17 Best Things to Do in Juneau: How I Spent My Two Days
Juneau, you’re amazing! Over the last 18 months, I found myself really wanting to visit Juneau and the Inside Passage. After spending so much time in mainland Alaska, this area felt unexplored to me. So, after spending a week at Brown Bear Bay bear watching, I stopped over for three days to do as many of the best things to do in Juneau as I possibly could!
And let me tell ya, I was impressed! Even though it was a short trip, it was epic! I got to see whales bubble-net feeding, tidewater glaciers hidden deep in fjords, and the numerous bald eagles that call this area home.
Even though it was a quick visit to Juneau, this place is magical, and you’re in for a wonderful trip if you decide to visit! And if you are reading this with a trip planned or maybe already in Juneau, I hope these tours and activities help you leave with so many memories.
Three-Day Itinerary for Visiting Juneau in Southeast Alaska
I was initially supposed to be in Juneau for three full days, but travel schedules forced me to cut it short by a day. I packed my days full with the best things to do in Juneau, but I’m going to give you a better, less stressful three-day Juneau itinerary to enjoy your time here!
Day 1: Whale Watching and Mendenhall Glacier
On your first day in Juneau, I’d hit the classics.
Enjoy whale watching from Auke Bay and then drive 15 minutes to theMendenhalll Glacier Recreation Area.
Whale watching is typically a 3-4 hour excursion, including your transfer from the cruise terminal. Here, you’ll get out onto the water to see the magic of nature. I had a 10/10 time. As for the Mendenhall Glacier, if you’re looking for a relaxed hike, take the Nugget Falls Trail (2 miles round trip) and then do the Steep Creek loop in hopes you see some bears.
Make sure to get food before heading to the glacier, as there’s no food in the area. If you picked a morning whale watching, Auke Bay has plenty of options for food nearby.
Depending on where you are staying, I recommend one of the four breweries in town for dinner!
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Day 2: Dawes Glacier Tour
This is a full-day tour, but so worth it! You’ll get to see waterfalls, hopefully whales, a hanging glacier, and the incredible Dawes Glacier. Even if you’re visiting Juneau via a cruise, other people on the boat said this tour was so worth it.
For an early dinner, I recommend the Hangar on the Wharf for their halibut tacos.
Then, wrap up the day by checking out the bald eagles near Salmon Creek (near the fish hatchery).
Day 3: Hiking with an Evening Flightseeing and Salmon Bake
On your final day in Juneau, spend it hiking away from the crowds. You can take the tram up and hike around for great views. Or, hit one of the other trails in the area to experience the lush forests and lakes that Juneau offers.
Then, head downtown and cap the day off with a glacier flightseeing tour plus a salmon feast at Taku Lodge. I was supposed to do this, but sadly they grounded the flights due to weather. If you pick this, let me know how it goes and message me on Instagram!
The 17 Best Things to Do in Juneau
1. Go Whale Watching
This was the reason I added Juneau to my Alaskan adventure. Of all the things to do in Juneau, this is by far the best. I came with one mission: to see humpback whales bubble-net feeding.
I knew it wouldn’t be guaranteed, but if I was going to see it, there was a good chance it would be here. On my second day, I headed out with Harv and Marv’s Whale Watching, and within 20 minutes, we had bubble-net feeding.
To say I was shocked/surprised would be an understatement. But it was beautiful. Watching the whales work together to confuse fish and then feast on them is a skill only 5% of humpbacks know how to do.
We spent an hour with the bubble net feeders before heading out further to find more whales, get close up on stellar sea lions, and then head on back. All in all, it was a ridiculously awesome trip on the water.
2. Explore the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area
With how far the Mendenhall Glacier has now receded (it’s officially not touching the lake for the first time in *waves hand*), this is more of a lake and waterfall destination.
I spent a couple of hours here and enjoyed it, but it’s also not the most incredible thing ever.
First thing to know: the entire area is extremely popular. Cruise ships (via bus) drop people off for a few hours, and if you are there when they emerge from the buses (as I was), it’s overwhelming.
Next, Nugget Falls is the popular trail here. It’s ~ two miles round trip and easy. The waterfall is massive (I was shocked at the size). If you want to avoid the crowds, take the East Glacier Trail.
There’s also a semi-decent chance you’ll see some bears if you walk the elevated boardwalks of the Steep Creek Trail (not steep at all). If you have no bear viewing booked on your trip, this is one of the better places to see them in the area for free.
