Juneau, Alaska, a city nestled amidst breathtaking natural beauty, stands as one of the most picturesque state capitals in the United States. For those embarking on an Alaska cruise, a port call in Juneau is an almost guaranteed highlight, offering a taste of the Alaskan wilderness combined with the charm of a vibrant city. Surrounded by lush rainforests, towering mountains, intricate inter-coastal waterways, and magnificent glaciers, Juneau provides a stunning backdrop for a myriad of activities catering to every interest. Uniquely, it’s also the only state capital in the US inaccessible by road – arrival is exclusively by cruise ship, air, or ferry, adding to its allure and sense of remote adventure.
With a population nearing 32,000, Juneau ranks as Alaska’s third most populous city, following Anchorage and Fairbanks. However, it holds the distinction of being the largest state capital in the US, encompassing a sprawling 3,255 square miles. Adding to its unique geographical significance, Juneau is the only state capital that shares a border with a foreign country, Canada. This size and strategic importance contribute to Juneau’s thriving commercial scene, boasting a diverse range of shopping opportunities and a vibrant culinary landscape with excellent bars and restaurants.
While many come to visit Juneau for its scenic attractions, it is also a well known shopping district.
For cruise ship passengers, time in Juneau is often limited to a few precious hours, demanding careful consideration of how to best spend your visit. For those fortunate enough to extend their stay, the possibilities expand to include delving into the city’s rich history through its museums, or embarking on extended outdoor adventures. Imagine yourself whale watching, viewing wildlife in their natural habitat, savoring the flavors of a traditional salmon bake, or indulging in fresh and saltwater fishing. Further adventures await with biking, glacier trekking, and even winter recreation options like skiing and snowboarding, depending on the season. This article will help you make the most of your trip to Juneau!
Best Things to Do in Juneau
1. Tour the Alaska State Capitol Building
Begin your exploration of Juneau with a visit to the Alaska State Capitol Building, located on 4th Street. This impressive structure offers a glimpse into the state’s governance and history. You can take a free self-guided tour, picking up a brochure and exploring the grounds at your own pace from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Alternatively, join a guided 30-minute tour, available in the lobby Tuesday through Friday at 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. until late September.
Regardless of your chosen tour method, you’ll have the opportunity to admire the building’s Art Deco design and captivating murals. Highlights include a replica of the Liberty Bell, historical photographs, and artwork commemorating Alaska’s official designation as the 49th U.S. state in 1959. The Alaska State Capitol building is a perfect starting point in your trip.
2. Check Out Juneau’s Interesting Museums
To delve deeper into Juneau’s history and culture, consider visiting one of the city’s intriguing museums.
- Alaska State Museum: Situated on Whittier Street off Egan Drive, the Alaska State Museum offers a comprehensive overview of the region’s past. Impressive exhibits showcase the rich Indigenous culture, Russia’s historical involvement in Alaska, and the diverse wildlife that calls the state home.
- Juneau-Douglas City Museum: Located at Fourth and Main Streets, directly across from the State Capitol, the Juneau-Douglas City Museum focuses on the history of the town and the lives of the pioneers who shaped it. The museum holds historical significance as the location where the first Alaska state flag was raised on July 4, 1959.
- Last Chance Mining Museum: For those fascinated by Juneau’s mining heritage, a 45-minute walk (or a short ride) to the Last Chance Mining Museum at the end of Basin Road is well worth the effort. The museum displays original tools and machines from the Alaska-Juneau Gold Mining Company, which operated from 1912 to 1944, offering a tangible connection to the city’s gold rush past.
3. Visit Mendenhall Glacier
No trip to Juneau is complete without experiencing the awe-inspiring Mendenhall Glacier. Located just 20 minutes outside Juneau within the expansive 17 million-acre Tongass National Forest, the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area is a must-see destination.
The Visitor Center, which welcomes over 400,000 visitors annually, was the first Forest Service center built in the U.S. Its indoor observatory provides spectacular views of Mendenhall Glacier, complemented by informative educational exhibits, videos, maps, charts, and photographs about glaciers and the area’s diverse flora and fauna. While there’s a small admission fee for the Visitor Center, access to the outdoor areas and restrooms is free.
Mendenhall Glacier, one of 38 glaciers within the Juneau Icefield, is renowned as one of the most accessible glaciers in the world. You can reach it by car, tour bus from the cruise ship pier, or even a city bus. While the views from the Visitor Center are impressive, it’s worth noting that approximately 12 miles of the glacier are not visible from this vantage point.
