Juneau

Why Visit Juneau? # The sharp scent of salt water mixes with the damp cedar smell of the Tongass National Forest the moment you step off the ferry or plane. Juneau occupies a rare geographic pocket where the Alaska mainland meets the Gastineau Channel, creating a dramatic landscape where steep mountain peaks plunge directly into freezing ocean waters. Because no roads connect Alaska’s capital city to the rest of the North American highway system, arriving here requires a deliberate journey by air or sea. This isolation keeps the pace of daily life slower and more connected to the surrounding wilderness than what you might find in larger mainland cities.