Logistics
- Because I did Juneau without a rental car, I was reliant on Lyfts/Ubers. I was a little nervous about not having service to get back. But that was no problem. The area isn’t too far away from civilization.
- A kid pulled the fire alarm at the Visitor Center, but from what I could tell, there’s no food/drink offering. This was rough for me as I went right after whale watching and didn’t have any lunch. That said, they don’t want you eating on the trails because it can attract wildlife.
- There’s a $5 fee per person to visit the area, but your America the Beautiful Pass covers you and three guests.
3. Eat Delicious Seafood
Whenever you’re in Alaska, you must indulge in seafood. I had incredibly tasty halibut tacos from The Hangar On The Wharf. I got three tacos after the Dawes Glacier tour, along with a nice Hefeweizen beer. 10/10. No notes.
4. Take the Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier Tour
Another of the best things to do in Juneau! I loved this full-day tour out to the Dawes Glacier. I didn’t really know much about the tour to begin with, but within 30 minutes we had humpbacks swimming alongside us; great start, right?
Then we headed up the 30-mile Endicott Arm (fjord), and holy smokes, the views turned majestic. As we ventured farther and farther up the fjord, glaciers emerged, waterfalls streamed down steep slopes, and the peaks rose higher.
Then, the Dawes Glacier emerged. Wow! Hard to put into words how beautiful it was. Cobalt blue jagged ice with birds flying around and even higher mountains behind it. I was floored. It’s truly one of the coolest tours I’ve ever taken, and I think you’ll love it, too!
One thing to note is they don’t run tours on Fridays or Mondays. So plan accordingly.
5. Hop on a Helicopter to Go Dogsledding
Take off in a helicopter, soaking in the beauty of Juneau’s landscape, and then head to the Herbert Glacier for a life-changing opportunity. Surrounded by ice and massive peaks, here you’ll get to hang out with friendly sled dogs and hit the ice with them!
I got to go dog mushing in the Arctic Circle while at the Arctic Hive, and my gosh it was exhilarating!
6. Go Bear Viewing at Pack Creek or Chichagof Island
I love bears. It’s the main reason I come to Alaska. I’ve seen them in Lake Clark and Katmai National Parks, but many people don’t realize you get EPIC bear viewing in Juneau.
First, Pack Creek. It’s one of the densest bear areas in the world. The native Tlingit name for the area is Kootznoowoo, or ‘Fortress of the bears.” The island holds around 1,500 coastal bears.
This is the tricky part: the area allows only 24 visitors per day, so you’ll want to book far in advance. And you have to view from a platform, so it’s similar to Brooks Falls, vs the openness of Lake Clark or Katmai’s wilderness.
Now for Waterfall Creek on Chichagof Island. For visitors, the most important thing is that there are no visitor quotas, so it is easier to get to. And there aren’t elevated platforms, so you get a more natural experience.
Some have said this is less-hyped Brooks Falls.
I haven’t been to either, but if you want raw nature, Waterfall Creek is your place. But if you want more structure and fewer people and more bears, Pack Creek is the spot to be.
Book your Pack Creek Bear Viewing
Bear watching at Chichagof Island
7. Photograph Bald Eagles
After whales, this was my second reason for coming to Juneau. Knowing Bald Eagles are everywhere, I wanted to get some cool bird photos, especially with salmon. With a short trip and no rental car, I had to be picky about my locations, but I still landed some really nice shots and came away stoked with the results.
One tip: go near low tide. This is when the dead salmon are trapped on land, and other goodies are easy to eat.
Where to go to see bald eagles in Juneau:
- Auke Bay: There are so many birds. I wish I had made this a priority, but I only got to spend time here before the whale watching trip.
- Wetlands near the airport: I planned to go here one evening, then realized sunset was two hours earlier than when I was in Homer. So, that ended that idea.
- Salmon Creek: This is near the hatchery (though more specifically here). I asked my Lyft driver to drop me off here, and then I walked down to the river through the brush. You see a sign that tells you to be quiet, courteous, and stay bear aware. It’s also going ot be somewhat gross with all the salmon carcasses lying around.
- Eagle Beach: Aptly named. I think a pretty common theme around here is, if the area touches water, it’ll be good for eagles.
8. Go Whitewater Rafting and Floating
This is a combo of the two, so it’s nothing too grandiose in terms of wicked rapids. The rafting is only Class I and II, meaning it’s good for everyone!
