20 Best Things To Do In Juneau, Alaska

While you're in Juneau, it's important to learn about its history. Visiting the Alaska State Museum is a great way to do this and understand more about the city. This museum features extensive permanent exhibits, showcasing artifacts and displays that provide insight into the people, history, and art of Alaska. 

You can expect to encounter a wide range of captivating artifacts and exhibits, making it an ideal destination for those interested in delving into the rich heritage of the state.

Fond of flowers and greenery then this garden should be on your list of things to do Juneau Alaska. This is nestled in the heart of the Tongass National Forest and offers a vibrant paradise of Alaskan flora. You can board covered rainforest adventure vehicles and embark on a guided tour through beautifully manicured gardens and into the old-growth rainforest on Thunder Mountain.

The beautifully decorated Atrium and Rainforest Cafe create the perfect aura for coffee and lunch or bigger events like weddings.

You will not only enjoy skiing but also feel an enduring thrill inside you. To experience this exhilarating sensation, a visit to Eaglecrest Ski Area is necessary.

This community-owned and operated ski area offers big mountain terrain, impressive backcountry access, and a local feel, making it a great all-ages winter playground. With 36 runs, four lifts, and 1,620 vertical feet of skiing and snowboarding, it provides numerous terrain for all skill levels.

Your visit to Juneau will not be complete if you miss exploring the Downtown. With its stunning landscape, rich Native culture, and opportunities for adventure, it offers a glimpse into the city's past and present.

You'll feel a sense of awe as you walk through the historic landmarks, sample the local cuisine, and other activities. Furthermore, don't forget to shop and tell your shopping story to your friends and make them a little jealous. 

While in Juneau, you can turn your dream of seeing a glacier into reality. You can experience the glacier in many ways, from a trip to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center to guided hiking tours that take you across the glacier's surface and into the breathtaking ice caves.

The glacier is great in all weather, and you can enjoy stunning views of the glacier's face and surrounding terrain. Whether you are a photography buff or more, this experience will always remain in your heart.

Whether you are a foodie or not dipping into Alaska taste is must to do in Juneau. This 2.5-hour daytime walking tour with a fun, expert host will take you on a journey to savor multiple different tastings that include authentic Alaskan seafood, delicious treats, and locally sourced cuisine.

You'll discover Juneau's hidden gems and taste a variety of locally crafted food and drink, including king crab bisque, smoked salmon caviar, and indigenous rainforest teas at each of the curated locations.

Included in Things to Do Juneau Alaska, DIPAC aims to sustain and enhance valuable salmon resources of the State of Alaska for the economic, social, and cultural benefit of all citizens, and to promote public understanding of Alaska's salmon resources and salmon fisheries through research, education, and tourism.

Visitors can catch a glimpse of many species of Alaskan wildlife, including bald eagles, harbor seals, and sea lions. The hatchery is open year-round for viewing.

Part of the things to do in Juneau AK, Tracy Arm Fjord is known for its stunning natural beauty and abundant wildlife. People can explore the fjord on various excursions, such as boat tours that offer close-up views of the majestic Sawyer Glaciers, cobalt-blue icebergs, and spectacular cliffs.

The area is also home to diverse wildlife, including eagles, bears, and more. The tour vessels allow for an in-depth exploration of the fjord, providing unique opportunities for viewing and photographing the natural wonders.

Among the things to do in Alaska Juneau, don't miss out on the incredible opportunity to embark on a whale-watching tour. You will be cruising through pristine waters, surrounded by breathtaking scenery, with the chance to witness majestic humpback whales breaching and playing in their natural habitat.

It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience that's not only awe-inspiring but also incredibly educational and humbling. So, why not add a touch of magic to your trip? Let's make some waves together.

An exhilarating experience is waiting for you, Mount Roberts Tramway takes you to 1,800 feet above sea level in just five minutes, providing panoramic views of the Chilkat Mountains, the Gastineau Channel, downtown Juneau, Douglas Island, and the highest peaks on Admiralty Island.

Once at the top, you can explore a park offering cultural heritage education, dynamic crafts, and various attractions, including the Sky Bridge, a live bald eagle display, and more.

A visit to the Alaskan Brewing Company for a wine tasting is an absolute must. This renowned brewery offers a unique and immersive experience. You'll have the opportunity to sample a variety of brews uniquely created to reflect flavors similar to those from the region's history, all while taking in the stunning Alaskan landscape.

