Alaska's capital among glaciers and whales
Juneau is Alaska's capital, a small city squeezed between steep mountains and the Gastineau Channel that can only be reached by air or sea. It is a top cruise port, known for the Mendenhall Glacier, whale watching and old gold mining history. It suits nature lovers and active travelers who want glaciers, wildlife and hiking close to town. Expect rain often and long summer days.
Tap a card to open it. Day trips are marked.
A large glacier flowing into a lake about 20 km from downtown, with a visitor center and trails to Nugget Falls. It is Juneau's top sight.
Visitor centre and Photo Point area need a 5 USD daily pass for ages 16 and up; some trails need no pass (Forest Service, 2025).
A tram from the cruise docks up Mount Roberts to trails, views and a nature center. It climbs about 550 m in a few minutes.
Check the official site for current prices.
Boats leave Auke Bay to see humpback whales, sea lions and eagles. Sightings are very common in summer.
Tours are paid; check operators for prices.
Helicopter and floatplane tours fly over the Juneau Icefield, some with glacier landings or dog sledding on the ice.
Tours are paid; check operators.
The state museum in a modern building covering Alaska Native cultures, Russian America and natural history.
Check the official site for current prices.
A small museum near the Capitol on local history and gold mining.
The official site lists a 7 USD general admission in some periods and free admission in others.
A working hatchery with aquariums and a fish ladder where salmon return in summer. Seals often wait outside.
Check the official site for current prices.
A narrow fjord with sheer cliffs, waterfalls and tidewater glaciers calving into the sea. Boat tours run from Juneau.
Tours are paid.
A small stone chapel on a wooded island by the sea north of town. Quiet trails and views make it peaceful.
Free to visit.
A compact downtown with the plain Alaska State Capitol, historic buildings and South Franklin Street shops. Short walks reveal totem poles and murals.
Free to walk.
Everything above is open to read. A Hodolog account lets you build the trip around it.
Choose how many days you have.
Day one at the glacier and whale watching, day two flightseeing and downtown museums, day three for Tracy Arm or hiking.
Tidewater glaciers and wildlife in a remote park.
62 mi · Small plane or boat tour
Gold rush town and the White Pass railway.
90 mi · Fast ferry or small plane
Salmon bake at a remote lodge with glacier views.
31 mi · Floatplane, about 25 minutes
Bear viewing in season, by permit and tour.
25 mi · Floatplane or boat tour
A scenic small town known for eagles and hiking.
81 mi · Alaska Marine Highway ferry or small plane
A national park with tidewater glaciers.
62 mi · Small plane about 30 minutes
Best: May to September. Cruise season, whale watching and the longest daylight.
Daily high and average, by month
Typical inches per month
Quiet season. Lower prices, fewer crowds.
Climate normals: NASA POWER (public domain). For your own dates, a trip's Plan tab shows the forecast and the usual weather.
Roughly May to September
Humpback whales feed in the waters near Juneau.
April
A week-long music festival in the capital; confirm the date.
Around October 18
Marks the 1867 transfer of Alaska from Russia.
Roughly May to early October
The tourism board publishes a ship calendar.
Based on UK FCDO travel advice for the USA (there is no US advisory for domestic travel): violent crime rarely affects tourists, so normal city precautions apply; Juneau is low-crime, with the real risks being cold water, weather, bears and hiking terrain.
Downtown is compact and walkable, but the glacier and harbors are a bus ride away.
Capital Transit buses run to the Mendenhall Valley, but tours and taxis are often easier.
The neighborhoods that suit most first visits.
Best for: first-timers
Walk to the tram, museums and cruise docks.
Best for: families, nature lovers
Close to the glacier and airport, with more space.
Best for: quiet stays
Residential island across the bridge with views of downtown.
Best for: adventure, nature
Near the harbour, ferry terminal and wildlife tours.
| Main airport | Juneau International Airport (JNU), 9 mi from the center |
| To the center | Taxi, rideshare or Capital Transit bus to downtown. |
| Around town | Walk downtown, use buses or tour shuttles for Mendenhall Glacier, and book boats for whales. |
| Ride apps | Uber, Lyft |
King, sockeye and coho in season.
Expensive but a classic splurge.
Fish and chips or grilled.
Juneau's brewery is well known.
From the local brewery.
| Plugs | Type A and B, 120 V |
| Tap water | Safe to drink |
| Tipping | Tip 18 to 20 percent at sit-down restaurants, a few dollars per drink at bars, and 15 to 20 percent for taxis and tours. |
| Payments | Cards and phone payments are accepted almost everywhere; carry a little cash for tips and small vendors. |
| Etiquette | Waterproof outdoor clothing is the norm everywhere. Respect Tlingit cultural sites and art. |
The Tlingit people have lived in this region for thousands of years. Gold was found here in 1880 with the help of a Tlingit chief, and the town grew around large mines. Juneau became the capital of the Alaska territory in 1906, and remained capital after statehood in 1959. Cruise tourism grew strongly from the 1990s and now dominates summer life.
Researched 2026-10-13. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.