Things to Do in Juneau: Our Local Expert's Picks & Recommendations

Colossal glaciers. Towering peaks. A modern city set in untouched wilderness. Juneau’s the ultimate adventure experience.

A bustling destination city nestled amidst immense natural beauty, Juneau is a unique place. Its contemporary founding dates to the 1880s Gold Rush era – and before that to its settlement by the indigenous Tlingit people. But have no doubts about it: Juneau is a modern adventure capital where visitors from all over the world get to witness the ultimate fusion of city vibes and untouched wilderness.

I’ve spent my career in the resort and travel industry, but up until this past summer I was remiss in visiting Alaska. I was so thrilled when Drew Fortner, Founder & CEO at Alaska Shore Tours, invited me up to experience all the best that Juneau has to offer. I had a bit of an advantage: Drew and others introduced me to their close friends, many of whom are longtime guides and multi-generation locals. They gave me the inside on what to do (and what not to do) in Juneau. Getting this expert insight is as valuable as gold in a busy destination tourism city like Juneau.

So, this guide is recap of my own adventure in Juneau in the summer of 2023. I’ll share with you my firsthand experiences and highlights. Let’s put the Alaska experts to the test! 

Getting Around Juneau

Getting to Juneau

Juneau is an odd duck. In what must be a surefire Jeopardy answer, the state capital of Alaska is completely isolated from the mainland. To get to Juneau, you must arrive by boat or plane.

You arrived at the right website if you’re on a cruise ship, because getting to the city by boat is the most fun. Juneau is perhaps the biggest cruise port in Southeast Alaska. Nearly all major and even some smaller cruise companies include it as a port of call.

Flying into Juneau International Airport is easy but only moderately affordable. Alaskan Airlines provides multiple daily flights year-round, while Delta also offers service. Unfortunately, it is a bit of a pain in the butt to get from the airport to downtown Juneau – about a 20-minute rental car or taxi ride, so keep it in mind if you run over on your vacation-ending dinner like I did.

Transportation in Juneau

One of the best things about Juneau is its lively and walkable downtown. Plus, getting from your ship’s dock to the main drag restaurants, bars and shops is quite easy. Most ships arrive right next to the downtown area and are just a few minutes’ walk to Goldbelt Tram (formerly known as Mt. Robert’s Tram).
It can be adventurous and time-consuming to get to other areas of the city, however, as the city sprawls across an enormous inlet valley. There are rideshare services like Uber and Lyft but know that when there are several ships in town, ride costs are high. You’re better off hailing one of the numerous taxis to get from place to place. DLUX Rides gave me a reasonable rate when I was in a pinch getting from my Whale Watching Tour to the other side of the city on a busy day.

Important note here: If you’ve booked a tour with us, most tour guides arrange transportation for you, greeting you immediately once you disembark from your ship and driving you to the start of your next adventure.

Best Times to Visit Juneau

I visited Juneau in May just as the summer season was kicking into full swing. The weather could only be described as perfect, with daytime temperatures in the 60s and 70s. Any month between May and October is wonderful and generally mild, setting up perfectly for your hiking, whale watching or glacier adventure.
It is Alaska, however, so count on rain at one point or another. During a week-long stay we had an all-day downpour at the start of the trip. Occasionally, due to significant rain and weather, you may find your tours are cancelled. Tour guides do their best to work through the very common storms that roll through Juneau during the summer but know that they take your safety seriously and may make a day-of call.

Packing Tips for Juneau

Much like any mountainous destination, bringing a backpack and packing extra layers is a good idea. Start with a moisture-wicking base layer, followed by a light sweater or fleece for warmth. A waterproof, breathable jacket is essential for those rain showers. Comfortable, waterproof hiking boots are a must for outdoor adventures. And don't forget sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen. (If you’re on a glacier or near the water, sun glare can become quite intense). Many tour guides provide snacks and beverages, but I found it helpful to bring along a water bottle and a few snack bars to hold me over, particularly on some of the more strenuous tour adventures like canoeing or hiking.

Day Adventures: Best Things To Do in Juneau

Canoe Mendenhall Lake and Visit Mendenhall Glacier

Visiting the massive Mendenhall Glacier is a must-do on your trip, but I wanted to get up-close and personal with it – and get my heart rate pumping a little after a few too many burgers and beers with the Alaska Shore Tours team.

