Plan your trip to Juneau, Alaska — handpicked tours and activities, the best time to visit, where to stay and eat, how to get there, and a sample itinerary.
Top things to do in Juneau
Walk to the face of Mendenhall Glacier. A 13-mile river of ice accessible by trail — hike to within feet of the calving face and blue icebergs on Mendenhall Lake.
Watch humpback whales in the Inside Passage. Near-100% sighting rates May–Sep, including rare bubble-net feeding behavior seen almost nowhere else on Earth.
Fly-in bear viewing at Pack Creek Sanctuary. A floatplane to Admiralty Island — 'Fortress of the Bears' — puts you face-to-face with brown bears fishing wild creeks.
Helicopter dog-sledding on the Juneau Icefield. Soar over ancient glaciers and mush a team of Alaskan huskies across the icefield — the most distinctive adventure in North America.
Cruise Tracy Arm Fjord to Sawyer Glaciers. Sheer granite walls rise thousands of feet above the boat as you thread through sea ice to twin tidewater glaciers where seals haul out on bergs.
Sea kayak with glacier views at Mendenhall Wetlands. Glide past bald eagles, harbor seals, and icebergs with the Juneau Icefield as your backdrop.
Explore Tlingit culture at Sealaska Heritage Institute. World-class Northwest Coast Native art, totem poles, and live cultural demonstrations in a landmark downtown building.
Hike the Tongass — waterfall trails and old-growth rainforest. The world's largest temperate rainforest surrounds Juneau; trails range from paved photo loops to challenging backcountry routes.
Feast at the Gold Creek Salmon Bake. Forty years of alderwood-grilled wild Alaska salmon, ribs, and homemade blueberry cake served in a rainforest beside a rushing creek.
Pan for gold in Last Chance Basin. A guide in 1880s attire leads you to Gold Creek where it all began — you keep every flake you find.
Best time to visit Juneau
Summer (late May through early September) is peak season: the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center is fully open, humpback whales feed in peak numbers, Pack Creek bear permits are active (July 5–August 25), and Juneau's 18+ hours of daylight let you hike and kayak well into the evening. July offers the warmest days (avg high 64°F) and the highest probability of clearer skies, though rain is always possible — Juneau averages 230 rainy days a year. May and early September offer a rewarding balance of mild weather, thinner cruise-ship crowds, and lower prices. Fall (September–October) brings aurora borealis viewing as darkness returns, vivid fall colors, and salmon spawning at Steep Creek. Winter is quiet, dark, and snowy; Eaglecrest Ski Area and northern lights are the main draws.
Juneau weather by month
Month
High (°F)
Low (°F)
Notes
Jan
30
24
Cold and wet; roughly 12 inches of rain/snow; ~6 hours of daylight.
Feb
31
24
Still cold; precipitation eases slightly; days slowly lengthening.
Mar
35
27
Crisp and wet; daylight expanding; Mendenhall wetlands come alive.
Apr
43
34
Crisp and wet; Alaska Folk Festival and Jazz & Classics Festival.
May
54
41
Cool and wet; cruise season begins; whale watching and kayaking open.
Jun
61
50
Mild with 18+ hours of daylight near the solstice; Celebration (biennial) in early June.
Jul
64
54
Warmest month; peak whale watching and bear viewing; long bright evenings.
Aug
64
53
Warm and wet; salmon spawn at Steep Creek; peak bear activity at Pack Creek.
Sep
57
48
Cool and very wet; aurora returns; thinning cruise crowds; beautiful fall color.
Oct
46
38
Cool and wet; aurora season underway; Eaglecrest ski area preps to open.
Nov
34
28
Crisp and wet; locals' season; northern lights viewing on clear nights.
Dec
30
23
Cold and dark; ~6 hours of daylight; Eaglecrest skiing and aurora viewing.
Getting to Juneau
Juneau is the only U.S. state capital with no road connection to the outside world — you arrive by plane, cruise ship, or the Alaska Marine Highway ferry. Juneau International Airport (JNU) is just 10 minutes from downtown and served daily by Alaska Airlines nonstop from Seattle (~2.5 hours). The ferry from Bellingham, WA, takes up to three days through the scenic Inside Passage.