But it’ll give you the chance to enjoy the scenery around Juneau and maybe even see some wildlife. So, if you’re looking for an active but not hard activity, this is a lovely one. I did something like this in Squamish, British Columbia, and was blown away.
9. Take a Helicopter: Land on the Herbert Glacier or Go Ice Climbing on the Mendenhall Glacier
This is similar to the dog sledding, but minus the dogs. Hop in a helicopter and soar over the Juneau Icefield and the beauty of glacier-carved landscapes.
Another option, if you want to get a little more technical, is to go ice climbing! This sounds THRILLING.
Either option gets you onto a living glacier. I’ve been on a glacier a couple of times, and it’s the coolest experience.
Check out the glacier landing here.
Helicopter + Ice Climbing Adventure
10. Flightseeing, Glacier Hike, and Paddle Tour around the Norris Glacier
The Alaska trifecta! If you’re looking for the most well-rounded experience in Juneau, this might be it! You get to fly to a glacier, hike on it, and then paddle on a glacial lake. I’m sure this is a 10/10 experience that you’ll love – even if it is a bit pricey.
11. Take an Underground Gold Mine Experience
Want to learn about mining? Want to pan for some gold? Want to put on a cool hard hat and get ot work? You can do all of that on the Underground Gold Mine Experience in Juneau. I think this would be a pretty fun family activity and give people a unique sense of what life was like in Juneau’s early days.
12. Enjoy the Breweries Throughout Juneau
I’ve always enjoyed Alaskan beer. Whatever magic they use, it works! I only had the chance to visit Forbidden Peak Brewery, across the street from Auke Bay. They had fantastic beers and, on a clear day (which is rare, I know), offered exquisite views across the bay.
Here’s a list of breweries in Juneau:
- Alaskan Brewing Co. — Located in the Lemon Creek industrial area (north of downtown).
Alaskan Brewing Public House — Located on the Downtown Waterfront.
Devil’s Club Brewing Company — Located in Historic Downtown Juneau.
Forbidden Peak Brewery — Located out in Auke Bay (near the ferry terminal).
Harbor Mountain Brewing Co. — Located in Downtown Juneau.
13. Go Flightseeing over Glaciers with a Salmon Feast
Uggh! I was supposed to do this tour, and they grounded all the flights due to turbulence, and unfortunately I was flying out the next day.
This was going to be one heckuva flightseeing day: soaring over the glaciers around Juneau, then landing next to the Taku Lodge for a salmon feast. Because most glaciers near Juneau aren’t reachable (outside of Mendenhall), this is the easiest way to see them.
As someone who has done flightseeing in Denali, Wrangell St. Elias, Katmai, and Lake Clark National Parks, I know you will have an AMAZING time.
Book only the glacier flightseeing tour
Book the flightseeing tour + salmon feast
14. Book a Fishing Expedition
There are few better places to throw a line out and catch some fish! Juneau is known for its fishing, and you’ll come home with boxes full of fish to enjoy throughout the year!
The land-based fishing tours are less expensive, but you’re also sacrificing the experience of getting onto the water. I’ve put links to both options below.
Land-based fishing: Check out the tour here.
Boat-based tour here.
15. Hike Around Juneau (Tram or no tram)
There are tons of hiking trails near downtown Juneau or at the end of the road to the north. Typically, you can hop on the tram that will take you up the mountains that reside on the backside of Juneau. Unfortunately, the tram has not been operating in 2026, making for a more arduous approach to reach the top of Mount Roberts or Mount Juneau.
There are also plenty of other hikes throughout the area. You can do easy or hard hikes at the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area, hike along the wetlands near the airport, hike to the Herbert Glacier (though I think it had receded so you don’t get too close anymore), or drive all the way to Point Bridget State Park at the northern tip of the paved road.
Popular Trails:
- Nugget Falls
- West Glacier Trail
- Perseverance Trail
- Thunder Mountain
- John Muir Recreation Cabin
- Auke Lake Trail
16. Check out a Museum
If you’ve got a rainy day or want to learn more about the history of Juneau, indigenous culture, mining, or more, check out the museums in town.
- Alaska State Museum: Features extensive exhibits on Alaska Native cultures, Russian colonial history, and natural science.
- Juneau-Douglas City Museum: Showcases local mining heritage, maritime history, and the city’s development.
- Last Chance Mining Museum: Houses historic, massive gold mining equipment inside an original 1912 compressor building.
