10 Things to Do in Juneau, Alaska: An Adventurous Traveler's Guide (2024)

FAQs

What is Juneau Alaska best known for? ›

Juneau is many things: a mountain town, a coastal community and the most scenic capital city in the U.S. A natural wonder, wildlife hotspot and cultural jewel, Juneau is rich in history, art, music and Native heritage.

With so much to do and see, you would ideally want to spend a full week in Juneau, but with proper planning, you can experience the highlights over a long weekend getaway. If you're planning a 3-day trip to Juneau, you won't be hard-pressed for things to do.

Juneau is definitely worth visiting. It is rich in history and became the capital city of the territory in 1906 and of the state in 1959. It has a marvelous State Museum that contains artifacts and displays, an active waterfront with piers full of boats, ships, and floatplanes.

Take your time and enjoy Juneau's downtown area with a self-guided walking tour, one of the perfect ways to explore Juneau for do-it-yourself and budget-savvy travelers. Maps can be picked up at the airport or a number of other places, including cruise ship terminals and visitor information centers.

Juneau is a wonderful place in Alaska where you can watch the Aurora phenomenon. Go hiking on some of the trails at Juneau to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights. Better still, kayak off the coast of Juneau to explore the Tongass National Forest or see the still waters of the Mendenhall glacier.

Getting Around Town

Downtown Juneau is very walkable, and you can get to many landmarks within 15 minutes from the docks. You can also explore at your own pace by renting a car.

Hiking, biking, ziplining, kayaking, and camping are just some of the excellent outdoor adventures awaiting Juneau's visitors. Experience the beauty of wintertime in Alaska's capital city. If you have never seen a Bald Eagle in it's natural habitat, come to Juneau, Alaska, where they are plentiful.

The best time to visit Juneau is between May and August. You'll have to compete with hordes of cruise passengers at the area's top attractions, but the days will be long and sunny. Plus, these months correspond with whale migration season, meaning you're guaranteed to see some activity in the water.

A popular half-day Juneau excursion that pairs well with other shorter activities, the Juneau City and Glacier Tour includes a narrated bus ride through Juneau out to Mendenhall Glacier.

Alaska Ferry Service to Gustavus/Glacier Bay!

Gustavus receives ferry service two days per week most of the year. With steady service, and only four-and-a-half hours by ferry from Juneau, it is simple to plan a short few days to this magnificent location, or stay longer to experience more of the nearby natural wonders.

Is it better to go to Juneau or Anchorage? ›

Because Juneau is smaller (just under 33,000 residents, compared to Anchorage's 300,000), it's pretty obvious when a cruise ship (or two or three) full of passengers gets to town. The number of visitors can be overwhelming. Anchorage, on the other hand, is bigger and can absorb visitors without oversaturating.

While many people go to Mendenhall Glacier with a tour group or on a shore excursion, you can also get to the glacier on your own. You can take a taxi from Juneau, drive to the glacier with a rental car, or take the city bus to Glacier Spur Road and walk the rest of the way (1.5 miles).

The fastest way to get from Juneau to Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area is to taxi. Taking this option will cost $35 - $45 and takes 23 min.

The Ice Caves located at the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, Alaska are natural ice formations tucked away in one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

Moose, common in many parts of Alaska, are present in Southeast Alaska but they aren't often seen near residences in Juneau.

Reserve a ride with Uber in advance in Juneau

Complete your plans today by reserving a ride with Uber in Juneau. Request a ride up to 30 days in advance, at any time and on any day of the year.

With all that said, we successfully used both Uber and Lyft in Juneau on a number of occasions. Overall, the drivers that we had were quite nice and several of them gave us some pretty good inside information about different attractions.

November through to February offer the darkest skies and longer evenings for maximum sky-gazing. The strongest lights tend to appear between 9pm and 2am, though the best sightings often occur between 11pm and midnight.

When can you see whales in Juneau? ›

The best time to whale watch is from April to November, when approximately 600 humpbacks inhabit the waters of the northern Inside Passage. Whale watching tours are offered in Juneau and near Glacier Bay. Daily boat tours to Tracy Arm rarely return without whale sightings - and you'll often spot many on a single trip.

