10 Epic Things to Do in Juneau, Alaska

Juneau, Alaska, is a beautiful city located in the heart of the Alaskan wilderness. If you’re looking for an adventure, you’ll find it here! Discover 10 epic things to do in Juneau, from hiking and fishing to glacier tours and kayaking around icebergs. In this blog post, we will explore 10 of the best experiences that Juneau offers when you’re out for a true adventure. So pack your bags and get ready for an unforgettable trip!

Whether you’ll be venturing deep into the surrounding forest or exploring every inch of this city, Juneau has so much to offer and is a great jumping-off point for Alaskan adventures. You may come across affiliate links in this post as you read. If you decide to make a purchase through one, you’ll help me earn a small commission at no cost to you! Thanks for your support.

Visiting Juneau, Alaska is so much fun when you’ve got the right itinerary all planned out! Here’s a look at the 10 most incredible experiences you can have in Juneau. Click any link to go straight to that section!

Top 10 Best Things to Do in Juneau, Alaska

1. Cruise the Tracey Arm Inlet
2.Tongass National Forest
3. Mendenhall Glacier
4. Nugget Falls
5. Salmon Hatchery
6. Whale Watching
7. Mount Roberts Tramway
8. Salmon Feast at Taku Lodge
9. Go on a Juneau Culinary Walk
10. Visit the Last Chance Museum 

Best Places to Eat in Juneau

1. Deckhand Daves
2. SALT
3. Narrows Bar
4. The Hangar
5. The Island Pub

Why You Should Visit Juneau, Alaska

Alaska’s capital city, Juneau, is located in the state’s southeastern region. With a population of just over 32,000, Juneau is relatively small, but still the second-largest city in Alaska (after Anchorage). It is also the cruise capital of Alaska, with over one million cruise ship passengers visiting each year.

But that’s not what makes Juneau such an awe-inspiring place to visit. Juneau is surrounded by towering mountains and stunning glaciers, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and anyone into beautifully scenic locations. In addition to hiking and mountain biking, some of the most popular activities in Juneau include kayaking, whale watching, and dog sledding.

Visitors can also take a scenic flightseeing tour or ride the Mount Roberts Tramway for breathtaking views of the city and surrounding landscape with GetYourGuide.

If you’re looking for a unique Alaska experience, Juneau is the place to be!

10 Epic Things to Do in Juneau, Alaska

Now that you’ve whetted your appetite for an adventure, let’s explore 10 of the best things to do in Juneau, Alaska.

1. Cruise the Tracey Arm Inlet

The Tracey Arm Inlet is one of the most beautiful and popular cruising areas in Alaska. The inlet is located about 30 miles south of Juneau, and it features glaciers, waterfalls, and wildlife. There are two glaciers in the inlet: the North Sawyer Glacier and the South Sawyer Glacier. 

The Sawyer Glacier is one of the largest tidewater glaciers in North America, and it’s a popular spot for iceberg viewing. The South Sawyer Glacier is smaller, but it’s also very scenic. Visitors can often see calving, or ice breaking off from the glacier. Tracey Arm is also home to various wildlife, including seals, whales, eagles, and bears. 

Cruising the Tracey Arm Inlet is an unforgettable experience. Still, there are a few things you should know before you go:

1. 1. The inlet is only accessible by boat or floatplane.
   2. Weather conditions can be unpredictable, so it’s essential to be prepared for windy and cold conditions.
   3. Because of the remote location, cell phone service is limited or may not be available in the inlet.

However, with proper planning and preparation, your cruise through the Tracey Arm Inlet will be a fantastic adventure.

2. Tongass National Forest

Tongass National Forest is the largest national forest in the United States, covering over 16 million acres of Southeast Alaska. It is also one of the most biologically diverse forests in the world, home to an array of plant and animal life. The Tongass is a temperate rainforest and receives over 90 inches of precipitation each year!

Sitka spruce, western hemlock, and Alaska cedar are just a few of the trees that make up the Tongass forest. In addition to its tree diversity, the Tongass is also home to bald eagles, brown bears, black bears, humpback whales, and Sitka black-tailed deer. The Tongass National Forest is truly a national treasure.

