Location: Juneau
Top Things to do in Juneau
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10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Juneau That You Shouldn't Miss
Because of its ideal location between the base of Mount Juneau and the Gastineau Channel, the Southeastern Alaskan city of Juneau has been the home of Native American fisherman, European fur traders, and American gold prospectors. Now a free-spirited state capital, Juneau is the perfect base for a journey into the gorgeous Alaskan wilderness, whether it's for fishing, kayaking, and dog sledding in the National Parks, whale-watching at Icy Strait, or glacier hiking at the Juneau Icefield.
Restaurants in Juneau
1. Juneau Whale Watch
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5,917 reviews
Get the most out of your shore excursion in Juneau with our central port pick-up, flexible schedule at the Mendenhall Glacier Park and deluxe whale watching boats!
2. Gastineau Guiding
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4,444 reviews
Gastineau Guiding has been offering small-group fully-guided whale watching and hiking experiences to Juneau travelers for over 20 years. Step into Alaska with a passionate and professional Certified Interpretive Guide. Our guiding mission is to provide each guest with a sense of wonder about this special place we call home. Our modern fleet of custom built safari vessels provides the best vantage for viewing and photographing marine wildlife - whale sightings are guaranteed! Join us on a specialty trip by land & sea tailored to your interests: Juneau's original - Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier Photo Safari; Tour of the Year - Alaska's Whales, Glaciers & Rainforest Trails; The science behind the scenery - Discover Alaska's Whales (Science Adventure). Guided rainforest hikes with glacier views and alpine treks for active visitors are also available. Custom Group Tours and Charters are also available for those traveling to Juneau independent of a cruise line.
3. Nugget Falls
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,420 reviews
Reviewed By QuantumMover - San Diego, United States
MUST SEE!! Incredibly beautiful glacier, icebergs, and waterfalls all enclosed by a beautiful natural park. Although we did not see bears, signs were posted around the park to stay alert that bears are typically seen in the area. The Photo Point is a 5 minute walk from the visitor center on a paved road, you can hear the waterfalls and have a spectacular view of the glacier from there. You can also hike to the falls, its 2-3 miles round trip from the visitor center. The video at the center is worth watching, as it explains how the impacts from global warming are measurable.
4. Perseverance National Recreation Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 116 reviews
Reviewed By GMLfromTexas - San Antonio, United States
Probably the most physically demanding trail we explored during our stay in Juneau. This is primarily because it is all uphill (mild to moderate grades) going in, but oddly enough the trip back seemed harder on the legs. Trail is in good shape although it is prone to rock slides, so there are patched segments (no difficulty with negotiating). More joggers than the other trails we were on in Juneau as it is apparently the "training run" for the more athletically inclined residents. Make sure you go to the falls.
5. Jensen-Olson Arboretum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By bridieDuncan - Duncan, Canada
This garden is beautiful and inspiring in the way the gardeners have managed to grow so many different plants in some challenging circumstances. I esp enjoyed seeing the wheat - and the photo my husband took of the hummingbird moth. [I missed it!] The arboretum is a work of love:-)
6. Treadwell Historic Mine Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 39 reviews
Reviewed By willqh - La Grande, United States
Loved this walk through the trees and on the beach, lots of hidden mining treasures along the path too
7. Alaska State Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 561 reviews
The Alaska State Museum is located at the Fr. Andrew P. Kashevaroff (APK) building in downtown Juneau. Visit us for a uniquely comprehensive view of Alaska’s history and diverse cultures including fine art, mining, fishing, forestry, tourism, Russia-America, and World War II. The Science on a Sphere TM theater cycles through a variety of geographical programs. There is a discovery room with a climb-aboard replica of an early sailing ship and fun activities for all ages. Besides the regularly changing temporary and virtual exhibits, the special 2021 show is "SWAY” on Northern Northwest Coast Weaving. Museum admission $14 summer; $9 winter. Youth free.
Reviewed By ericandtrudy - East Helena, United States
We loved the informative, colorful displays, and the gift shop had some excellent items at good prices!
8. Mount Roberts Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 567 reviews
Hiking trail beginning in downtown Juneau that is great for novices.
Reviewed By Sharyl2014 - Wisconsin, United States
This was a challenging climb but worth the effort. A small gift shop and museum at top. Great views of the port below. Hikers are able to ride the Tram down for $10 (or spend $10 on gifts/food for a free ride down).
9. Point Bridget State Park
10. Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,002 reviews
Mendenhall Glacier is easily accessible via roads from the local airport, cruise ship terminal and state ferry terminal. Our facility and lands are managed by the federal government through the United States Forest Service. Federal passes are accepted and sold as well as daily passes. There is a visitor center with a theater showing a 15-minute film on Mendenhall Glacier, a bookstore operated by nonprofit organization Discovery Southeast, and exhibits on wildlife, history, and glacial and geological changes. Rangers provide talks at various indoor and outdoor sites in summer. Open hours in summer are daily 8am to 7:30pm. Due to wildlife and bears, no food is allowed outdoors from April-November. There is no beverage or food service available to prevent bears from becoming food-conditioned. Nearby Steep Creek is the spawning stream for wild sockeye salmon from late July through early September. Later in the fall, a run of coho salmon spawn in the creek. Porcupines can be seen foraging on leaves in deciduous trees. Beavers are visible early in the morning and in the evening. Learn about Alaska and the natural world around the glacier and lake. Enjoy a one-hour hike to 400-foot-tall Nugget Falls. Other trails lead to different habitats. In winter, the visitor center is open Friday-Sunday from 10am to 4pm and closed on federal holidays.
Reviewed By ArmaanSaigon - Sydney, Australia
While in Juneau, Alaska we visited the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Centre. This was the first time for me to see such a spectacular view up-close of a landlocked glacier. There are numerous walking tracks all in varying levels of difficulty and viewing areas. There is plenty of wildlife. The approximately 20km long river of ice definitely takes your breath away. After having spent four days working in the Tongass National Forest I especially enjoyed the short film back at the centre which explored the interplay in the whole natural ecosystem of the area and how the glaciers in the region are impacted. Needless to say, I now have a far greater appreciation and love for these incredible ice leviathans. Well worth seeing at least once in your life.
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