Juneau

What to know

• Ships tie up right downtown, so you can walk to shops, restaurants and museums.
• Mendenhall Glacier is about 13 miles away, so book a tour or take a taxi or rideshare.
• Whale watching is among the most reliable in Southeast Alaska in summer.
• It's often rainy; pack a waterproof layer.

Getting around

Juneau's cruise docks line the downtown waterfront, and a sea walk runs along them to the whale statue at Bill Overstreet Park. Downtown is very walkable, and the Capital Transit city bus has a ride-free zone up the hill to the State Capitol. Mendenhall Glacier is about 13 miles from downtown, so you need a tour, taxi or rideshare to reach it. Source: traveljuneau.com

Things to do

Outdoors · excursionMendenhall GlacierGlacier viewing in Tongass National Forest, with a visitor center and an easy lakeside trail to 377-foot Nugget Falls.traveljuneau.comWildlife · excursionWhale watchingBoat tours from Juneau look for humpback whales and sometimes orcas; the season runs April through November.traveljuneau.comMuseum · walk from dockWalter Soboleff Building (Sealaska Heritage)Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian art and exhibits, including a hand-adzed cedar clan house, a short walk from the docks.traveljuneau.comMuseum · walk from dockAlaska State MuseumThe state museum at 395 Whittier Street; open Tuesday to Saturday, with free admission for those 18 and under.lam.alaska.govMuseum · walk from dockJuneau-Douglas City MuseumCity history museum run by the City and Borough of Juneau, open Wednesday to Saturday.juneau.orgFree · walk from dockAlaska State CapitolThe 1931 Capitol building downtown, with guided summer tours on weekday afternoons.traveljuneau.comWalk · walk from dockSt. Nicholas Russian Orthodox ChurchAn 1894 octagonal church with a gold onion dome at 326 Fifth Street, on the downtown walking tour.traveljuneau.comOutdoors · short ridePerseverance TrailAbout 3 miles round trip along Gold Creek to Silverbow Basin and old Perseverance Mine ruins; easy to moderate.traveljuneau.com

Where to eat and drink

SeafoodTracy's King Crab ShackSeafood on the Juneau dock, serving red king, golden, Dungeness and snow crab steamed to order.kingcrabshack.comSit-downHangar on the WharfWaterfront restaurant at Merchants Wharf serving lunch and dinner, with a large microbrew selection.traveljuneau.comCaféThe Rookery CaféCoffeehouse, bakery and bistro on Seward Street; dinner menu features local seafood.traveljuneau.comCasualRed Dog SaloonHistoric South Franklin Street saloon with mining-era memorabilia, serving lunch and dinner. Open seasonally.reddogsaloon.comCaféHeritage Coffee Roasting Co.Juneau roaster since 1974; the Front Street café serves espresso, pastries, breakfast, lunch and gelato.traveljuneau.comBreweryAlaskan Brewing Co.Juneau brewery; the tasting room is five miles out, with a summer shuttle from the downtown Depot.alaskanbeer.com

Where to shop

ShopSealaska Heritage StoreAuthentic Alaska Native art, gifts and souvenirs in the Walter Soboleff Building; sales support Sealaska Heritage Institute programs.traveljuneau.comShopJuneau Artists GalleryGallery of original work by Juneau artists, including jewelry, pottery, glass and prints, at 175 S. Franklin Street.traveljuneau.comShopHearthside BooksLong-running local bookstore in Merchants Wharf with Alaska books, maps, cards and gifts.traveljuneau.comShopAlaskan Brewing DepotDowntown Alaskan Brewing gift shop at 406 S. Franklin Street, open May through September (no beer sold).alaskanbeer.com

Photos on Unsplash by Matt Artz, Meg von Haartman, Griffin Quinn, Kathrine Coonjohn, E Orlando, Brett Johnson, Jason Leung, Aurora Wu, Lex Sirikiat, Mick Kirchman, AJ Alao, Andrea Galvan, Vanishing Point Images, Luisa Brimble, Taylor, Suzi Kim. Many show the town or the kind of place rather than the listing itself.

Port tips

• The Goldbelt Tram on Mount Roberts has had closures in 2026; check goldbelttram.com before planning on it.
• Mendenhall Glacier is about 13 miles from downtown; go by tour, taxi or rideshare.
• The Capital Transit city bus has a ride-free zone downtown that climbs the hill to the State Capitol.
• Look for the Silver Hand seal when buying Alaska Native art: it marks original work handmade in Alaska by an Alaska Native artist.

Each listing links to the official or source page we used. Hours and seasons change, so check before you go. Listings are not paid placements.