12 Best Things to Do in Juneau, Alaska

Juneau, Alaska, is located in Southeast Alaska, perfectly nestled at the base of two stunning mountains, Mt. Juneau and Mt. Roberts, on one side, and bordered by the waters of the Gastineau Channel on the other. There are no roads connecting to Juneau, so visitors must arrive by boat or plane.

The area that is now Juneau has been inhabited by the Tlingit people for thousands of years. The city's history began in the late 1800s when gold prospectors arrived. Today, Juneau serves as Alaska's state capital and is a significant legislative center. The city’s economy is largely driven by tourism, as it is a major stop for cruise ships traveling to Alaska. Juneau is also renowned for its rich wildlife, which includes brown bears, humpback whales, and eagles. The breathtaking landscape features endless mountains, deep fjords, and expansive glaciers.

Tahku - the Alaska Whale Sculpture in Downtown Juneau

Alaska State Ferry entering Juneau, Alaska

Is Juneau, Alaska worth visiting? 

Juneau is a beautiful destination in Southeast Alaska. Most visitors arrive in Juneau via cruise ships during their Alaskan journeys. If you're flying to Alaska from Seattle, you can also stop in Juneau for a few days before continuing on to Anchorage.

Juneau boasts a vibrant local community, exciting activities, historical sites, and breathtaking natural scenery. If you have the opportunity to visit Juneau, consider yourself lucky! Read on to discover our recommendations for the best things to do in this wonderful city.

Things to Do in Juneau

1. Immerse Yourself in Rich History

Historic Downtown Juneau with mountains in the background

In Juneau, incredible stories can be found around every corner. The city's history is rich, featuring not only brave and adventurous prospectors but also the Tlingit people who, within just a few decades, lost thousands of years of their lifestyle, culture, and language. These stories are worth hearing.

During our visit to Juneau, we explored the Douglas City Museum. The museum was both interesting and informative, with knowledgeable and friendly staff. One exhibition that particularly stood out to me highlighted the relocation of Aleuts during World War II to Southeast Alaska—a story that has stuck with me since. Locals also recommend the Alaska State Museum, which houses many historical artifacts, including an impressive collection dedicated to Native Alaskans.

In the summer, there are great walking tours available in Juneau. In 2022, several options included 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 space is limited.

Throughout Juneau and its surrounding areas, you will find several totem poles reminding us about the first inhabitants. These impressive art pieces carry significant meaning and deserve the utmost respect from all visitors. I remember standing in front of Yanyeidí Kootéeyaa, a Tlingit Wolf Clan totem pole located on Douglas Island, and reading a poignant story about the Douglas Indian Village, which was destroyed in 1962 due to a government decision to create land for a new boat harbor.

2. Visit Mendenhall Glacier

Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, Alaska

You can’t visit Juneau without seeing the famous Mendenhall Glacier, which is over 3,000 years old. This glacier is the most popular attraction in Juneau and one of Alaska’s most renowned and accessible glaciers. Visitors can enjoy both easy walking trails and more challenging routes that lead toward the glacier. When hiking, remember to bring bear spray, travel in a group, and make plenty of noise, as bears are often spotted in this area, even near the main trails.

Upon your arrival, be sure to visit the information center, where you can learn about any events or closures in the area.

If you’re feeling adventurous, many businesses offer tours to Mendenhall Glacier. Some companies provide guided hikes, while others offer kayak tours.

3. See Nugget Falls

Nugget Falls in Juneau, Alaska

One of our favorite waterfalls in Alaska is this stunning natural wonder located near Mendenhall Glacier. You can reach it by following the Nugget Falls Trail, which is a gentle and family-friendly hiking path. This waterfall is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in all of Alaska, so don’t miss the chance to see it! The hike takes about 30 to 40 minutes one way. Remember to hike in a group and always carry bear spray for your safety.

4. Wander Around Treadwell Mine

Rusted remnants of mining tools from Treadwell Mine

The city of Juneau is well known for its rich mining history. Take a walk through the remnants of the Treadwell Mine to step back into the past. Located on Douglas Island, Treadwell Mine was the world’s largest hard rock gold mine at its peak, employing up to two thousand workers between 1911 and 1917. The mine closed in 1917 due to flooding in the area.

While you’re exploring, be sure to stroll along the forest trails and keep an eye out for hidden gems. The local beach is still scattered with old, rusty equipment and other intriguing artifacts. During our visit, we discovered parts of old shoes, clothing, ceramics, and machinery. Please remember to leave these items behind, as they are not meant to be taken as souvenirs.

