Juneau, AK

Travel Guide

Juneau featuring general coastal views, mountains and a coastal town
Juneau showing a small town or village
Juneau featuring snow, landscape views and mountains
Auke Bay featuring general coastal views, boating and a sunset
Photo provided by Alaska Travel Industry Association / Brian Adams

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 landscape views, dog sledding and snow

Downtown Juneau

4/5(197 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
Sunrise Christmas Eve.  This was just shot in my iPhone. #nofilters

Mendenhall Valley

4/5(185 area reviews)

Discover the stunning Mendenhall Glacier, explore Mendenhall Wetlands State Game Refuge, or shop at Mendenhall Mall and Nugget Mall in this Alaskan valley. Don't miss the picturesque Mendenhall Lake and River.

Mendenhall Valley
Days with the clouds

North Douglas

5/5(1 area review)

While visiting North Douglas, you might make a stop by sights like Eaglecrest Ski Area and Eagle Creek Beaches.

North Douglas
Default Image

West Juneau

When in West Juneau, you can plan a visit to Alaska State Capitol and Mount Roberts Tramway, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

West Juneau
Cloudy day at skaters.

Back Loop

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Back Loop and surrounding area, you can visit Mendenhall Ice Caves and Nugget Falls.

Back Loop
Salmon... it’s what’s for
Dinner!! #adventure

Salmon Creek

4/5(1 area review)

Though Salmon Creek might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Macaulay Salmon Hatchery and Alaska State Capitol.

Salmon Creek
Travelodge by Wyndham Juneau
Travelodge by Wyndham Juneau
2 out of 5
9200 Glacier Hwy, Juneau, AK
$182 nightly
The price is $207 total per night from Aug 1 to Aug 2
$207 total
Aug 1 - Aug 2
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this hotel in Juneau. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
7.6/10 Good! (842 reviews)
"Second elevator remained unusable. Surrounding area appeared “sketchy” at first but was a comfortable place to stay. Staff genuinely friendly and wanting to be helpful - they definitely raised my opinion of this place."

Reviewed on Jul 2, 2025

Travelodge by Wyndham Juneau
Super 8 by Wyndham Juneau
Super 8 by Wyndham Juneau
2 out of 5
2295 Trout St, Juneau, AK
$195 nightly
The price is $223 total per night from Aug 3 to Aug 4
$223 total
Aug 3 - Aug 4
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly motel in Juneau. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (940 reviews)
"Super was consistent as usual. We felt very safe there, the staff was courteous, and we would be happy to return."

Reviewed on Jul 6, 2025

Super 8 by Wyndham Juneau
Baranof Downtown, BW Signature Collection
Baranof Downtown, BW Signature Collection
3 out of 5
127 N Franklin St, Juneau, AK
$270 nightly
The price is $307 total per night from Aug 9 to Aug 10
$307 total
Aug 9 - Aug 10
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Juneau. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
7/10 Good! (936 reviews)
"Great location for walking Juneau. Nice, courteous, and efficient staff."

Reviewed on Jul 4, 2025

Baranof Downtown, BW Signature Collection
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.
Serene Home with Ocean View
Serene Home with Ocean View
Juneau
Stay at this vacation home in Juneau. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Gastineau Channel and Mount Roberts are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (4 reviews)
Family Vacation
"Steve’s place is amazing. Super cute and in a great spot to watch the cruise ships. He’s very responsive and helpful. Made our stay memorable, and included little touches like fresh cut flowers in the kitchen and slippers for everyone to wear in the house."

Reviewed on Jun 23, 2025

Serene Home with Ocean View
Sandy Beach Sunrise Studio- Just steps from Sandy Beach & Treadwell trail!
Sandy Beach Sunrise Studio- Just steps from Sandy Beach & Treadwell trail!
Douglas
Book a stay at this beach apartment in Juneau. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and a fitness center. Popular attractions Perseverance Theatre and Gastineau ...
10/10 Exceptional! (24 reviews)
"The Sandy Beach studio apt was super cute, thoughtfully equipped, comfy, clean - we would stay there again! Our hosts were friendly, accessible & quick to respond. Highly recommend this beautiful space!"

Reviewed on Jun 17, 2025

Sandy Beach Sunrise Studio- Just steps from Sandy Beach & Treadwell trail!
A Cozy Home Away From Home in Alaska!
A Cozy Home Away From Home in Alaska!
Juneau
Stay at this apartment in Juneau. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Mendenhall Glacier and Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (19 reviews)
Cozy with great layout
"This was a great spot right near the road but surrounded by rain forest so feels secluded with great scenery. A good halfway point between Mendenhall Glacier and downtown Juneau. The apt layout was great for our family, the kitchen was a good size and having laundry was awesome. The owners were very ..."

Reviewed on Jul 2, 2025

A Cozy Home Away From Home in Alaska!
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

Other places like Juneau