That leads me to my top tour recommendation. You’ve arrived to this article by way of the internet, but I arrived to what I thought the best tour in all of Juneau based on a longtime local’s take. The Mendenhall Glacier Paddle & Hike is a professionally done, multi-leg experience in which tour guides take you canoeing with your crew on the Mendenhall Lake. (You pass right next to Nugget Falls, so get your phone camera ready). Then, you disembark from your canoes at the base of the glacier, hiking a narrow granite-dust trail to the base of the bluest ice you’ll see in your life. Throughout the experience, guides give you the history and ecological facts of this special place. I found learning about the guides’ own trials and tribulations trying to “make-it” in the tour industry just as fascinating. These are cool people dedicated to the land and giving you a great experience.

This tour certainly is more strenuous and adventurous, so bring layers for the cold glacial lake in anticipation of the winds that swirl on it and the inevitable perspiration you’ll generate trying to beat other lake-going adventurers. Accessibility options are limited, but this is still a family-friendly experience for most groups.

It’s important to note that the Mendenhall Glacier has receded significantly in the past decade (really, the past several decades), so you won’t trek on the glacier or go into the now closed ice caves. The striking reality of climate change hit me when I saw the trail marker indicating where the base of the glacier once existed.

Go on a Whale Watching Tour

No trip to Juneau is complete without a Whale Watching Tour. Tour guides picked me up right at the downtown dock, bringing me to their own special dock and boat by van while narrating our trip through Juneau and previewing what we were about to see.  This is a relaxing tour, with ample accessibility options and family-friendly seating. It’s just a short sail from the bay to reach the prime whale watching grounds in the Auke Bay.

While you’ll no doubt see the iconic humpback whale, this tour offers more than just that. Get your camera ready for sea lions, seals, majestic bald eagles, porpoises, and the occasional orca. Growing up in the land-locked state of Colorado, I found it tremendous learning from captain and crew about these animals’ feeding and behavioral patterns. Call me an Alaska rookie at the time, but I felt like a marine biologist when the tour was finished.

A three- and half-hour tour, it’s perfect for those who want to mix in a little adventure with something lighter in the afternoon like a walk around the city or a long group dinner, like we had.

Catch a Helicopter Dogsled Ride

Visiting the less-traveled Herbert Glacier by helicopter and going dogsledding is widely considered to be one of the best adventures in all of Alaska. The “Daddy of Them All” Helicopter & Dogsled Glacier Excursion delivered on that promise. This is a bucket-list adventure that needs to be on your list when you get to Juneau.

The experience begins with convenient pick-up at the cruise docks, followed by a short transfer to the heli-base. Here I met our experienced pilot and received a brief safety orientation before taking off. Those initial butterflies that come with riding in a helicopter were swiftly replaced by sheer awe. You get the best view of glaciated icefields, snow-capped mountain peaks, and an endless horizon of rugged mountains.

Upon landing, you see the Alaskan huskies ready to race you around the glacier. The dogs are super cute and the ride thrilling, but I also found spending time with the professional mushers as equally fun. They shared stories from their races and the rich tradition of mushing rooted in Alaska so often passed down from one generation to another. I felt I had stepped into a new, thrilling way of life.
It’s important to note that this is among the most popular adventures in Juneau and tours sellout quickly.

Fortunately, I received the VIP treatment (thanks Sarah!), but you’ll need to book months in advance. It can also be tough to find an alternate seat if your plans change, so be aware and communicate with one of our agents as soon as you know.

Go to Taku Glacier by Helicopter and Airboat

This one’s for the ultimate adventurers. The Taku Glacier Adventure by Air, Water & Ice gives you a piece of every awesome thing about Juneau: Airboats, helicopters, glaciers, and maximum fun.

My journey started with a convenient pick-up at the cruise docks for the short ride to the heli-base. After a quick safety orientation, we lifted off with a heading set on Taku Point. The pilot narrates your trip, talking you through the sights. That was just the start, though, as we arrived at the Taku base. 

Once there you’re emersed in remote wilderness nestled within the heart of the Taku watershed. Donning a full-body mustang exposure suit, I boarded an airboat (which I’d never seen before!) setting off up the Taku River toward our ultimate destination: the face of Taku Glacier. It’s an absolutely wild time on the water, matched only by stepping foot on the glacier itself. We spent our time lightly trekking around guided by our pilot before heading back to base – which was just enough for me to snag some all-time photos for the family back home. 

