Top 10 Things To Do in Juneau

- M
Sep 16, 2019
4 min read

Updated: Jun 18, 2021

My visit to Juneau, Alaska was breathtaking. Home to 30,000 residents with no road linking it to the outside world, Juneau makes for an interesting capital city. Not to mention it is the second-largest city, by area - the only way in is by airplane or boat. Safe to say my flight on Alaska Airlines was very full, mostly of people heading onto cruises or fishing boats. But every single one of them excited for this adventure.

If you want to read more about my stay at the Alaskan Hotel and my first experience in Alaska (I've been 3 times now) then click here.

Here are 10 things to do in Alaska:

Check out FLIGHTS HERE. | I'd recommend a CRUISE. | Compare HOTELS HERE.

1. Mendenhall Glacier:

This beautiful 12-mile long glacier can be seen when you are heading out Juneau Airport to downtown. Mendenhall Glacier is about 12 miles away from Downtown Juneau and about 5 miles away from the airport. One of the only glaciers accessible by road, you will need to hike up one of the six trails to see the actual glacier.

2. Visit the Haunted Alaskan Hotel:

I stayed here last summer for one night. It was the longest night I have ever experienced - you can read all about it here. The Alaskan Hotel was built in 1913 and is the oldest operating hotels in Juneau. Located in the center of downtown Juneau makes it walking distance to anything you could possibly need while in Juneau. However, it is haunted.

This is the inside of the hotel ~spooky~

3. Juneau Icefield:

"A marvel of nature which lies 2,000 feet above historic downtown Juneau, the 1,500-square-mile Juneau Icefield is the fifth largest icefield in North America. Extending from Taku Inlet to Skagway, the icefield is the birthing ground of 38 major glaciers, including Juneau's Mendenhall Glacier. The icefield is estimated to be around 3,000 years old, but it is in a constant state of renewal and retreat depending on each year's dosage of snow." - Travel Juneau

4. Glacier Bay National Park:

There is so much to see in Glacier Bay National Park and not just glaciers! This park is a combination of rugged mountains, sheltered fjords, glaciers, and one of the largest internationally protected areas. Recognized by the United Nations as a world heritage site, Glacier Bay is full of culture and history.

"A place of hope--for the continued wisdom, restraint, and humility to preserve a sample of wild America, the world as it was." - National Park Service

5. Whale Watching ( Wildlife Watching):

I have seen more whales, orcas, bears and other wildlife while in Alaska then I have in my entire life. I didn't think that I would love just sitting and watching whales as much as I do, but there is something peaceful about being out on the ocean watching wildlife do its thing. I'd highly recommend getting a boat or going on a cruise to see some wildlife up close in its own environment, there's really nothing like it.

If you are in glacier bay national park you'll see stellar sea lions and incredible wildlife that can't really be seen anywhere else - including the spirit bear (if you're really lucky).

6. Ride a Float Plane:

What an exhilarating feeling being in a plane with only 1 or 2 other people and those people are the pilot and co-pilot. I have had the opportunity to ride in a floatplane and fly out of Glacier Bay - I was the only passenger. At first thinking, this was the set up for a Final Destination movie, I was soon distracted by the forest-covered mountains we were flying through. Every time the plane would drop a little or shake it definitely felt like my stomach was flipping upside down. Landing feels like you've survived and can finally breathe. All worth the rush that it gives you and some incredible views that you really won't see anywhere else.

Inside the float plane,

7. Take the Tram (Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway):

In operation since 1996, the tram makes a six-minute ascent of 3,819-foot Mount Roberts. For about $35 you could get an all-day pass to go up and down the only aerial tramway in southeast Alaska.

Check out FLIGHTS HERE. | I'd recommend a CRUISE. | Compare HOTELS HERE.

8. Eat Seafood, Salmon mostly.

Start at the Juneau Salmon Hatchery and learn about pacific salmon as well as hatchery operations. For about $5 you can learn about the salmon's life cycle and then try some smoked salmon. I tried smoked salmon candy and it wasn't so bad!

9. See the Northern Lights:

I was on this boat when these were taken.

The Aurora Borealis is a natural light display in the Earth's Sky. It is caused by disturbances in the magnetosphere from solar wind and can really only be seen in high-latitude areas (Arctic and Antarctic.) Getting to see firsthand how our universe creates such vivid colors and paints them across the sky is more than just magical. If you have an opportunity to see the northern lights, it is not something to be missed. Photos and video really don't do the northern lights justice. Good times of the year to see the Aurora Borealis are late August to Early April. You need a clear and dark sky, so look up the forecast but keep in mind Auroras are unpredictable.

10. See a few eagles at Eagle Beach

Now, Eagle Beach isn't the only place to see eagles in Alaska. However, this area is a campground for people to watch eagle perch up onto the treetops and rocks - scouting salmon that wash up. The salmon wash up here because the tide changes about 16 feet, which makes it a great location for lots of animals to look for food. I personally saw about 5 bald eagles on my way to the airport leaving Juneau, Alaska.