Juneau’s Top 12 Tourist Attractions & Things to Do

Juneau, alaska capital, has no road access. This little coastal community is located on the Panhandle, a short strip of land sliced by fjord-like inlets in the state’s far south. It is protected from the sea by a succession of tiny islands. As a result, it is only accessible by water or air.

Despite its distant position, Juneau attracts visitors and curious adventurers because of its diverse cultural and environmental features. The Mendenhall Glacier, just 12 miles northwest of downtown, is a magnificent sight and a terrific introduction to the ice-filled landscape surrounding this capital city, among the many interesting things to do and reasons to come.

Juneau, which was built in the 1880s on Gold Creek and now houses state offices and a major cruise ship port, preserves the feel of a gold-diggers’ community. A Russian Orthodox cathedral (1894) and abandoned mines transformed into museums are among the historical and current attractions.

Juneau is also a fantastic location for exploring glacier-draped fjords such as Glacier Bay National Park and Tracy Arm, the Tongass National Forest’s remoteness, and other beautiful wonders of the Panhandle. With this list of the top attractions and things to do in Juneau, you can learn more about the greatest locations to visit.

If you want to explore Juneau city and you are finding bus charters then Nationwide bus charter USA is the best in the market.

Just 12 miles from downtown Juneau, there lies a breathtaking view. Nugget Falls’ broad discharge churns into a lake littered with icebergs, and the Mendenhall Glacier’s tongue dips down to the water’s edge. The Juneau Icefield, which covers more than 1,500 square miles of terrain spanning into British Columbia, feeds the glacier, which is around thirteen miles long.

The Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, located on the lakeshore, is an excellent place to begin your journey since it offers a 180-degree view of the glacier. The area’s walking paths, which climb up either side of the glacier and to Nugget Falls, provide some of the greatest vistas. Kayaking and rafting activities are also available on the icy lake.

Booking a private tour with Bus Charter Nationwide USA is a great way to see the glacier transportation. The Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier adventure, for example, includes a two-hour sail along the coast as well as a ride to the glacier. The trip stops at Mendenhall for about 45 minutes, after which tourists are free to explore on their own.

Location: 12 miles northwest of Juneau, Alaska.

This ice-covered glacial fjord, located southeast of Juneau, passes through some beautiful scenery, with waterfalls cascading down sheer rock cliffs and glaciers calving off chunks of ice to form little bergs. At the top of the fjord lies the spectacular twin Sawyer Glaciers, whose plainly visible blue ice is particularly stunning.

Tracy Arm Fjord’s massive cliffs rise nearly steeply out of the ocean, with trees shooting out at odd angles. The Tongass National Forest stretches out towards the mainland, making the fjord fairly lengthy.

Black bears, brown bears, deer, and moose are all typical animal sightings along this area. Bald eagles, arctic terns, and pigeon guillemots may all be seen flying above the ocean, while whales and seals can be seen swimming in the blue seas below. On a guided trip, you may learn about Tracy Arm’s natural heritage, glaciers, and animals. Several firms in Juneau provide day tours to and from the harbor. Allen Marine Cruises, for example, offers six-hour tours on a heated catamaran.

Gardens of the Glaciers Rainforest Adventure is half groomed botanical centre, part adventure into the Tongass National Forest’s rainforest habitat. It’s northwest of town, on the way to Mendenhall Glacier.

The tour begins with a guided stroll around the lower manicured gardens, which includes the tale of the distinctive Flower Tower planters, which were created by a large landslide in 1984.

After seeing the lower grounds, guests board an open-sided bus to visit the remainder of Thunder Mountain’s 50-acre site. This is not a garden, but rather a section of woodland that has been preserved mostly in its original form.

To have a better understanding of the woodland environment, tour guides highlight the many species and workings of the gardens. The trip visits a number of different places, boardwalks, and vistas with views of the Mendenhall Valley, Chilkat Mountains, Gastineau Channel, and Juneau.

Address: 7600 Glacier Highway, Juneau, Alaska.

Glacier Bay National Park, which spans more than three million acres, is a highlight of Alaska’s legendary Inside Passage. On land and in the ocean, there are numerous natural attractions and enjoyable activities. With massive glaciers, temperate rainforests, remote fjords, and a rough coastline, both ecosystems provide breathtaking views.

Eight glaciers reach down to meet the tidewaters at Glacier Bay, which is sandwiched between two promontories. On land, Bartlett Cove is the only place where you can find paved hiking routes and approved camping, as well as hire sea kayaks.

Humpback, minke, and orca whales all use Glacier Bay as a feeding area. Many people visit the area in the hopes of seeing these aquatic creatures. Moose, bears, wolves, and mountain goats, as well as marine birds, are among the other animals to be seen. Day excursions and longer cruises to the bay are available as well as flightseeing excursions.

