Juneau is Alaska’s capital city, and it’s home to stunning hiking trails, massive glaciers, colorful gardens, and amazing food. The vast majority of visitors come to Juneau via a cruise and spend one day, but there are so many amazing things to do if you can spend more time.
Juneau is defined by its Tlingit heritage. The Tlingit people used the channel for fishing for 1,000’s of years. The area grew rapidly in the late 1800’s when gold was found, and it became the capital of Alaska in 1906. At the time, Alaska was an unorganized federal District governed by the United States. Alaska later became an official US territory in 1912, and a state in 1959.
Juneau is home to a temperate maritime rainforest. This means that the temperatures are relatively moderate year-round, but that they receive a lot of summer rain. They receive an average of 62 inches of rain per year. This means that you should be prepared for rainy weather. But don’t let the rain stop you from adventure. It usually does not rain all day.
Overall, I spent 6 days in Juneau and fell in love with the outdoor opportunities, the unique culture, the great restaurants, and the amazing views. If you can spend longer than a day, you’ll be glad you did. This guide is based on my experience visiting Juneau in summer 2026.
Full disclaimer: This was a partially hosted trip by Travel Juneau and partners. As always, my opinions are unbiased and my own.
Things To Know Before Visiting Juneau
- Juneau is not connected to the rest of North America by road, so you’ll need to fly or take a boat to reach it.
- Juneau is part of the largest temperature rainforest in the world, so they receive a lot of rain. Pack a raincoat and layers, but don’t let some rain stop you from exploring.
- If you’ll be hiking, make sure to bring insect repellant, and carry bear spray. The mosquitoes can be quite bad in some areas.
- Prices in Alaska tend to be very expensive. You may want to visit a grocery store to save money on eating out, and choose your paid activities carefully.
How To Get To Juneau
Juneau is a bit like an island. There are no roads that connect it to the rest of North America, so you’ll need to arrive by plane or boat.
I flew into Juneau from Seattle. You can also connect through Anchorage to get there.
Juneau can also be reached using the Alaska Marine Highway System. This is a lot slower than flying, but a great way to get around Southeast Alaska and bring a vehicle with you.
Getting Around Juneau
There are a lot of different ways to get around Juneau. For many of the things that I’ve mentioned, especially the hiking trails, I highly recommend renting a car. There are multiple rental car companies available.
If you don’t want to hike, or just don’t want to drive yourself around, you can get to a lot of places using public transportation in Juneau. I took the bus a couple times and it was easy to use. I used the Token Transit App to buy my tickets.
You can also get around Juneau using taxis, and Uber is available here.
When To Visit Juneau
If you want to enjoy hiking, whale watching, and other outdoor adventures in Juneau, summer is the best time to visit Juneau. The best period tends to be from late May to mid-September. However, visiting a little earlier in May, or a bit later in September, can be a wonderful time to avoid the crowds. Fewer cruise ships visit during the shoulder seasons.
The winter season is cold, but relatively mild compared to the rest of Alaska. Plus, you’ll have no cruise passengers, so it’s a nice time to visit if you’re looking for peace and quiet.
I visited in July, and was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to avoid the crowds. I stayed in the valley, rented a car, and never felt like anywhere was overly crowded. While it was cloudy everyday, it never rained for an entire day, and the weather was cool and mild.
Where To Stay in Juneau
If you’ll be hiking and exploring like me, I recommend staying in the valley instead of downtown. This is more convenient for many of the hiking trails, and you’ll be very close to the airport and Mendenhall Glacier.
I stayed at a few different places in Juneau during my trip, and especially enjoyed the Aviator Suites Hotel. As of summer 2026, it was recently renovated, so the room felt new. It’s located right across from the airport, so you can even walk there from a flight if you’d like.
Right after my visit, they opened up a restaurant that serves breakfast and dinner, as well as beers on tap. The staff was very kind and helpful, and this makes for a great base during your time in Juneau!
How many days should you spend in Juneau?
