Juneau Excursions

Celebrating 130 years of Juneau, Alaska!

Established to provide an intimate alternative in the Juneau visitor experience, Land Locally, LLC is your Juneau Shore Excursion Concierge.
-Locally Owned & Operated-

Origins

Juneau Excursions offers intimate tours of Juneau, Alaska

Sheep Creek Mill: Juneau, Alaska 1914

Meet Us | Our Philosophy | In the Community | Friends, Partners, & Affiliations

Land Locally, LLC was established to provide an intimate alternative in the Juneau Visitor Experience. Our passion, energy, and local knowledge of Juneau is what makes our Juneau Excursions special. With local interpretive guides, Land Locally specializes in small group cultural and natural history tours showcasing the best Juneau has to offer from a local’s perspective.

The origins of Land Locally-Juneau Excursions lie somewhere in the sunny summer days of 2009 while guiding with TEMSCO Helicopters on the Mendenhall Glacier. We began discussing the establishment of our own Juneau Tour Company after guests on the glacier suggested that we take our shtick on the road. So that’s exactly what we decided to do. The plan, take a 15-passenger van, line it with Sitka Black-Spruce Tongue & Groove, and hit the town.

Juneau Excursions custom tour bus construction

Now, looking back on it today, how does one line a van with tongue & groove? The answer, quite simply, is you don’t. Instead, you refurbish a small recycled school bus, equip it with a sound system, 32″ flat screen television, refreshment cooler, and line that with locally milled Yellow-Cedar Tongue & Groove! Meet The Hoonah, Land Locally-Juneau Excursions’ Land Yacht. More

Meet Us

Douglas, Alaska 1914

Origins | Our Philosophy | In the Community | Friends, Partners, & Affiliations

We pride ourselves on the fact that Land Locally-Juneau Excursions has been built literally from the chassis up. It is an honor to share our community and natural splendor with you, step aboard the Hoonah and enjoy Juneau in a way that few experience.

Meet Kyle

Born and raised in Juneau, Alaska, Kyle grew up on and around boats. Kyle’s upbringing has given him a unique perspective and joy for life that he loves to share with the World. When he’s not piloting the Juneau Excursions Land Yacht, Kyle participates in the Alaskan tradition of fishing and crabbing.

An amazing prowess for photography, Kyle enjoys introducing beginners to the craft. Kyle is a certified Emergency Medical Technician in the State of Alaska as well as a Wilderness EMT.

Meet Joel

Having moved to Alaska on a whim in 2005, Joel has resided in Juneau since 2007. Originally from Minneapolis, Joel earned a degree in Environmental Science and studied Wildlife Recreation & Nature Based Tourism at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

Certified as an Emergency Trauma Technician in the State of Alaska, Joel is also a Certified Interpretive Guide with the National Association for Interpretation specializing in Juneau Natural & Cultural History.

Our Philosophy

Treadwell Mines, Alaska Circa 1911

Origins | Meet Us | In the Community | Friends, Partners, & Affiliations

We established Land Locally, LLC in order to provide an intimate alternative in the Juneau Visitor Experience. When traveling you want to be exploring and discovering why locals call a place home; not waiting in lines, for transfers, or for the weather to cooperate. With Land Locally-Juneau Excursions the crowds and lines disappear, the stress of ‘what’s next’ vanishes, and you’re free to enjoy yourself without the constant reminder to ‘Hurry up and wait.’

Your experience is our passion; we enjoy sharing our community and strive to make each of our Juneau Excursions unique. We execute what we refer to as Improvisational Tourism: if it is sunny the beach is a great place to be however, in the rain, not so much. What works for one group may not necessarily work for all groups. With our vast network of friends and partners, Land Locally-Juneau Excursions is able to satisfy your interests and desires with our guides going the extra mile to ensure that your experience is a great one.

In the Community

Juneau Fire Department Circa 1896

Origins | Meet Us | Our Philosophy | Friends, Partners, & Affiliations

As a tour operator we have a responsibility to our Community, Neighbors, and the Visitors that travel to Juneau to take in the splendor of our Amazing City. Land Locally-Juneau Excursions brings individuals to some of the most breathtaking landscapes on the planet; it is our duty to educate visitors of the importance in protecting these resources for future use. We are honored to be the only Juneau Small Business Partner of Leave No Trace; the Seven Principles of LNT play an important role in our professional and personal lives.

In August of 2010, Land Locally-Juneau Excursions partnered with the Alaskan Brewing Company, Northern Safety Operations, Alaska Icefield Expeditions, Andy Kline & KXLL 100.7 Excellent Radio and The Island Pub for an extremely successful benefit concert for the Juneau Cooperative Weed Management Area. Trampled By Turtles played to a sellout crowd generating $2,186 for invasive weed education and eradication in Juneau. Thanks to TBT and everyone who helped make this special event such a grand success, we apologize for the HEAT!

Land Locally-Juneau Excursions has also lent a hand to the Juneau Arts & Humanities Council, Litter Free, the Juneau Watershed Partnership, and the Coastal Code.