The Mount Roberts Tramway brings you to an elevation of 1,800 feet from a base camp near the cruise ship docks. A nature centre, café, theatre, and gift shop are all located at the summit observatory.

Visitors may explore the nature paths after the six-minute vertical ride to take in the vistas of the Gastineau Channel, which include interpretive material along the route. A live eagle exhibit, a collection of tree carvings, and Alabama art for sale are all available at the Mountain House at the summit.

Address: 490 South Franklin Street, Juneau, Alaska.

A sighting of a whale in the waters of the Inside Passage is a must-do Juneau activity. The city is well-known for being one of the greatest spots in the world to see these gigantic creatures, particularly humpback whales. Orcas, often known as killer whales, are also found in the region’s seas, but they are more difficult to spot due to their secretive nature.

During the late spring and summer, humpback whales and other whales migrate back to Alaska’s seas. The greatest time to visit Juneau if you want to see whales is during the summer months.

Getting aboard a boat is the best and only sure method to see whales. And it’s such a sure thing that many local charter companies will give you a complete refund if you don’t see a single whale. The Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching expedition, for example, includes a 3.5-hour narrated cruise on a boat with outdoor seating decks and a heated cabin.

The Macaulay Salmon Hatchery, located northwest of town on the way to the Mendenhall Glacier, offers a peek underwater with saltwater aquariums and tide-pool touch tanks. Salmon such as chum, chinook, coho, and sockeye are raised at the hatchery. During a guided tour around the facility, guests may witness a number of phases in the life cycle of Pacific salmon.

A bear and eagle display, teaching exhibits, and an outdoor viewing window where you can observe salmon moving upstream from June to early October are all permanent attractions at the hatchery.

Address: 2697 Channel Drive, Juneau, Alaska.

The Alaska State Museum in downtown Juneau has over 25,000 historical artefacts covering Alaska’s entire multicultural history. Throughout the region, gold rush and mining souvenirs illustrate American history, while diverse equipment, weaponry, and papers give information on Alaska’s Russian colonial past.

The museum’s native heritage of Alaska is well represented, with ancient artifacts and a substantial Eskimo-carved ivory collection. Other fine art materials, as well as contemporary work by native Alaskan’s, are on show. The Sheldon Jackson Museum in the rugged and inviting city and the municipality of Sitka is likewise under the auspices of the Alaska State Museums.

Address: 395 Whittier Street, Juneau, Alaska.

The Alaska Juneau Gold Mining Company operated on this site from 1912 until 1944, and the site has the appearance of an old mine, with uneven land, rusted structures, and ancient equipment rotting silently amid the woods. The museum is run by the Gastineau Channel Historical Society, which keeps the displays of mining equipment and rail wagons up to date.

One of the world’s largest air compressors, erected in 1912, and an electric train are among the highlights of the Last Chance Mining Museum. The National Register of Historic Places has listed the attraction. Wear sturdy shoes, and keep in mind that the museum is closed in the winter.

Address: 1001 Basin Road, Juneau, Alaska.

This territory and federal edifice became the state capital building when Alaska became a state in 1959. Throughout the museum, there are historical images, artworks, and chambers to explore. The easiest way to see everything is to take a free 30-minute guided tour.

The Art Deco style and furnishings of the State Capitol’s interior lobby are particularly appealing, and the replica Liberty Bell outside is a wonderful place to pose for a photo. After the tour, go along Fourth Street and then Calhoun Avenue to see the Governor’s Mansion from the outside.

Address: Fourth and Main Streets, Juneau, Alaska

Tlingit culture, early gold mining days, and the history of the Juneau-Douglas area are all featured in the Juneau-Douglas City Museum, which is located next to the State Capitol building. The museum’s tiny, hilly lanes are flanked with ancient wooden historic homes and lush gardens, as well as the beautiful blue-and-white St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, which dates from 1894. Throughout the summer, the museum offers guided walking tours of these areas on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Address: 114 West Fourth Street, Juneau, Alaska.

Eaglecrest Ski Area is located on Douglas Island, which is separated from the Juneau mainland by the Gastineau Channel, and offers ocean views from its slopes. The city of Juneau owns and operates the ski facility, and locals and visitors can be on the slopes in about twenty minutes from downtown. Beginners and experts alike can enjoy the 36 slopes and four chair lifts, while cross-country skiers will enjoy the 10 miles of Nordic paths. Eaglecrest has a usual season from December to April, and in the summer, the region is a popular hiking and downhill mountain riding destination.

Book your Coach Bus or MiniBus now from Bus Charter Nationwide USA.

We have been a leading charter bus rental company for the past 20years with an extensive network of bus charter providers nationwide. To get a free quote or, to set up a trip to New York City, or for more information about the ways, we can assist you with your participant’s transportation needs, call now at 1-888-675-8829 to speak with our professional agents.