Most visitors only spend one day in Juneau during a cruise. Personally, I think that Alaska’s capital city deserves longer than a day to explore. I spent 6 days in Juneau, and never ran out of things to do. I think that a week is a great amount of time to enjoy hiking, museums, whale watching, and more of the beautiful areas that Juneau has to offer. If you have less time, I still recommend spending 3 days so that you can get a good feel for the area.
The Best Things To Do in Juneau, Alaska
1. Visit Mendenhall Glacier
Mendenhall Glacier is one of the most popular places to visit in Juneau, and for good reason. This stunning glacier extends out 13 miles from the Juneau Icefield, and drops 4,500 feet on the way. It is also the only glacier in Southeast Alaska that is accessible by road.
This is a glacier that continues to change each year. It has been retreating for 300 to 400 years, and has pushed back almost 2 miles in the last 100 years. At the visitor center and on some of the trails, you can see firsthand how much the glacier has retreated.
You’ll be able to see the glacier from the parking lot when you arrive, but you can also get a little closer by hiking. If you’re able, I recommend hiking to Nugget Falls. The trail is just under 2 miles, and rated easy with little elevation change. It is mostly a wide, well-graded path.
On your way to the waterfall, there are stunning views of the glacier. I also saw a lot of arctic terns during my visit. These incredible birds have the longest migration on earth, traveling between Arctic breeding grounds and Antarctica. They nest at Mendenhall Glacier.
I also enjoyed hiking the Trail of Time. This short trail has signage that shares about the retreat of the glacier and what this land was like 100 years ago. It’s wild to imagine what the area was like when the glacier extended out much further.
The visitor center offers educational displays, along with a helpful timelapse video that shows how the landscape has changed. Plus, they have a gift shop and helpful rangers.
This spot is very popular, so if you’re staying in Juneau, I recommend going early in the morning or in the evening. I arrived around 7am and had Nugget Falls completely to myself. The park was starting to get busy around 9am.
A visit to Mendenhall Glacier costs $5 per person, or you can use your America the Beautiful Pass. It is located about a 20 minute drive from downtown, and you have the option to take a bus or taxi if you don’t have a rental car.
2. Go on a Whale Watching Tour
Juneau is one of the best places in the United States for whale watching! Over 100 humpback whales migrate to the area each summer, and are reliably seen daily. The humpback whales are identified by their tales. On a whale watching tour, it’s practically guaranteed that you’ll see a humpback whale. And if you’re lucky, you may also see orcas, bubble-net feeding, and other wildlife.
I went on a small boat tour with Harv & Marv’s and had a great experience. Our boat only had 6 passengers, so we didn’t have to compete for getting the best view. It was so much fun to learn about the whales from our guide, Dalton, and we saw a lot.
During the tour, we got to see one of the most famous whales in the area, Flame. She is known for her white tale, and is one of the most frequently photographed whales in the world. We also saw a few other humpback whales.
We also saw orcas! We saw a pod of at least 6 orcas, and they were super active in fishing, diving, and swimming swiftly. I think that the small boat made it easier to follow these amazing animals from a safe distance.
If you like wildlife, make sure to add a whale watching tour to your Juneau itinerary. It’s so special to see these massive creatures in their natural habitat.
3. Take a Tour of Glacier Gardens
Glacier Gardens is a place where you can see something quite unique - upside down trees. Plus, they have a fantastic variety of flowers, trees, and all kinds of other flora and fungi.
This spot has an interesting story. The owner and founder, Steve, has worked hard to shape each area of the property into something beautiful. The upside down trees, or flower towers, came to be when Steve decided to stand back up a fallen tree and plant flowers on top. There are over 20 flower towers around the property, and each one has a colorful display of seasonal flowers.
When you visit, you’ll want to hop on one of their guided golf cart tours. A guide will drive you up the steep roads and tell you all about the forest along the way. Our guide was so knowledgeable about the plants that we passed.
At the top of a steep hill, there are panoramic views of the Mendenhall Valley. You’ll be able to watch planes taking off from the airport, admire mountains in the distance, and have a great look at Douglas Island.
