Juneau Alaska’s picturesque port of call waits to be explored. Alaska’s capital city is only accessible by sea or air. It’s a popular cruise destination on the stunning Alaska’s Inside Passage route. If you plan on heading out of town to see some of the sights in the area, this is bear country. Read about bear safety.
We have been to Alaska five times and plan to return again. The scenery along the route is spectacular and the natural beauty brings a great sense of peace and tranquility.
If you are planning cruise to Alaska check out our handy Alaska Cruise Guide to explore the best ports of call or where to experience the best Alaska glaciers and fjords, best things to do in Skagway, and best things to do in Ketchikan.
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Top things to do in Juneau Alaska
1. Mendenhall Glacier
Mendenhall Glacier is spectacular. It is a short distance from town, located in the wilderness of Tongrass National Forest. Expect to stay at least two hours for a good visit.
How do you get to Mendenhall Glacier?
Take a cruise ship shore excursion, use public transportation, book tours available at the pier, hire a taxi, get on the Glacier Express or take the Glacier shuttle.
The shuttle services are available from several tour operators and costs $75-80 per person and must be reserved.
Round trip taxi service is available, just make sure you can get back. If you use a taxi, establish a rate before heading off to the glacier. We hired a taxi for the four of us and found it less expensive than paying for a tour. We learned a lot of interesting local Indigenous history from the our Tlingit driver.
Another option is the combo tour offering the Red Trolley Tour of downtown Juneau and Blue Blue Bus to Mendenhall Glacier.
What can you see at Mendenhall Glacier?
The Moraine Ecology Trail is most easily accessed from the paved Steep Creek Trail near the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. The easy trail is well worth the time and effort.
We saw a bear in a tree, large salmon swimming along the Steep Creek Fish and Bear Viewing platforms, along with Sandhill Cranes, herons and other birds. On the trail, a park ranger is on hand to answer questions.
The Mendenhall Glacier descends from the Juneau Ice Field into Mendenhall Lake. Cool, icy breezes blow off the lake. A nearby waterfall tumbles down the mountain into the lake.
Where is the Mendenhall Ice Caves?
The Mendenhall Ice Caves melted and no longer exist at the present time. The caves only live on through the stunning images on the internet. Smaller ice caves can appear but these are very unstable and dangerous.
Why is glacier ice blue?
I always ask this question and always forget the answer. Here is the scientific reason why.
Glaciers can appear icy white or icy blue due to the light it absorbs, transmits and scatters. If the light travels a long distance through the ice it appears more blue.
Spectacular Mendenhall Glacier in is located just outside Juneau. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
2. Waterfall at Menenhall Glacier
Nugget Falls is a short walk from the Mendenhall Visitor’s Centre.
Nugget Falls flowing into Mendenhall Lake, next to the Mendenhall Glacier, Mendenhall Valley, Juneau, Southeast Alaska USA, Photo Credit: State of Alaska, Blaine Harrington III©
3. Mount Roberts Tramway
Mount Roberts tramway provides sweeping views of snow-capped mountains, city, Admiralty Island and Gastineau Channel.
The tram takes visitors 1,800 feet up Mount Robert to experience the rainforest, cultural heritage, hiking trails and shopping in the gift shop.
Catch the tram outside the main cruise terminal.
Take a trip up Mount Roberts Tramway. The views from the top are spectacular. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
4. The Famous Red Dog Saloon
The Red Dog Saloon is a well-known place to check out. The lively atmosphere hits you as soon as you walk through the swinging doors and onto the sawdust covered floor.
Find a table, sit back and enjoy a few old songs played on the upright piano. Take a look around at the decor of furs, guns and antiques. Legendary American lawman, Wyatt Earp’s gun is displayed behind the bar.
The saloon has a gift store where you can purchase t-shirts and other items stamped with their logo.
Have some fun at the Red Dog Saloon while in port. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
Have some fun at the Red Dog Saloon. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr
5. Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure
Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure – Tongass National Forest is home to Glacier Gardens rainforest adventure.
Learn about the southeastern Alaska’s temperate rainforest while walking through a botanical garden of unique upside down hanging baskets known as “Flower Towers”. The grounds also offer waterfalls, ponds and panoramic views of the surrounding inlets.
Steve Bowhay came up with the “Flowers Towers” idea after he turned a landscaping equipment disaster into a beautiful opportunity. Frustrated by the mishap, he picked up a large tree with the equipment and flung it into the air. The tree landed upside down into the soft mud. With the tree’s root ball now suspended in the air, Bowhay imagined the hanging roots looked like hanging vines of a petunia.
