Where to drive in Juneau

Maps:
http://www.juneau.org/community/maps/PUBPARKING.pdf
http://www.juneau.org/community/maps/downtownmap.php
http://www.traveljuneau.com/images/map_downtown_big.jpg
http://www.downtownjuneau.com/map.html


http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=991215

If you'r renting from Rent-a-Wreck you can ask for a map and suggestions. They highlighted the route for us.

Here are some of the places we've driven to when renting a car:

Amalga Harbor, Shrine of Saint Therese, Auk Bay, Auk Lake, Mendenhall Glacier, fish hatchery, and Douglas Island.

There is also Glacier Gardens, Chapel on the Lake at Alaska U, Fred Meyer for shopping or Walmart.

For clairfication it is Auke Bay, and Shrine of St. Theresa.


Request their visitor guide www.traveljuneau.com

No you cannot drive up to where the tram is, you can hike however. Its a decent climb. <--DENNIS CAN DO THIS

You could always stop at the Alaska Brewing Company. Also you could probably easily hit all four 'ends of the road' by the time you have to get on board if you like

and it is the Shrine of St Therese
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We rented a van from Rent a Wreck a few weeks ago and had a great time while in Juneau.
We went to : Sunshine Cove (near the end of the road)
Shrine of St. Therese
Hatchery
Mendenhall Glacier
Alaska Beer Brewery - a really fun visit
stopped for the best Fish and Chips
and picked up some goodies at the store

We still had time to walk around Juneau before returning to the ship. For us, it was definitely worth it.

IMO, the best fish and chips in town are at The Sand Bar and Grill, right near the RAW pickup. Ask them for directions. Halibut and chips for $12 is a fabulous value in this town.

BTW, we visited the Shrine of St Therese (beautiful location and lots of eagles!), Mendenhall Glacier, and a McDonald's (the kids were glad to have a Happy Meal). We would have done more but we had a shore excursion we had to keep (canoe on Mendenhall Lake, highly recommended if you get the chance).

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We also rented a car in Juneau (from Rent-a-Wreck). We drove to Mendnehall Glacier and got there before the crowds from the ships got there. That was so much better than waiting until later. We also went to the Shrine of St. Teresa and drove out almost to the end of the highway. We stopped at a pizza place (Bullwinkle's) for lunch. There are plenty of things to do in Juneau if you have a car. Rent-a-Wreck has maps and can show you were everything is located. BTW, they pick you up at the ship and take you to the agency to pick up the car. Then you drop off the car and they take you back to the ship. For a small fee you can drop off the car in downtown Juneau when you are finished instead of wasting time driving back to the agency.

Yes, I would rent a car in Juneau......They will give you a road map with the car and don't worry about getting lost. The road ends about 30 miles north of town and about 10 miles south.........


Things to see.....Mendenhall Glacier.....Shrine of St Terese.....Eagle Beach.......all north of town......


Drive south of town to watch the salmon spawning at Sheep Creek...


Drive out Basin Road from the top of the hill downtown to a Gold mining museum and maybe hike to a waterfall..........


State Museum downtown is excellent......downtown itself will be crowded with pedestrians so drive slowly and watch for one-way streets........


Juneau you need to take a cab from the ship to the airport (cost $24) or a $1.50 bus ride. Still the cost is less for the car than 2 excursions to Mendenhall Glacier.

Call the rental agency, they will probably deliver it to you at the dock.......we have had them delivered to us at a motel before.......also if all the major rental agencies are booked, check with Rent a Wreck.......I know the name sounds tacky but they book for less and the only drawback is that the cars are older, we have used them a couple of times with no problems......

I'm never a fan of renting from a company at the airport. The concession fees alone are enough to kill the deal most of the time. You might think about trying Rent-a-Wreck in Juneau... they'll pick you up, take you to their office, get you paperworked and on your way.... and for a fee, they'll even let you drop the car downtown near the ship and THEY pick it up, instead of Budget Bob's second cab ride back to downtown.

In Juneau the only company that services the cruise docks is Rent-a-Wreck - all the others will cost you $50 in cab fares to get to their offices and back.