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    The Whale Project

    4.9 (19 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 am - 11:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

    The Whale Project Photos

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    Dan R.

    She's a work of art and I should know I'm an art lover" (The Kinks) This amazing statue will stop you dead in your tracks! It's a life-sized super realistic bronze statue of a breaching humpback whale. There are jets of water spewing around it to simulate the water sprays you'd see from a real-life whale breach. It commemorates the 50th anniversary of Alaskan statehood, and you'll see it on the north side of the Juneau waterfront. It's an easy to see attraction for the one million tourists that visit Juneau every year. The piece is named "Tahku", and was sculpted by R T Wallen of Juneau.

    Infinity pool whale project overlooking Douglas Island
    Michelle F.

    The Whale Project Park is located about a 1/4 mile from downtown Juneau. The whales' Tlingit name is Tahku which I've been told means "fierce winds". If you're on a cruise ship, it's well worth the walk to see this astounding display of art. This life size bronze sculpture/fountain is surrounded by an infinity pool and has water that sprays out of many areas of the breaching whale. If you look from a distance the whale melds into the channel with Douglas Island across the way.

    The Whale Project July 2021
    Rachel S.

    Really beautiful fountain near the water where you can take a photo of a very realistic whale. This whale fountain spouts water and looks gorgeous no matter the time of day. You can see this foundation from the Douglas Bridge but it's better to see it up close. Visited July 2021

    Janelle F.

    If you haven't seen any whales on your trip don't fret there's still time and this one poses for pictures. If you love art and appreciate talent this is a must see. The pictures don't do it justice. Life size and even spouts water every few minutes. If you angle your photo right it may even pass for real. Great for a quick photo op. This location has clean well kept bathrooms as well as a few tables and chairs and private parking lo.

    Chris C.

    What a cool spot for photos. Came here from the cruise terminal. It's a bit of a walk but definitely doable. I recommend coming here first then stopping by the museum on the way back. After the museum, Tracy's King Crab is right across the street and you don't have to compete with all the cruise passengers at their other location by the cruise terminal.

    Statue
    Declan H.

    Nice statue, appreciated the water feature. Watched a guy fish for salmon and battle it out with a local sea lion, even got a nice view of a school of fish. I am happy they had public bathrooms here.

    Whale Project, Juneau, AK - July 2019
    Krista M.

    I'm super thankful for this listing on Yelp as it allowed me to discover the Whale statue during my research prior to visiting Juneau, Alaska. This Whale statue looks so real and authentic as it is but let me tell you, after visiting Alaskan Brewing Company and having some wobbly pops, I'm certain I thought this was a real whale. Whether it was the drinks or the fact it is done SO well, you have to visit and see for yourself! Whether you have a car or come on a cruise ship, get down here and grab some pictures of this statue. It's true, your friends, family, and complete strangers will most definitely think you took a picture of a live breaching humpback whale. The way the fountain drains and the lighting hits, it looks so realistic. I love how they did the infinity pool and how it truly looks like it connects into the water behind the statue. Get down to see for yourself - run, don't walk - hopefully this really, really well done statue becomes an iconic symbol for Juneau, Alaska!

    Gayl B.

    If you are here from a cruise ship, you HAVE to walk down here to see this statute. It is a MUST do here in Juneau. It is a lovely walk on the boardwalk to get to the whale, too. Also, don't be in a hurry to leave, as the fountain part is on some type of timer, so wait for it! Plus take a lot of pictures! I sent a picture to my daughter via text, and she thought my new cell phone and I were about to get soaked by the whale. Apparently, it looked that real. I'm sure that this was quite the project for the town, but we tourists THANK YOU. And, anyone who is complaining about your placement, they are just wrong. The walk out here is beautiful and the placement is perfect!

    View of the whale "splashing"!
    Alden C.

    This is a great place to go! According to our taxi driver The Whale Project is more of a newer attraction. I believe he said it was about four years old since it opened. Bill Overstreet Park is where The Whale Project statue is at. There's a great walking area and you can get a good view of the Port of Juneau. You even walk over a man-made island that connects to the park via the bridge walk. Depending how you angle your camera it can look like a real whale jumping out of the water. There is even a water feature that is at play here. If you don't see water on and around the statue give it about five minutes and the water starts up again. We walked from downtown Juneau to this park and statue. It's not a bad walk really at all and could be pleasant on a sunny day or even on a rainy day as long as you have the attire for it. Wind isn't so much fun if it's feeling really stormy to walk here but judge it for yourself. Fun outing and experience!

    Andrew H.

