It's easy to see why people visit Juneau, given its hiking, romance, museums and attractions, and food.
One of the most popular sights in Juneau is Mendenhall Glacier. The glacier is one of the largest glaciers in the area and makes up a big chunk of the Juneau Ice Field (which is another popular sight worth visiting). The glacier is more than 12 miles long and a half a mile wide. There is a visitor's center there where you can learn all about the glacier. Once at the visitor's center, you can walk out about three quarters of a mile to get a pretty spectacular close up view of the glacier as well as the huge waterfall from the glacier located just to the right of it. The lake in front of the glacier is formed from the melted water of the glacier over the years, as well, and is fed mostly from the waterfall.
Another popular sight is Glacier National Park, located about 30 minutes from the city of Juneau. Once you get to the Park, entry is free. Glacier National Park is often a stop for cruise ships as well, and they spend the whole day cruising through the breathtaking scenes there. The glacier filled mountains seem to stretch on forever and it is hard to rival the distinct beauty found there.
One popular activity in Juneau is riding the Mount Roberts Tramway, which is a cable car that takes you 3,819 feet up onto Mount Roberts. At the top of the mountain you will find a restaurant, nature center, shops, and several trails you can follow both up and down the mountain if you would like to do some further exploring. There is a rescued bald eagle at the top that is a popular attraction for many tourists.
There are also several tours available in Juneau, including boat tours, some of which specialize in whale and other wildlife watching. There are tours, which will take you to Tracy Arm Fjord, another popular location for viewing waterfalls and glaciers, and the possibility of some wild life such as bears, whales, sea lions, etc. Juneau also has an amazing rainforest garden with a 200-degree view of the city as well as many species of flora against a forest background. There are many other hiking, fishing, and sight seeing options in Juneau as well.
Museums and Attractions:
When people think of Juneau, they often think of its famous museums and landmarks. Many museums focus on the history in the area, including the Gold Rush and the mining industry. You can visit several historic mines as well as the Last Chance Mining Museum. Other museums around town include the Juneau-Douglas City Museum, the Walter Soboleff Building, and the Alaska State Museum.
Hiking:
Many hikers rave about the trails surrounding Juneau. You'll find more than 250 miles of hiking trails in the area, and this really is the best way to experience Alaska. The area is known for its wildlife, but there are also glacier hikes, meadows, mountains, and more. In downtown Juneau there's the Perseverance Trail, the Granite Creek Trail, and the Mount Roberts Trail. From the Mendenhall Visitor Center there's the East Glacier Loop Trail, the West Glacier Trail, and the Nugget Falls Trail. There are also trails on Douglas Island and many options just outside of town.
Shopping:
Don't pass up the chance to shop here, as it's fun and enjoyable. There's a mix of contemporary art and traditional artisan crafts. You'll find gift shops and art galleries around, particularly downtown and in the Mendenhall Valley business district. Visitors often enjoy buying art, wood carvings, jewelry, pottery, quilts, or dolls.
Local tours that last a few hours can be a great way to explore Juneau. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Small Group Paddleboard Adventure with Mendenhall Glacier Views for $225 details
- Shared Mindfulness in Wilderness Tour From Alaska for $198 details
- Mendenhall Glacier Lake Canoe Tour for $239 details
A few typical prices for sights, activities, and entry fees in Juneau are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers to provide you with an idea how much you might need to spend. Your individual costs will vary based on which activities you do, which attractions or museums you visit, and how often you participate in free or low-cost activities.