12 Best Things to Do in Juneau, Alaska
Juneau, Alaska, is located in Southeast Alaska. It is perfectly situated in a spectacular location at the foot of two beautiful mountains (Mt Juneau and Mt Roberts) on one side and the waters of the Gastineau Channel on the other. There is no road connection to Juneau, so you must arrive by boat or plane.
The region where Juneau is located today has been inhabited by the Tlingit people for thousands of years. The history of Juneau dates back to the late 1800s when gold prospectors arrived. Today, Juneau serves as Alaska's state capital and is an important legislative center. The city is driven by tourism as it is a main stop for cruise ships traveling to Alaska. Juneau is also well known for its abundant wildlife, including brown bears, humpback whales, and eagles. The landscape filled with endless mountains, deep fjords, and expansive glaciers is simply breathtaking.
Tahku - the Alaska Whale Sculpture in Downtown Juneau
Alaska State Ferry entering Juneau, Alaska
Is Juneau, Alaska worth visiting?
Juneau is a beautiful place to visit in Southeast Alaska. Most people that visit Juneau will do so aboard a cruise to Alaska. It is possible, especially if you are flying to Alaska from Seattle, to stop in Juneau for a few days on the way up to Anchorage.
Juneau has a vibrant local community, fun activities, historical sites, and stunning nature. If you have the chance to visit Juneau, consider yourself very lucky! Read on to discover our recommendations for the best things to do in Juneau.
Things to Do in Juneau
Immerse Yourself in Rich History
Historic Downtown Juneau with mountains in the background
In Juneau, you will find incredible stories hiding behind every corner. The history is filled not only with brave and adventurous prospectors but also with Tlingit people who, within a few decades, lost thousands of years of their lifestyle, culture, and language. These stores are worth hearing.
While in Juneau, we visited the Douglas City Museum. The museum is very interesting and informative, and the staff members are knowledgeable and friendly. I specifically remember an exhibition about World War II Aleut relocation to Southeast Alaska. This is a story that still sticks with me today. Locals also recommend the Alaska State Museum, where among many historical artifacts, you will also find an impressive collection dedicated to Native Alaskans.
You can also join some great walking tours in Juneau in the summer. In 2022 there were several options, including the Historic Downtown Walking Tour, the Alaska State Capitol Tour (free!), Juneau True Crime Tour, and the Treadwell Mine Walking Tour. Keep in mind that reservations are required and that space is limited.
In Juneau and the surrounding areas, you will find several totem poles reminding us about the first inhabitants. These are all incredible pieces of art that carry an important meaning and deserve great respect from all visitors. I remember standing in front of Yanyeidí Kootéeyaa, a Tlingit Wolf Clan totem pole on Douglas Island, and reading a heartbreaking story about the Douglas Indian Village that was burned in 1962 by a government decision to make land for a new boat harbor.
2. Visit Mendenhall Glacier
Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, Alaska
You can’t visit Juneau and not see the famous, over 3000 years old, Mendenhall Glacier. This is the most popular site in Juneau and one of Alaska’s most famous and most accessible glaciers. Visitors can enjoy easy walking trails and more challenging routes leading toward the glacier. While hiking, don’t forget bear spray, walk in a group, and be loud! Bears are often seen in this area, even near the main trails.
When you first arrive, visit the information center, where you will learn about any events or closures in the area.
If you’re feeling adventurous, TONS of businesses offer tours to Mendenhall Glacier. Some companies lead guided hikes, and others guide kayak tours.
3. See Nugget Falls
Nugget Falls in Juneau, Alaska
This is one of our favorite waterfalls in Alaska. This natural wonder is located in the same area as Mendenhall Glacier and can be reached by a gentle hiking trail called the Nugget Falls Trail. This is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful waterfalls in all of Alaska. Don’t miss it! The walk will only take about 30-40 minutes one way, and the trail is family-friendly. And again, remember to hike in a group and always carry bear spray.
4. Wander Around Treadwell Mine
Rusted remnants of mining tools from Treadwell Mine
The city of Juneau is well known for its mining history. Walk through the remains of Treadwell Mine to journey into the past. The mine was located on Douglas Island, and at its peak (between 1911 and 1917), Treadwell Mine employed up to two thousand workers, making it the world's largest hard rock gold mine! Unfortunately, in 1917 the area was flooded, and the mine closed.
Be sure to stroll on the forest trails and keep your eyes open - there are so many hidden secrets. The local beach is still filled with old rusty equipment and other treasures. We found parts of old shoes, clothing, ceramics, and machinery. Please leave these items behind. They are not meant to be taken as souvenirs.
5. Go Whale Watching
Humpback Whales showing their flukes in Juneau
Whale watching is an absolute must when visiting Southeast Alaska. Juneau is considered one of the best humpback-watching areas in the United States, if not the world! Humpback whales migrate to these waters after spending winter in Hawaii. Alaska is their feeding ground for a few summer months.
