You can only reach Juneau, Alaska's capital city, by boat or plane (there's no road), but its remote location doesn't mean it's a sleepy town. Juneau is among cruise travelers' favorite destinations, because there's so much to see and do.
You can explore downtown and get a feel for the 1898 Gold Rush. Or, venture out onto the water for whale watching (there are so many whales in Juneau that seeing whales on a whale watching tour is guaranteed.) Take a helicopter tour and soar over Tongass National Forest, then land on one of Juneau Icefield's glaciers. Enjoy the thrill of a dog sled ride or settle in for a cozy and delicious meal. Juneau has something for everyone.
We are a local team of Alaskans. Here are our picks for the best things to do in Juneau:
Juneau is the best port for whale watching, because there are so many whales that seeing them is 100% guaranteed. It's one of the best places in the world to see Humpback Whales, who love the nutrient-rich waters of the Favorite and Saginaw Channels. Get ready to watch them flip, breach, and hunt by blowing bubbles to bring fish to the surface of the water.
There's a great collection of Juneau whale watching tours to choose from. You can pair it with a salmon bake, a visit to Mendenhall Glacier, or enjoy the experience on its own.
The Mendenhall Glacier is just a short drive from the cruise docks in Juneau, and it offers something for everyone.Your first stop should be the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, where you can learn about the history and landscape. From there, it's a short walk (about 0.15 miles) along an accessible, paved trail to a beautiful photo point, where you can enjoy a great view of the glacier. If you only have a short time to check out the glacier, the Visitor Center and viewpoint will get you some great photos and history.
But if you have more time, you can enjoy a 2 mile gentle walk along a well-maintained gravel trail to Nugget Falls. At Nugget Falls, you can watch water spill into an iceberg-filled lake. (It's the closest you can get to the glacier from this side of Mendenhall Lake.) If you are up for more of an adventure, the canoe tour or ice adventure will give you an unforgettable experience, up close to the majestic glacier.
The best way to get there is via a Mendenhall Glacier tour experience, which includes transportation from the cruise ships and gives you the opportunity to get up close to the glacier. However, if you're just headed to the visitor center, you can take the bus.
A dog sledding tour is a must-do in Alaska, and Juneau is a great place to do it. The tours combine many of the best things Alaska has to offer: a helicopter ride, beautiful views, Alaskan Husky sled dogs, and a thrilling glacier experience.
There are no age restrictions on dog sledding tours, and the experience often ends up being the whole family's favorite excursion. It's not uncommon to see three generations enjoying their time together.
No matter what's on your itinerary for Juneau, be sure to carve out time for the Mount Roberts Tramway. It's located right next to the travel office near the cruise ships. The 3-minute ride soars above the trees and offers scenic views of Juneau, Douglas Island, and the Gastineau Channel in between.
The tram operates May through September, rain or shine. If you're hungry, you can grab a meal and a view at the Timberline Bar &; Grill at the top. Or, if hiking is your thing, combine the tram ride with a hike along the Mount Roberts Trail.
You can grab a map of downtown Juneau from any of the welcome centers (or view the pdf here) and take yourself on a self-guided walking tour of Juneau. You can explore old saloons, remnants of the gold mining era, historic buildings and churches, the Governor's House, and more. Most of the sights are within 15 minutes of the docks.
If a food tour is more your style, you can check out our Juneau Food Tasting Tour, which hits up many popular restaurants in the city. And if art is your thing, there's a self-guided tour for that, too.
The Taku Glacier Lodge Flight and Feast is a beautiful, relaxing excursion. It begins with a seaplane ride from Gastineau Channel. Along the ride to the Taku Glacier Lodge, you'll get an unrestricted view of five glaciers. You'll land on the Taku River, right in front of the rustic lodge that faces Hole in the Wall Glacier.
There, you'll be able to sit and enjoy a glass of beer or wine, shop for memorabilia in the lodge, or explore the walking trails in the rainforest. Soon after, you'll enjoy an all-you-can-eat feast featuring Alaskan King Salmon, and then have more time to explore or to relax and enjoy the cozy, idyllic lodge.
Helicopter tours are among some of the most popular tours we offer in Juneau. The Juneau Icefield extends more than 1,500 square miles and includes the very popular Mendenhall and Taku glaciers. Flying over them is one of the best ways to experience their vastness and grandeur. Many tours include a landing with an opportunity for you to walk atop a glacier.
The Alaska State Museum in Juneau features exhibits on the history of Alaska, the gold rush, native culture, and Russian history. If you're just beginning your vacation, it can be an especially nice way to set the stage for what's to come on the rest of your travels. The museum is in a state-of-the-art, newly renovated building that's just a 15-minute walk from the cruise ship terminal.
If you like museums, the Juneau-Douglas City Museum is a small but well-rated museum near the cruise ship terminal that showcases the history of the Juneau area, including Tlingit culture and the Gold Rush. The historical walking tour is highly-rated by museum patrons.
Juneau is home to the Alaskan Brewing Co, and you can take a brewery tour and enjoy a tasting experience on your trip. (It must be scheduled in advance.) To get there, you'll need to drive, or you can take a shuttle from the Alaska Brewing Company Depot (just a 5 minute walk from the cruise ship terminal) via our Alaskan Brewery and Tasting Tour.
The National Shrine of St. Therese is a Catholic spiritual and holy place located in Tongass National Forest, 22 miles north of downtown Juneau. To get there, you'll need to rent a car or hire a taxi.
If you'd like to attend a service all are welcome at the Eucharistic Benediction and Adoration service every Friday from 2-3pm that includes an hour of prayer in front of the Blessed Sacrament in the Shrine Chapel.
