Seniors Make a “Golden Discovery”

Juneau, the capital city of Alaska since 1906, is located on the Gastineau Channel in the Alaskan panhandle and is the 2nd largest city in the United States by area. Senior visitors find in Juneau a tangible sense of history and contemporary charm.

Gateway to the region’s otherworldly glacial landscapes, the city has heaps of gold-rush memorabilia as the site of Alaska’s first gold strike.

Juneau is about the size of Rhode Island and Delaware combined making it the second most populous city in Alaska.  The current population of Juneau is 32,832. The economy is based on government, tourism, mining, and fishing.

Juneau is said to be one of the most beautiful state capitals in the nation.  An unusual thing about this capital city:  there are no roads connecting Juneau to the rest of Alaska or the rest of North America (though ferry service is available for cars). It just kinda “hangs out there.”

Alaska Purchased and Gold Discovered

Harrisburg was Juneau’s name before Richard Harris fell out of favor with the locals, who turned their allegiance to his co-founder, Joe Juneau. In 1880, prospectors Harris and Juneau relied on Tlingit Chief Kowee to guide them to the mouth of Gold Creek, where they discovered gold.

The state’s first major gold strike was the start of the Alaska Gold Rush, and the timeline for modern Juneau history began. A first rush of about 40 miners brought trading posts, saloons and missionaries. Within a year, the tent camp became a small town,  the first town founded after Alaska’s purchase from Russia. One mine alone, the A-J Mine, produced more than $80 million in gold.

The fishing industry drives the Juneau economy. Senior visitors find an unforgettable environment: fish hatcheries, botanical gardens, wildlife, glaciers, hiking, biking, zip lining, whale watching, kayaking, watching bald eagles and dog sledding.  Senior visitors enjoy a visit to Mendenhall Glacier, one of the most accessible and popular glaciers in Alaska, and Glacier Bay is nearby.

 Alaska’s Amazing Scenery Draws Senior Visitors

A popular cruise ship port and a favorite destination among adventure travelers, Alaska’s capital draws visitors from around the world. TravelAlaska offers some great suggestions on where to stay, how to get there and what to see and do.

Coincidently, Juneau boasts some of the finest salmon and sea food anywhere. Juneau has been the home of Native American fisherman, European fur traders, and American gold prospectors. Now a free-spirited state capital, Juneau is the perfect base for a journey into the gorgeous Alaskan wilderness.

For walkers and bikers, Juneau has over 250 miles of maintained hiking/walking trails with variety to meet every fitness level. With so much to see and do, there’s certain to be something for you in Juneau. jeb