Stopping by Juneau on your Alaskan cruise? Here are some great ideas to help you have an amazing and fun port day!
About Juneau
A popular port city for Alaskan cruises, Juneau is the state capital and can only be reached by plane or boat…no roads lead into or out of the city due to the surrounding rough terrain.
Staying Downtown
Alaska State Museum
The Alaska State Museum hosts an impressive collection of art and artifacts related to the state’s human and natural history. Inside you’ll find artifacts from the Russian colonial era through the gold rush and even including the Valdez oil spill alongside items representing the local indigenous groups. Within walking distance to the docks, admission is $14 for adults (and free for kids under 18 years old!).
Sealaska Heritage Institute
If you want to learn more about local indigenous history and culture, head to the Sealaska Heritage Institute. Here the past and the future join together to preserve history and culture. Located right downtown, the Institute features rotating exhibits and admission is just $7.
Juneau Food Tours
Learn about (and taste!) some of the best food in town on a walking tour with Juneau Food Tours. You can even send home a Taste of Alaska gift box to share the goodness with friends and family.
Eat and Drink
Seafood doesn’t get much fresher than this! Try crab legs at the popular Tracy’s Crab Shack or go for a fish taco sampler at Deckhand Dave’s food truck (based at a food truck park right downtown–with plenty of seating for all types of weather and an onsite bar). Indigenous owned Sacred Grounds is a perfect go-to for all things coffee…along with fabulous food options as well. Consider checking out Barnaby Brewing or Amalga Distillery for locally crafted brews and cocktails. Red Dog Saloon is popular among tourists for its atmosphere and also offers locally brewed beer options (and a locally made rootbeer for any non-drinkers in the group!).
Shop
Like most port towns, Juneau has no shortage of shopping opportunities. Consider visiting locally based operations such as Taku Smokeries or Tripp’s Mt. Juneau Trading Post (or check out Trickster Company an online retailer that got their start in Juneau).
Venturing Out of Town
Mount Roberts Tram
Located right at the cruise ship docks, the Goldbelt Tramway will take you on a ride over the treetops, offering breathtaking views the entire way. At the other end, you’ll find hiking trails for all skill levels, a nature center, a film on Tlingit history and culture, and a restaurant. When you’re done, ride the tram back down–passes are good all day.
Hiking
You don’t have to go far to find great hiking trails around Juneau…some are accessible right from downtown! There are also options for all skill levels. For an extensive list and details about hiking trails around Juneau, check out this site from Alaska.org. Another great option for a short walk can be the Gold Creek Flume Trail. The trail itself is an easy, flat boardwalk built on top of a flume (with a couple areas where a landslide has covered the pathway)…however, no matter which end you elect to start on, it’s an uphill walk to get to the trail! (I personally recommend walking through the residential area and starting at the west end, then walking downhill at the east end to reach downtown.)
Explore Mendenhall Glacier
One of the most popular activities in the Juneau area is visiting Mendenhall glacier. The park offers impressive views of the glacier as well as a variety of hiking trails, interpretative exhibits, and an educational video. If you have a National Parks Passport, don’t forget to stop and get a stamp! The glacier is located about 12 miles from downtown and while there are multiple ways to get there, the easiest is by shuttle buses that conveniently operate right from the cruise docks. Pre-purchasing shuttle tickets in advance is usually not necessary and you can buy them upon arrival at kiosks at the departure point.
Glacier Gardens
Enjoy an hour long tram ride through gardens with a beautiful view at Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure. This can be a great option for individuals with limited mobility as their vehicles can accommodate a wide variety of needs. The gardens are located about 7 miles from the cruise ship docks and can be accessed via taxi, ride share, or city bus. Tours run $29.
DIPAC Hatchery
Learn all about the absolutely amazing lifecycle of salmon at the DIPAC Hatchery. Located about 3 miles from the cruise ship docks, the hatchery is accessible through both taxi and ride share services. Two trolley tours–Juneau Tours and M&M Tours–also stop at the facility. Admission is $5 for both adults and children. You can also book extended, behind-the-scenes tours for an additional cost.
Whale Watching
Juneau is an excellent place for whale watching and there are lots of opportunities ranging from small boats carrying only a few people to large multi-deck vessels (some with catered meals). Many whale watching tours can also be combined with other experiences such as a stop by the Mendenhall glacier.
Visit Tracy Arm Fjord
Enjoy the dramatic fjords and search for mountain goats on the rocks with a visit to nearby Tracy Arm Fjord. Both day-cruise and floatplane options are available from Juneau.
Other Port Towns
For port day ideas for other common stops in Alaska, check out:
Ideas for an Amazing Port Day in Ketchikan
Ideas for an Amazing Port Day in Skagway
Ideas for an Amazing Pre- or Post- Cruise Visit to Seward
Ideas for an Amazing Pre- or Post-Cruise Day in Vancouver, Canada