Juneau is a great place to ride a bike. The streets are lined with the trees of the Tongass National Forest, and views include the Gastineau Channel. Cruise downtown or venture onto one of the many trails.
Tracy's King Crab Shack offers some of the best King Crab in America – it was even featured on Top Chef. There are no reservations; it's first come first served. One of the best ways to eat there is via a Juneau food tour that includes a visit.
The 1898 Gold Rush was a pivotal moment in Juneau's history, and you can experience it for yourself on a gold panning tour. The gold in the area is so plentiful, that you are guaranteed to strike gold on your tour. This one is fun for all ages.
Alaska is known for its salmon. A salmon bake is a great way to enjoy an all-you-can-eat salmon feast with none of the work spent fishing. It's a great excursion on its own, or you can pair it with whale watching or gold panning.
Glacier Gardens is a family-run botanical garden in the temperate rainforest of Juneau that's perfect for flower-lovers. It's located about 7 miles from downtown, so you'll need a taxi or ride share service like Uber or Lyft to get there. Once there, plan to spend about an hour strolling the garden paths.
A zipline tour is a super fun way to soar above Tongass National Forest. The ziplining tour takes place on Douglas Island at Eaglecrest Ski Area and includes a suspension bridge over a stream where salmon spawn.
Speaking of salmon, the Hatchery is a fun place to visit and learn about salmon's life cycle. At DIPAC's Macaulay Salmon Hatchery, you can watch baby and adult Salmon, visit the aquariums, and taste smoked salmon products. To get there, you'll need a taxi or ride share.
This tour is so popular and well-loved it deserves a second mention. Canoe Mendenhall Lake and walk atop Mendenhall Glacier exploring the ice caverns and glacial formations. Seriously, if you only have time for one excursion in Juneau, make it this one.
How to Get to Juneau
Juneau is unique because it’s only accessible by air or sea—there are no roads connecting it to the mainland.
- By Cruise: Juneau is a popular stop on Alaska cruise itineraries, bringing in thousands of visitors each summer.
- By Air: Most visitors fly into Juneau International Airport (JNU), with direct flights from Seattle, Anchorage, and other Alaskan cities.
- By Ferry: The Alaska Marine Highway System offers scenic ferry rides from other coastal Alaskan towns.
Best Time to Visit Juneau
The best time to visit Juneau is May through September when the weather is mild, wildlife is abundant, and most attractions are open. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- May &; June: Fewer crowds, blooming wildflowers, and the start of whale-watching season.
- July &; August: Peak season with the warmest temperatures (50–65°F), best wildlife spotting, and long daylight hours.
- September: Fewer tourists, fall colors, and great chances to see the Northern Lights.
If you’re up for a winter adventure, December to February offers a chance to experience Juneau’s stunning snowy landscapes, the annual winter festival, and even some Northern Lights sightings.
Where to Eat When You're Here
Here are a few of our staff’s favorite restaurants in Juneau:
- Tracy’s King Crab Shack:Famous for its massive king crab legs, crab bisque, and buttery rolls. A must-visit!
- Salt: A chic, upscale spot offering fresh Alaskan seafood, craft cocktails, and a cozy atmosphere.
- The Hangar on the Wharf: Great for waterfront views, fresh halibut tacos, and a wide beer selection. The views make this one a staff favorite.
- Deckhand Dave’s: A casual food truck serving up the best fish tacos in town.
- Red Dog Saloon: Step back in time at this historic, rowdy saloon featuring live music, local brews, and a quirky Alaskan atmosphere. It’s a great place to grab a drink and soak in the character of old Juneau.
- Sandpiper Café: – The perfect breakfast and brunch spot, known for its fluffy pancakes and eggs Benedict.
Juneau Reviews
“This whole experience was truly AMAZING!! The people were so kind! The helicopter was wonderful and our driver pointed out different things on the way to the glacier. The dogsledding and petting the dogs was a remarkable memory. If I could give this a million stars I would!!”
-Marina S on our Juneau Dog Sledding Tour
“This was a fantastic excursion! Guides Molly and Justin were funny, knowledgeable and great instructors. They did say this was one of the most strenuous activities that we could do, and while the canoe trip was a workout, the views were spectacular. We were able to hike around and get as close as possible to the glacier. This was a great choice for an excursion on a cool, cloudy and slightly drizzling day. While many tours were cancelled due to the foggy conditions, we paddled along and enjoyed the day. I would absolutely do this tour again.”
-Elizabeth M on our Mendenhall Glacier Ice Adventure
“We had an amazing experience with the Juneau Whale Watching &; Mendenhall Glacier Tour, definitely a 5-star adventure! Our bus driver, Tom, was fantastic, he was not only friendly and funny but also an excellent tour guide who made the journey to Mendenhall Glacier enjoyable. The glacier itself was breathtaking, and we had plenty of time to soak in the beauty. The whale watching portion was equally incredible. Captain Larry quickly took us to a prime spot where we were fortunate to see two humpback whales up close! Onboard, naturalists Nate and Sophie were outstanding. They were so knowledgeable and friendly, answering all our questions and providing fascinating information about the whales and the area. They truly helped make this trip unforgettable. Highly recommend this tour if you're visiting Juneau!”
-Rebecca M on our Juneau Whale Watching &; Mendenhall Glacier tour
For more ideas, check out our Juneau tours.
Mendenhall Glacier
Whale Watching
Dog Sledding
Salmon Bake
Helicopter
Kid-Friendly
Kayak
Adventure
Train
Yukon
Rafting
Misty Fjords National Monument
Boat
Fishing
Bear & Wildlife
Animal & Wildlife