    Put simply: this is the best statue ever. (sorry Lady Liberty) It's so intelligently designed and detail-oriented, that your friends will think you took this of an actual breaching humpback. They'll hold up fists of hundred dollar bills and hover on Amazon, waiting for you to tell them what camera/lens you used to get this "once in a lifetime" photo. That makes this statue so great are a couple things: It's a fountain: the fountain drains at strategic spots on the whale, so as to look like water dripping off the cetacean as it breaks the ocean's surface. The pool: the pool is similar to an "infinity pool" in that it looks like it connects seamlessly to the channel separating Juneau from Douglas Island. Insider tip: the barnacles on the head are in the same arrangement as the stars on the Alaska flag!

    Awesome whale sculpture.
    John B.

    If only this were closer to the port it would get many more visitors. If you need to get up close and personal with a large mammal, this is the place to go. This statue was created to celebrate 50 years of Alaska Statehood. It was completed in time to celebrate Alaska's 60 years of statehood. If you are not a walker or hiker, this exhibit will feel like it's miles from the port but it's really less than a 45 minute walk from the port and it's all flat, no hills. I believe you can rent a bicycle taxi to get there if walking is not your thing.

    Totem
    Michele M.

    This was a fun walk to do if you have already explored some of the other parts of Juneau or want to burn some calories after eating at one of the nearby restaurants. They even decided to pay the little bit extra that day and put the water on for us.

    Whale statue
    Brian P.

    Cool life sized humpback whale statue located near the Juneau Douglas bridge. Parking is free at Bill Overstreet Park. The statue occasionally sprays water into the fountain below, but I'm not sure how often. We took pictures and were already driving away in the car before we noticed that it had started spraying water. Overall it's a pretty cool spot to visit, not only of the statue but also of the harbor and bridge! And best of all it's free!

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    Ask the Community - The Whale Project

    Review Highlights - The Whale Project

    The Whale Project Park is located about a 1/4 mile from downtown Juneau.

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    Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure

    Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure

    3.9(52 reviews)
    6.1 mi

    the tour and the staff here are an absolute delight! this tour is a highlight of my juneau trip and…read morei highly recommend it to those who love flowers and flora, and to sightsee! the garden was lush and colorful, not to mention the amazing tree towers with flowers on top! you get to see beautiful views at the top of the tour, and plenty of photo opportunities (i took over 100 photos!). bf and i walked in and we were placed in a tour in about 20 minutes on our own little personal golf cart tour because a larger tram tour with cruise ship visitors were late. esias and star were so funny and sweet, and esias, our tour guide, was super informative and even let us taste some local berries during the ride. again, i would give so many stars for this garden tour if i could! thank you steve and staff for a wonderful garden adventure

    We took this tour after it was recommended by someone who had said it was beautiful. We were…read moregreatly disappointed. There were NO flowers or plants on the upside down trees and there were plants in PLASTIC CONTAINERS placed around the gardens for filler. If this was due to the time of year or weather, the tour should have been cancelled and people should have been given a refund. There was no ivy draped heart in the gift shop area to use for a lovely photo backdrop as others have had. There was one upside down tree at the very end of the tour with flowers in it (and a large aluminum ladder under it) that we were told was for us for Mothers Day. Why didn't they put flowers in all the trees for us mothers? The guide who drove us to the top was interesting, but unfortunately I cannot recommend this tour.

    Photos
    Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure
    Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure
    Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure

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    City & Borough of Juneau - 10/1/25 FYI.

    City & Borough of Juneau

    3.7(6 reviews)
    0.7 mi

    What can I say about Juneau that hasn't already been said? We know that it's Alaska's state…read morecapital. That's a given. What I thought was interesting is that you can't actually get to it by roadway. You can drive to Alaska, but at some point you will need to drive your car onto a ferry. Juneau is only accessible by air, or by water. With that said, it's a great city to visit by cruise ship. There's so much to do here for nature lovers and outdoorsy people. There are lots of shops, restaurants, bars, and museums that don't require a tour. The Goldbelt Tram tickets can be purchased in town if you want to explore Mount Roberts. Otherwise, there are tours that can be booked for glaciers, hatcheries, whale watching, dog sledding, fishing, and hiking. There are seaplane tours. We personally had a great time just watching them take off and land in the channel. We didn't get to stay too long. We had a whole morning to explore the city before heading to Dawes Glacier that afternoon. I was shocked that we didn't experience any rain that day. It was a beautiful and sunny day in Juneau. It's a very walkable town that I'd love to visit again.

    3.5 stars I came in…read morevia the cruise port. Since my ship was the first of the season (too early by some peoples' opinions), the downtown area wasn't too crowded. I thought downtown is really cute and easy to walk around. There's plenty of gift shops & a ton of jewelry stores. There's a museum nearby that I didn't get to go in. It closes at 4pm. The views are stunning no matter where I looked. Definitely a city worth visiting at least once in a lifetime.

