Best Last-Minute Tours & Activities That Don’t Require Reservations

Best Last-Minute Tours & Activities That Don’t Require Reservations

Alaska is one of those places where Mother Nature seems to play a big role in one’s experience in this great state. Wilderness unfolds around you and is especially acute if you are outside and experiencing her beauty.

While I love a good plan, I also love an itinerary that has breathing room. Time set aside to wander down a different street or experience a different hiking trail. Time to connect with locals or try a different type of food from a street vendor. For me, having the time to explore and wander without feeling late is key to my happiness and overall satisfaction of a trip.

Alaska’s Must-See Destinations: A First-Timer’s Guide

Alaska’s Must-See Destinations: A First-Timer’s Guide

We’re all first time travelers to a destination once! I wanted to share a few items to help provide structure to areas a first time visitor may have when thinking about their trip to Alaska.

Alaska is a land of breathtaking landscapes, abundant wildlife, and rich cultural history. For first-time visitors, the state offers an incredible variety of destinations, from bustling coastal cities to remote national parks. Quite honestly, it can be overwhelming - so much to see, do, taste and experience (and in a short amount of time!).

Whether you’re arriving by Alaska cruise, plane to Alaska, or planning an Alaska road trip, here are the must-see places to add to your Alaska travel itinerary. I’ve also provided some thought-provoking itinerary planning questions for you to ponder as you plan.

3 Hidden Gems to Explore in Downtown Juneau, Alaska

3 Hidden Gems to Explore in Downtown Juneau, Alaska

I love the feeling of walking into a hidden gem—a place that’s off the beaten path, where you immediately think, Wow, this is one of Juneau’s best-kept secrets. These spots are harder to find nowadays because once the word gets out, they become must-visit destinations. So, consider yourself lucky—you’ve stumbled upon this guide before everyone else!

Most visitors to Juneau, Alaska arrive via cruise ships, making a quick stop in the capital city while exploring Southeast Alaska. If you’re wondering what to do in Juneau within walking distance of the cruise port, here are three lesser-known spots you won’t want to miss.

How To Travel Around Juneau Alaska | Ground Transportation

How To Travel Around Juneau Alaska | Ground Transportation

The good news, during the summer when most visitors pile into the area, most services are functional. You can walk outside the airport and there are generally 3-4 cabs out front. IF you are one of the last people to get outside after an incoming flight, and there is a shortage of cabs, try to catch a cab driver and let them know that you’ll wait for a pick up. Most cab drivers will circle back around after their initial drop off. The good news, since Juneau is not too big (40 miles of a road system give or take), often times the drop off and return back to the airport is not too long of a wait.

What Month Should I Visit Southeast Alaska during the Summer?

The summers in Alaska can be magical. The ocean is teeming with wildlife, eagles are soaring overhead and everyone you meet seems to have an extra spring in their step. As the days grow longer heading into the summer solstice, the Alaska sun kisses your cheeks and the familiar smell of the Tongass Rainforest fills your lungs. These are just a few of the reasons why people head to Alaska during the Summer but you still may be craving a deeper level of specificity around an answer to: What month should I go to Alaska?

6 things to do in Alaska during the Winter

6 things to do in Alaska during the Winter

Whenever I tell people I live in Juneau, Alaska full-time, one of the questions that I get is: even during the winter? I can imagine their minds are filled with images of sled dogs, sub-zero degree temperatures and ice fishing. Ironically, the winter temperatures in Juneau often do not feel as cold as the winters that I experienced in Chicago, sitting right next to Lake Michigan and the frozen breeze that rolled from the lake to on-land.

Alaska remains one of the best destinations for winter discovery, adventure and fun! While temperatures are frigid and the darkness can make the season feel long, the state boasts incredible opportunities. Here are 6 activities for you to experience during the Winter in Alaska.

Top 3 Experiences in Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway, Alaska

Top 3 Experiences in Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway, Alaska

There is so much adventure and exploration to be had when visiting the Southeast Alaska port towns! Adventuring and wandering through the towns is exciting in and of itself - stopping in tiny stores that offer goods such as fudge, souvenirs and locally handcrafted items. There’s always a few dining options as well in case you love trying new tastes along your journey. While I love staying shoreside and exploring merchants right next to the ocean, I also like diving into the adventure that can be unlocked through guided experiences.

What I find tough to do is narrow down exactly what experiences I want to have in the area. So in this blog post, my goal is to help you by sharing the best experiences I have had in Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway. I am starting with these three towns because to date, these three locations have the most infrastructure built which enables more visitors.

Photography trip to Valdez, Alaska

Photography trip to Valdez, Alaska

I took a direct flight from Juneau to Anchorage (just about 90 mins) on Alaska Airlines and rented a car. The drive from Anchorage to Valdez is about 5 1/2 hours one way so I decided to overnight in Anchorage and then head to Valdez the next morning.

