Discover the 11 Must-See Attractions in Juneau, Alaska in 2025

Experience the best of Juneau, Alaska, from breathtaking glaciers to rich cultural experiences.

Adventure is abundant in Juneau, the stunning capital of Alaska. Here, boats and seaplanes navigate the Gastineau Channel, offering visitors excursions for salmon fishing, zip-lining, and whale watching. Not far from downtown, a massive glacier calves into a glacial lake, with breathtaking views accessible via forested National Park Service trails.

This unique state capital stands out for its captivating wilderness. Although it is not accessible by road from other parts of Alaska, you can hike into the mountainous terrain from downtown in less than thirty minutes. Despite its remote setting, Juneau’s allure for adventure attracts over 1.6 million cruise ship passengers annually.

Visitors come to experience some of the area’s finest cultural and natural attractions, from locally sourced cuisine to breathtaking national parks like Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. Wildlife thrives even within city limits, where black bears might be spotted grazing in meadows.

Juneau poses countless opportunities for unique Alaskan experiences, enticing travelers with encounters of bears, bald eagles, and humpback whales. To help you plan your visit, explore this curated list of the top activities in Juneau.

1. Have an Ice Age encounter at Mendenhall Glacier

A key attraction in Juneau is the Mendenhall Glacier , a striking remnant from the last Ice Age, situated within the expansive 3900-sq-km (1500-sq-mile) Juneau Icefield. This glacier flows 13 miles down a mountain valley, eventually breaking off into icebergs at Mendenhall Lake, accompanied by a roaring waterfall. Begin your adventure at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, where you’ll find fascinating glaciology exhibits. Outside, numerous hiking trails await, ranging from the easy Photo Point Trail (0.3 miles) to the more challenging East Glacier Trail (3.5 miles).

Don’t forget your camera; during July through September, you may spot sockeye and coho salmon spawning below the viewing decks, and with luck, encounter both brown and black bears feeding on them.

For a closer view of the glacier, consider a glacier trek, usually involving a full day of moderate to strenuous hiking. For a waterside perspective, various outfitters offer canoe trips across Mendenhall Lake, allowing you to explore the glacier’s edge while paddling for an hour or two each way.

Planning tip:

The most economical way to reach Mendenhall Glacier is to catch a Capital Transit bus from Juneau ($2), although the bus leaves you 1.5 miles shy of the visitor center. Taxis can take you directly there for approximately $17—a significantly higher fare. Shuttle buses operated by Juneau Tours and M&M Tours provide a more convenient option for cruise passengers, costing around $45/65 per adult/child.

2. Experience Alaskan culture and cuisine in downtown Juneau

You can easily dedicate an entire day to exploring downtown Juneau, where attractions are within walking distance of the dynamic waterfront serving cruise ships. Start your adventure at the Sealaska Heritage Institute, marked by distinctive Alaska Native totem poles and exquisitely carved entrance panels.

To delve deeper into Juneau’s culture and history, visit the nearby Alaska State Capitol, the Juneau-Douglas City Museum, the former residence of the influential figure James Wickersham, and St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, a relic of Alaska’s 19th-century Russian ownership.

This area also allows you to savor Alaskan seafood at Tracy’s King Crab Shack, recognized for its delectable king crab with butter, savory crab bisque, and mini crab cakes. Alternatively, explore SALT, an upscale venue known for its standout halibut with scallops and luxurious seafood pasta dishes.Planning tip:

Juneau is a primary hub for excursions; the best way to arrange a trip is to visit the cruise ship terminal near the Mount Roberts Tramway, where various operators provide outdoor booths for whale-watching, salmon fishing, and bear-viewing trips.

3. Get a bird’s eye view of the Juneau Icefield

Spanning 1500 square miles of brilliant ice, the immense Juneau Icefield sustains the Mendenhall Glacier, making it the fifth-largest icefield of its kind in the Northern Hemisphere, consisting of over 30 glaciers. The optimal way to appreciate its grandeur is from above, via helicopter.

Exciting helicopter tours glide over and sometimes land on the ice rivers of the icefield, offering combined experiences such as ice climbing, trekking, or excursions to the Tracy Arm fjord.

Planning tip:

Alaska’s weather can be unpredictable, so it is wise to maintain flexibility in your plans should your flight to the icefield need to be rescheduled due to adverse weather conditions.

4. Lose yourself in history at the Alaska State Museum

The Alaska State Museum features an extensive collection dedicated to Alaska Native culture and the captivating history of the state. Museum halls highlight the Russian colonial era, the 1867 transfer of Alaska to America, and the gold rush period of the late 19th century.

The museum also addresses the uncomfortable legacy of American missionary work in Alaska and the boarding schools established to “assimilate” Alaska Native children, alongside Indigenous Alaskans’ ongoing civil rights movements.

Moreover, it showcases displays of Alaskan shipwrecks, Japan’s World War II invasion of the Aleutian Islands, and important modern industries including fishing and petroleum extraction. Be attentive to the details—look up, explore the cases, and discover hidden gems!

5. Immerse yourself in the vast natural beauty of Tongass National Forest

Tongass is the largest national forest in the US, encompassing most of the Alexander Archipelago’s 1110 islands and sections of the mainland. Despite hosting the largest temperate rainforest in the world, featuring Sitka spruce, western hemlock, and red cedar, Tongass is not exclusively forested; approximately 40% is made up of wetlands, ice sheets, and mountainous terrain.

Adventurers can take advantage of remote, off-grid accommodations in 150 scattered US Forest Service (USFS) cabins, most accessible only by boat or floatplane. The park also offers 13 visitor campgrounds, four of which are free of charge.Planning tip:

There are many operators in Juneau that guide excursions into the national forest by boat, plane, or on foot. For park recreation areas, permits, and safety tips regarding bear country, refer to the USFS Tongass website.

