Many travelers stay away from destinations like Alaska known for their consistently cold weather. Doing that means missing out on the meaningful experiences they could have there.
Juneau is the capital of Alaska, and it’s a can’t-miss location for everyone traveling to the US’ most northernly located state. Thrill-seekers can ski or zipline down its many mountains, while it’s many lodges provide a more relaxed experience for those that prefer to keep their travels a bit more low-key.
Nature-lovers can see bears and whales in the wild or enjoy Alaska’s flowers and trees. History buffs can learn about the history of Alaska’s natives, how it became a state, and the industries that helped shape it.
Like and subscribe to ViewCation for more reasons to visit one of the most underrated of all the 50 states. Keep watching to learn about the best things to do in Juneau, Alaska.
Mendenhall Glacier
This 3,000-year-old glacier is the most popular spot to visit in Juneau, Alaska. Go to the viewing platforms in the summer or fall to see black bears in their natural environment. Your trail options include the short Trail of Time or the more difficult 3-mile East Glacier Loop. They both end at the Visitor Center where you’ll find a shop full of local goods, view a short video, and see displays about the glacier and the wildlife that live there.
You can also try an Ice Caves Adventure Tour, the Canoe Paddle and Trekking Tour, or Glacier Rafting Tour to get even closer to all the Mendenhall Glacier has to offer. You can also have a helicopter tour land you directly on the glacier, let you climb through its crevices, or ride through it on a dogsled. Stop by the Mendenhall Ice Caves as well. They’re formed by the glacier’s rapid recession, and they change often. Make sure to see them before they melt entirely and vanish from existence.
Museums
Alaska was officially declared a state on January 3, 1959. It may have been the 2nd to last to be added to the union, but it’s developed a rich history since then that’s been honored by several museums that are worth visiting.
The Juneau-Douglas City Museum was built on the exact location where Alaska officially became a state. It features a range of exhibits and gives you a chance to watch an award-winning documentary about the city. You can also take a walking tour of the downtown and Alaska State Capitol if you visit from May to September.
The Alaska State Museum was redesigned in 2016. It has a variety of historic local artifacts, including clothing, weapons, tools, and ceremonial objects. It also has a discovery room, replica sailing ship, fine art gallery, gift shop, and cafe.
The Last Chance Mining Museum sits on Last Chance Basin, one of the few remaining buildings of the Alaska Juneau Gold Mining company. Its artifacts include old tools and mining train cars. Visiting it requires a hike uphill.
Gold Mining Adventures
Joe Juneau founded the city which bears his namesake in 1880 when he found gold in the Last Chance Basin, now known as Gold Creek. You can tour this historic spot and pan for gold yourself, led by a guide who dresses and speaks like a historic prospector. Finish the experience by having a salmon bake like the settlers enjoyed years ago.
Downtown Juneau
This shopping district feels like an 1898 Gold Rush mining town, but it also features modern shops and restaurants for tourists. You’ll find plenty of native books, art, and souvenirs. Stop by the food cart row and don’t miss a chance to see the Red Dog, a replica of a gold rush era saloon. It has a sawdust floor with walls covered in artifacts such as Wyatt Earp’s gun, a walrus oosik, mounted wildlife, and money signed by the miners who’ve visited it.
Mount Roberts and Mount Juneau
Alaska is known for its snow, glaciers, and beautiful mountains. Two of the finest are Mount Roberts and Mount Juneau. They’re similar but different enough that visiting both is worth the effort.
The hike up and down Mount Juneau is 3 miles. You’ll enjoy beautiful views the entire time and feel accomplished once you reach the summit.
A 2-3 hour, 4.5-mile hike will take you 3,800 feet up to the top of Mount Roberts. You’ll see plenty of local wildlife on the way, including grouse, marmots, and black bears.
A 5-minute ride on the Mount Roberts Tram will take you directly to the top and give you a gorgeous view without the need to do any hiking. You can also visit its restaurants and souvenir shops. The visitor center will educate you about native culture and give you a chance to see a live bald eagle. If you feel reinvigorated after reaching the summit, you can take the Alpine Loop Trail down.
Alaska Folk Festival
The Alaska Folk Festival occurs every April. It gathers all the Alaska Native tribes together to dance, sell crafts, and more. They arrive on Tlingit war canoes and then parade with traditional regalia to the convention center, where each tribe performs for 15 minutes from 7 pm to 10 pm. Workshops and dancers play during the day on weekends with live bands in the evening.
