Juneau, Alaska’s capital, sits nestled between towering mountains and the pristine waters of the Gastineau Channel. It is the only U.S. state capital you can’t drive to. That’s right, it is only accessible only by boat or plane! All the more reason to cruise there!
Cruise ships dock right in the heart of downtown, giving passengers easy access to the city’s top attractions and outdoor adventures. From massive glaciers to lively seafood places, Juneau promises an unforgettable Alaskan experience. Here’s a guide to the top things to see and do when you visit Juneau on a cruise.
Note: We may earn a small commission from the affiliate links below.
Mendenhall Glacier from wikimedia https://github.com/chicocvenancio/import-500px
1. Visit Mendenhall Glacier
Mendenhall Glacier stands as Juneau’s most iconic natural wonder. It is consistently rated as the number one thing to do when in Juneau and is a must-do when you are in the area. This massive river of ice stretches over 13 miles from the Juneau Icefield into Mendenhall Lake. It is an amazing sight to behold.
Shuttle buses and tours from the cruise port make it easy to reach the glacier. Or better yet, rent a car for the day so you can spend as much time as you want at the glacier. Organized tours often rush people who really want to explore the glacier.
Explore the Visitor Center to learn all about glaciology and the history of Mendenhall. There is a brief 15-minute film that will orient you to the park and there is a wonderful glacier observation area. You can learn all about the glacier, surrounding landscape, and wildlife. There is also a wonderful bookstore to explore if you are looking for Alaska Geographic books!
Helpful Hint: The Visitor’s Center is perched atop a high hill and many guests were huffing and puffing on the way up. If you walk to the viewing platform behind the hill the center is built upon, you will find a great elevator that leads you up into the center.
Hiking Mendenhall
Take a short hike! Walk the Photo Point Trail (just 1/3 of a mile) for an insta-worthy view of the glacier’s face. Then, you are up for it, hike the 2-mile Nugget Falls Trail to see the thundering waterfall cascading into the lake. If you want to stick to the highlights, then next check out the Steep Creek Trail loop (1/4 mile). This one takes you by a wonderful salmon and bear viewing platform.
If you have loads of time, you may want to check out the Trail of Time loop (1 mile). It begins at the Visitors Center and ends across from the parking lot. The East Glacier Loop Trail (3.3 miles) is the only challenging trail in the park. It is gravel and rock, plus it includes some stairs. This trail makes a loop off the Trail of Time.
More adventurous visitors can book a glacier trek or ice climbing tour, where experienced guides lead you across the ice’s crevasses and blue ice caves. Kayaking and canoe tours on Mendenhall Lake offer a unique perspective of the glacier from the water. Whether you spend all day, or just a few hours at Mendenhall, this is bound to be a favorite stop when you visit Juneau.
2. Ride the Mount Roberts Tramway
For panoramic views of Juneau and the Gastineau Channel, take a ride up the Mount Roberts Tramway. The tram ascends 1,800 feet from the cruise dock to the Mount Roberts Nature Center.
At the top, you’ll find hiking trails, viewing platforms, and exhibits on local wildlife and Tlingit culture. The Alpine Loop Trail offers an easy hike through alpine meadows. Or take the more challenging Father Brown’s Cross Trail for stunning views of the harbor and surrounding peaks.
Don’t miss “Seeing Daylight,” an 18-minute cinematic presentation in the Chilkat Theater. Set against the backdrop of the Tlingit heritage, this presentation unfolds the rich tapestry of the Tlingit traditions, struggles, and triumphs. The films plays every half hour so you will have ample opportunity to view it.
You also must check out Goldbelt Gifts for that perfect souvenir. Plus there is a local artists gallery featuring works inspired by Alaska’s indigenous cultures and nature. And take time at the top for lunch at the Timberline Bar & Grill. In addition to wonderfully tasty locally sourced seafood, the view is unforgettable!
3. Explore Downtown Juneau
Juneau’s compact and walkable downtown blends Gold Rush history with modern Alaskan charm. Wooden boardwalks and colorful storefronts line the streets, leading to historic landmarks and lively shops making downtown Juneau a destination in and of itself.
Stop by the Red Dog Saloon, which dates back to the Gold Rush era. They say “Ragtime Hattie” played the piano in her white gloves and silver dollar halter top while weary travelers and local patrons enjoyed the hospitality. Later, the a new owner would meet the tour boats with his mule wearing a sign saying, “follow my ass to the Red Dog Saloon.” Their advertising isn’t quite as colorful today, but the Red Dog Saloon stands as a Juneau staple. Open for lunch and dinner with a closing time of 10:00 p.m., the saloon is now more of a nostalgic lunch spot. Even non-drinkers should take time to visit this historic venue for hearty pub fare alongside live music.
