Things to do in Juneau
June through August brings long daylight, accessible glaciers and trails, peak whale watching, and full cruise-season services. September adds fall color and salmon runs but cooler, wetter weather as many seasonal tours wind down.
Best months: June, July, August, September
What is worth your time in Juneau
Auke Bay Whale WatchingDo not miss
Small boats depart Auke Bay into whale-rich waters where humpbacks bubble-net feed and orcas, sea lions, and eagles are common.
Activity · 4 hr5
Nugget FallsDo not miss
An easy two-mile round-trip path leads to a thundering 377-foot waterfall crashing down beside the face of Mendenhall Glacier.
Nature · 1.5 hr4.9
Tracy Arm FjordDo not miss
A full-day boat cruise winds past sheer cliffs and waterfalls to the calving Sawyer Glaciers, with seals on icebergs and whales en route.
Day Trip · 9 hr4.9
Alaska State MuseumDo not miss
The state's flagship museum weaves Alaska Native art, Russian-era history, and natural history into a striking modern building downtown.
Museum · 2.5 hr4.8
Mendenhall Glacier Visitor CenterDo not miss
Juneau's signature sight: a vast blue tidewater glacier and lake framed by a hilltop visitor center, viewing decks, and salmon-and-bear streams.
Nature · 3 hr4.8
Glacier Gardens Rainforest AdventureDo not miss
Guided golf-cart tours climb a lush rainforest hillside of upside-down flower towers to a mountaintop overlook of the channel.
Park · 1.6 hr4.6
Alaska State CapitolDo not miss
Alaska's working capitol offers free guided tours through its marble-columned halls, historic chambers, and territorial-era exhibits.
Historic Site · 1.1 hr4.5
Macaulay Salmon HatcheryDo not miss
Watch salmon climb a fish ladder, meet touch-tank sea creatures, and learn Alaska's fisheries story at this working hatchery.
Activity · 1.1 hr4.5
Mount Roberts TramwayDo not miss
A scenic tram climbs 1,800 feet from the cruise docks to alpine trails, a nature center, and sweeping views over Gastineau Channel.
Activity · 2.3 hr4.2
South Franklin Street Historic DistrictDo not miss
Juneau's walkable downtown of gold-rush facades, totem art, galleries, saloons, and gift shops climbing the hillside from the waterfront.
Neighborhood · 1.8 hr
East Glacier Loop Trail
A 3.5-mile loop from the Mendenhall visitor center climbs through rainforest to high overlooks of the glacier and Nugget Falls.
Activity · 2.8 hr5
Mount Bradley Trail
Known locally as Mount Jumbo, this demanding Douglas Island climb rewards summit views across Gastineau Channel to the mainland peaks.
Activity · 5.5 hr5
Treadwell Mine Historic Trail
Forest paths on Douglas Island wind among the moss-covered ruins of what was once the world's largest gold mine before it caved in.
Historic Site · 1.8 hr5
West Glacier Trail
A rugged trail along the glacier's west side rewards strong hikers with close ice views, blue caves, and Mendenhall Lake overlooks.
Activity · 4.5 hr5
And 31 more, which the planner picks between based on your dates, pace and what you are into.
Worth knowing
- Juneau has no road connection to the rest of Alaska, so plan to arrive by cruise ship, ferry, or plane and rely on local buses, taxis, or a rental car.
- Rain is frequent year-round, so pack waterproof layers and good footwear even in summer and keep flexible plans for boat tours.
- The biggest sights spread out along the road system: downtown, Mendenhall Valley, Douglas Island, and Auke Bay, so budget driving or bus time between them.
- Bears feed at Steep Creek near Mendenhall Glacier in late summer, so keep your distance, never feed wildlife, and follow ranger guidance.
- Book whale watching, Tracy Arm cruises, and helicopter glacier tours ahead in peak summer, as the best slots sell out fast on busy cruise days.