Every year about 30 blooming “Flower Towers” come to life. Each tower has 75-100 flowering plants growing at the top of the uprooted trees in the root ball bed of moss and soil.
The gardens are about 10 minutes from the cruise ship terminal.
Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure. Photo Credit: State of Alaska, Brian Adams©
6. Whale Watching
Whale Watching excursions offer a chance to view humpback whales, migrating gray whales and orcas. Some tours offer a combination of land wildlife viewing and an ocean experience.
Take a whale watching shore excursion. Photo Credit: State of Alaska, Reinhard Pantke©
Take a whale watching shore excursion. Photo Credit: State of Alaska, Reinhard Pantke©
7. Juneau Walking Tour
Take a walking tour of downtown Juneau. Here is a map. You will want a photo of the life size Breaching Whale Statue in dancing Fountain located downtown at Mayor Bill Overstreet Park.
Not up for a walk, try the historic city and salmon hatchery tour on the Red Trolley. Check out the combo tour offering the Red Trolley and Blue Blue Bus to Mendenhall Glacier.
Take a downtown walking tour of Juneau. Explore top things to do in Juneau, Alaska. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr
8. Dog Sledding Adventure
Dog sled on a glacier. Check with local guides or look for the tours available with your cruise. This is on many people’s bucket list, but it can be very expensive.
We have not tried this excursion. We have talked to many people (including families) who have taken a tour and they were completely thrilled by the experience.
Dog sledding on a glacier near Juneau. Photo Credit: State of Alaska, Brian Adams©
Husky dogs on display near the cruise terminal in Juneau. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr
9. Drink Local Craft Beer in Juneau
Drink local craft beer made in Alaska. Here are three craft breweries to check out in Juneau.
Alaskan Beer Company is 5 miles from downtown and offers a tasting room with 20 beers on tap.
Barnaby Brewing Company is located in town and offers beer and food options.
Devil’s Club Brewing Company opened by three Juneau locals is withing walking distance of the cruise ships.
Eat drink and be merry. Drink a beer made in Alaska. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
10. Take a Red Trolley Tour of Juneau
Take the Red Trolley tour for a hop on hop off experience in Juneau. Learn about historic Downtown Juneau, Red Dog Saloon, the museums, Capitol Building, Governor’s Mansion and stop at the Dipac Macaulay Fish Hatchery.
Quick Facts about Juneau Alaska
- Juneau became the capital of Alaska in 1906. Get an official Juneau Alaska guide planner
- The largest temperate rainforest in North America is on Admiralty Island.
- Mendenhall Glacier is almost 13 miles long.
- Mendenhall Ice Caves melted and no longer exist at the present time. The caves only live on through the stunning images on the internet.
- The trek to the Mendenhall Glacier can take up to eight hours.
- Southeastern Alaska has the highest concentration of grizzlies in the world. Peak viewing season is July and August.
Spot a grizzly bear on your trip to southwestern Alaska. Photo Credit: State of Alaska, Reinhard Pantke©
Looking for more incredible adventures? Be sure to check out these articles to help start planning your trip:
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– BC Travel Guide: 21-day road trip Part 1 – Vancouver, Jasper, Banff and Okanagan wine country
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About the Author:
Wendy Nordvik-Carr is a highly regarded travel writer who produces quality, well-researched articles with stunning photography and video.
She seeks out authentic experiences showcasing the people, culture and history that make each destination unique. Her focus is on solo, couple and multigenerational travel through cruising, air and road trip adventures.
Wendy is the editor & writer for LifesIncredibleJourney.com, an award-winning travel site that encourages exploration of destinations near & far.
She is a TMAC Director, Chair, National Governance Committee and Chair of TMAC's BC & Yukon Chapter, as well as a member of SATW, IFWTWA and NATJA.
Born and raised after University and career in lower 48 finally going home. Loved the article and photos.
If I may however, Grizzly bears are decidedly inland ( Denali, Yellowstone etc) Brown bears are coastal such as on the Island. They are the same species but truly different in color and size and what they eat. Kodiak has its own subspecies of Brown bear. Juneau you’re likely to see more black( not always black In color) than brown bears ( not always brown in color)but you can go out the road to the park and falls and see Brown bears ( no safety net here so view at ones own risk) or do the 40min boat ride to Admiralty Island. I am more excited than ever about heading back next week. Thanks for the article.
Nik
US Fish and Game Biologist
Thanks for reading the article and for the nice comments. Happy that you are going home. And thanks for giving us all a lesson on bears so we can learn something new. Best regards, Wendy