At the bottom of the hill, you can explore the lower trails on your own. They also have a wonderful cafe and gift shop. This is a great accessible tour option for all ages and abilities, and a beautiful place for anyone to enjoy.
4. Go Hiking in Tongass National Forest
Tongass National Forest is a special palace. It’s the largest national forest in the United States, and covers most of Southeast Alaska. The forest covers around 700 million acres and includes temperate rainforest, old growth forests, glaciers, and more. It is an important habitat for wild Pacific salmon, grizzly bears, and other animals.
The Tongass National Forest also maintains over 700 miles of hiking trails, and you’ll find several in the Juneau area. I really enjoyed hiking to Herbert Glacier.
If you’ll be doing any significant amount of hiking in Juneau, you’ll want to carry bear spray. Check if your hotel has some that you can borrow, or buy it at a local outdoor store. I bought mine at Nugget Alaskan Outfitter. However, you’ll need to find a way to safely dispose of it, or find someone to give it to, when you leave.
The hike to Herbert Glacier is 9.8 miles round trip, but it’s relatively easy with minimal elevation change. You’ll mostly be hiking in a mossy forest and will pass by some peaceful rivers and a lake. Towards the end, you’ll walk out onto the glacial outwash plain. You’ll then reenter the forest and embark on a short, but steep, climb for the best views of the glacier.
This last bit of the trail involves some route finding. If you can’t find it, you can still enjoy great views. It’s definitely helpful to have the offline alltrails route downloaded. However, the map was missing the very last bit of the trail when I did the hike.
This trail is also popular for biking, as most of the terrain is easily managed on a bike. Make sure to carry insect repellent, as the mosquitos on this trail were relentless when I visited in early July.
Other trail options nearby include Windfall Lake and Eagle Glacier. There are also public-use cabins situated on some of these trails. You can make a reservation on recreation.gov for a cabin in the national forest. You’ll also find cabins available to rent in Alaska state parks.
5. Go Hiking in Point Bridget State Park
Point Bridget is a coastal state park that has rocky beaches, miles of forests, streams, and meadows. It’s located almost 40 miles north of Downtown Juneau, near where the road ends in this direction.
I enjoyed hiking the North Cove Trail. The trail follows near the coastline for much of the journey, so you have multiple chances to admire the ocean, and look for whales. You’ll also hike through a lush forest, and climb over many tree roots.
At the North Cove, there are amazing views looking out at the water and mountains in the distance. There is also a cabin available to rent, right on the rocky beach. It’s a picturesque spot.
6. Visit Eagle Beach
Eagle Beach is a gorgeous beach area that is great for spotting wildlife, going for a walk, or having a picnic. It’s quite common to see eagles here, and also possible to see whales, sea lions, seals, and other wildlife.
They have several picnic tables, so it’s the perfect spot to bring lunch. There is also plenty of space to go for a long walk along the shore.
The park is free to visit, and has several first-come, first-serve campsites.
7. Explore the Treadwell Mining Ruins
It’s hard to fathom how large Douglas Island is. It’s a tidal island located across the Gastineau Channel from downtown Juneau, and it’s 75 square miles that is mostly made up of coastal wilderness.
There are endless opportunities for hiking and backcountry exploration on the island, but if you’re short on time, I highly recommend checking out the Treadwell Mining Ruins.
These ruins have a lot of history. Treadwell was once the largest gold mine operating in the United States. The mine was in operation between 1882 and 1922, and brought thousands of people to the area with the promise of good wages and conditions.
Fun Fact: The Treadwell Complex had Alaska’s first indoor swimming pool.
Today, the area has been retaken by the forest, but a few buildings remain. You can walk inside of a former office building, see the saltwater pump, and look for ruins of a tennis court, powerplant, and more. There are lots of metal pieces that are set in the midst of trees and moss, making it really interesting to explore and see what you can find.