JNU Juneau International Airport — 10 min drive
Where to stay in Juneau
Juneau has no road connection to the outside world — you arrive by plane or ship. Downtown is the most convenient base, walkable to tours, restaurants, and the waterfront. The Mendenhall Valley and Airport area offers quieter, lower-cost options a short drive from the glacier. Capital Transit buses serve many routes, but a rental car or shuttle is needed to reach the glacier and most out-of-town sites.
Downtown Juneau. The most convenient base for first-time visitors: hotels and B&Bs sit steps from the cruise docks, waterfront dining, the Alaska State Museum, and South Franklin Street's galleries and shops. The entire historic district is walkable, and tour operators are… Good for: First-time visitors, culture-seekers, those without a car.
Mendenhall Valley & Airport Area. A practical, quieter residential zone about 10–13 miles from downtown and a short drive from the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. Accommodations here (including extended-stay and suite hotels) tend to offer more space and lower rates than downtown.… Good for: Families, budget travelers, early-morning glacier hikers.
Douglas Island. The small community of Douglas sits two miles from downtown across the Douglas Bridge, offering a quieter, more local feel with neighborhood restaurants, Perseverance Theatre, and beach access on the western shore. It's a short drive or bus ride to downtown… Good for: Repeat visitors, couples seeking a local vibe, arts and theatre fans.
Auke Bay & 'Out the Road'. The northern stretch of Juneau — from Auke Bay Harbor past the ferry terminal and continuing up the road system toward Eagle Beach — is where the city thins out and true Southeast Alaska wilderness begins. Vacation rentals and small lodges here suit… Good for: Anglers, kayakers, ferry travelers, wilderness seekers.
Gustavus & Glacier Bay. A short floatplane or ferry ride from Juneau, the tiny town of Gustavus is the gateway to Glacier Bay National Park. Small lodges and wilderness inns here — including the renowned Glacier Bay Lodge inside the park — suit travelers whose primary goal is deep… Good for: Wildlife photographers, adventurers, romantic wilderness retreats.
Where to eat in Juneau
Juneau's food scene is anchored by the freshest Alaska seafood in the country — king crab, halibut, wild salmon — with standouts earning national recognition. Reservations are essential at the top tables, especially when cruise ships are in port. Only venues with verified sources are listed.
Coffee & Breakfast
The Rookery Cafe. Juneau locals' choice for Eggs Benedict, specialty espresso, and fresh-baked pastries. Open weekday mornings through early afternoon.
Heritage Coffee Co.. Juneau-rooted coffee company with multiple downtown locations; a local institution.
Sandpiper Cafe. 429 W Willoughby Ave · 4.4★ (786 reviews)
Heritage Coffee Roasting Co. - Downtown Cafe. 130 Front St · 4.1★ (773 reviews)
Coppa. 917 Glacier Ave #102 · 4.7★ (264 reviews)
The Grind Coffee Company LLC. 10187 Jensine St · 4.6★ (185 reviews)
Cerealsly Milky. 205 Seward St · 4.7★ (163 reviews)
Jellyfish Donuts. 247 S Franklin St · 4.4★ (231 reviews)
Seafood & casual
Tracy's King Crab Shack. Open-air waterfront shack doing one thing supremely well: fresh Alaskan king crab by the leg, plus an award-winning king crab bisque. Arrive early — lines are legendary.
Deckhand Dave's Fish Tacos. Beer-battered halibut tacos and blackened rockfish from a beloved quick-serve spot. Fast lines; ideal between excursions.
The Hangar on the Wharf. Inside the historic seaplane hangar with Juneau's longest menu, 100+ beers, and a front-row view of floatplane landings.
Twisted Fish Company. Lively waterfront restaurant with panoramic harbor views, fresh king crab, oysters, and inventive cocktails.