The northern lights occur all four seasons of the year, although they are harder to see under the Midnight Sun. The best time to see the northern lights in Alaska is between August and April, when less daylight leads to darker night skies.

The best time to visit Alaska is between mid-June and mid-September. The warmer weather and long days make this a particularly pleasant time of year, with temperatures in the cool-but-comfortable range of 60 to 67°F.

Yes, you can absolutely visit Alaska without renting a car. You'll enjoy it more by understanding all your car free options and also building your itinerary around places that are easy to visit car free.

The Senate Mall is home to a variety of shops that are locally owned, open year-round, and provide a unique shopping experience. It is located in the heart of downtown Juneau, walking distance from the cruise ship terminals, city bus terminal, and the State Capitol Building.

Museums and Culture

While most of the adventure tourism in Alaska is seasonal, one thing that lasts year-round is our culture and the museums that share it. Juneau is home to the Alaska State Museum, the Juneau-Douglas City Museum, and the Sealaska Heritage Institute.

One of Alaska's oldest and most beautiful cities, Juneau is home to majestic mountains, glaciers, wildlife, and views of waterfalls, lakes, rivers, and ocean.

Meaning:Queen of heaven; young. Juneau is a gender-neutral name of Latin origin. It is a variation of Juno, meaning "queen of heaven" or "young." Suitable for both boys and girls, Juneau offers you a worth of possibilities, from celebrating baby's angelic presence to the innocence of their youth.

The driest month in Juneau is April with 2.96 inches of precipitation, and with 8.30 inches October is the wettest month.

The normal "dry season" in Juneau is March, April, May, and June. The driest months are April and June with 2.77 inches and 3.15 inches respectively.

What is the foggiest month in Alaska? ›

The cloudier part of the year begins around April 21 and lasts for 9.8 months, ending around February 14. The cloudiest month of the year in Anchorage is December, during which on average the sky is overcast or mostly cloudy 61% of the time.

At $33 for adult tickets (and $16 for kids between 6 and 12), the tramway can be expensive for some. Although, that price includes all-day unlimited rides, a short film viewing and a visit to the Juneau Raptor Center and the Raven Eagle Gifts & Gallery.

Juneau Shuttle To The Mendenhall Glacier - Juneau Tours and Excursions - Juneau, AK. 12 miles of ice and waterfalls. The Glacier Shuttle is a quick and convenient way to travel to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitors' Center. Shuttle service is provided under a permit with the USDA Forest Service.

Getting to the Mendenhall Glacier

The Mendenhall Glacier Shuttle bus to Mendenhall Glacier is a convenient option near the cruise port that costs $45 per adult return.

Just 50 miles northwest of Juneau (25 minutes by air), Glacier Bay is the largest national park in Southeast Alaska, the world's largest protected marine sanctuary, and a World Heritage Site.

You can fly to Juneau from Seattle (2 hours) and then take the Alaska ferry from Juneau to Gustavus and then take a taxi or the Glacier Bay lodge shuttle from the ferry dock to Bartlett Cove in Glacier Bay National Park (the cost of both is about $30 round trip).

The cheapest way to get from Juneau to Gustavus is to car ferry which costs $30 - $60 and takes 7h 39m.

The best way to get from Juneau to Anchorage without a car is to car ferry and train which takes 46h 43m and costs $280 - $550. How long does it take to get from Juneau to Anchorage? It takes approximately 3h 43m to get from Juneau to Anchorage, including transfers.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Juneau and Anchorage, we can see that Anchorage is more expensive. And not only is Juneau much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Juneau would let you spend less money overall.

If you're flying from United States, the cheapest city in Alaska to fly into is Valdez. The cheapest airport serving Valdez at the moment is Valdez Airport.

Can you walk to Nugget Falls? ›

Walk down the paved path to the Visitor Center out toward Photo Point. Take the trail to the right just past the Visitor Center that will go over an elevated pathway through a rock gorge. The trail will continue on to Nugget Falls.

