Despite being a small city, there are plenty of fun things to do in Juneau for visitors. Exploring Juneau on your own is quite possible, but if your time is limited, it’s a good idea to book a couple of tours as well. They will take you to some places where it’s hard to make it on your own.
Juneau is perhaps the most remote capital city in the United States. There are no roads connecting this city to the rest of Alaska or to the rest of North America. The extremely rugged terrain surrounding the city makes Juneau a de facto island in terms of transportation. You must either take a plane, a boat or a ferry to get there. Juneau lies at the base of a high coastal mountain range and just across the channel from Douglas Island.
Fun Things to Do in Juneau on Your Own
The first thing that will catch your eye in Juneau is the big number of sea-planes taking off and landing in the port area. Given that most visitors arrive in Juneau via cruise ships, the average stay in this town is not more than two days. There are plenty of things do in Juneau if you have time, but if your time is limited, here is how you can spend your day:
• Walk to the Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls
The astounding Mendenhall Glacier is only about 12 miles from town and offers several opportunities to visit it. For a minimal fee, the local bus will take you within ½ mile of the park entrance and the glacier. There are several trails in the park that can take you in or around Mendenhall Glacier, the lake and the river.
We especially enjoyed hiking up to Nugget Falls, at the right side of the Glacier. The trail starts at the visitor’s center and is an easy 2-mile walk along the lake shore. The spectacular waterfall drops 377 feet onto the sandy beach of the Mendenhall Lake.
• Ride the Tramway to the Top of Mount Roberts
For those that want to get a glimpse of Alaska’s vast forests and mountainous terrain, try taking the Aerial Tramway for a quick ride to the top of Mount Roberts. If you arrive via cruise ship, upon disembarking you will see the bright red Tramway right next to the docks.
The admission ticket is good all day, so if you loved the first ride you can go up again later. There are plenty of things to do at the top. You can eat, shop, watch a short cultural film, explore art, see an American Bald Eagle, or just walk around. There are several short trails through the forest surrounding the visitor center. The view from up there is fantastic.
• Have Lunch at the Red Dog Saloon
If you are looking for an authentic western style bar that fits Alaska well, stop for a beer and a bite at the Red Dog Saloon. The place is very nicely decorated and the food is quite good. You can see animal trophies and funny artifacts all around.
Even Wyatt Earp’s gun is on display, hanging on the wall! The sawdust floors and the waitresses wearing brothel apparel make the place very atmospheric. There is live music and the service is excellent.
• Take a stroll through the historic town and do some shopping
One of the best things to do in Juneau is shopping. The town has a wealth of shopping opportunities which make it a very popular port with cruise ship visitors. Some of the art stores in Juno are quite a feast for the eye. From ivory sculptures and carved totem poles, to very unique knives and silver jewelry with totemic designs, you can find great things for almost every budget.
If you like walking and shopping, pick up a map from the Visitor Center and be your own guide. Exploring historic Juneau on your own is easy. It won’t take more than a couple of hours, even if you’ll stop at every little shop on the way.
For a more informative tour, you can join a local Juneau-Douglas City Museum guide that will take you through the part of the original townsite. You will hear a lot of stories about the personalities of early Juneau and learn how Juneau’s mining past shaped up this little town.
Things to do in Juneau by Guided Tour
• Take Helicopter Flight with Glacier Landing
The most memorable and exciting trip in my opinion is the helicopter tour up to Mendenhall Glacier with a landing on the glacier itself. Despite its rapid retreat in recent years, this glacier is well worth a visit if you’re in Juneau, especially if you have never been on one before.
The trip is relatively expensive, but the entire experience is absolutely unique. Before landing on the glacier, the helicopter will take you around the bay and over the mountains for about 30 minutes. If the weather is good, you will enjoy stunning views of the entire Inside Passage up to tens of miles away.
After landing, you will have the opportunity to walk on this huge mountain of ice that looks like a river that was frozen in its tracks. The tour is great and you will learn very interesting things about the ice field and the climate change.
• Mendenhall Lake Canoe Adventure
There are a lot of paddling options in Juneau, but Mendenhall Glacier paddling will get you close to the icy giant across the serene waters of the lake, navigating past floating icebergs.
On the way to the glacier you can see birds, goats and a lot of salmon. You row up to the beach where you stop to see the waterfalls and then turn back. You can’t beat this view of the glacier from the canoe!
There are many more great things to do in Juneau if you have more time to spend there. We had to see Juneau in one day, but it was an exciting and fun filled time!
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What to Expect on the Mendenhall Glacier Helicopter Tour
Rodney M.
Well what can I say to add to the eventful and fun filled trip you had, . . . . . oh yea ! ! ! ! I get to live in Juneau, AK year ’round and have a most wonderful life here!!! Yes it does rain in the summer,(we call it liquid sunshine) we DO have very sunny days and sometimes it can be exceptionally warm (upper 70s to mid 80s is very warm for us -downright HOT), shopping is good through the summer but best bargains are at the end of tour season when most items have to be sold so the merchants don’t have to take them home LOL, and the food . . . . . . . . is truly beyond what i ever ate in the lower 48!!!! Mt. Roberts Tram, Mendenhall Glacier, the end of the road, Eagle Beach, hikes around, Perseverance Trail, and the list goes on!!!!! Life in Juneau is always an adventure and though you haven’t put it on your list to do or see, please come visit!!!!! We look forward to creating YOUR Alaska adventure!!!!!!!!
Anda Galffy
I surely will, Rodney. I loved Alaska and truth is one week is not enough to get a real feel for this great state.
Elizabeth
Hi Rodney,
I have meet some crew members from one of the beautiful ships that bring the tourist to your community.
Being crew they have limited time on shore, ( 6 hours ) they love hiking and adventures. Would you be able to recommend any sites that may not be on social media but are well worth their time to rejuvenate.
Many many thanks in advance.
~ Elizabeth
Shobha
I would love to go to Alaska. It’s on our travel bucket list. It looks like you had good weather – a friend who lives in Juneau says it can rain in the summer. I love the photo of the bald eagle!
Anda Galffy
Seems you had more time than I did in Juneau, Jill. Hope you enjoyed it.
Vicki Green
I am enjoying seeing your photos and reading about your experiences from your cruise to Alaska since we went so close to the same time. We contemplated going into the Red Dog Saloon, but there was a line out front and we had already been slopping around in the rain for several hours so we didn’t feel like waiting.
Anda Galffy
As, so it was raining when you were in Juneau. That’s why it was a line outside the Red Dog Saloon. When we were there there was no line.
Arnie
I must admit that does look like a good time! Hate to admit the fact, but we have never had any real interest in Alaska. Maybe, we’ll have to change that!
Anda Galffy
I hear you, Arnie. I had to drag myself to Alaska to be honest with you. However, I don’t feel sorry that I went.
Lydia C. Lee
Such amazing scenery – I really hope I get there one day….
Laz
I was lucky to have the weather on my side and experience most of the fun things Anda wrote about! Juneau us freiendly folks, and it is a fun place altogether. I have not seen bears, but have seen white mountain goats while hiking atop Mount Roberts! I wish I had more time to spend there!