Juneau is weird. I mean that in the best way possible. It’s the only state capital in the United States you can’t reach by car. You have to fly in or boat in. Once you land, you’re basically trapped between a massive icefield and a deep saltwater channel. It’s claustrophobic and infinite all at once.
Most people step off a cruise ship, buy a cheap t-shirt, look at the glacier from a distance, and think they’ve "done" Juneau. They haven't. They’ve missed the actual soul of the place. To really find the best things to do in Juneau Alaska, you have to get a little dirty and ignore the tourist traps.
Honestly, the weather is going to be damp. It’s a temperate rainforest. If it’s not raining, it’s thinking about raining. But that’s what makes the greens so neon and the ice so blue.
The Mendenhall Glacier Reality Check
Look, everyone goes to Mendenhall. It is the "big thing." But here’s what they don’t tell you: the Visitor Center is often packed like a subway station. As of early 2026, they’ve been dealing with some infrastructure repairs—actually, a pipe burst recently that moved some of their winter lectures—but the trails stay open.
Don't just stand on the observation deck. Walk the Nugget Falls Trail. It’s an easy two-mile round trip. You end up standing right next to a thundering waterfall that’s so loud you can’t hear your own thoughts, with the glacier looming right there.
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If you’re feeling brave, or just have a bit of a budget, take a helicopter. It sounds cliché. It isn't. Landing on the Juneau Icefield is a core memory kind of experience. You’re standing on thousands of feet of ancient ice, and the air tastes different up there. Some tours, like those from Coastal Helicopters, even let you walk around or try dog sledding on the glacier. It’s pricey, but if you're only here once, just do it.
Where the Locals Actually Eat
Tracy’s King Crab Shack is famous. It was on Top Chef. The crab bisque is legit, but you’ll pay a premium and wait in a line that wraps around the block. If you want that "I live here" vibe, head to Devil’s Club Brewing Company.
It’s in a historic building on Franklin Street. Their pizza is surprisingly good, but the beer is the real draw. Try whatever seasonal IPA they have on tap. It’s where people go after work to complain about the rain and talk about fishing.
Another spot? The Rookery Café. Best coffee in town, hands down. Their breakfast burritos are the size of a small child. It’s the perfect fuel before you head out to hike. For a weird fusion you won't find elsewhere, V’s Cellar Door does Mexican-Korean fusion. Bulgogi tacos in the basement of a downtown building? Yes, please.
Whale Watching Without the Crowds
You’re going to see a whale. In Juneau, it’s basically guaranteed. Most companies like Juneau Whale Watch or Allen Marine offer a 100% money-back guarantee because the humpbacks are everywhere from May through September.
But here’s the pro tip: book a smaller boat. The big 100-passenger catamarans are fine, but you’re fighting for a spot at the railing. A 6-passenger or 12-passenger "six-pack" boat gets you closer to the water. You’ll hear the "pfoo" of the blowhole. You’ll see the barnacles on the fluke.
If you’re lucky, you might see bubble-net feeding. That’s when a group of humpbacks works together to blow a ring of bubbles, trapping herring, and then they all lung-surface at once with their mouths open. It’s terrifying and beautiful.
Hiking: The Steep and the Deep
Juneau is a hiker’s town. If you want a workout, do Mount Juneau. It’s brutal. You’re gaining 3,500 feet in about two miles. My knees hurt just thinking about it. Don't do it if it's pouring rain, though; the trail turns into a slick mudslide, and people have actually died falling off that mountain.
For something less "death-defying," take the Goldbelt Tram up Mount Roberts.
- Buy a ticket (about $60 in 2026).
- Ride up 1,800 feet.
- Hike the rest of the way to the summit.
- Reward yourself with a beer at the top.
The view of the Gastineau Channel from up there makes the cruise ships look like tiny bath toys. Also, keep an eye out for marmots. They’re like giant, screaming squirrels that live in the rocks.
The "Out the Road" Mystery
Locals use the phrase "out the road" to describe anything north of the airport where the highway just... ends. There’s only one main road. If you drive to the very end, you hit Echo Cove.
On your way there, stop at the Shrine of St. Thérèse. It’s a stone chapel on a tiny island connected by a causeway. Even if you aren't religious, the silence there is heavy. You can often see sea lions hauled out on the rocks or whales breaching just offshore.
Then there’s Eagle Beach. At low tide, the flat sand goes on for miles. It’s one of the best spots to see bald eagles. In some parts of the Lower 48, seeing one eagle is a big deal. In Juneau, they’re basically "trash pandas" of the sky. You’ll see fifty of them sitting in a single tree looking grumpy.
Cultural Nuance: More Than Just Totem Poles
You can't talk about things to do in Juneau Alaska without mentioning the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian cultures. The Sealaska Heritage Institute (Walter Soboleff Building) downtown is stunning. The cedar scent when you walk in is incredible.
Don't just look at the art. Read the stories. Understand that this isn't "history"—it's a living culture. The Alaska State Museum is another must-visit, especially if it's a rainy day (which it probably is). They have a life-sized eagle tree and a massive collection of Indigenous artifacts that aren't just for show; they’re central to the identity of Southeast Alaska.
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Avoiding the Traps
Skip the "Salmon Bakes" that are run by the big cruise lines. They’re fine, but they feel like a theme park. If you want real salmon, go to the Hangar on the Wharf. It’s an old floatplane hangar. You can watch the planes take off while you eat blackened halibut or fresh salmon.
Also, the "Gold Panning" tours are mostly for kids. If you want to see mining history, hike the Perseverance Trail. You’ll see old ruins and rusted machinery being swallowed by the forest. It feels like a post-apocalyptic movie set, but with more moss.
Your Juneau Action Plan
If you're planning a trip for the 2026 season, keep these logistical points in mind to make the most of your time:
- Book the "Blue Bus" for Mendenhall: If you aren't on a cruise excursion, the "Glacier Express" shuttles from downtown are the easiest way to get to the glacier for about $50 round trip.
- Check the Tide Tables: If you want to explore the tide pools at Sandy Beach on Douglas Island, you need a low tide. You'll find sea stars and anemones that look like they’re from another planet.
- Layer Like an Onion: Wear a base layer, a fleece, and a real waterproof shell. Not a "water-resistant" hoodie. A shell. You will thank me when the sideways rain starts at 2:00 PM.
- Support Local: Buy your souvenirs at the Public Market or small galleries like Annie Kaill’s. The stuff in the "Diamond International" type shops isn't from Alaska.
Juneau isn't a place you visit to be pampered. It's a place you visit to feel small. Between the mountains that drop straight into the sea and the ice that’s been there since before your great-grandparents were born, it has a way of putting things in perspective. Get off the main pier, walk past the jewelry stores, and find the trailheads. That's where the real Alaska is hiding.