Whether you’re coming from a cruise ship or planning your own time, there are lots of fun things to do in Juneau, Alaska and you don’t even need a car for them. Well, some things are best done with a car, so we’ll get into that a bit, but Juneau has lots of activities and sights that make it a fun place to explore. It’s beautiful and walkable, so it’s very worth visiting and planning time here.
We visited Juneau, AK for a few days before sailing on our small ship cruise, the Wilderness Legacy with UnCruise. Arriving from Seattle, Juneau was our first stop as we took three weeks to explore Alaska and it was the perfect place to begin. If you have any questions about visiting Juneau or how to plan an Alaska trip, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to help others plan awesome adventures!
Free Things to do in Juneau
There are plenty of free things to do in Juneau if you’re there for just a day or two. The city is very walkable, and it’s not just the cruise port area that you can walk through. If you’re visiting Juneau on a cruise ship, you’ll be able to leave where you disembark very easily to enjoy a bit of the town on your own. Exploring beyond the cruise port is an important part of travel to Alaska no matter what town you’re visiting.
TIP: do not just stay near the cruise port. If you’re visiting Juneau on a cruise ship, walk past the port and towards the downtown area. Many of the shops and restaurants near the cruise terminal are owned by the cruise lines or foreign investors. The further from the terminal, the better your money is spent with Alaskan families and local businesses.
Street Art and Murals in Juneau
I love how cities use murals and street art to gussy themselves up and add color and stories, in particular when the weather is often gray. When you’re visiting Juneau, keep your eyes peeled for the murals from the cruise port and all through downtown. Art depicting Juneau’s history, people and wildlife can be found all over town.
Humpback Whale Fountain and Waterfront
I think one of the best things to do in Juneau, and it’s totally free and worth making the trek to, is visiting the humpback whale fountain. The whale fountain is called Tahku or the Whale Project and it’s an incredible life-sized sculpture of a humpback whale. Tahku is jumping out of an infinity pool, and every ten minutes or so the fountain goes off, simulating a full whale breach (minus the huge splash). It’s really beautiful and one of the coolest things to do in Juneau.
Capitol Building in Juneau
We’ve been to lots of state capitol buildings, and most have a rotunda and are visually stunning from the outside and in. The Alaska state capitol building is very modest, but it’s worth visiting and here’s why: it is absolutely filled with Alaskan art. Paintings of polar bears and glaciers, Athabaskan hunters and local fishermen, you name it. There are government folks present in the building doing all kinds of jobs, and the Alaska governor’s office is here too. You’re welcome to explore and check out all the art, but be respectful of the offices around you.
Walk Through Uptown Juneau
I think the neighborhood all around downtown Juneau is beautiful. One of the best things to do on a sunny day is actually to just walk right out of downtown and up into the neighborhood. There are parks, staircases and pathways leading past gardens and colorful houses. The Governor’s Mansion is in Uptown, and it has a beautiful, old totem pole outside, as well as flowers and a view.
Bald Eagle Watching
Okay, hear me out: find a place to sit on the waterfront and just enjoy the eagles. Yes, you can just sit there and not have to trek to the far reaches of Juneau, but just anywhere around downtown. If you head to the Douglas Bridge right by the Whale Project (humpback whale fountain) there are bald eagles that love to hang out on both sides of the water and perch on the bridge. Other wonderful places to see eagles are along Gastineau Channel and on the way to the airport, specifically at the Mendenhall Wetlands State Game Refuge. If you are renting bikes, either way out of town should provide great bald eagle viewing.
Tip: if you’re heading up to Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula, you’ll get some amazing bald eagle watching on the Kenai Fjords National Park boat tour. The wildlife of Kenai Fjords is amazing.
Cultural Activities in Juneau
Southeast Alaska is very special for many reasons, but the strongest is the presence of indigenous culture all through the region. The Tlingit and Haida culture is very prominent in the islands and towns of Southeast Alaska, and Juneau really showcases it so well. As you visit Juneau and plan your things to do, make sure you’re spending your time (and dollars) supporting the local culture / nations, and always be respectful in your interactions and as you appreciate the art and history they share with you.
Totem Poles on the Juneau Waterfront
You can’t miss all the totem poles along the Juneau waterfront path. They’re amazing! From the cruise ship terminal to the Whale Project you’ll see some of the most colorful and intricate totem poles in Southeast Alaska. Each one has an exhibit explaining the different features and some of the stories. They’re a great way to learn and enjoy the indigenous culture of Alaska.
Tip: if you leave the waterfront and explore town, you’ll find even more totem poles. You’ll find very large old totems and newer metal cast totem poles, both in the business area and neighborhood around downtown Juneau.