Shopping & Dining
Local shops offer unique souvenirs, including Native Alaskan art, jade jewelry, and smoked salmon. The lively Public Market offers a chance to sample homemade jams, smoked salmon, and handcrafted goods from local artisans.
Juneau’s food scene revolves around fresh seafood. Try king crab legs, halibut tacos, and wild Alaskan salmon at local favorites like Tracy’s King Crab Shack and Salt. For a casual bite, grab a bowl of salmon chowder or a plate of fish and chips from one of the many food stands along the waterfront. Don’t forget to pair your meal with a locally brewed beer from the Alaskan Brewing Company.
4. Museums and Tours
Visit the Alaska State Capitol for a free tour and insight into the state’s political history. This very square building doesn’t look like most state capitals, but it is worth seeing just the same. Be sure to check out the walls and hallways for the capital art collection.
Check out the Alaska State Museum for a fascinating look into the state’s history and culture. Exhibits cover Native Alaskan art, Russian colonial history, and the Gold Rush era. Interactive exhibits and rotating art installations make this a great stop for families and history buffs alike.
The Sealaska Heritage Institute showcases Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian art and hosts cultural events throughout the year. Take one of the city’s many walking tours dive into its Gold Rush past and Tlingit heritage, offering a deeper understanding of Juneau’s unique identity.
5. Go Whale Watching in Auke Bay
Juneau offers some of the best whale-watching opportunities in the world. On clear days you’ll have a beautiful view of the Mendenhall Glacier as your sightseeing vessel departs the dock. Juneau has a healthy humpback whale population with some 65 whales returning each season to feed in the nutrient-rich waters of Auke Bay. Many tours include hydrophones so you can hear the whales’ haunting calls underwater.
Guided whale-watching tours guarantee sightings, with experienced naturalists providing insight into whale behavior. In addition to humpbacks, you may spot orcas, Steller sea lions, harbor seals, and bald eagles soaring overhead.
For an unforgettable experience, choose a small-group tour that allows you to get closer to the action. And I mean A LOT CLOSER! Some tours are limited to a s few as six guests. You will then travel by small boat up the inside passage to the Channel Islands State Marine Park. This is the heart of humpbck whale feeding in Southeast Alaska. But it gets even better when you disembark the boat and jump into a kayak. Paddling with whales is fabulous way to truly get up close and personal with these majestic creatures!
6. Hike the Perseverance Trail
Juneau offers some of the best hiking in Alaska, and the Perseverance Trail stands out as a local favorite. This historic trail follows the route of Alaska’s first road, now a historically designated trail. The views are panoramic. You will find glacier carved wilderness, old mining relics, dense alpine forest, rocky ridges, and breathtaking views of rushing waterfalls and mountain peaks.
This is not a hike for beginners! It is quite strenuous and you should be prepared to be on the trail for about six hours. The trail stretches 3 miles one way, but you can shorten the hike by turning around at the scenic overlook. But there are also loads of side-hikes and even the strenuous 1.5 mile climb to the summit of Mount Juneau. You really need a guide for this hike. Check out Gastineau Guiding. They are a local company with loads of custom options including glacier viewing and whale watching in addition to fabulous hiking excursions. They will even pick you up right at the port.
Wildlife sightings are common so keep an eye out for black bears, mountain goats, and marmots. Don’t panic – but be sure to know local guidelines on how to react when you run across a bear! This is just one more reason a local guide would be handy.
7. Take a Helicopter Tour and Glacier Landing
For a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, book a helicopter tour over the Juneau Icefield. Helicopters lift off from the city and soar over rugged peaks and ancient glaciers.
Most tours include a glacier landing, where you can step onto the ice and explore deep blue crevasses and ice caves. Some tours even include a chance to try dog sledding on the glacier. These fabulous excursions are guided by experienced mushers and their team of enthusiastic huskies.
8. Visit the Macaulay Salmon Hatchery
The Macaulay Salmon Hatchery works to enhance the salmon resources of Alaska. This is NOT a fish farm! I thought it would be but they do not breed, raise, and keep captive fish for the consumer market. Instead, they assist the salmon population by helping them beat the odds of survival. In the wild, only 5-10% of eggs survive from fertilization to outmigration. But the hatchery has increased the success rate to 80-90%.