There is a $5 entrance fee for 16 & over at the visitor center during summer months (May 1 to September 30) when the visitor center is open from 8:00am-7:30pm daily. Winter (October to April) is free (no fee required) and visitor center hours are Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10:00am - 4:00pm.

It is about a 30-45 minute ride from the port of Juneau to the glacier. The glacier itself is free to visit. There is visiting center that does cost a small fee to enter if you want to go inside and talk to rangers and see some interesting exhibits and touch glacier ice.

There are a number of trails which start at the Visitor Center but it is the West glacier Trail that gives you access to the Glacier. The Trail of Time has historical signs and is handicapped accessible. Nugget Falls Trail will lead you to Fabulous Nugget Falls.

The Mendenhall Glacier is known for its dazzling blue colors that make for incredible photography opportunities, which is why so many visitors wonder what causes the amazing shades of blue.

Getting Around Town

Downtown Juneau is very walkable, and you can get to many landmarks within 15 minutes from the docks. You can also explore at your own pace by renting a car.

While many people go to Mendenhall Glacier with a tour group or on a shore excursion, you can also get to the glacier on your own. You can take a taxi from Juneau, drive to the glacier with a rental car, or take the city bus to Glacier Spur Road and walk the rest of the way (1.5 miles).

If you're dreaming up a day trip off the beaten path, it's worth renting a car. A bevy of trails and landmarks are accessible via tourist buses, but if you want to go somewhere specific, reserve a car from someplace like Juneau Car Rental, which offers specials and provides pickups.

A popular half-day Juneau excursion that pairs well with other shorter activities, the Juneau City and Glacier Tour includes a narrated bus ride through Juneau out to Mendenhall Glacier.

The best time to visit Juneau is between May and August. You'll have to compete with hordes of cruise passengers at the area's top attractions, but the days will be long and sunny. Plus, these months correspond with whale migration season, meaning you're guaranteed to see some activity in the water.

Can I Uber in Juneau? ›

Reserve a ride with Uber in advance in Juneau

Complete your plans today by reserving a ride with Uber in Juneau. Request a ride up to 30 days in advance, at any time and on any day of the year.

With all that said, we successfully used both Uber and Lyft in Juneau on a number of occasions. Overall, the drivers that we had were quite nice and several of them gave us some pretty good inside information about different attractions.

Juneau is a wonderful place in Alaska where you can watch the Aurora phenomenon. Go hiking on some of the trails at Juneau to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights. Better still, kayak off the coast of Juneau to explore the Tongass National Forest or see the still waters of the Mendenhall glacier.

Walk down the paved path to the Visitor Center out toward Photo Point. Take the trail to the right just past the Visitor Center that will go over an elevated pathway through a rock gorge. The trail will continue on to Nugget Falls.

There is a $5 entrance fee for 16 & over at the visitor center during summer months (May 1 to September 30) when the visitor center is open from 8:00am-7:30pm daily. Winter (October to April) is free (no fee required) and visitor center hours are Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10:00am - 4:00pm.

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve lies west of Juneau, AK and can only be reached by plane or boat. The only road merely connects the small town of Gustavus and its airfield to park headquarters at Bartlett Cove (10 miles).

One of Alaska's oldest and most beautiful cities, Juneau is home to majestic mountains, glaciers, wildlife, and views of waterfalls, lakes, rivers, and ocean.

Museums and Culture

While most of the adventure tourism in Alaska is seasonal, one thing that lasts year-round is our culture and the museums that share it. Juneau is home to the Alaska State Museum, the Juneau-Douglas City Museum, and the Sealaska Heritage Institute.

At $33 for adult tickets (and $16 for kids between 6 and 12), the tramway can be expensive for some. Although, that price includes all-day unlimited rides, a short film viewing and a visit to the Juneau Raptor Center and the Raven Eagle Gifts & Gallery.

How much is a taxi from Juneau to Mendenhall Glacier? ›

The fastest way to get from Juneau to Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area is to taxi. Taking this option will cost $35 - $45 and takes 23 min.