Numerous hiking trails of varying lengths and difficulty levels wind through the area, offering opportunities to explore the surrounding landscape. These trails lead to scenic overlooks of the glacier, cascading waterfalls, salmon streams, and vast forestlands.
The Mendenhall Glacier area is also a prime location for wildlife viewing, with opportunities to spot bears, beavers, porcupines, minks, and majestic eagles. For experienced hikers with a full day to spare, the West Glacier Trail provides access to the very edge of Mendenhall Glacier. However, this trail doesn’t start near the Visitor Center, requiring a drive along Mendenhall Loop Road to Montana Creek Road, followed by signs to Mendenhall Campground.
4. Ride the Mount Roberts Tramway
For panoramic views of Juneau and its surroundings, take a ride on the Mount Roberts Tramway. Located right at the cruise ship pier, the tram whisks passengers 1,800 feet up the side of Mount Roberts every six minutes. On a clear day, you’ll be rewarded with stunning vistas of downtown Juneau, Douglas Island, Admiralty Island, and the Chilkat Mountains. On exceptionally clear days, you might even catch a glimpse of Glacier Bay to the northwest.
At the summit, immerse yourself in Tlingit culture with an 18-minute film included in the tram ticket price. Browse the gift shop or grab a snack before exploring the extensive trail system. Keep an eye out for bald eagles at the Juneau Raptor Center, where injured birds that cannot be released into the wild find a permanent home.
The trail system offers options for all fitness levels, ranging from the half-mile Alpine Loop Trail to the challenging six-mile hike to the Mt. Roberts summit, which sits more than 3,800 feet above sea level (2,000 feet higher than the Tram Mountain House). A popular intermediate hike leads to Father Brown’s Cross, located about 300 feet higher than the Nature Center, offering sweeping views of Juneau and the Gastineau Channel. Ambitious hikers can opt for a one-way tram ride, hiking either up to the top of the tramway or down the mountain via the trail that begins on Basin Road in Juneau.
5. Try a Dog Sledding Adventure
Experience the thrill of dog sledding in Alaska, even during the summer months. Helicopter tours often include a stop at a summer camp where sled dogs train for the upcoming Iditarod Race. The dogsled operator is flown up to the Herbert Glacier early in the season to set up camp in preparation for the summer tours. Spend time interacting with the mushers, petting the dogs, and perhaps even enjoying a thrilling ride on a dog sled.
Alternatively, embark on a dog sledding adventure with companies like Alaska Shore Tours or Gold Rush Dog Tours, which offer 2.5-hour excursions in and around Juneau.
6. Paddle a Sea Kayak
Explore the Alaskan coastline from a unique perspective by paddling a sea kayak. Whether you’re a seasoned kayaker or a complete novice, guided tours cater to all skill levels. A bus ride from the cruise ship pier will take you across the bridge to North Douglas Island, where you’ll reach the boat ramp opposite Mendenhall Glacier and Auke Bay in approximately 25 minutes.
After a brief lesson from the guides, you’ll be equipped with gear and assisted into the kayaks. Two-person kayaks often feature foot pedals in the rear seat for easier steering. Depending on the tour, you might spend several hours paddling around the bay, so some upper body strength is recommended. Be prepared to paddle against tidal currents and wind. Keep an eye out for harbor seals and eagles soaring overhead. Some outfitters provide snacks like reindeer sausage, cheese, salmon spread, and crackers after the tour.
7. Take a Jeep Tour and Hike
Discover the diverse landscapes surrounding Juneau on a jeep tour combined with a rainforest hike. Juneau’s main coastal highway stretches approximately 45 miles, offering scenic views along the way. Several jeep tour companies offer excursions that combine a jeep ride with a rainforest hike and even zip-lining.
Most tours begin with a ride through downtown Juneau, where a knowledgeable guide points out sites of historical significance. Crossing the Gastineau Channel on the Juneau-Douglas Bridge, the route heads north to the end of the island, stopping at the Rainforest Trail for a 1.5-mile hike along a well-maintained gravel path. The guide’s insights into the local mushrooms, fungi, and plant life enhance the experience. The tour then continues along the beach, offering views of the Chilkat Mountains in the distance.
Juneau offers numerous other hiking opportunities, including trails around Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area, Mount Roberts, and downtown Juneau. A popular option is the three-mile Perseverance Trail, which starts downtown on Gold Street and follows one of the valleys that once produced Juneau’s gold before connecting to a more challenging trail leading to the top of Mount Juneau.