    Photos
    City & Borough of Juneau - Tracy's crabshack lol but I never had kingcrab till 2016 to Alaska I went back 2022 just to eat crab https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8hyU4eb/

    Tracy's crabshack lol but I never had kingcrab till 2016 to Alaska I went back 2022 just to eat crab https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8hyU4eb/

    City & Borough of Juneau - 10/1/25 FYI.

    10/1/25 FYI.

    City & Borough of Juneau

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    Rum Runner Charters

    Rum Runner Charters

    4.9(18 reviews)
    10.2 mi

    Chris is the absolute best. Experienced, fair & honest, and fun to hang out with. He went way above…read more& beyond for us, I couldn't be happier! I booked a 4-hour salmon charter, and it was tough to talk the wife into even that--she gets seasick on boats sometimes. (But Alaska, and Salmon!!) Chris answered all my questions ahead of time, picked us up, and off we went to the boat. He had everything we needed--just wear rubber-soled shoes, and warm clothes/rain gear. Chris had to navigate thru REALLY thick fog in the marina & first part of the channel to get to the fish. He thought it'd break up once we got out further, and it did. He set up the rods for us, and we were off. I know that experience isn't everything when finding fish. Sometimes you're just not lucky. But being good definitely helps...these two novices caught the limit of 6 coho apiece! (That's about 40 pounds of salmon to send home). Since the wife was feeling good (and catching more than I was) she agreed to a little longer on the boat, and Chris was happy to accommodate. Before too long, we'd 'limited out' and were headed home. Chris gutted & took off the heads, took us to the processor (didn't have to do that, but it was TRULY appreciated!--we'll be able to pick up our fish in a couple days before we fly home!) Overall, just a really great experience. Chris has over 25 years of experience on these waters, and it shows. On top of that, he cares about giving you a great time. Appreciate it, Rum Runner...if we ever come back into town, we'll be happy to head out with you again!

    Captain Adrienne and her Deck hand Marlin led us on an epic fishing and whale watching adventure…read more Our hope was to catch king salmon and to see Orcas and Humpbacks. Adrienne and Marlin made it all happen! They are very accommodating and knowledgeable about fishing and about the wildlife. We plan to hire them again in the future!

    Photos
    Rum Runner Charters - Sea lions

    Sea lions

    Rum Runner Charters - Multiple calf and mom pairs seen

    Multiple calf and mom pairs seen

    Rum Runner Charters - Brandi dog was the most enthusiastic cheerleader!

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    Brandi dog was the most enthusiastic cheerleader!

    Alaska State Capitol

    Alaska State Capitol

    4.6(12 reviews)
    0.6 mi

    June, 2025. Alaska State Capitol in Juneau. *Quick. How long does it take to drive from Anchorage…read moreto the Capitol in Juneau? That was actually a trick question. The Capitol city can only be reached by plane or sea (cruise ship, ferry). *How tall is the Capitol dome? That was another trick question. Completed in 1931, the Capitol was originally constructed as a territorial and federal building. Upon becoming the 49th state in 1959, building ownership was transferred to Alaska to serve as the state Capitol. It currently houses the state legislature as well as offices of the governor and lieutenant governor. Due to its original purpose, the building lacks the traditional dome of most other state capitols. Juneau was a port stop on our recent Alaska cruise. My husband and I walked (uphill ) from the cruise terminal to visit the state Capitol building. (Note that there are no public parking lots in the area, and street parking is very limited). In addition to admiring its original (restored) 1931 art deco design, visitors can venture inside to explore historic displays, artworks, photographs, and cultural artifacts celebrating Alaska's rich heritage. Entry to the Capitol was easy, and admission was free. After being screened by security, we were given a Visitor's Guide, with the recommendation to start our self-guided tour on the top (5th) floor. Points of interest there are both the Senate Finance Committee and the House Finance Cmte rooms, as well as historical photographs showcasing the state's judicial divisions. The fourth floor houses Lawmaker's offices. The hallways are lined with historical newspapers highlighting important historic events in Alaska. The 3rd floor houses the offices of the governor and lt. governor. Of note on this floor is a unique map of Alaska crafted from a section of the 48" pipe used to construct the Trans--Alaska pipeline. The Hall of Governor's honors past leadership. The second floor is the central location for legislative activity. There are also artistic tributes that honor Alaska's history and leaders. The first floor accommodates the offices of the Senate President and the Senate Rules Chair. Finally, the ground floor is the unassuming entrance to the Capitol. See a replica of the Liberty Bell, stone-fired murals, ceiling accents, and a bust of Elizabeth Peratrovich, a champion for civil rights. Note that the legislature was not in session on the day that we visited so we had access to all of the committee rooms and non-private spaces. We were pretty much left alone to wander to enjoy the building and its historic and cultural contents. The building is air-conditioned and has plentiful restrooms.