- Sealaska Heritage Institute: Focuses on Southeast Alaska Native art, cultural preservation, and traditional clan houses.
- Wickersham State Historic Site: Displays early territorial history inside the preserved home of a prominent pioneer judge.
17. Kayak with Whales
Instead of a boat whale-watching tour, this is a unique way to see whales in Juneau. They drive you out to an island before you gear up and hit the water on a kayak. It’s a half-day-plus tour, so get ready to spend a lot of the day outside.
I imagine this is so cool, especially if a whale comes up pretty close!
What I liked about visiting Juneau in August
Well, for one, I somehow scored the best three-day weather window of the year. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky, which almost never happens. But I won’t complain. Plus, your days are still relatively long, letting you maximize your time here. That said, Juneau loses about 2-3 minutes per day in the evenings, so an August 1 visit (9:16pm sunset) is much different than August 31 (7:58pm).
One thing to keep in mind for visiting in August is the glacier outburst that seems to be happening more and more lately. This happens when so much water backs up behind the Mendenhall Glacier that it finally spills over and floods the valley below. Ironically, it happened the evening I arrived.
If this happens while you are in town, the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area will close, but thankfully, they will reopen once the risk is low. (It was only closed for one day, which is why I was able to visit.)
How Many Days Should I Spend in Juneau, Alaska?
I think three nights is the sweet spot for Juneau. This lets you see the city, explore nearby places, and take great tours. Obviously, I was only here for two nights, which definitely felt quick. If this hadn’t been on the backend of an already 9-day Alaska trip to see bears, I would have been bummed to leave so soon.
Where to stay in Juneau
Looking for lodging advice in Juneau? I can help! I stayed right by the airport. It was the least expensive option, and I didn’t want to deal with finding a ride to the airport in the wee hours of the morning and risk missing my flight.
I chose the Travelodge by Wyndham, and it was fine. Basically what I’d expect from a budget hotel (even though it was almost $200) and in a place that surely doesn’t get a ton of upgrades when there are no roads in or out. What I did like was the free airport pick-ups (only 0.5 mile away so not a huge ask), but they also dropped me off at Auke Bay for whale watching!
Other options:
- Aviator Suites Hotel Juneau Airport
- Juneau Hotel (downtown)
- Four Points by Sheraton Juneau (downtown)
- Ramada by Wyndham Juneau (downtown)
If I had a rental car and were with others, I would have stayed downtown. There’s more to do, with far more food options.
FAQ About Spending Time in Juneau
For the most part, yes! I think it helped that my hotel was near the airport, and that’s where a lot of drivers hang out. I only had one time downtown when I had trouble getting a ride, but it eventually worked out.
Yeah, it is. Hotel prices were around $200+, and almost every restaurant meal was over $30. But that’s life in Alaska, and especially in a place where the only way food gets in or out is via a plane or boat.
You just have to factor the price into your experience of seeing a beautiful and unique area.
It’s small but easy to get in and out of. Alaska pinged me to say I should get there 2-3 hours early because of lines. With TSA Pre-Check, I got through security in 10 minutes.
A coffee shop with pastries sits at the far end of the seating area. I’m sure there are more options, but at 6am, my brain wasn’t firing on all cylinders.
That’s a great, great question. I honestly went back and forth on this, but with car prices over $100 per day sometimes, I figured just going Uber/Lyft was more economical.
If I were planning to go further north or explore more areas, I wouldn’t have rented a car. For what I wanted to do though, it all worked out!
Yes, there is public transportation, but I wasn’t impressed. I was actually planning to take the bus around and save money (bus rides are like $2). But after downloading the transit app, I realized the bus runs only once an hour. And go figure, I didn’t realize this until the bus was gone, so it just isn’t convenient if you are trying to go places in a semi-timely manner.
1000% yes! The views on the flight to and from Alaska are incredible. My face is usually glued to the window once we get to the coastal mountains and glaciers.
Final thoughts on the best things to do in Juneau and a three-day itinerary
For the last couple of years, Juneau has floated to the top of my Alaska list, and finally exploring the area was fantastic. It reminded me of Seattle, especially in the summer. (In the winter, it gets far more snow, but it’s frigid.)
Everyone I chatted with was so friendly and welcoming, and most are transplants themselves. Hearing why they chose the area and why they like it so much really showed me this area is a gem.
Hopefully this article sparks interest in visiting Juneau and trying out all the best things to do during your itinerary. I think you’re in for a treat once you land!
Until next time, adventurers, stay safe.
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