Salmon basically live to spawn – or should I say die to spawn? The ugly truth is spawning is the end of the life-cycle for salmon. Once they lay (or fertilize) eggs, they die. And before they can spawn, they have to swim up-stream and hop over rapids and all sorts of hazards to return to the place where they began life themselves.
The hatchery retrieves the eggs/sperm from mature salmon. Then they hatch and rear salmon at their location. Once they reach the smolt stage of development, they are transferred to saltwater net pens where the hatchery’s facility is imprinted upon them as their home. Then they are released into the wild. After 1-6 years in the ocean, they return to the hatchery to spawn the next generation.
This was a grossly oversimplified explanation of the process. The point is, the hatchery is a really cool place to visit and was a delightful surprise during my time in Juneau. Watching hundreds of thousands of salmon fight to get into the manmade facility left me dumbfounded and amazed.
9. Visit Tracy Arm Fjord
Located about 45 miles south of Juneau, Tracy Arm Fjord features towering granite cliffs, waterfalls, and massive tidewater glaciers. Bask in the calm waters surrounded by sheer cliffs and floating icebergs. Keep your eyes peeled for harbor seals resting on the ice and mountain goats scaling the rocky cliffs.
If you want to see Tracy Arm, then consider this Tracy Arm Fjord and Glacier Explorer from Juneau. As a small expedition ship, it can get a little closer than your cruise ship can. You will head out from Juneau into the Tracy Arm Wilderness Area. Dress warmly and drink lots of hot beverages on board to stay warm. Those glaciers get cold!
Many cruise itineraries include scenic cruising of Tracy Arm. These are great because you can experience the majesty of Tracy Arm without leaving the comfort of your stateroom balcony or from one of the upper decks. That said, itineraries that include Tracy Arm do not often include Glacier Bay.
The National Parks Service only allows a limited number of ships each year into Glacier Bay, and Tracy Arm is offered for those who don’t. I advise you to pick the cruise that goes to Glacier Bay and do Tracy Arm on your own if you still want to see it. There is no place to compare to Glacier Bay in all of Alaska!
10. Visit the National Shrine of St. Therese
Make a pilgrimage to the National Shrine of St. Therese for a peaceful escape from the city. This historic Catholic shrine is located about 22 miles from the city. It sits on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Gastineau Channel, surrounded by lush gardens and quiet walking trails.
The stone chapel, built in the 1930s, features beautiful stained-glass windows and a serene atmosphere. The grounds boast a peaceful labyrinth walk, gardens, and a beautiful walking path. You can even rent a cabin on the grounds. The shrine’s location makes it a popular spot for quiet reflection and wildlife viewing—bald eagles and humpback whales are frequently spotted offshore.
Rent a car and spend a little time outside the capital to enjoy this peaceful escape.
Tips for Visiting Juneau on a Cruise
Best Time to Visit: Cruise season runs late April to early October. June, July, and August offer the warmest weather and the most daylight hours with June and July providing the best glacier viewing.
Getting Around: Downtown Juneau is easily walkable, but shuttles and taxis are available for out-of-town excursions. That said, I recommend you rent a car for the day. That way you can sight-see on your own timeline and mix and match experiences as you wish. Turo rentals is a great – and less expensive – option to traditional car rental places.
Packing: Bring layers, a waterproof jacket, and comfortable walking shoes. It will be cold next to the glacier! And you will want sturdy shoes even for light hiking.
Wildlife Safety: Respect wildlife from a distance and follow local guidelines, especially for bear encounters.
The Best Way to Experience Juneau
Juneau is a standard stop on many inside passage cruises of Alaska. It’s access to amazing glaciers, gold rush history, nature, wildlife, and city life make it a favorite destination for many cruisers.
So, what is you want to come back and stay a while? Well, clearly, you will need to fly in as “no roads lead to Juneau.” But once you are here, there are many fabulous things to see and do within driving distance. So, book one of the many great places to stay in the capital city and rent a car to make exploration easy. Juneau is a great place to come and stay a while!
What Do You Want to Check Out in Juneau?
Alaska’s capital delivers unforgettable experiences. What do you want to do when you visit?
Plan your trip! Tell us what you think below in the comments. You can also contact us and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest so you never miss a post!
Pingback: My Amazing Alaskan Cruise on the Sapphire Princess - Extravelgance