The park also has a frisbee golf course, picnic areas, and beach access. Whether you want to learn about mining history, or are just looking for an easy hike, this is a wonderful destination to include in your Juneau itinerary.
8. Admire the Flowers at Jensen-Olson Arboretum
The Jensen-Olsen Arboretum has a stunning display of gardens. It was a gift to the city from Caroline Jensen, who was a long-time resident and master gardener. The gardens are free to visit, and stunning.
Here you’ll find native plants, primroses, rhododendrons, and much more. It is a very beautiful and colorful display of flowers during the summer. I really enjoyed admiring the flowers, and saw a hummingbird, along with many pollinators.
Fun Fact: Juneau has an ideal climate for primroses.
The gardens are also right on the coast, so you can access a rocky beach, and you might see sea lions, seals, or whales. I watched some large fish jumping out of the water.
Dogs are not allowed in the gardens, but there is a hiking trail right next to the gardens where they are allowed.
The Jensen-Olsen Arboretum is located 30 minutes from downtown, but I think it’s worth the trip. It is also next to the National Shrine of St. Thérèse, a church that also has beautiful gardens and lovely views.
9. Visit the Sealaska Institute
The Sealaska Institute is a small museum where you can learn about the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian cultures. These groups make up the Sealaska Native Corporation.
The museum showcases artwork, historic items and all kinds of information about these Native groups. They also have an amazing gift shop with beautiful, Native art pieces. It costs $5 to visit the museum.
10. Walk the Totem Pole Trail
The Totem Pole Trail is a series of Totem Poles that are placed all around Downtown Juneau by the Sealaska Institute. Each pole represents something a little different. The first pole represents all three tribes in Southeast Alaska (the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian), while many of the other poles represent specific clans in each of the groups.
There is signage next to the poles that tell lots of specifics on what you’re looking at. I really enjoyed walking along the water and admiring the poles near The Whale Project.
11. Admire The Whale Project
If you want a cool photo op for your time in Juneau, make sure to stop by The Whale Project! The Whale Project, also known as Tahku, is a life-size sculpture of a breaching humpback whale. The sculpture was commissioned to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Alaska Statehood.
The huge sculpture is very detailed, complete with barnacles and foam. There is also a water feature, and periodically you’ll see water bursting out from around the whale.
The sculpture is on the water, and there’s a nice path along the water that you can take between here and the cruise ships.
12. Visit the Alaska State Museum
The Alaska State Museum is the perfect place to learn about the history of Alaska. They have extensive exhibits about the many Native groups in Alaska, and it’s a nice way to learn about the cultures of different groups across Alaska. They also tell the stories of how Russia claimed Alaska, and how Alaska later became a state. Plus, they cover mining history, WWII, and other aspects of Alaskan life.
For me, the information about the United States forcing assimilation with boarding schools when the United States bought Alaska, was the most powerful area of the museum. It’s worth learning more about this topic if you’re not familiar.
During my visit, the museum also had a Retrospect of Dorothy Grant, a haute couture fashion designer who has brought indigenous fashion to the world stage. She belongs to the Haida Nation. As a former fashion designer myself, I loved seeing all of her beautiful designs.
There is also a wonderful children’s area in the museum, which is full of interactive elements. Whether you’re a history buff, or looking for a rainy day activity, I think that the Alaska State Museum is one of the best things to do in Juneau.
13. Go Shopping Downtown
There are lots of cute shops in Juneau, these were my favorites:
The Pottery Jungle
If you like ceramics, be sure to stop by The Pottery Jungle. This shop features locally made pottery and lots of plants. They also offer pottery classes.
Drip Drop Wonder Shop
If you love colorful artwork, check out Drip Drop Wonder Shop. ArtistNatalie creates and curates colorful art that features fat and nude figures. This shop has great vibes!
Kindred Post
Kindred Post is part gift shop, part post office. You can mail a postcard from here, and they have an awesome art selection. You’ll find magnets, earrings, posters, candles, and so much more. They even do an annual statewide postcard contest, and you can select from a variety of unique postcards made from artists from all over the state.