Visitors to Juneau can hike in the Tongass right from downtown—some hiking past the Mt. Roberts Tramway to the summit of Mt. Roberts, and others taking a guided excursion. Pack Creek Outfitters is a local seaplane guiding company that can take you out to one of the coastal islands to view Alaskan Brown bears as they fish for salmon!

3. Mendenhall Glacier

The Mendenhall Glacier is located a short drive from downtown Juneau. At 12 miles long, it is the largest glacier in the Juneau Icefield. The glacier starts at the Juneau Icefield and terminates at Mendenhall Lake. It is named after geologist Thomas Corwin Mendenhall. The Mendenhall Glacier Visitors Center is where you can learn about glaciers and their impact on Alaska’s environment. The center has many exhibits and Glacier Rangers who give talks and lead hikes on the glacier. There are also ranger-led canoe trips on Mendenhall Lake. 

The Mendenhall Glacier is a popular destination for tourists and a great place to learn about glaciers. The best way to get to the Mendenhall Glacier is on the Glacier Blue Bus which departs from Juneau’s Port every day with departures every 30 minutes. Check with the driver when you board to find out the last time of the day for returning to town. 

If you’re looking for a great way to combine your visit to Mendenhall with the Tongass National Forest, check out this tour.

4. Nugget Falls

When visiting the Mendenhall Glacier, take some extra time to walk out to Nugget Falls. Nugget Falls may be one of the only moving waterfalls in the world! Its location and size actually change with the retreating glacier and amount of rainfall in the area. The falls are easily accessible by car, and there is a short 1.5-mile hiking trail to the base of the falls if you’d like to get a closer look. Nugget Falls is an especially popular destination for photographers. It’s also a great place to picnic or just enjoy the views.

5. Salmon Hatchery

The Salmon Hatchery in Juneau is a must-visit. This is where you can learn about the life cycle of salmon, see fish being hatched and raised, and watch as they are released into the wild. The hatchery also offers a variety of educational programs for families and school groups. If you’re interested in doing some salmon fishing while you’re in Alaska, I can’t recommend a stop at the hatchery enough! It’s a great way to learn all about these magnificient fish and earn a new respect for them. 

6. Whale Watching

Whale watching is one of the most popular activities in Alaska, and Juneau is no exception. It’s one of the many reasons people love visiting this part of Alaska! Humpback whales are often seen in the waters around Juneau, and several tour companies offer whale-watching tours. These tours typically last about three hours, and they provide an up-close look at these fantastic creatures. Some of the tour boats are equipped with hydrophones that let you hear the whales communicating underwater as they pass by. Whale watching is a great way to learn about humpback whales and their habitat around Juneau!

7. Mount Roberts Tramway

The Mount Roberts Tramway is a cable car that takes passengers from downtown Juneau to the top of Mount Roberts. When you’re in Juneau, don’t miss your chance to ride it! The tramway was built in 1996, and it has been a popular tourist attraction ever since. The ride to the top of the mountain takes about 6 minutes, and there are several hiking trails and scenic overlooks at the top. The Mount Roberts Tramway is a great way to get views of Juneau and the surrounding area. Tickets can be purchased at the base of the Tramway and you’ll find a gift shop, restaurant, gallery, and coffee shop at the top. 

To get to the Tramway, hike up the 3-mile trail from Gold Creek. From town, walk up Gold Street and onto Basin Road where you see the Mount Roberts Trailhead. At the summit, you can buy something inside the gift shop or gallery to remember your visit and ride down for free. Just don’t forget your rain jacket. 

Tickets: $45 roundtrip (Adults) $30 (Children age 3-12 ) Buy tickets online here.

8. Fly to Taku Lodge For a Salmon Feast 

Taku Lodge is a fly-in lodge located in the Taku Inlet, just outside of Juneau. The lodge is only accessible by floatplane or boat, and it’s a popular destination for fishermen and hunters as well as hungry tourists wanting the most unique salmon feast you could imagine.  A flight to Taku Lodge allows you to see a birds-eye view of the 1,500 square-mile Juneau Icefield. Book a day trip to Taku with Wings Airways for a salmon feast on the shores of the lake and neighboring glacier! Most visitors will be greeted with bear sightings and the trip includes a 25 minute scenic glacier tour from the plane as you fly in and out. 