Whale Watching
Blue whales are the largest animals in the world, and other species such as humpbacks and sperm whales are just as imposing. Seeing one surface for air is an unforgettable experience, and the city of Juneau offers a wide range of tours to let you do just that. They include 3-4 hour boat rides with a naturalist onboard or an all-say cruise to the Tracy Arm Fjord. Some tours even guarantee that you’ll see one or your money back.
Bear Viewing
Bears are another magnificent animal you may get a chance to see during your trip to Juneau. You can join a 5-person helicopter tour to watch brown bears foraging for salmon. There’s 1 brown bear per square mile in Admiralty Island, giving you unbelievably high odds of seeing one. You can also try the Pack Creek Sanctuary. Book your trip between June and September for the best experience.
Like and subscribe to ViewCation for more underrated American travel destinations. Keep watching to learn about more of the best things to do in Juneau, Alaska, including witnessing the city’s unique natural wonders and some of the best places to eat and drink while in town.
Tracy Arm Fjord
Reach this spot by taking an 8-hour sightseeing tour on a 2-story catamaran. You’ll stay comfortable on cushioned benches and tables with hot drinks and snacks available at all times. An onboard naturalist will point out nearby wildlife, but you’ll also get a pair of binoculars to help you spot other natural wonders such as glaciers, caves, and waterfalls.
Douglas Island
This 76.83-square-mile island has plenty to offer. Visit the Eaglecrest Ski Area for its variety of slopes and 9km of groomed trails or relax at the lodge. Ice skate, ski, or sled across Mendenhall Lake. Use one of the 7 ziplines to fly along the middle. If you’re more of a history buff or marine biology enthusiast than a thrill-seeker, you can visit the Douglas Island Pink and Chum or DIPAC Hatchery to learn about the impact of the salmon industry on the area. Here you’ll see halibut, starfish, anemones, and other creatures. Visit the fish runs to learn about the life cycle of the salmon and how they leave and return during the spawning season.
Jenson Olson Arboretum
Jenson Olson was a master gardener who donated this area to the city of Juneau. It now serves as one of the most beautiful picnic spots in the city. You’ll enjoy flowering trees, bushes, local foliage, and a fenced vegetable garden. It’s also one of the best things to do in Juneau, Alaska, if you want to learn more about Southern Alaskan gardening.
Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure
Juneau, Alaska, may not be a city where you’d expect to find a rainforest, but you’ll be surprised once you see what it has to offer. Take a cart ride up the mountain along a dirt road. It winds through the gorgeous rainforest while the driver points out the beautiful flora and explains how the area has changed over the years. You’ll enjoy beautiful views once you’ve reached the top and can also visit the building that serves as a greenhouse, convention space, and gift shop.
Old Glacier Highway and the Shrine of St. Therese
These areas are located due north of Juneau. Forty miles of paved road lead you to beaches, caves, gardens, trails, and more. At the very end, you’ll see the Shrine of St. Therese. Here you can view the beautiful chapel, walk along its paths, or stay in its rental cabins.
Taku Glacier Lodge
This spot is only accessible by airplane, so consult Wings Airways for a ride and a sightseeing tour. Once you arrive, you’ll get a 2-hour meal and may get to watch a bear on the grounds. The trip may only last a day, but it’s still one of the best things to do in Juneau, Alaska.
Glacier Bay National Park
Fans of national parks need to find time to visit this one. Book a day trip to get a basic overview of its many sites or stay for a few nights in a lodge to see more.
Tracy’s Crab Shack
Foodies will consider this one of the best things to do in Juneau, Alaska, especially if they’re also fans of cooking shows because it was featured on an episode of Top Chef. Its menu includes crab bisque and other delicious dishes. You can try an entire bucket of the King Crab legs but be warned that they’re huge.
Alaskan Brewery and Bottling Company
This spot on east Juneau on Sahune Drive is one of the best things to do in Juneau, Alaska, for beer lovers. Tours are free, and a guide will take you around the entire brewery to educate you about its history and products. You’ll also get a chance to taste local beers, including those that aren’t sold publicly.
Alaska may seem like a frozen wasteland, but it’s full of natural beauty to enjoy any time of the year. It has gorgeous trees, imposing mountains, and impressive wildlife. It also has a rich history of native culture, gold mining, and fishing.
Has cold weather steered you away from taking a trip to Alaska in the past? Let us know in the comments below. While you’re at it, like and subscribe to ViewCation for all the must-see travel destinations you need to know about.