6. Witness the best show in town on a whale-watching trip

The Gulf of Alaska is brimming with wildlife, attracting many to seek sightings of humpback whales, orcas, seals, and other marine creatures. If you are visiting Juneau as part of an Inside Passage cruise, you are likely to see a humpback whale or orca from your ship, especially during the prime observation period from April to September.

If you’re not on a cruise, numerous companies along the Juneau waterfront offer whale-watching tours on single or double-decker boats, which enhance the experience by allowing visitors to get closer to the whales and spend more time capturing photographs. These tours typically last three to four hours; ensure you don warm, weatherproof clothing for deck time.

Planning tip:

Select a tour operator that adheres to ethical wildlife-watching standards set by Whale Sense Alaska, promoting responsible whale observation practices.

7. Take in scenic views from the Mt Roberts Goldbelt Tram

Just a short walk from the cruise ship docks, the bright red Goldbelt Tram transports visitors from sea level to the treeline on Mt Roberts, approximately 1800ft above downtown Juneau. From the summit, enjoy panoramic views of the Gastineau Channel, Douglas Island, the Chilkat Mountains, and the towering peaks of Admiralty Island in the distance.

If you have energy to spare, set off on one of the numerous hiking trails, including the popular short route to Father Brown’s Cross. More adventurous hikers may tackle the challenging ascent to Mt Gastineau and the summit of Mt Roberts. After your adventures, refuel at the Timberline Bar & Grill, which serves familiar dishes amidst exceptional harbor views.

Planning tip:

The primary drawback of the tram experience is the price; a round-trip fare costs $60. However, you can save some money by hiking up and using the tram for the descent, as long as you spend a minimum of $20 at the shop or restaurant. The 1.2-mile Mount Roberts Trail to the tram terminus begins off Basin Rd.

8. Commune with nature on one of Juneau’s best hikes

Few Alaskan cities offer such a rich selection of hiking trails as Juneau. A few prime trails start near the city center, while others lead “out the road” to the north of Auke Bay. Dress appropriately for varying weather conditions and remain vigilant for bears while hiking.

If you can embark on only one route, the 3-mile Perseverance Trail is your best option. This trail connects significant sites linked to Juneau’s mining history and allows access to two more popular trails: the Mount Juneau Trail and the Granite Creek Trail.

Both trails offer stunning views and the opportunity to spot mountain goats, porcupines, marmots, bald eagles, brown bears, and black bears. For a more extreme adventure, consider combining all three trails into a rugged 10-hour trek or an overnight camping trip.

The moderate Herbert Glacier Trail is a 5-mile route along the Herbert River; the initial 3.5 miles are relatively easy, making it suitable for mountain biking. Meanwhile, the Amalga Trail (also referred to as the Eagle Glacier Trail) is a more level 7.5-mile path leading to the lake formed by Eagle Glacier (allow seven to eight hours for the round trip).

Planning tip:

If you plan a multi-day hiking journey around Juneau, it is advisable to book one of the area’s 11 USFS cabins in advance, especially during the peak summer season.

9. Watch the bears at Admiralty Island

During July and August, Admiralty Island attracts numerous brown bears, congregating at the extensive tidal flats of the Pack Creek Bear Viewing Area due to the plentiful salmon in the area. It is one of the premier locations for bear observation in Alaska.

Most visitors arrive via floatplane from Juneau and are greeted by a ranger who explains the wildlife watching guidelines. Each group then embarks on a one-mile hike to an observation tower that overlooks the bear-populated creek.

Planning tip:

Operator Above & Beyond Alaska offers all-inclusive guided trips, though you can save money by arranging your permit through recreation.gov and chartering a floatplane from Ward Air.

10. Take in breathtaking glacier views on a “flightseeing” tour

Among the most sought-after activities in Juneau are glacier viewing, salmon bakes, and “flightseeing” tours that traverse the landscape. A trip to the historic, off-grid Taku Glacier Lodge allows you to combine all three experiences.

Floatplane excursions run by Wings Airways incorporate a flight on a de Havilland Otter across multiple glaciers to the lodge, where a delicious wild salmon meal awaits. These experiences are especially popular among cruise ship passengers, so be prepared for shared experiences within this exquisite wilderness.

Planning tip:

Check weather conditions prior to your trip; overcast days can hinder the very views that are the highlight of the journey. For bookings, visit the Wings Airways office located behind the Merchant’s Wharf on Juneau’s waterfront.

11. Explore Juneau’s gold-powered past in old mines and ghostly ruins

Once the world’s largest gold mine, Juneau’s Treadwell Mine was organized like a mini-town complete with a baseball diamond, stores, dormitories, and a blacksmith shop. The mine was ultimately abandoned when part of the town slipped into the sea in 1917.

Today, ghostly reminders of Juneau’s mining prosperity emerge from the forest along a well-marked historical trail, located around three miles south of the Douglas Bridge adjacent to Savikko Park (accessible via buses 1 or 11 from downtown).

Within walking distance of downtown, the Last Chance Mining Museum is situated in the former Alaska-Juneau Gold Mining Company headquarters. Here, you can view the remnants of the compressor house and observe the tools used by this historic hard-rock gold mine, including a recreated mining tunnel and a 3D glass map illustrating the scale of the mine’s operations.

Planning tip:

The Mining Museum is conveniently located close to the Perseverance Trail; combining a visit to both with a hike through the mining ruins in the surrounding area structure makes for an enjoyable afternoon.