A Complete Guide: Best Juneau, Alaska Things to Do for One Day
This post is all about Juneau, Alaska things to do.
Are you planning a trip to Alaska and looking for some of the best things to do? Juneau, Alaska is a beautiful and exciting destination to visit and there are SO many thing to do and see.
Whether you’re visiting Juneau, Alaska for a one-day cruise stop or entire week vacation, this post will help you find the must-see experiences and excursions you need to know about for the ultimate trip.
You might be wondering why you want to trust me… well, don’t worry! I lived in Alaska for an entire summer during the cruise season, so I’m here to help you get the best Juneau, Alaska vacation! After all, it is a once in a lifetime experience!
These 15 best Juneau, Alaska things to do for a one day stay will help you see all of Juneau.
15 Best Juneau, Alaska Things to Do
This Juneau, Alaska travel guide provides 13 top-rated attractions and excursions to help you maximize your experience in Juneau! If you’re looking for other Alaska destinations, be sure to check out my Complete Guide to Ketchikan, Alaska and Skagway Excursions Travel Guide.
1. Visit Mendenhall Glacier
Juneau, Alaska’s Mendenhall Glacier is one of the few accessible glaciers for tourists to see and one of the most popular. Located 12 miles outside of downtown Juneau, is the beautiful Mendenhall Valley known for the dazzling blue colors. It is one of the best photography spots in Juneau! Whether you’re visiting Juneau through a cruise line or not, there are many local tours offered to take you to and from Mendenhall Glacier. You’re in Alaska – you have to see a glacier! I HIGHLY recommend visiting the Mendenhall Glacier because you can also see the Nugget Falls Waterfall located right next to it!
2. Snap a photo in front of the Nugget Falls Waterfall
That’s right, next on my list is the Nugget Falls Waterfall. This gorgeous 377 foot waterfall is located in Juneau, Alaska’s Mendenhall Valley, located right next to the infamous Mendenhall Glacier! The waterfall was formed by the creek from the Nugget Glacier, dropping into the sandbar in Mendenhall Lake. The Lake is actually a freshwater pool, although it is very cold to swim in!
You can actually get up close to the waterfall. However, it is about a 2 mile hike out-and-back to the waterfall. It is an easy paved hike with no incline, and totally worth the trek! I may be biased, but this is where I got engaged! It is a beautiful and photo-worthy scenery, I highly recommend taking a tour to the Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls Waterfall! If you are short on time, you can also always take a taxi to visit (sadly, you won’t find many, if any, Ubers or Lyfts in Alaska)!
3. Grab Dinner at Tracy’s Crab Shack
Did you even go to Alaska if you didn’t try the infamous Alaskan King Crab? Tracy’s Crab Shack is the BEST place to feast on some King Crab. Also, fun fact, Tracy’s King Crab comes from the Deadliest Catch! While the King Crab buckets are the most popular food item at Tracy’s, I highly recommend trying their crab cakes, crab bisque and beer battered shrimp. It’s so delicious and fresh, you’ll be sure to leave with your stomach full! And, potentially craving more King Crab.
4. Wander through the Historic Downtown Juneau
Whether you arrive in Juneau via cruise or plane, you’ll find yourself in downtown Juneau, Alaska. Downtown Juneau is about 3,000 square feet and very walkable to get from one location to another. Actually, whether it’s cold or warm, most people prefer to walk because of the convenience. Downtown Juneau is a few blocks consisting of breweries, restaurants, hotels, cafes, souvenir shops, apartment buildings, parks, and so much more. If you find yourself visiting without a cruise excursion or you just want to find some free and cheap things to do in Juneau, exploring the downtown area is the best place to experience the town.
I highly recommend grabbing a coffee at Concept Cafe, snapping a photo in front of the Alaska State Capitol building, and shopping at some of the souvenir shops such as the Alaska Shirt company. Also, don’t forget to grab your photo in front of the Juneau welcome sign at the visitor center.
5. Grab a Local Beer at the Alaskan Brewing Company
The Alaskan Brewing Company is well-known around the world for its award-winning beverages on tap. Open all year-round is Juneau’s Alaskan Brewing Company offering free beer tastings, facility tours, and a gift shop. What better way to enjoy an Alaskan beer than at the location where it originated?
I highly recommend purchasing the Alaskan Brewery tour where you get to learn from experts and learn about how the Alaskan Brewing company started. Even better, you’re able to taste the beers throughout the tour and create your own custom beer flight!
6. Go for a Hike at the Gold Creek Flume
The Gold Creek Flume trail is a 1.4-mile-out-and-back trail near Juneau, Alaska. The trail takes an average of 35 minutes to complete and is a fairly easy trail. The trailhead starts a little over a mile from the cruise pier, and is mostly uphill to get to the trailhead. However, once you reach the trailhead, it is a very flat and easy hike with artificial walking paths. The trail is kid-friendly, even easy to navigate with a stroller! If you love hiking and are bringing your family to Juneau, I highly recommend the Gold Creek Flume walking trail.
