Popular excursions in Juneau
Things to do in Juneau
Juneau is Alaska's capital, set between steep mountains and the Gastineau Channel. It is reached only by air or sea, so a day here is about the city, the glacier and the water around it. Most people use a port day for a glacier visit, a whale trip, a hike up Mount Roberts, or a walk through downtown.
What Juneau is known for
Pick one to see the best places, trips and tips.
Juneau at a glance
Juneau is a capital city wedged between mountains and water, with glaciers and forest trails close at hand. Pick a place to see it, and then the trips that go there.
Downtown Juneau sits just north of A J Dock, so the town is a short walk from the ship. Most trails start a few kilometers away, with the Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls much farther north and northwest.
Popular excursions in Juneau
Booked with our partner Shore Excursions Group. Prices are per person.
Exclusive Juneau City and Mendenhall Glacier Tour
Exclusive Whale Watching Cruise
Whales and Mendenhall Glacier
Best of Juneau
More things to do in Juneau
Half-day city and glacier tours, or whale and glacier combinations, leave from the docks by bus or boat.
The Alaska State Museum is about a ten-minute walk from the cruise terminal, with state history and art.
Guided salmon charters leave from Auke Bay by boat, from shore or by floatplane, May to September.
Walk the Rainforest Trail or take a guided golf-cart tour at Glacier Gardens.
Paddle Mendenhall Lake past the glacier face, reached by bus or taxi from the cruise docks.
Look over the channel from Mount Roberts or the Mendenhall visitor pavilion. The Goldbelt Tram is temporarily closed.
Walk the easy trails near the Mendenhall visitor center, or fly in to Pack Creek to see brown bears.
Taste beer at the Alaskan Brewing Company in Lemon Creek, or join a brewery route with tastings.
Walk downtown, take the free Capitol tour, and see the 1893 St. Nicholas church.
Arriving and getting around
Arriving by ship
Juneau has no road link to the rest of Alaska, so ships dock at piers just south of downtown. Most docks sit within an easy walk of the shops, museums and historic streets. The farthest dock, A J Dock, is about a mile's walk from the visitor center area, or a shuttle ride. Downtown Juneau is compact, but the streets above 4th Street climb steeply, so wear shoes you can walk in.
Getting around Juneau
From the docks, the Mendenhall Glacier is about 13 miles north of downtown. Several bus services run from the cruise docks to the glacier about every 30 minutes in summer, and taxis are also an option. Taxis cost about the same as a bus for five or more passengers. Capital Transit buses serve the rest of town, and a car rental from the airport is the way to reach more distant places on your own.
Juneau's season for most activities runs from May to September, and whale trips run from April to October. Glacier viewing is often best on overcast or rainy days, so a wet forecast should not stop plans.
Good to know
- Pay the bus or shuttle driver in cash, or buy tickets at the kiosks on the dock, before heading to Mendenhall Glacier.
- Bring rain gear and waterproof boots; the land is wet most of the year in this rainforest.
- Hike with a buddy when you can, and make noise on trails to stay bear aware.
- Do not count on cell service; some backcountry areas have little or no reception.
Questions
Can you walk from the cruise docks to Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau?
Not comfortably in one day. The glacier is about 13 miles north of downtown. Buses and shuttles leave the cruise docks about every 30 minutes in summer, and taxis are another option. From the bus stop, the visitor center is about a 1.5-mile walk.
How far is Juneau's Mount Roberts trail from downtown?
The Mount Roberts Trail starts from a trailhead behind downtown. The hike to the Mountain House is 2 miles and about 1.5 hours, with steep switchbacks. The Goldbelt Tram is temporarily closed for maintenance, so check before you plan a ride.
What is there to do in Juneau in one day?
Many visitors combine a glacier visit at Mendenhall with a walk through downtown, the Alaska State Museum and St. Nicholas church. Whale trips, hikes and brewery visits also fit a day here, from May to September.
Sailings that stop in Juneau
2,816 sailings on 18 cruise lines call here in the next twelve months. Totals are for two guests, taxes included.
Carnival Legend
Koningsdam
Norwegian Jade
MSC Poesia
Whale watching elsewhere
Sources: Helicopter Trips · Mendenhall & Taku Glacier · Juneau Hiking Trails · USDA Forest Service · Top Juneau Attractions · Juneau, Alaska, Wikipedia
Photo: Ifly6, CC BY-SA 4.0