled or "overflown" (meaning the plane flies over Juneau because it can't see the runway). Always give yourself a "buffer day" if you’re catching a cruise or a ferry.
Pack for rain, not snow. Even in July, you want a high-quality raincoat. Not a plastic poncho—a real, breathable Gore-Tex jacket. If you look like a bright yellow or blue North Face ad, you’ll fit right in.
Respect the bears. Black bears live in the downtown neighborhoods. They’re basically large, fuzzy raccoons that can rip your car door off. Don’t leave food in your rental car, and if you see one on a trail, give it space.
Take the Tram. The Mount Roberts Tramway is pricey, but the view from the top is the best way to understand the scale of the Gastineau Channel. Plus, there’s a rehabilitated bald eagle named Lady Baltimore at the nature center who is worth the visit alone.
Juneau isn't just a government town. It's a place where the CEO of a tech company and a commercial fisherman sit next to each other at the same dive bar. It’s rugged, it’s expensive, and it’s remarkably beautiful. Just don't expect to drive there.
To make the most of your time, plan to spend at least three days in the city to account for weather delays. Focus your itinerary on one "big water" activity like whale watching and one "big ice" activity like a helicopter glacier landing. Pack layers, bring a sturdy pair of waterproof boots, and prepare for the fact that your cell service might get spotty once you head "out the road."