    We got off the beaten path when in port in Juneau to see the Alaska State Capitol building. They…read morefree offered tours on the hour you could register for or you could go on a self guided walk around on your own time. With our limited time in port, we opted for the self-guided. They had a cool movie room with the history of the state. They allowed you to view the house and Senate meeting rooms, as well as walk the halls with some interesting memorbilia and artifacts from the state. We saw the governor's office and some other interesting department offices. The marble bathrooms were also open to visitors and very nice and clean. A really interesting free stop if you're in port!

    Photos
    Alaska State Capitol - 10/1/25 FYI.

    10/1/25 FYI.

    Alaska State Capitol - Exterior - with Alaskan marble pillars

    Exterior - with Alaskan marble pillars

    Alaska State Capitol - Painting in Capitol. June 2025.

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    Painting in Capitol. June 2025.

    Juneau City Of Borough - Me

    Juneau City Of Borough

    3.0(2 reviews)
    2.8 mi

    Juneau - an animal house kind of town. I talked to people from the west side of Chicago that say…read morewalking around in Chicago makes them feel safer than walking around downtown Juneau at night (which is like 6 months out of the year). Lots of rain, privileged people, shipping takes twice as long (if the grocery barges don't come in - ooh forget it), and beyond terrible drivers. Surprisingly, the restaurants are pretty good and there's always fresh seafood and good fishing. (Prices are $$, so be prepared to pay $6 for two apples or $7 for a five dollar footlong). In the winter? Good luck finding something to do (that's how I started writing reviews anyways, for those that were curious. Do the touristy things). The glacier is great. Pretty unique things- northern lights, reindeer corn dogs, ice caves. I encourage everyone that thinks Alaska is great to spend during the summertime to spend a week during the winter when half of the touristy shops and restaurants are closed (I actually don't mind the tourists, it adds a whole new perspective). You'll hate it when you get there, but you won't be ready to leave. And, you can't beat when the sun actually does come out (the rumor that sunglasses are illegal is not true). I just wish I had gotten the chance to ride in a helicopter that takes you to the top of the glacier to dog sled...

    The quaint part is quite close to the ports where the cruise ships dock. As expected, very…read moretouristy, but makes for a fun day if you are into shopping. The Mendenhall Glacier (magnificent) is really close and viewable from a visitors center and you can see salmon in the river at a little view point close by the glacier. Those are things you should not miss. If you feel brave and want to save money, you can do all this without a tour guide.

    Alaska Governor's Mansion - Governor's mansion

    Alaska Governor's Mansion

    3.7(3 reviews)
    0.5 mi

    I swear - it's just a coincidence that I'm writing this review on Election Day 2008…read more In early August, a few weeks before the vice presidential picks were announced we visited the Inside Passage of Alaska on a cruise. I wanted to see everything there was to see in Juneau (so I was done in 2 minutes! *rim shot* I'll be here all night) so I walked all around the downtown. There are three "big" tourist attractions - St. Nicholas Church (the oldest wooden church left - meaning it hasn't been burnt to a crisp - in Alaska), the Capitol building (easily the fugliest I've ever seen), and the Governor's Manse. (Note: We liked Juneau so much that we half-kidded about moving here because it was so beautiful, but a place of tourist landmarks it is not.) Anyway, I hiked up the hills of downtown Juneau to the Governor's Mansion. I was struck by the fact that I could walk right up to the house and there was no security at all. According to Wikipedia, Sarah Palin doesn't live here, which makes me wonder where she think she can do better in Juneau. As far as I can tell from looking online there are no tours and you can't go inside. The house itself is a pretty little mansion, with "only" six bedrooms) and isn't really outstanding in any way. Don't go out of your way to see it. However, if you want a pretty little walk up into the hills next to Downtown Juneau, go here.

    I was here for a reception and it was very nice. There are a lot of historic pieces on display…read more There is an entry area with a coat check which is convenient. There is a hall way that leads to the dining area and off to the left is a living room, sitting room and smaller room where they were serving drinks. While they aren't typically open for food and drinks, it still is a nice historic spot and if the governor and first lady are there, they are very down to earth and welcoming. I don't believe they are open for tours but I have also been by it in the summer and enjoyed seeing the outside with the flowers and landscaping. It's not far from downtown-an easy walk. May not be somewhere to go out of your way to see but if you want to take a walk, nice to walk by.

    Photos
    Alaska Governor's Mansion
    Alaska Governor's Mansion - Front of Governor's mansion

    Front of Governor's mansion

    Alaska Governor's Mansion

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    The Whale Project - landmarks - Updated June 2026

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