Several smaller and mid-size businesses in Juneau offer safe and exciting whale-watching tours daily. Tours usually depart from Auke Bay (approximately 20 minutes by car from downtown Juneau) and last between 2 to 4 hours. These tours are much shorter than the ones departing from Seward. We strongly recommend choosing a tour with a naturalist on board so you can learn about and understand these beautiful creatures and the area.
Juneau is also a great location to watch bubble-net feeding. This unique feeding strategy was developed and used by certain groups of humpback whales that come together to reach their goal - to eat as much as possible. It is a very complex and sophisticated technique that only a few lucky visitors can witness with their own eyes.
Killer Whale swimming beside our whale watching boat
On the whale-watching tour we took in Juneau, we saw several humpback whales, sea lions, and killer whales that approached our boat very closely. We had an excellent tour with the company Alaska Tales that we can highly recommend. The naturalist on the boat shared tons of information with us, and we learned a lot. We also recommend tours with Jayleen’s Alaska. Whale-watching tours in Juneau usually begin in early May (the best season for whale-watching) and last until early September. If whale watching is your priority, we recommend visiting in May or June.
If you don’t see a humpback jumping out of the water, don’t worry - you can view the statue in downtown Juneau called Tahku!
6. Stroll through Charming Downtown Juneau
Moody weather in Downtown Juneau
We fell in love with Juneau at first sight. In our opinion, it is one of the most beautiful towns in Alaska. It is not only the impressive surroundings but also the town itself. Juneau feels like an enjoyable place to live with a rich art scene, university, fun festivals, tons of trails, a friendly community, and access to all essential services like a hospital, schools, and shops (they even have a Costco!).
The Downtown area of Juneau feels lively and historic. Though many shops cater specifically to tourists, you can still feel the history as well as the vibrant local life. If you have the time, take a long walk through the old town. Many houses in Juneau are built on a steep hill, so you might have to walk uphill a bit to get a closer look! There is even an alley with 156 stairs from bottom to top!
7. See Eagles Up Close
Bald eagles are everywhere in Juneau
In Juneau, there are so many eagles that people call them the Pigeons of Alaska. Some data estimates there may be between 20,000 to 30,000 eagles in the area, so pretty much the same as the population of Juneau!
You can find eagles in many locations, including Juneau’s city center. Some of the best places to see eagles in Juneau are Auke Bay, the local Hatchery, and the shores of the Gastineau Channel. But really, just take a drive or take a long walk and be patient. You will see them.
8. View Brown Bears on Admiralty Island
Alaska is known for its bears, and there are many ways to observe them safely around our state. In Juneau, several businesses organize tours to Admiralty Island, a rugged island located just 15 miles from Juneau. The Tlingit call this area Kootznoowoo, which means Fortress of the Bear. This perfectly describes the island that is home to more than 1500 brown bears!
Tours are usually offered between mid-May and mid-September, lasting around 7 to 8 hours (including a 25-minute flight). Tours typically cost around $1,000 (as of 2022).
Read more about Admiralty Island.
9. Explore Tracy Arm Fjord
If whale watching was awesome and you want more water-based excursions, we recommend taking a boat tour to Tracy Arm Fjord. This spectacular place is about 45 miles from Juneau and can only be accessed by boat or small plane.
These tours tend to run longer (around 6 hours), but you won’t be disappointed. There are plenty of stops, detours, and photo opportunities, including icebergs, glaciers, waterfalls, cliffs, and, hopefully, lots of wildlife!
The main company offering Tracy Arm Fjords tours is Adventure Bound Alaska.
10. Visit the Alaska State Capitol
Sculpture of Secretary of State William Seward outside the capitol building in Juneau
This might sound a little boring compared to some of the other recommendations. Still, it’s important to remember that Juneau is a state capital, so visiting the Alaska State Capitol should be on your list! In the summer, you can join one of the free tours of the building, or you can go on a self-guided tour year-round. It is an interesting, easy, and not too time-consuming activity to enjoy in the town. There are a lot of impressive art pieces that include some woodwork as well as paintings.
We’ve heard that the Alaska State Capitol might be the least impressive in the United States, but the location is definitely the most beautiful!
11. Drive Around Juneau
Yanyeidí Kootéeyaa, a Tlingit Wolf Clan totem pole on Douglas Island
Many people don’t have enough time to rent a car in Juneau and explore its 42 miles (!) of roads, but if you plan to spend a few days, you should do it. We really enjoyed driving around, watching wildlife from the car, finding some different trails, and interesting sites such as the Shrine of St. Therese, Auke Bay, Eagle Beach, and Douglas Island.
12. Helicopter Flight with Dog Sledding on a Glacier
Dog mushing was designated the official state sport of Alaska in 1972
We haven’t had a chance to try this activity in Juneau, but we’ve been in Knik and Seward. Dog sledding is a quintessential Alaska activity, including a spectacular flight and dog sledding on a glacier. You can’t go wrong!
Read more about the best things to do in other Alaska towns, such as Talkeetna, Girdwood, and Anchorage.
We hope this information will help you plan your trip to Juneau. If you have any questions about visiting Alaska, please contact us!
Looking over the water of the Gastineau Channel