We are always interested in more ways to serve our community, if you have a project in the Juneau Area and are looking for volunteers please feel free to Contact Us.

Friends, Partners, & Affiliations

Juneau Fire Department Circa 1896

Origins | Meet Us | Our Philosophy | In The Community

As our Home, we support local businesses when ever we can and encourage you to do the same while traveling. Our relationship with the entities listed reflects our desire to expand your economic influence while ‘treading lightly’ in the Capital City.

Land Locally, LLC

Excursions

Thirsty Traveler: Juneau, Alaska Circa 1934

Excursion Plans | Juneau | Douglas | General Info & FAQ

Whether you arrive by plane, ship, or barge, our aim at Land Locally is to provide you with a product that reflects your expectations. Acknowledging the value of your time, we are happy to accommodate your schedule and additional activities. We can meet you where and when you like; working with you to accomplish all you set out to do in the Capital City. Our proactive approach to your vacation sets us apart from the rest, delivering the Alaskan Experience you desire. Prior to confirmation, we provide you with an Excursion Plan for your review and approval.

Our exclusive excursions are tailored to the interests & desires of those on board the Hoonah. Tours are four-hours and feature Juneau from a local’s perspective. Our desire to provide an authentic experience withdraws you from the crowd, allowing you to enjoy your vacation the way you intended, with your party. Ideal for families and groups, excursion prices are based upon reservation size, where the larger your group, the more you save.

Excursion Plans

Douglas, Alaska 1914

Excursion Plans | Juneau | Douglas | General Info & FAQ

Your Alaska Adventure is a once in a lifetime experience, we are honored that you have considered us for your visit to Juneau. During the reservation process we ask that you provide us with some general interests to guide the development of your Excursion Plan. The plan is then emailed to you for your approval. Please find the video below to acquaint you with Juneau. If there is anything we can do to make your visit more pleasurable please, do not hesitate to contact us. We would like to offer our assistance if you should have any questions concerning Juneau, your other destinations, or simply about Alaska.

Juneau

Douglas, Alaska 1914

Excursion Plans | Juneau | Douglas | General Info & FAQ

October 3rd, 1880, Joseph Juneau and Richard Harris discovered gold in what was to become Silver Bow Basin along Gold Creek. With the assistance of local Auk Chief Kow.ee, the pair triggered an event that would reinvent mining as the world had known it. The following day, Juneau and Harris recorded the discovery and wrote a ‘Code of Mining Laws’ for the Harris Mining District. Together with the communities of Douglas, Treadwell, and Thane, the area would produce $155 million dollars in gold by 1944, at $35 an once.

On Alaska Day, October 18th, 1880, a 160-acre town site was established along the beach. Originally known as Harrisburg, Rockwell, and Juneau City, the site was to become the first town established post 1867 Alaska Purchase in addition to the first founded as the direct result of a gold discovery. The lure of Alaska was exhilarating as news spread of the gold town in the early 1880′s. Excursionists first arrived to Juneau in 1881, by 1884 the Pacific Coast Steamship Company had a regularly scheduled ‘Inside Passage Tour.’ The iconic images of the ‘Golden Staircase’ out of Skagway to the Klondike wouldn’t be taken for another fourteen years.

Juneau was ahead of it’s time, boasting commercial electricity and telephone services as early as 1893. A thriving dairy and farming industry provided fresh produce, poultry, and dairy products to early residents. Local entrepreneurs established opulent hotels, theaters, and restaurants catering to the Mine Superintendents, Lawyers, Merchants, and Early Excursionists. For the miners and day laborers, boarding houses, saloons, and houses of ill repute offered services for the weary.

Established as Capital of the District of Alaska by Federal mandate in 1900, official business would not be transferred from Sitka until 1906. With the passage of the Second Organic Act of 1912, Alaska became a Territory, and Juneau became Territorial Capital. It would take almost 47 years before Juneau would become a State Capital. On January 3, 1959, Alaska became the 49th State, the first admitted since Arizona in 1912, the same year Alaska became a Territory.

Douglas

Douglas, Alaska 1914

Excursion Plans | Juneau | Douglas | General Info & FAQ

The community of Douglas was established as a miners village by those working the Mexican, 700 Foot, Ready Bullion, and Treadwell Mines of the famed Alaska Treadwell Gold Mining Co. in the mid 1880′s. The City of Douglas incorporated in 1902, two years after Juneau. Located across the Gastineau Chanel from Juneau, the rivalry between those that lived on ‘The Island’ and the Mainlanders was instantaneous. For a period of time during the early 1900′s, Douglas and Juneau vied for the title of Alaska’s Largest City and the coveted distinction as ‘Hard-Rock Mining Capital of the World.’

The evening of April 21, 1917, brought the catastrophic collapse and subsequent flooding of the Treadwell, 700 foot, and Mexican Mines, sending a geyser of sea water ’200 feet in the air.’ The Ready Bullion continued producing until 1922, with a total Treadwell output of over $70 million at $23 an once. The final mine closure had vast implications on Douglas however, the city remained independent until the 1970 merger with Juneau.