If you’re looking for a hike more advanced, I recommend the Perseverance Trail. This 4.6 mile-out-and-back trail is located right outside of downtown Junaeu, Alaska. This trail is considered a moderately challenging hike, and takes an average of 2.5 hours to complete. Throughout the trail, you can find wildlife, waterfalls, artificial walking trails, creeks, and the beautiful Alaskan mountains. It is one of the most popular hiking trails for mountain biking, running and hiking – and dogs are welcome!
7. Ride the Mount Roberts Tramway
From sea level to see level, Juneau, Alaska’s Mount Robert Tramway lifts you up 1,800 feet from the cruise ship dock in downtown Juneau through the rain forest to the Mountain House. The Mount Roberts Tramway offers expansive, panoramic views of Juneau and Gastineau Channel. The Juneau tram is one of the most vertical tramways in the world, running about every 5 minutes. When you arrive at the top, there are many things to do and see. Souvenir shops, walking trails, restaurants, and of course scenic views. This is one of the most unique experiences throughout all of Alaska!
You can purchase your tickets in advance or grab your tickets when you arrive in Juneau! The tickets are applicable for an entire day pass, you can come and go as you please. Adults are $50 and children (3 – 12 years old) are $35.
8. Grab Lunch at the Red Dog Saloon
The Red Dog Saloon originated during Juneau’s mining era, where this world famous saloon provided hospitality to travelers and locals alike. Behind the swinging doors, is a sawdust floor in this Western-style spot with pub eats. I highly recommend trying the Gold Rush Nachos, Hobart Bay Fish Basket, Yakobi Smoked Chowder, Denali BBQ Brisket Sandwich. If you’re not interested in any of those items, there is so much more to choose from! From appetizers, fish sandwiches, beef sandwiches, wraps, and of course, Alaskan local beers on tap. Sometimes, you’ll even get to listen to some live entertainment while enjoying your meal!
If Juneau’s Red Dog Saloon made a lasting impression on you, on your way out, grab some of their new merchandise! From apparel, glassware, hats, pet merchandise and so much more!
9. Go Fishing on a Fishing Charter
Fishing is a huge deal in Juneau, and really, all of Alaska. The best time to fish in Alaska is starting in late May through the end of July, as this is when the salmon run happens. The salmon run is an annual fish migration event where salmon “run up” freshwater rivers to spawn. After spawning, most salmon don’t return to the ocean, and that is where the new lifecycle of salmon begins. If fishing is on your to-do list, which I highly recommend it is, you’re in luck because there are dozens of charter fishing boats you can choose from! Whether you’re in Juneau, Ketchikan or Skagway – you can book a fishing excursion at any of these ports!
10. Try Kayaking or Canoeing in Juneau
Get the ultimate Alaska experience through kayaking or canoeing in the Alaskan waters surrounded by the beautiful mountain scenery. During your trip, you can even see seals, sea lions, bald eagles, and even humpback whales! Before beginning your tour, experts will guide you through basic kayaking techniques while you are gearing up with life jackets and rain gear. A perfect experience for the entire family!
11. Go Dog Sledding on a Glacier
One of the most unique experiences in Alaska is dog sledding on a glacier! Imagine riding in a dog sled behind a well-trained team of huskies as you race across a snow-covered valley nestled in between picturesque mountains on the Juneau Ice-field. Sounds thrilling right? This once-in-a-lifetime experience allows you to feel the excitement as you take the ride of your life with huskies harnessed to take you on a race over the snow. And, even better, most tours allow you to pet and play with the cute and snuggly dogs!
12. Take a Whale Watching Tour
Alaska is one of the best places in the world to go whale watching. The pristine icy waters are the perfect habitat for some of the world’s largest mammals. Juneau, Alaska actually offers whale exclusive tours too! While there are so many tours offered, some excursions are so confident you’ll see a whale, that if you don’t, you’re guaranteed your money back!
13. Explore the Alaskan State Museum
The Alaskan State Museum is located in downtown Juneau, Alaska. This unique experience provides a comprehensive view of Alaska’s history and diverse cultures including fine art, mining, fishing, forestry, tourism, Russia-America, and World War II. The museum provides fun for all ages, and includes a room with a climb-aboard replica of an early sailing ship. This well-designed museum is unique to Alaska and only takes about an hour to see the entire museum. If you’re looking for something to do in Alaska, that isn’t an excursion, I highly recommend checking out the Alaskan State Museum!
14. Take a Helicopter Tour over Mendenhall Glacier
What better view of the most iconic Mendenhall Glacier than a helicopter tour? Get the ultimate Alaskan experience with a helicopter tour over Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls Waterfall, as well as the most beautiful scenic views of the entire Juneau, Alaska!
15. Pan for Gold!
Immerse yourself with history through Juneau’s Gold Rush with your own gold panning experience! You get to join knowledgeable tour guides while you pan for gold. You can even take home the gold you’ve panned for too!
Which one of these best Juneau, Alaska things to do is at the top of your list? Let me know in the comments below, I’d love to hear from you!
This post is all about the best Juneau, Alaska Things to Do.
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