5. Go Whale Watching

Humpback Whales showing their flukes in Juneau

Whale watching is a must-do activity when visiting Southeast Alaska. Juneau is one of the best locations for observing humpback whales in the United States, if not the world! These magnificent creatures migrate to these waters after spending the winter in Hawaii, using Alaska as their feeding ground during the summer months.

These magnificent creatures migrate to these waters after spending the winter in Hawaii, using Alaska as their feeding ground during the summer months. Several smaller and mid-sized businesses in Juneau offer safe and exciting whale-watching tours daily. These tours typically depart from Auke Bay, which is about a 20-minute drive from downtown Juneau, and last between 2 to 4 hours. Compared to tours departing from Seward, these trips are considerably shorter. We strongly recommend choosing a tour with a naturalist on board, as this allows you to learn about and better understand these beautiful animals and the surrounding environment.

Juneau is also an excellent location for seeing bubble-net feeding, a unique and complex feeding strategy that specific groups of humpback whales use. This technique involves the whales coming together to reach their goal - to eat as much as possible. Only a few fortunate visitors get the chance to witness this remarkable behavior in person.

Killer Whale swimming beside our whale watching boat

During our whale-watching tour in Juneau, we had the opportunity to see several humpback whales, sea lions, and killer whales that came very close to our boat. We had an excellent experience with the company Alaska Tales, which we highly recommend. The naturalist on board shared a wealth of information, and we learned a lot throughout the tour. We also suggest considering tours with Jayleen’s Alaska. Typically, whale-watching tours in Juneau begin in early May, the best season for this activity, and continue until early September. If whale watching is your primary goal, we recommend visiting in May or June.

If you don’t see a humpback whale jumping out of the water, don’t worry—you can visit the Tahku statue in downtown Juneau!

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. The impressive surroundings and the town itself contribute to its charm. Juneau feels like a fun place to live, with a rich art scene, a university, fun festivals, numerous trails, a friendly community, and access to essential services like a hospital, schools, and shops (they even have a Costco!).

The downtown area of Juneau has a lively and historic atmosphere. While many shops cater specifically to tourists, you can still sense the town's history and vibrant local scene. If you have the time, take a long walk through the old town. Many houses in Juneau are built on steep hills, so you might find yourself walking uphill to get a closer look! There’s 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 locals refer to them as the "Pigeons of Alaska." Estimates suggest that there are between 20,000 and 30,000 eagles in the area, which is comparable to the population of Juneau itself!

You can find eagles in various locations throughout the city, including the city center. Some of the best spots to see eagles in Juneau are Auke Bay, the local hatchery, and the shores of the Gastineau Channel. However, the best way to observe these magnificent birds is to take a drive or enjoy a long walk while being patient. Chances are, you will see them!

8. View Brown Bears on Admiralty Island

Alaska is renowned for its bears, and there are various ways to observe them safely throughout the state. In Juneau, several businesses organize tours to Admiralty Island, a rugged island located just 15 miles from the city. The Tlingit people refer to this area as Kootznoowoo, meaning "Fortress of the Bear," which aptly describes the island that is home to over 1,500 brown bears.

These tours are typically offered from mid-May to mid-September and last around 7 to 8 hours, including a 25-minute flight. As of 2022, the cost for these tours is around $1,000.

Read more about Admiralty Island.

9. Explore Tracy Arm Fjord

If you enjoyed whale watching and are looking for more water-based adventures, we highly recommend taking a boat tour to Tracy Arm Fjord. This stunning place is located about 45 miles from Juneau and can only be reached by boat or small plane.

These tours typically last around six hours, but you won't be disappointed. They include numerous stops, detours, and plenty of photo opportunities featuring 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 may seem a bit less exciting compared to some other recommendations, but it’s important to note that Juneau is the state capital, so visiting the Alaska State Capitol should definitely be on your list! In the summer, you can take advantage of free guided tours of the building, or you can opt for a self-guided tour any time of year. It’s an interesting activity that is easy to fit into your schedule and won't take too much time. You'll find a variety of impressive artworks, including woodwork and paintings.

11. Drive Around Juneau

Yanyeidí Kootéeyaa, a Tlingit Wolf Clan totem pole on Douglas Island

Many people find it difficult to rent a car in Juneau and explore its 42 miles of roads due to time constraints. However, if you plan to spend a few days there, you should definitely take the opportunity to do so. We really enjoyed driving around, watching wildlife from our car, and discovering various 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 tried this activity in Juneau yet, but we've been to Knik and Seward. Dog sledding is a quintessential Alaskan experience, featuring an amazing flight and dog sledding on a glacier. You can't go wrong with this adventure!

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