Tracy’s King Crab Shack-Main. 432 S Franklin St · 4.6★ (3,501 reviews)
Tracy's King Crab Shack 2. 300 Whittier St · 4.7★ (652 reviews)
Twisted Fish Company Alaskan Grill. 550 S Franklin St · 4.4★ (969 reviews)
Alaska Fish & Chips Company at the Flight Deck. 2 Marine Way #124 · 4.4★ (876 reviews)
Fine dining
In Bocca al Lupo. Named one of the 50 best restaurants in the US by the New York Times in 2023 — the first Alaskan restaurant ever on the list. Chef Beau Schooler (six-time James Beard nominee) serves handmade pasta…
SALT. Juneau's go-to for special-occasion dinners: locally caught seafood, butcher-cut steaks, and the most extensive wine list in the city. Three private dining rooms available.
Local bars & breweries
Devil's Club Brewing Company. Award-winning brewery in the historic Palace Theater. Voted best brewery in Alaska; Juneau-brewed ales well away from the cruise-ship rush.
Alaskan Brewing Company Tasting Room. Juneau's legendary brewery behind the famous Amber Ale. Tasting room and brewery tours on Egan Drive.
Red Dog Saloon. A Gold Rush-era institution with sawdust floors, antler walls, and the signature 'Duck Fart' cocktail — a deliberately theatrical experience since 1890.
Alaskan Brewing Public House. 406 S Franklin St Ste 102 · 4.4★ (572 reviews)
Crystal Saloon. 218 Front St · 4.6★ (370 reviews)
The Narrows Bar. 148 S Franklin St · 4.8★ (244 reviews)
Day 1 — Stroll Historic Downtown Juneau: South Franklin Street's Gold Rush storefronts, the Red Dog Saloon, and the Alaska State Museum. Dinner at Tracy's King Crab Shack on the waterfront.
Day 2 — Head early to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center (before cruise ships arrive). Hike the Nugget Falls trail to stand beneath the 377-foot waterfall directly across from the glacier face. Afternoon: Glacier View sea kayaking through the Mendenhall Wetlands.
Day 3 — Morning whale watching from Auke Bay Harbor — humpbacks nearly guaranteed in summer. Afternoon: visit the Sealaska Heritage Institute's Walter Soboleff Building for Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian art and cultural demonstrations.
Events & festivals in Juneau
Gold Medal Basketball Tournament (March (annually since 1947)). A beloved Southeast Alaska tradition drawing ~30 adult teams from villages across the region — the social event of the Juneau winter.
Northern Lights season (September through March). Darkness returns in fall and with it the aurora borealis; the equinox in September offers up to 14 hours of darkness and strong geomagnetic activity.
Alaska Folk Festival (One week in April (since 1975)). Free, volunteer-run folk music gathering open to all performers; the 2025 edition marked its 50th anniversary.
Juneau Jazz and Classics Festival (Late April – early May (since 1987)). Jazz, classical, and blues performances alongside educational workshops; roughly 4,000 students engage annually.
Cruise & whale watching season (May through September). Peak season for whale watching, Mendenhall Glacier tours, helicopter glacier adventures, and bear viewing at Pack Creek.
Celebration (Sealaska Heritage biennial) (First week of June (biennial)). Alaska's largest Indigenous cultural festival: Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian dancing, language, canoe racing, and traditional arts. The 2026 edition ran June 3–6.
Juneau Gold Rush Days (Mid-June (annually)). A two-day community festival at Savikko Park on Douglas Island celebrating mining and logging heritage — jackleg drilling, log rolling, axe throwing, local food, and live music.
Juneau travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Juneau?
Summer (late May through early September) is peak season: the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center is fully open, humpback whales feed in peak numbers, Pack Creek bear permits are active (July 5–August 25), and Juneau's 18+ hours of daylight let you hike and kayak well into the evening.
What are the top things to do in Juneau?
Top experiences include Walk to the face of Mendenhall Glacier, Watch humpback whales in the Inside Passage, Fly-in bear viewing at Pack Creek Sanctuary, Helicopter dog-sledding on the Juneau Icefield, Cruise Tracy Arm Fjord to Sawyer Glaciers.
Which airport is closest to Juneau?
Juneau International Airport (JNU) is the nearest, about 10 minutes away.
Where should I stay in Juneau?
Popular areas to base yourself include Downtown Juneau, Mendenhall Valley & Airport Area, Douglas Island, Auke Bay & 'Out the Road'.