Bunkhaus
Bunkhaus is a beautifully curated shop that will make you want to cozy up next to a campfire. They have high quality home decor, such as Pendleton blankets, pottery, outdoor gear, and more.
14. Where to Eat and Drink in Juneau
The Rookery Cafe
The Rookery Cafe is a cozy breakfast and lunch spot located downtown. They have a homey space decorated in artwork, and a delicious menu. I really enjoyed their breakfast bowl with toast, eggs, and potatoes, and loved their coffee. It’s a place that makes you want to stay awhile.
In Bocca al Lupo
If you’re looking for an upscale dinner during your time in Juneau, make a reservation at In Bocca al Lupo. They’re an Italian restaurant that specializes in homemade pasta and wood-fired pizza. Their spaghetti pomodoro was perfectly al dente, but the unique item that really stood out was the thunderdome. This is essentially garlic bread, but made of pizza dough. They fire pizza dough and smother it in garlic butter and parmesan cream. It is decadent and delicious.
Jellyfish Donuts
Jellyfish Donuts is a colorful spot downtown known for its donuts. They have one item that is particularly unique - a savory salmon donut. Personally, I really enjoyed the spruce tip donut. Spruce tip is a great flavor to enjoy in Southeast Alaska, as they are handpicked from Sitka spruce in coastal rainforests nearby.
Along with a variety of different donuts, they serve dumplings, corn dogs, and other fun sweet and savory items.
Pel’meni
Pel’meni is a casual spot where you can enjoy Russian dumplings. The menu is simple - you’ll choose potato or beef, and then pick your toppings. The toppings really made the dish - you can get curry powder, butter, and sriracha on top. This is a great place near the docks if you’re looking for some quick comfort food.
The Island Pub
The Island Pub is a popular and delicious restaurant located on Douglas Island. They serve wood-fired pizza, sandwiches, and more, and have a wonderful view of the water. I loved their Bee’s Kneez pizza with hot honey, garlic, mushrooms, and more.
Deckhand Dave’s
Deckhand Dave’s is one of the best places for fish tacos in Juneau! They serve three different types, and are especially known for the halibut. I’m a vegetarian, but my husband really enjoyed the fish and chips. They’re located in a food truck park downtown, so it’s easy for a group to try different things.
Pucker Wilson’s
Pucker Wilson’s is the place to go for a good burger. They have a few different locations around Juneau. I enjoyed their veggie burger, but I especially loved that they have the option to combine their sides. I ordered a 3-way with regular fries, brussel sprouts, and sweet potato fries. This is the best for someone who can’t make up their mind!
Devil’s Club Brewing
Devil’s Club Brewing has a taproom in Downtown Juneau has award-winning beer, crispy ciders, and a great food menu. I was especially impressed with their vegan sandwich, which was packed with seasonal vegetables, hummus and greens. I also loved their blueberry sour beer, Pie Face 5.0. They have a casual atmosphere, and it’s a great place to hang out.
Redbird & Raven
For a sweet treat, stop by Redbird & Raven. It’s a new bakery (as of summer 2026) that has beautifully decorated cookies, cakes, savory lunch items, and more. They’re also known for their huge cinnamon rolls, which are served on weekends.
Final Thoughts
I hope this guide helps you discover all of the best things to do in Juneau! From hiking in the Tongass, to looking for humpback whales, to exploring downtown, Juneau has so much to offer. With an easy flight from Seattle, I think that Juneau is worth a vacation on its own.
For more Alaska travel guides, check out my other blog posts:
- The Best Things To Do in Haines
- The Best Things To Do in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
- How to Take a Day Trip to Katmai National Park
- An Epic 7 Day Alaska Road Trip
- The Best Things To Do in Seward, Alaska
- A Guide to Visiting Matanuska Glacier
- A Guide to Visiting Denali National Park
- How to Visit Gates of the Arctic and Kobuk Valley
- How to Take a Day Trip to Lake Clark National Park
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