Taku Lodge is a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy the beauty of Alaska.

9. Go on a Juneau Culinary Walk

The Juneau Culinary Walk is a walking tour that takes you around to various successful restaurants and cafes in downtown Juneau. The tour includes samples of food from each location and information about the history and culture of Juneau. You’ll get a chance to taste many of the dishes that the city is best known for while meeting chefs and staff members excited to share the flavors of the city with you. The Juneau Culinary Walk is a great way to experience the culinary scene in Alaska’s capital city. You can find more info here if you’re interested in booking the tour!

10. Visit the Last Chance Mining Museum

The Last Chance Mining Museum is located in Juneau’s historic downtown district, making it easy to reach when you’re exploring the city on foot. The museum is housed in the old Alaska Juneau Gold Mine office. It features exhibits on the city’s mining history and offers tours of the mine, which take visitors underground to see firsthand what it was like to work in a gold mine. The Last Chance Mining Museum is a great place to learn about Juneau’s history and the city’s connection to the gold mining industry.

• Address: 1001 Basin Rd, Juneau, AK 99801
• Hours: Friday through Monday 2-5pm 

Now that you’re all geared up to visit and enjoy the 10 best things to do in Juneau, don’t stop here! Here are some more great tours you can take in the Juneau area.

Where to Eat in Juneau

If you worked up an appetite after a day of experiencing the best things to do in Juneau, you’re in luck. There are plenty of great places to eat in Alaska’s capital city—from the freshest seafood to innovative and classic burgers, there is something for everyone.

1. Deckhand Daves

Deckhand Dave’s is a food stand in Juneau that specializes in Mexican fish tacos. The menu is seasonal and features salmon, rockfish, and halibut, all of which are caught fresh from the nearby waters and some of the best fish tacos I have ever had anywhere. The fish is then grilled to perfection and served on a warm tortilla with a variety of delicious toppings. Whether you’re looking for a quick snack or a full meal, Deckhand Dave’s will hit the spot. 

Insider Tip: Black bears frequent this area in the evening, so if you want to see one, come for a beer or late night taco before heading off to bed. Keep your distance from any wildlife you may encounter on your visit. 

2. SALT

If you’re looking for Alaskan cuisine with a modern twist, SALT (yes, all caps, plus I’m excited to tell you about it!) is your place. The menu features a variety of fresh seafood dishes and steaks and everything is accompanied by local produce. The chef sources the freshest ingredients from around Alaska, so you can be sure you’re getting the best of what the state has to offer.

3. Narrows Bar

It’s not exactly a restaurant, however, Narrows Bar deserves a mention for its excellent cocktails. This cocktail bar is definitely a must-visit whether it be before dinner or for an after-dinner aperitif.  On my last visit to Juneau, this was a daily spot for a late-day cocktail after spending the day hiking and kayaking. 

4. The Hangar

The Hangar on the Wharf is a local favorite and a must-visit in Juneau. Stop in to enjoy a meal with some of the best views in Juneau. Don’t forget to try one of their 20-plus beers available on tap! They also have great fish n’chips, tacos and other light fare. This converted airplane hangar in the heart of Juneau is delightfully unique and makes a perfect addition to your itinerary.

5. The Island Pub

It might sound a bit out of place, but the Island Pub is one of the best places to eat in Juneau, Alaska. The pub offers brick-oven pizza, wraps, and salads with a water view. They also offer a variety of beers on tap and a full bar so you can drink up while you eat up!

Explore the Best Things to Do in Juneau

Juneau is a great place to visit for its natural beauty, wildlife, outdoor activities, dining spots, and rich history. There are so many things to do in Juneau—and this list is just a start. So whether you’re looking for adventure or relaxation, I guarantee you’ll find it here. What gets you excited about your upcoming visit to Juneau? I hope you love it just as much as I did!

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