Juneau Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Juneau featuring a small town or village
Alaska’s capital is a gateway to some of the area’s most spectacular and accessible sights. Walk on ice fields, witness mammoth glaciers and catch sight of humpback whales.

Visit Juneau, in Alaska’s southeast, to experience astonishing natural formations, mountainside trails through wild forests and a 1,500-square-mile (3,9000-square-kilometer) ice field.

Of all the incredible sights in and around Juneau, the area’s many ice glaciers are a standout. One of the most impressive of these is the Mendenhall Glacier, which is only 12 miles (19 kilometers) from downtown Juneau. Drive to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center for stunning views of the glacier as well as educational programs for adults and children.

From the visitor center take one of the easily accessible trails for a chance to spot salmon and bears or hike via the East Glacier Loop to an overlook closer to the glacier. Another option is the 1-mile (1.6-kilometer) Nugget Falls Trail which ends at the base of the broad and dramatic Nugget Falls.

Get even closer to the glaciers by taking one of the daily cruises that travel up through the Tracy Arm Fjord to the South Sawyer Glacier. Look out for seals, which bask on floating ice throughout the area.

Take a helicopter tour up to the Juneau Ice Field, which lies to the north of town. This 1,500-square-mile (3,900-square-kilometer) area of solid ice spans entire valleys. Walk over the thick plane with a tour guide and peer down into gaping crevasses, which cut deep into the ice.

Board a whale-watching boat to see more of the area’s wildlife. From April to November, around 600 humpback whales live within the Inside Passage. Also, keep an eye out for orcas which feed on seals in the area.

Juneau can be reached by plane or through one of the many cruise lines that visit the area. You can also arrive by car, but you will have to take a ferry from one of several ports in Washington or British Columbia. The ferry travels through the Inside Passage and provides beautiful views of the countryside to the south of Juneau. It is best to visit between April and November, when the weather is mild and Juneau’s spectacular offerings can be best enjoyed.

Where to stay in Juneau

Juneau which includes dog sledding, snow and landscape views

Downtown Juneau

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

Downtown Juneau is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Mount Roberts Tramway and Alaska State Capitol while you're in town.

Downtown Juneau
Default Image

Mendenhall Valley

3.5/5(3 area reviews)

While Mendenhall Valley isn't home to many top sights, Alaska Powder Descents and Auke Bay are some notable places to visit nearby.

Mendenhall Valley
Default Image

North Douglas

If you're spending some time in North Douglas, Eaglecrest Ski Area and Eagle Creek Beaches are top sights worth seeing.

North Douglas
Default Image

West Juneau

While West Juneau isn't home to many top sights, Alaska Governor's Mansion and Alaska State Capitol are some notable places to visit nearby.

West Juneau
Default Image

Back Loop

When in Back Loop, you can plan a visit to Alaska Powder Descents and Nugget Falls, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Back Loop
Default Image

Salmon Creek

While Salmon Creek may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Alaska Governor's Mansion and Alaska State Capitol.

Salmon Creek
Super 8 by Wyndham Juneau
Super 8 by Wyndham Juneau
2 out of 5
2295 Trout St, Juneau, AK
The price is £102 per night from 30 Mar to 31 Mar
£102
per night
30 Mar - 31 Mar
Stay at this business-friendly motel in Juneau. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (698 reviews)
"Very nice and quit"

Reviewed on 24 Mar 2024

Super 8 by Wyndham Juneau
Extended Stay America Suites Juneau Shell Simmons Drive
Extended Stay America Suites Juneau Shell Simmons Drive
2.5 out of 5
1800 Shell Simmons Dr, Juneau, AK
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is £105 per night from 29 Mar to 30 Mar
£105
per night
29 Mar - 30 Mar
Stay at this hotel in Juneau. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. Popular ...
7.2/10 Good! (1,002 reviews)
Very good for it's value.
"This hotel has recently been updated. My room was very clean. The halls had new paint. The carpets were cleaned, and there was new flooring. The front door was locked with key-only access or the attendant opening it, which made the hotel feel more secure from the night creepers outside. For a 3-star ..."

Reviewed on 16 Mar 2024

Extended Stay America Suites Juneau Shell Simmons Drive
Alaskan Hotel and Bar
Alaskan Hotel and Bar
2.5 out of 5
167 S Franklin Street, Juneau, AK
The price is £111 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
£111
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this hotel in Juneau. Enjoy free WiFi, a nightclub and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
7.4/10 Good! (400 reviews)
"I left a personal item in the room. The staff searched me out and got it to me before I flew out. Very much appreciated. I will definitely be back."

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2024

Alaskan Hotel and Bar
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Baked Alaska-Near Mendenhall Glacier and Auke Bay Offering DISCOUNT ON TOURS!
Baked Alaska-Near Mendenhall Glacier and Auke Bay Offering DISCOUNT ON TOURS!
Juneau, AK
Stay at this holiday home in Juneau. Enjoy WiFi, on-site parking and a TV. Popular attractions Mendenhall Glacier and Alaska Powder Descents are located nearby. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (15 reviews)
Lovely room
"I really enjoyed my stay here. The room was lovely. The bathroom spacious and clean. The decor is great! Thank you."

Reviewed on 10 Mar 2024

Baked Alaska-Near Mendenhall Glacier and Auke Bay Offering DISCOUNT ON TOURS!
Eagles Watch Ocean Front B and B, Auke Bay, Juneau
 CBJ 1000195
Eagles Watch Ocean Front B and B, Auke Bay, Juneau CBJ 1000195
Juneau, AK
Stay at this holiday home in Juneau. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi and on-site parking. Popular attractions Mendenhall Glacier and Auke Bay are located nearby. ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (27 reviews)
Beautiful view
"Property is a special place. Quiet beautiful view of Auke Bay. John has the property filled with thoughtful touches. He went above and beyond to help us with our frozen fish. We also really enjoyed his cookies and breakfasts and S’mores at night. Everything is clean and well maintained. We would ..."

Reviewed on 15 Aug 2023

Eagles Watch Ocean Front B and B, Auke Bay, Juneau CBJ 1000195
THE SHACK, Views of beautiful Auke Bay Harbor a Quarter Mile Away.
CBJ1000258
THE SHACK, Views of beautiful Auke Bay Harbor a Quarter Mile Away. CBJ1000258
Juneau, AK
Stay at this apartment in Juneau. Enjoy WiFi, on-site parking and 1 bedroom. Popular attractions Auke Bay and Mendenhall Golf Course are located nearby. Discover ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (14 reviews)
Great place to stay
"The Shack was a wonderful place to stay, owners gave us lots of privacy and they have an Adorable dog to keep watch!"

Reviewed on 11 Oct 2023

THE SHACK, Views of beautiful Auke Bay Harbor a Quarter Mile Away. CBJ1000258
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Cities near Juneau