This is one of the more underrated tours that you may not often see pop up at the top of your search results, but it needs to on your list of things to do in Juneau. Plus, the tour itself has great availability – perfect if one the other helicopter tours sellout.

What (and Where) To Eat in Juneau

Best Breakfast Spots in Juneau

I had little time or interest in sleeping while filled with anticipation for all the fun ahead, but I also knew that I’d need to “gas up” prior to heading out on my tours. I readily admit I am fully addicted to caffeine, and The Rookery Café delivered a punchy latte that woke me right up. Its downtown location is super helpful when you need that little boost.

Upon recommendation from another local, I stopped one morning at Sandpiper Café for a heartier Crab Cake Benedict that did not disappoint. A relaxed location with quick service, this one hit the spot and I’m sure it will for you.

Best Places for Lunch in Juneau

On a rainy day between adventures, I wanted something a little heftier. The Alaska Shore Tours crew headed over to The Hangar On The Wharf, situated right next to the docks overlooking the inlet. I’m a bigger guy, and the big-boy portions suited me well. The chowder and Reuben were top-notch.

One of our canoe guides highly recommended I check-in at Deckhand Dave’s Fish Tacos. A more casual spot perfect for an in-between adventure lunch, the fresh, locally caught Halibut was incredible. This is a great fast-casual joint downtown.

Best Places for Dinner in Juneau

Eating out in Alaska, as you’ll find, can be an expensive experience. But there are some truly unique and cool options for those who love a great bite at a decent value. Locals recommended I stop by V’s Cellar, a relaxed Mexican-Korean fusion place (yes, you heard that right). I ordered the Infused Burrito with Kimchi famously featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and loved every bite.

Being from the land-locked state of Colorado, I also felt the strong need to satiate my lust for sushi. The Snow White Roll at Seong’s Sushi Bar did just that, all set in a relaxed atmosphere – on-brand for Juneau. 

Best Bars in Juneau

After long days in the air or on the water, I felt it necessary to have a nightcap (or three). There are many cool bars downtown, but our crew found the laid-back vibes of Triangle Club Bar to be a great time. It’s a combo of local hangout and tourist spot, so the energy of the place is palpable.

The Narrows Bar offered some great cocktails in a classier joint, perfect for a fun conversation with your significant other. If you’re looking for a final nightcap, this is the spot.

Best Dispensaries in Juneau

If a dispensary is more your thing – yes, recreational marijuana is legal in Alaska – locals recommended The Fireweed Factory to a friend of mine. Note that late-night eats can be limited, so that’s where your pre-packed snacks can come into play. You’re on vacation, after all!

Best Cheap Things to Do in Juneau

Ride the Goldbelt Tram (formely Mt. Robert’s Tram)

Looking for a light, more affordable time in Juneau? Visible from the cruise docks and immediately adjacent to downtown Juneau, consider catching a ride on the Mt. Roberts Tram (now called the Goldbelt Tram). For $50 you ascend nearly 1,800 vertical feet. At the summit you'll find a restaurant, theater, retail shop, and a nature center. It's a fantastic way to experience the natural beauty of the mountains surrounding Juneau.

Visit Alaska State Museum

A stop by the Alaska State Museum is an inexpensive way to learn more about the history and culture of the place. A $14 entrance fee gets you into indigenous art exhibits and many special workshops. Make sure to check their schedule when you’re in town.

Hike Perseverance Trail

Perseverance Trail, just a stone's throw away from downtown Juneau, covers a span of approximately 4.6 miles. This historic trail, initially established during the city's gold rush era in the late 19th century, provides an accessible escape into both Juneau's past and its scenic natural wonders. To reach the trailhead, take a short walk from the downtown area. It’s super convenient for anyone looking for a beautiful, moderately strenuous hike.

Pan for Gold and Eat Salmon

For $119 per adult, try your luck panning for gold and eat your fill of Salmon on one of Juneau’s more underrated tours: The Gold Panning and Salmon Bake. You’ll learn about gold panning and the history of Juneau’s Gold Rush era from an expert guide, then inhale an all-you-can-eat feast in a lush rainforest setting. They even have live folk music and campfires for ambience.

Summing it All Up

There can be a lot of “noise” when searching for the best things to do in a place like Juneau. The city has it all, but it’s helpful to have the locals’ takes – and a firsthand experience! Keep this guide handy next time you’re in Juneau and don’t hesitate to reach out to on of our team members at Alaska Shore Tours for even more insight on how best to spend your time and money in Juneau.