Juneau is a state capital that you cannot drive to.
AT A GLANCE
Best time
May to September for whales, open trails and tours; June and July are the warmest months.
How long
Three days covers downtown, the glacier and a whale watch; add a day for a flightseeing or fjord trip.
Getting there
Fly into Juneau International Airport, or arrive by cruise ship or Alaska Marine Highway ferry.
Why visit Juneau
Few cities put wild Alaska this close. The Mendenhall Glacier sits at the edge of a residential valley, black bears fish for salmon beside a visitor center boardwalk, and humpback whales spend the summer in the channels a short drive from town.
Juneau is also a cultural capital. The Alaska State Museum and Sealaska Heritage Institute hold some of the finest collections of Alaska Native art anywhere, and downtown is layered with history from the gold rush and territorial era.
Mendenhall Valley and the glacier
Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center
The Mendenhall Glacier, about 13 miles long, flows from the Juneau Icefield into the valley north of the airport. The Forest Service visitor center, the first one the agency built in the nation, overlooks Mendenhall Lake with exhibits on glaciers and wildlife.
Nugget Falls and Steep Creek
The easy Nugget Falls Trail follows the lakeshore to a tall waterfall that crashes onto a gravel bar beside the lake. Back near the parking area, the Steep Creek boardwalk is one of the best places in Alaska to watch black bears; from July into September they come to catch spawning sockeye salmon, often walking right beneath the viewing platforms.
West Glacier Trail
For a more rugged outing, the West Glacier Trail climbs along the opposite side of the lake through forest and over smooth bedrock to viewpoints above the ice. It is a strenuous half-day hike of several hours.
Downtown Juneau: tram, history and culture
Goldbelt Tram and Mount Roberts
The Goldbelt Tram, formerly the Mount Roberts Tramway, rises from the cruise ship docks to a station about 1,800 feet up Mount Roberts in roughly six minutes.
Alaska State Capitol
Built in 1931 as the territorial capitol, this modest brick and marble building lacks a dome but houses the legislature and governor's office. Historic photographs line the halls, and free tours are offered in summer.
St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church
Up the hill on Fifth Street, this small octagonal church with an onion dome was built in 1893 for a congregation that included many Tlingit families. It is one of the oldest Orthodox churches in Southeast Alaska and still holds services.
Alaska State Museum
The state museum is the best single introduction to Alaska, with galleries on Alaska Native cultures from across the state, Russian and American history, natural history and contemporary art. Allow two hours.
Sealaska Heritage Institute
The Walter Soboleff Building, recognizable by its large formline artwork, presents exhibits on Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian art and culture and hosts artists in residence. Nearby, a growing arts campus celebrates Northwest Coast traditions.
Perseverance Trail
From the top of Basin Road, a short walk from downtown, the Perseverance Trail follows Gold Creek into a valley scattered with mining relics and waterfalls.
Douglas Island, Auke Bay and the water
Treadwell Mine Historic Trail
Across the bridge on Douglas Island, the Treadwell gold mine was once among the largest hard rock gold mines in the world, employing more than two thousand people before a collapse and flood in 1917 ended most work.
Shrine of St. Therese
About 23 miles north of downtown along the Glacier Highway, a small stone chapel sits on a wooded islet reached by a causeway, with views across Lynn Canal. Gardens and a labyrinth surround the grounds.
Whale watching from Auke Bay
Humpback whales return to the waters around Juneau each summer, and tours leave from Auke Bay for Stephens Passage and nearby channels, where you may also see orcas, sea lions, porpoises and bald eagles. Most trips last three to four hours.
Juneau Icefield and Tracy Arm
Helicopter and floatplane tours fly over the Juneau Icefield, often landing on a glacier or at a remote lodge on the Taku River. Boat trips also run south to Tracy Arm, a fjord ending at the twin Sawyer Glaciers.
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Food and local flavors
Seafood is the reason to eat in Juneau.
The city has a strong craft beer scene led by the Alaskan Brewing Company, founded here in 1986, whose amber ale is sold statewide, plus several smaller downtown breweries. Coffee shops are everywhere, a necessity on rainy days.
Popular dishes to try in Juneau
Where to stay
Downtown. The historic core puts museums, restaurants, the tram and the waterfront within walking distance.
Douglas Island. Across the bridge, Douglas offers quiet rentals near the Treadwell trails and the Eaglecrest ski area.
Auke Bay and out the road. Lodges and cabins north of town sit near the ferry terminal, whale watching docks and beaches.
Where to stay in Juneau
Best time to visit
The main season runs from May to September, when cruise ships call, tours operate and whales feed nearby.
Downtown can be very crowded when several large ships are in port, so check the cruise ship schedule and plan glacier visits for mornings or evenings.
Getting there and getting around
By air. Juneau International Airport, about nine miles from downtown, has daily jet service from Seattle and Anchorage plus small carriers serving Southeast Alaska towns.
By sea. The Alaska Marine Highway ferry connects Juneau with other Inside Passage towns and with Haines and Skagway, which have road links.
Getting around. Downtown is walkable but steep.
A suggested itinerary
First day
Start at the Alaska State Museum, walk up to St. Nicholas Church and the Capitol, then visit Sealaska Heritage.
Second day
Head to the Mendenhall Glacier early. Walk to Nugget Falls, watch for bears at Steep Creek, then drive out to Auke Bay for an afternoon whale watching trip.
Third day
Take an icefield flightseeing tour or a boat trip toward the fjords. In the afternoon, cross to Douglas Island for the Treadwell trail and Sandy Beach, or hike the Perseverance Trail from downtown.
Practical tips
- Pack a real rain jacket, waterproof shoes and warm layers, even in July.
- Book whale watching, flightseeing and lodging early for June through August.
- Check the cruise ship schedule and visit popular sights early or late on heavy port days.
- Keep a safe distance from bears, never leave food unattended, and carry bear spray on longer trails.
- Do not walk onto glaciers or near calving ice without a guide.
Find local businesses in Juneau on WiserMap
From seafood shacks and coffee shops to tour operators and outfitters, Juneau's local businesses make a visit easier.