The Tasting Room is open year-round and offers an off-the-beaten-path destination for visitors to relax, meet friends, and try Alaskan’s newest brews. So, cheers to indelible moments and great company.

Picture yourself behind a line of expertly trained and incredibly energetic sled dogs, flying through the forest. This is your chance to see these dogs in action. Before you take off on the sled equipped with wheels through the Tongass National Rainforest, you'll get a chance to interact and play with the dogs.

The base, known as the Musher's Camp, is the tour staging area where you'll meet the mushers and hear their epic stories of racing and mushing across Alaska.

The helicopter tours offer mesmerizing views that are off-the-beaten-path. Most of Alaska's glaciers are only accessible by helicopter, so if you're looking for a truly special adventure, you've come to the right place.

You'll fly over mountains, valleys, and glaciers, providing panoramic and expansive views. Plus, you'll have the opportunity to see the deep blue crevasses, glacial pools, and streams of the mighty Mendenhall Glacier. You'll hear how glaciers form and carve the landscape around you.

One of the things to see in Juneau Alaska, Nugget Falls is a spectacular waterfall that plunges about 377 feet down the rugged mountainside into Mendenhall Lake, approximately three-quarter miles south of the active face of Mendenhall Glacier.

The area offers stunning views of the lake that can vibrate with royal blue icebergs. The Nugget Falls Trail, which is approximately 0.8 miles long, provides a relatively easy walk suitable for families with children, culminating in a sand-and-gravel flat that fans out along the lakeshore near the base of the falls.

Situated on 46 acres overlooking the Lynn Canal, the site contains a stone chapel, crypt, labyrinth, columbarium, lodge, cabin, and retreat. The shrine welcomes people of all faiths and has been a place of pilgrimage for over 80 years.

It offers a unique opportunity to connect with nature and find inner peace. The Shrine Chapel, built out of local stone, is located on an island connected by a safe causeway. The grounds feature inviting hard-surfaced trails, wheelchair-friendly paths, and panoramic ocean views.

Sawyer is a majestic tidewater glacier and is renowned for its stunning blue ice and dramatic calving events, where ice breaks off and crashes into the water, creating a thunderous roar. The glacier is part of the Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness, offering a mesmerizing combination of mountains, waterfalls, wildlife, and icebergs.

Visitors can experience the thrill of witnessing calving events and the sight of Alaska's largest icebergs. The area is also known for its abundant wildlife, including mountain goats, whales, and more.

Time to get some unique experiences includes a scenic flight tour over Juneau's glaciers, followed by a delicious meal at the rustic and historic Taku Glacier Lodge. The flight offers stunning views of the snow-capped mountains, cascading waterfalls, and lush forests, providing a truly immersive experience. 

After your arrival, the aroma of fresh Wild Alaska Salmon tells you the feast is about to begin. Your salmon entree will be complemented with all homemade side dishes for brunch, lunch, or dinner.

As you ascend this 4.5-mile trail, you'll be treated to breathtaking views of the Gastineau Channel, Juneau, and Douglas, with the landscape unfolding below you. Keep an eye out for the local wildlife, from marmots to spruce grouse, and savor the sense of accomplishment as you climb.

The trail's difficulty adds to the thrill, making it a challenge worth conquering. And here's the best part: you don't have to hike it all there's a tram to the top for a different perspective.

Touring this mill is stuff to do in Juneau Alaska and is a unique and exciting way to relive the city's mining heritage. The tour takes you on a journey through the world's largest gold-producing mill, which was once the heartbeat of Juneau.

The tour begins with a brief ride along the beautiful Gastineau Channel, followed by a walk along a boardwalk into a 360-foot-long tunnel. Inside, experienced miners demonstrate hard rock mining techniques and give you a feel for the mining lifestyle.

As you embark on this adventure, you'll be surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the Tongass National Forest, the largest national forest in the US. The trail provides a perfect blend of natural splendor, making it an ideal choice for hikers of all levels.

Along the way, you'll encounter lush rainforests, cascading waterfalls, and the serene Perseverance Lake, creating a truly immersive and unforgettable experience. The trail also offers opportunities for wildlife sightings, allowing you to connect with the rich biodiversity of the region.