Alaska State Museum
Of course I’m going to say to go to the Alaska State Museum! I love museums and when you’re someplace new it’s one of the best things to do to familiarize yourself with your destination. If you’re visiting Juneau from a cruise ship, it’s a bit more of a walk to the Alaska State Museum, but it’s worth it. You can easily get an Uber if you need too, in case it’s raining or you’re just not up for walking. Once there, you’ll get to go through exhibits all about native cultures, about gold rush history, fishing and more. There is also a lot of art here and a kid space. It’s a fantastic activity.
PS: the Alaska State Museum is also connected to the Juneau Public Library, so if you’re lucky you’ll happen into some sort of community event during your visit.
Sealaska Cultural Center and Heritage Institute
When I talk about the culture being very much alive this is one of the best places to see it. At the Sealaska Heritage Institute there is a recreated lodge and facade that’s amazing, and then a large collection of artifacts and arts. As you go through you’ll actually be able to read accounts of recent tribal history alongside some of the collection. And then there is current art, both created by local Juneau tribal members and from around the region.
Juneau-Douglass City Museum
Located very near the Capitol building, the Juneau-Douglass City Museum is a hyper local collection of photographs and artifacts all about the city. The volunteers are awesome and if you are into stories, this is the place to go. It’s not a huge museum, but if you take your time reading each exhibit, you’ll be here for about an hour. There are lots of great things to do in Juneau like this: simple, informative, and nothing like what you’ll experience sticking to the cruise port area.
Outdoors Things to do in Juneau
Juneau is so much more than just the cruise port and downtown. There are a few things to do in the walkable part of Juneau if you’re visiting from the cruise ship, or you can book a tour or get an Uber around. I’m all about exploring beyond the crowded areas full of single-day tourists, so the outdoor things to do in Juneau were some of my favorite activities over our days there.
Cope Park: Beautiful Alaskan Stream and Trails
You know me, making you head off the beaten path and find fun in the forest. Cope Park is just on the north side of downtown Juneau and has both a beautiful stream and trails. There’s also a playground if you have kiddos that need to get out energy. I love Cope Park because the stream is so perfectly Alaska. Sit and throw rocks into the deep turquoise pool or go for a hike upstream, either way you have one of the best outdoor things to do directly in Juneau.
Visiting Mendenhall Glacier
I think it’s safe to say that Mendenhall Glacier is the most famous, most popular thing to do in Juneau, whether you’re visiting from a cruise ship or are touring Southeast Alaska on your own. It’s not difficult to visit as there are lots of tours available from downtown Juneau or you can drive yourself if you’ve gotten a rental car. Once there, you’ll find a great visitor center (with a souvenir shop), several viewpoints, both wheelchair accessible and not, and quite a few trails if you’re thinking about hiking.
I really like the hike to Nugget Falls, and it’s really easy. As you make your way to the falls, there are lots of spit trails to take you over to the glacial lake, and then you can enjoy wildflowers and birds all along the way. Even on a bad-weather day it’s still a cool place to visit.
If you’re visiting Juneau from a cruise ship, you’ll see one of the more popular excursions is actually to go canoeing at Mendenhall Glacier. It’s not a difficult activity and will get you a very different sort of experience from most other people on your ship. And yes, I’ve seen the canoes go out in inclement weather still, so even if you’re coming to Juneau on an iffy day, you can expect in most cases to still get to paddle at Mendenhall Glacier.
Hiking Options from Downtown Juneau
There are a few trails you can walk to from downtown Juneau. When you arrive in town, I know my first thought was “Wow, we’re surrounded by mountains” and you’ll want to explore them a bit. You don’t necessarily have to climb directly up out of town, but there are a few trails that’ll be great for being in nature without going too far. First up is the Gold Creek Flume Trail. This is a pretty easy trail for the most part, going through the woods and eventually meeting up with the Cope Park trails. There IS A CREEK on the trail, so you have to be ready to cross it… and if it’s a wet day, you’ll get a little wet.
Another great trail is the Gastineau Peak Trail, but it’s a tough one with a big climb. You can hike from town (super tough on the Mount Roberts Trail) or go from the Goldbelt Tram (cost to ride). Either way, it’s a challenge with a great payoff on a sunny day, taking in the view all around Juneau.
If you have your own transportation, there are more hiking options, but you’ll need to head out of town to Auke Bay or into the mountains. If you have the time though, do it!
Tips for Visiting Juneau from a Cruise Ship
I love Juneau and enjoy exploring all around, but that’s not the way many people get to visit the city. Truth be told, visiting Juneau from a cruise ship is the most common way visitors get to experience it. So if seemingly everyone is getting off a ship in the port, how can anyone have their own unique visit? I have some great tips that’ll bring out the non-cruise port side of the city.
Go Beyond the Cruise Port
I know that it may seem like cruise port areas are cute and welcoming, and they are, but then they are very often just a reproduction of the next port. You exit the ship and you see the standard t-shirt shops, Diamonds International and other jewelry shops. That’s not real Alaska and those are primarily owned by the cruise lines and international investors.