Before getting on the road in the early hours, I grabbed a coffee and breakfast in Eagle Creek and started along the AK-1 highway. As predicted (from reading many other blogs), the views were spectacular. If you have someone who is willing to go with you and split the driving, I would highly recommend. Not because the drive is so long but because the views are so great that you will not want to be focused on the road.

Why I Love Living in Auke Bay, Alaska | Juneau, Alaska

Before moving to Juneau, Alaska, I had visited Petersburg during the summer for years - spending the days fishing, crabbing and exploring. We made the decision to move to Auke Bay, Alaska (close to Juneau) and I’m thrilled with our decision. There’s an endless amount of adventures and activities to embark on and as a photographer, there’s always something more to photograph (the possibilities can be overwhelming!).

Top Reasons to Live in Auke Bay

While there are several reasons to live in Auke Bay, here are just a few of my favorite reasons why I love it here!

  1. The Weather: While this is not scientific proof, in my experience living here over the last few years, the weather seems to be all-around better here. It rains less, the wind is a bit less, and on the days when it’s cloudy or foggy, it seems to dissipate before the sunset.

  2. The Sunsets: Just incredible sunsets - all hues of the rainbow. I’ve included some photos for you to get a sense of the colors.

  3. There’s One of Everything: Within walking distance, there’s the harbor, a cafe (they also serve lunch and dinner), a small grocery store, gas/fuel, a salon and a barber, there’s a brewery, a bar and a yoga studio. Oh! and there’s a laundromat if needed. You don’t need to go too far (or even drive if you’re up for a walk) since there’s one of everything within a mile.

  4. There’s a University: There’s a university nearby which has a couple of benefits for those of us who live in the area. For me personally, I have benefitted from the nicely kept walking paths (almost always taken care of in the winter) and nearby trails. There is a library on campus (although I’m not sure if a library card can be acquired).

  5. The Trails: Within a mile radius, there’s so many trails that can be accessed with out-and-back style hiking. Some trails can be biked and some trails lead to Forest Service Cabins that can be rented.

  6. The Berry Picking: During berry season, it is common to see people pulled over on the side of the road picking berries. I have passed berry pickers along the trails, most of them picking blueberries, blackberries or salmon berries.

  7. The Harbor: If you like kayaking, access to the Auke Bay Harbor is as simple as dropping in your kayak and heading out for the day. During the summer and peak hours, it may get a bit busy but the access is easy and there’s plenty of daytime parking.

  8. The Birds: If you love watching birds or you’re a photographer, Auke Bay is paradise! We get so many types of birds (eagles, various ducks, etc.) and as the weather changes, you notice more migrating through the area.

While there are thousands of reasons to live in Auke Bay, Alaska, those are my top reasons why I choose to live here. The photography options are endless, there’s infrastructure and the necessary stores within walking distance, and the ocean constantly beckons for another adventure.

Check out a few more of the sunsets overlooking Auke Bay below!

How to be inspired - Photographer edition: 10 ideas to get you unstuck

How to be inspired - Photographer edition: 10 ideas to get you unstuck

Every so often, I find myself in a place where I’m not hitting on all cylinders or everything feels monotonous and tiresome. Some people call it a ‘creative slump’. For me, the range of emotions that come with this peculiar downturn starts with frustration, carries through to irritation and ends with helplessness. Nothing feels inspiring and when you look around at the world, it feels as if everyone else is thriving when you’re just trying to survive. How do I find my mojo again? Will I ever find my mojo?

Autumn in Alaska - changing leaves and a shifting perspective

Autumn in Alaska - changing leaves and a shifting perspective

As the cooler air arrives in Juneau, Alaska, I can sense the urgency of the sun setting. Each day the darkness lingers a bit longer, the sunshine feels less intense and the wildlife seems to know winter is coming.

Unlike the east coast, the tree leaf colors tend to be yellow instead of the brilliant reds and oranges. The boats in the harbor have slowed down, many of them will stay put for the rest of the season instead of cruising back and forth. The cruise ships and tourists have slowed and the seasonal restaurants are now closed.

4 Considerations for Photographing Eagles During the Winter in Juneau, Alaska

4 Considerations for Photographing Eagles During the Winter in Juneau, Alaska

How Snow Impacts Photographing Eagles - In my opinion, photographing eagles during the winter is harder than the summer and here’s why. The Bald Eagle has a white head, which makes it harder for my camera to focus on against a white, snowy backdrop. There’s also less light during these months. Not only are the days shorter in length (right now I believe the sunrise is around 8:30 am and the sunset is around 3:00 pm) but the amount of light that is available throughout the daytime is often hidden amidst swirling snowflakes and clouds.

Mary Jacquel is passionate about Alaska and helping others navigate, explore and experience the beauty of the last frontier.