Top 10 Things to Do in Juneau, Alaska
For a state capital, Juneau feels more like a small town, yet it’s jam-packed with things to see and do, not to mention being surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Downtown overlooks the Gastineau Channel while soaring mountains provide a dramatic backdrop. A wealth of outdoor adventures, enjoyed while immersed in unspoiled nature, are possible, and there’s rich culture and history to explore too.
Whether you’re looking for some of the top things to do in Juneau on a cruise stop or during an independent trip, you’ll want to put at least a few of these experiences on your list.
Go Whale Watching
whale watching in Juneau, credit: K.C. Dermody
One of the top things to do in Juneau is to join a whale-watching tour. If you’re here between May and mid-September, you’ll have a very good chance of seeing at least a humpback whale or two, and probably quite a few more. Around 600 humpbacks are in the region during this period, and if you’re lucky, you might see orcas, spotted on about 10 percent of whale-watching excursions. Bald eagles, steller sea lions, and harbor seals can all be seen too.
Whale watching is something that can usually be done during a cruise stop as Alaska Luxury Tours will pick you up in a “Land Yacht” (a Mercedes) right at dockside next to your ship. Or, if you’re staying in Juneau, your hotel.
Admire Mendenhall Glacier
Mendenhall Glacier is one of Juneau’s top attractions. You can take it in from above on a flightseeing tour but you should also see it from the ground with multiple hiking trails providing viewpoints. You’ll need to head to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center which can be accessed by car, taxi, bus, or as part of an excursion. Alaska’s only glacier that can be reached by road, the .8-mile Nugget Falls Trail leads to a close-up view of the 13.6-mile-long glacier and the 377-foot-high waterfall cascading onto the beach. During the summer, it’s possible to see black bears too.
Alaska Luxury Tours also offers private excursions that feature a visit to Mendenhall Glacier led by natural guides with private Mercedes transport included for the most convenient, and unforgettable experience.
Explore Tlingit Culture
Tlingit canoe, photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
One of the best aspects of travel is getting to know the culture. In Juneau, you’ll see Tlingit names on the buildings, signs, and more. The Tlingit people have lived in this area for more than 10,000 years as the traditional inhabitants, with rich beliefs and traditions that are still celebrated today. That includes the outrigger canoes they invented and used for fishing and trade. You can’t miss the totem poles with their heraldic crests displayed, and by visiting the Sealaska Heritage Insitute you can learn more about the Tlingits through exhibits with information about their culture told by the people themselves.
If you’re very lucky, you can attend the Celebration that takes place during even-numbered years in early June. Welcoming thousands of Native people to the city, it’s the world’s largest gathering of the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian people. Birthed in 1982, it includes drumming and songs that welcome the traditional canoes as they approach with paddles pointed to the sky. Plus, there are food contests, a Native Artist Market, and more.
Ride the Mount Roberts Tramway
The Mount Roberts (Goldbelt) Tramway offers an alternative to flightseeing for an aerial view of Juneau and its surroundings. It carries passengers 1,800 feet up to the summit of the mountain while providing breathtaking vistas of Juneau, the Gastineau Channel, and Douglas Island on the other side. There are miles and miles of scenic trails at the top to explore along with a nature center, a gift shop, a theater for learning more about the Tlingit people, and a restaurant serving tasty traditional Alaskan fare.
Pack Creek Bear Tour
Brown bears at Pack Creek, Admiralty Island, near Juneau, Alaska (Forest Service Alaska)
Besides the whales, many come to Juneau with hopes of seeing bears. For a good look at the area’s coastal brown bears, consider the Pack Creek Bear Tour. If it’s a priority, you’ll want to plan your visit between late July and August when it’s often possible to see them feasting on salmon in the rivers at the protected Pack Creek Brown Bear Viewing Area on Admiralty Island.
Most visit via the 30-minute floatplane trip from Juneau that’s managed cooperatively by the Alaska Department of Fish & Game and the U.S. Forest Service. Keep in mind that there are strict rules and limited permits available to ensure a safe, stress-free environment for the bears, making it a must to book well in advance.
Alaska State Museum
Alaska State Museum, Juneau, photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
The Alaska State Museum is a must-visit for anyone who wants to learn more about the history of Juneau and Alaska and a great rainy day option. It displays a wide range of artifacts with exhibits focused on everything from forestry and fishing to native cultures, fishing, mining, and the state’s Russian colonial era.
Try the Best Crab in Town
An Alaskan king crab meal at Tracy’s King Crab Shack, Juneau, Alaska photo credit: K.C. Dermody
If you like crab (and who doesn’t, especially when it’s Alaskan king crab!), you can’t leave Juneau without a meal at Tracy’s King Crab Shack. It’s not just for tourists, this is where the locals go for the best crab in town. At least when they aren’t catching it themselves. While crab is the star, there are other crab-related items on the menu like crab cakes and crab bisque too. Plus, it can be enjoyed outdoors on a nice day with a gorgeous water view.
Fishing Charter
Another one of the most popular activities in Juneau is fishing. The city is particularly renowned for its salmon fishing, with Coho and Chinook the most popular although all five main types of Pacific salmon can be found here, including King, Pink, and Chum. Halibut is also one of the top species to catch and enjoy.
Alaska Luxury Tours offers Super Yacht service throughout the summer with the Mercedes “Land Yacht” available for transfers while permitted to guide and conduct fishing charters in accordance with the USFS and Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
Whiz Through the Tongass National Rainforest on a Zipline
If you’re looking for a thrill while enjoying the awe-inspiring Juneau scenery, you can whiz across a zipline through the Tongass National Forest. Soar over the unspoiled wilderness surrounded by panoramic mountain vistas in the Eaglecrest Ski Area on Douglas Island, accessed by bridge across the Gastineau Channel from downtown Juneau. After sailing through the canopy of trees on five zipline routes, cross a 150-foot suspension bridge hovering above a stream and conclude the experience by testing your axe-throwing skills.
Explore Downtown Juneau
rainy day in downtown Juneau, credit: Creative Commons
With downtown Juneau just a short walk from the cruise port, it only makes sense for cruisers to visit but nearly all visitors are sure to enjoy a stroll through its historic streets. It’s like an open-air museum with character-filled saloons, churches like the 1894 St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church housing 18th-century Russian icons, the various historical structures like the 1912 Governor’s House, a New England colonial building. Plus, the Walter Soboleff Building hosts Alaska’s largest collection of Southeast Alaska Native art featuring works by the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian peoples.