8. Zip Through the Forest Canopy
For an adrenaline-pumping adventure, experience the thrill of zip-lining through the Alaskan rainforest. A ride to the Eaglecrest ski area sets the stage for a zip-line adventure, where you’ll receive a briefing and don rain suits to protect your clothing. A van then transports you up the hill to the starting point of the zip lines.
Instructors assist with rigging the gear, and participants ascend a flight of stairs to the first zip line. A short zip line near the gear station offers a test run for those feeling apprehensive. Once you begin the course, there’s no turning back – you’ll need to complete it.
The zip line course is both exciting and educational, with themed platforms providing information and entertainment as you wait for your turn. After completing the course, a swinging bridge leads back to the ski lodge, where you can wait for your ride back to the cruise ship dock in Downtown Juneau.
9. Walk Around Downtown Juneau
Even with limited time, wandering independently through downtown Juneau is a rewarding experience. Cruise ships dock in the heart of downtown, and maps are available at the Visitor Center along the Franklin Street waterfront or from the Centennial Hall Convention Center on Egan Drive. The downtown area is compact, nestled between the water and the mountains, making it easy to navigate.
Shops in town sell a variety of goods, from Indigenous art to t-shirts and jewelry. Take a moment to admire the dog statue near the cruise ship dock, which tells the touching story of Patsy Ann, a stray dog who greeted every ship that visited Juneau in the 1930s. The waterfront pier also features three other memorials: one to the men who work in the commercial fishing industry, one to the USS Juneau, a ship christened by the Juneau mayor’s wife in 1942 that sank a few months later during World War II, and one to Archie Van Winkle, the first Alaskan to win the Congressional Medal of Honor.
The Red Dog Saloon, located at the corner of Franklin Street and Marine Way, is a noisy and touristy establishment, but it embodies the spirit of the gold rush days. While you’re unlikely to find many locals here, it’s worth a peek to see the interior.
Downtown Juneau is also home to historic buildings like St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, built in 1894 and featuring the iconic onion domes characteristic of Russian Orthodox churches worldwide.
10. Sample Local Beer at Alaskan Brewing Co.
For a taste of local flavor, visit the Alaskan Brewing Co. In 1986, a young Juneau couple convinced 80 other Alaskans to invest in their new venture, a craft brewery. The company has since grown to produce a wide variety of year-round and seasonal beers, all made from the pristine waters surrounding Juneau. To date, they’ve garnered over 100 major medals and awards.
The onsite Brewery and Tasting Room offers free tours where visitors can learn about the company’s history and beer-making process, including a look at the original 10-barrel brewing system and the current 100-barrel system. Browse the collection of artifacts and the international collection of beer bottles and cans, then purchase some beer gear (apparel, glassware, and other fun novelties). Finally, be sure to enjoy the free samples. There’s typically a rough draft beer or smaller batches of local beers available for tasting in addition to the regular tasting menu.
Alaskan Brewing Co. was the first craft brewery in the country to install a carbon dioxide recovery system and an energy and water-saving mash filter process. Given Juneau’s isolation from the outside world, with all raw materials and products arriving or leaving by air or water, saving energy (and costs) is particularly important.
Cruise ship passengers should note that the brewery and tasting room are located about five miles from the cruise ship dock. An alternative is to visit the Alaskan Brewing Depot retail store on Franklin Street in downtown Juneau, which also offers a direct shuttle to the brewery and tasting room.
Liquid Alaska Tours also provides hourly transportation between the brewery’s locations for a fee, with shuttles departing from the Depot and a guided tasting included in the ticket price.
11. Experience the Beauty of Tracy Arm
The stunning Tracy Arm Wilderness Area lies approximately 45 miles south of Juneau. Consider a full-day tour of the fjord and its twin Sawyer Glaciers to fully appreciate its beauty. Many cruise ships offer shore excursions to Tracy Arm Fjord, allowing guests to get a closer look at the impressive waterfalls, towering granite walls, and icy blue glaciers. You might also spot seals, whales, bears, and various bird species.
12. Fly in a Helicopter Over the Icefields
For an unforgettable experience, consider a helicopter ride over the glaciers and snowy slopes of the Juneau Icefield on a clear day. While these rides can be expensive, they offer a truly memorable adventure. Soar over glaciers, leaving the green mountains surrounding Juneau on a warm, sunny day and arriving just minutes later in a snowy wonderland. This is one of the best ways to see the Best Things to Do in Juneau!
Best Things to Do in Juneau for a cruise. These tips will help you plan the best Juneau trip.
