Juneau, Alaska

A thoughtful guide to Juneau by Mary Jacquel - where to go, what to prioritize and how to experience Alaska’s capital with more depth and less guesswork.

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BEST FOR

Wildlife, glaciers, first-time Alaska visitors, cruise travelers and photographers.

TOP 3 PRIORITIES

See marine wildlife
Explore Mendenhall Glacier
Take in unforgettable views (Tram, viewpoints, or by water)

HOW MUCH TIME?

1 Day: Focus on one experience + must-see stop
2 Days: Add glacier, downtown + a scenic adventure
3+ Days: More time for trails, outlying areas + flexibility

GETTING AROUND

Juneau isn’t drivable like most place in Alaska. Plan to use shuttles, tours, taxis or ride share.

JUMP TO:

Plan Your trip

Best Things to do

Cruise Port Guide

Welcome to my home! I am so excited for you to visit and see all of the reasons why I moved here. Juneau is a special gem - you can’t drive to get here which means arriving by boat or plane is part of your journey. There’s an incredible amount of wildlife and the ocean is always beckoning for attention.

Welcome to Juneau

Plan Your Trip to Juneau

Start with what matters most to you.

HERE ON A CRUISE?

Make the most of your port day with easy, memorable experiences close to town.

→ Cruise Port Guide

STAYING OVERNIGHT?

Unlock more of Juneau with extra time for hiking, local cuisine and letting Alaska unfold around you.

→ Overnight Guide

LOVE WILDLIFE?

Humpback whales, orcas, bears, eagles - Juneau is a wildlife lover’s dream.

→ Wildlife Experiences

AFTER EPIC SCENERY?

Glaciers, fjords and viewpoints you won’t want to miss.

→ Scenic Highlights

LIMITED TIME?

Smart picks for an unforgettable day without the stress

→ 1 Day in Juneau

Illustration of a tall, snow-capped mountain peak with sharp ridges.

Juneau is known for:

Off the Grid Capital

Illustration of a large commercial airplane with four engines, blue and white body, seen from a slightly top-down angle.

Air & Sea Access

Silhouettes of pine trees in shades of blue on a white background.

Surrounded by Rainforest

Watercolor painting of mountains and water in shades of blue and gray.

Spread out & Scenic

First Timer Essentials

Everything you need to plan with confidence.

A woman in a red jacket and sunglasses walking through a field of purple flowers, with snow-capped mountains and a partly cloudy sky in the background.

Best Time to Visit

Best hiking in Juneau

A person standing on a wet wooden pier with mountains in the background, overcast sky, green buildings, and a lamp post.

How many days in Juneau?

Woman standing near a river at the base of a large waterfall, wearing a red plaid shirt, black pants, and brown boots, with snow patches nearby.

What to Pack?

Snow-capped mountains with a forested base, situated behind a calm body of water under a clear blue sky.

How to get to Juneau

Secret Places to Visit in Juneau

Four cruise ships docked at a harbor with green mountains and mist in the background

Cruise vs. Overnight

Alaska Airlines airplane parked at the gate with snow-covered mountains in the background, airport ground crew working on the tarmac.

How to get around Juneau

Mary’s Recommended Experiences in Juneau

If you’re deciding what to do in Juneau, start here. I live in Juneau, and these are some of the tours and excursions I’d recommend first for a memorable day of wildlife, glaciers, and classic Alaska scenery.