Get away from that. When you’re visiting Juneau from a cruise ship, if you walk past those initial souvenir shops and head up Franklin Street, you’ll start to come to businesses that say “Alaskan Family Owned” or similar. You’ll find locally made art, indigenous art and artifacts, small independent t-shirt shops, local distilleries and more. I love the stretch of blocks from Frank & Ferry heading north and west. You’ll find lots of food, drinks and shopping that goes right back into the community.
Tip: the Mount Roberts Tramway is pretty cool if you’re nervous about time and it’s very near the cruise port. If it’s a beautiful day, this is an easy way to see Juneau from above and have a chill visit.
Book a Walking Tour or Food Tour
Another good way to experience Juneau from a cruise ship is to book a guided walking tour or food tour. One of the best things to do to get a full impression of the town and enjoy all things salmon or berry themed is to be led through the streets having snacks and drinks, hearing the stories of the shopkeepers and restaurateurs who make Juneau special. Most walking tours will meet you at the port or are just a block off, making it very easy to visit Juneau from a cruise ship.
Do a Tour to Mendenhall Glacier
As I mentioned, there are lots of ways to visit Mendenhall Glacier if you’re coming into Juneau on a cruise. The glacier isn’t directly in town, and is about a 25 minute drive or so. This is without a doubt the most popular thing to do in Juneau from a cruise ship. You can experience it three different ways:
- Bus tour to the visitor center and then explore on your own
- Tour to the lake for canoeing towards the face of the glacier (kayaking is also an option)
- Do a helicopter tour over Mendenhall Glacier and the surrounding mountains
Depending on what time your disembark or depart, you may be able to rent a car for the day too. A rental does run crazy high in comparison to other cities ($200+ per day) but is a great way to be able to manage your own time and is more cost effective for a group than booking shore excursions.
If you do want to stick with a shore excursion, getting the full Juneau experience that includes Mendenhall Glacier, whale watching and a salmon bake is THE way to go. Like with any excursion if you’re visiting Juneau from a cruise ship, be very mindful of the times so that you don’t miss disembarking from the port at the end of your day ashore.
Where is Juneau, Alaska?
Juneau is NOT near Anchorage and is not driveable from anywhere else in Alaska. Juneau is not necessarily on an island, although it’s very near Admiralty and Chichagof Islands, but is cut off from the mainland of British Columbia by mountains. You can fly to Juneau from Seattle, Anchorage or lots of other Alaskan towns, or you can arrive by boat, such as visiting Juneau from a cruise ship.
If you really want to drive, you can drive your own vehicle through BC and a slice of the Yukon until you get to Haines, where you can then get on the vehicle ferry to Juneau. The Alaska Marine Highway connects Haines to Juneau (a 4.5 hour boat ride), so you could drive yourself… I suppose. You can also take the Alaska Marine Highway from Bellingham, WA in Whatcom County all the way up to Juneau, which would take several days (about 60 hours).
Do I need a Rental Car in Juneau?
Juneau has lots of things to do right downtown and along the waterfront. You’ll have plenty to do for a day or two just on foot. If you’re planning to explore the area around Juneau, you will indeed need a rental car for a few days. Some of the best hikes are at least twenty minutes outside of town and if you want to get out into the wilderness a bit, you’ll need a car.
We rented a car, a little electric one, for just a day (overnight) and it was perfect for getting to drive around looking for wildlife and getting our family out to Mendenhall Glacier on our own. There was easy parking around town and it was helpful to have that sort of freedom and flexibility.
There is Uber in Juneau, so that’s a great option if it’s rainy or if you are trying to get to the airport or just around town. We used Uber for the airport twice and it was fast and affordable.
Where to Stay in Juneau, AK
Hotels in Alaska are like hotels in Hawaii: expensive. Unless it’s the utter off-season, you can expect to pay no less than $300 per night for a hotel in the Juneau area. In the downtown area there are a few options, but not a ton. You’ll find some vacation rentals on the outskirts of town, and more choices to the north as you head toward Auke Bay. Look for a Juneau hotel here!
For downtown though, there are two solid options that we and friends of ours have used: the Baranof Hotel (BW brand) and the Four Points by Sheraton. I liked the large rooms with a view at the Baranof Hotel, as it’s one of the tallest buildings in Juneau, so you either get to see the water or the mountains. The Four Points by Sheraton is directly across from the UnCruise Adventures depot, so if you’re in Juneau for an UnCruise sailing, it’s a great location and is still walking distance to everything in town.
I do love Juneau, and as you can see there are plenty of things to do whether you’re visiting on your own or visiting Juneau from a cruise ship. It’s a beautiful city with lots of culture and the outdoors right next to town. If you have any questions about visiting Juneau, planning an Alaska trip or about our different adventures, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help others plan amazing experiences!
