Attractions and Places To See in Juneau City and Borough - Top 20

Juneau offers several attractions suitable for families. The Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center is a great starting point, offering educational exhibits and clear views of the glacier. Nearby, the Photo Point Trail is wheelchair-accessible and provides excellent views of both Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls. The Trail of Time is another family-friendly option, offering an easy walk through the forest. Additionally, the Mount Roberts Tramway provides panoramic views and hiking opportunities at the summit, while Cope Park offers a stream, trails, and a playground within the city.

Yes, Juneau has several accessible options. The Nugget Falls Trail is paved and considered ADA accessible for most of its length, leading close to the impressive 377-foot waterfall. The Photo Point Trail also offers an optimal, wheelchair-accessible vantage point for viewing Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls. For a different natural experience, the Airport Dike Trail is another wheelchair-accessible option with views.

Juneau is rich in wildlife. You can often spot bald eagles in areas like Auke Bay, near the Douglas Bridge, Gastineau Channel, and the Mendenhall Wetlands State Game Refuge. For bears, Admiralty Island, known as 'Fortress of the Bears,' has one of the world's highest concentrations of brown bears, especially at Pack Creek Bear Sanctuary during salmon spawning season (July-August). Boat tours into Tracy Arm Fjord offer chances to see bears, bald eagles, and marine animals like seals. Even at Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, you might spot wildlife around the lake.

Juneau boasts a rich history. The Alaska State Museum offers extensive exhibits on Native cultures, Russian influence, and the gold rush era. For local history, the Juneau-Douglas City Museum delves into mining towns and fishing fleets. You can also explore Historic Downtown Juneau with its gold-mining era buildings and landmarks like the Red Dog Saloon. The Alaska State Capitol Building provides tours, and the Sealaska Heritage Institute (Walter Soboleff Building) is a cultural hub for Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian cultures. Don't miss the Last Chance Mining Museum for a glimpse into Juneau's gold rush past or the historic Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church.

Yes, Juneau offers several easy trails with rewarding views. The Nugget Falls Trail is a relatively flat, paved path leading to the base of Nugget Falls, offering impressive views of the waterfall. The Photo Point Trail provides excellent views of Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls. For a gentle forest walk, consider the Trail of Time. For more hiking options, explore the Hiking in Juneau City and Borough guide.

Beyond the iconic Mendenhall Glacier, Juneau offers a wealth of natural beauty. You can visit Nugget Falls, a spectacular 377-foot waterfall near the glacier. Tracy Arm Fjord provides stunning views of 3000-foot cliffs and the twin Sawyer Glaciers, often explored via boat tours. The Mount Roberts Tramway offers panoramic views of Juneau, Gastineau Channel, and Douglas Island. The vast Tongass National Forest surrounds Juneau, offering dense rainforest and wildlife. Savikko Park (Sandy Beach) is a local favorite for scenic strolls and eagle watching.

Juneau is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise. Near the Mendenhall Glacier, you can hike trails like the Nugget Falls Trail or the West Glacier Trail. The Mount Roberts Tramway provides access to hiking trails at its summit. For more extensive hiking, consider routes like Perseverance Trail or Mount Juneau, detailed in the Hiking in Juneau City and Borough guide. You can also find specific waterfall hikes or running trails in the area.

Visitors particularly enjoy the clear views of the glacier from the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center and the educational insights provided by park staff. The ability to get close to Nugget Falls via the Nugget Falls Trail and feel the spray is a highlight. Many appreciate the various viewpoints, such as Photo Point Trail, which offer excellent photography opportunities of both the glacier and the falls. The diverse trails allow for exploration of the surrounding forest and understanding the glacier's impact on the landscape.

Yes, Juneau offers the Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure, a unique botanical garden experience. It features guided tours through a temperate rainforest, showcasing distinctive 'flower towers' made from upside-down trees, along with waterfalls, ponds, and diverse plant life. It's a fascinating way to explore the region's unique flora.

The summer months, typically May through September, are considered the best time to visit Juneau for attractions. During this period, the weather is milder, all visitor centers and tours are fully operational, and wildlife viewing opportunities are at their peak, especially for bears during salmon spawning season (July-August). Many trails are also more accessible. However, some attractions like the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center have limited weekend hours during the off-season (October to April).

Absolutely. Juneau has a significant gold rush past. The Last Chance Mining Museum, located in the former Alaska-Juneau Gold Mining Company complex, offers a deep dive into this history with displays of tools and remnants of what was once the world's largest hard-rock gold mine. Additionally, on Douglas Island, you can explore the remnants of the Treadwell Mine, where forest trails lead past scattered old equipment and artifacts, offering a tangible connection to the past.