Douglas faced three devastating infernos in 1911, ’17, and ’37. Unlike Juneau’s Fires, Douglas suffered substantial structural losses; the 1937 blaze alone claimed 600 of the nearly 700 residences at the time. Fire would not claim the spirit of Douglas however, current residents claim roots dating back to the mining era. To date, residents of Douglas maintain an independent style and character reminiscent of the heated rivalry of years past.

General Info & FAQ

Tunnel at Juneau Mine, Circa 1900-1930

Excursion Plans | Juneau | Douglas | General Info & FAQ

Q: Will the Hoonah accomidate parties greater than ten?
A: Yes, we limit the number to ten in order to maintain the intimacy of the experience however, we feel Family & Friends groups to be an intimate party. How many are in your group?

Q: What would my excursion include?
A: That is up to you! Upon receiving your party’s information we compose an Excursion Plan specific to your interests and desires. Popular choices include hikes, photography, and cultural & natural history along our favorite trails, the Juneau-Douglas City Museum, the Alaska State Museum, the Alaskan Brewing Co., and much more. All excursions include refreshments aboard the Hoonah and your choice of either fresh halibut fish & chips or the best pizza pie in Alaska from the Woodstone Oven of The Island Pub, overlooking Gastineau Channel from the historic community of Douglas.

Q: How should my party prepare for our Alaska Adventure?
A: Attitude makes all the difference in the world, we can not stress to you enough the importance to slow down and enjoy the majesty that Alaska has to offer. Know your limitations and be adventurous with caution; we highly recommend hiking any of the countless trails, venturing into the historic neighborhoods, and trying different foods. Please remember, however, to carry water, seek local trail conditions, inform someone of your intentions and time of return, and always ask permission before taking photos of individuals, customs, & traditions. Help us protect our cultural heritage and wild places, always tread lightly and do your best to Leave No Trace along our beaches, streams, trails, and communities.

Q: What type of dress should my party prepare for?
A: When visiting Juneau and Southeast Alaska, bare in mind that you will be traveling within the heart of the largest temperate rainforest on the planet. Gauge your comfort threshold; anticipate and prepare for the rain responsible for the natural splendor and beauty of Southeast Alaska. We suggest sturdy footwear, ideally hiking shoes or boots, a light and medium weight top layer in the spring, summer, and fall (heavy weight in winter), and a rain coat. While hiking, contact with mud and forest vegetation is all part of the experience, if you prefer to keep it ‘nice & neat,’ we suggest you not bring it along on the trail.

Q: Besides clothing, is there any equipment my party should bring?
A: Cameras, cameras, cameras! Although the picture will not do the subject justice, you will want a camera with plenty of film or high capacity memory storage and a backup battery supply. With all of the personal effects required of travel, a durable backpack is a priceless commodity. A reusable water bottle is always a good idea in addition to a travel first aid kit, a good guide book, binoculars, and tools to record your observations and thoughts. For as much rain as Southeast Alaska receives, it is an extremely bright location, you will not want to forget your polarized sunglasses as well.

Q: Is a deposit required; what is your cancellation policy?
A: Yes, a deposit is required to secure your reservation in the amount equal to not less than 50% of your reservation quote. Should you require to cancel your reservation, a 100% refund will be granted two weeks prior to your excursion date. 50% of your deposit will be refunded 1 week prior with full deposit forfeiture less than 1 week prior to excursion date.

Q: Your price schedule is confusing, will you explain it?
A: Our 4-hour excursions are all inclusive and include all taxes, admissions, and fees associated with the Excursion Plan submitted for your review. Prices reflect a sliding scale, where the greater your reservation size, the more your party saves. A party of 1 is $199, where a party of five is $799, or $159.80 per person; a savings of $196. Exclusive charter service is available for $999 for the first 4.5 hours, and $259 per hour thereafter. For reservation sizes greater than ten, each additional individual is $49, in honor of the ‘X-tra’ room the United States made for Alaska on January 3rd, 1959, when Alaska became the 49th State in the Union.

Q: Does Land Locally provide alcohol aboard the Hoonah?
A: In the state of Alaska it is illegal for an entity to provide alcohol for free or at a reduced price. It is not, however, illegal to procure and responsibly enjoy your own while on board the Hoonah; after all, Juneau is home to the award winning Alaskan Brewing Co.

Q: You keep mentioning the Hoonah, what is the story?
A: The Hoonah, Land Locally’s Land Yacht, bares the name of the community on Admiralty Island from where it served the school children before departing for a new adventure here in Juneau. Known as a Skoolie, the Hoonah is the first in a line of Pint Size Bus conversions giving new life to old buses and good dollars to deserving school districts. Equipped with an entertainment package, refreshment bar, and limousine seating, the Hoonah is Land Locally’s answer to mundane tour transportation options. You only have so much time with us, we feel your experience should encompass the entire product, transportation included.

Reservations

Map of Gastineau Channel Area: USGS 1912

Excursion Plans | Reservations | Payment Options | Seasonal Specials