Juneau

Best Laid Plans for Exploring Downtown Juneau, Alaska

Juneau is the capital city of Alaska and also one of the largest wilderness areas in the United States. Between the offerings of downtown Juneau, the waterfront, and the public lands, Juneau has become a highly visited tourist destination. Perhaps surprisingly, it is not accessible by roads and can only be reached by sea or air.

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Most visitors to Juneau arrive by way of cruise ship, the Alaska Marine Highway, or an Alaskan Airlines flight. Even with the limited transportation options, Juneau still struggles with over-tourism in the summer months. If you have the chance to visit, it is important to be considerate of nature and the local residents.

Above photos: Juneau waterfront

Our springtime visit to Juneau was our last port-of-call on our Seabourn cruise. I was excited that we would be able to spend extra time in Juneau without any worry of having to make it back to the boat. We planned for two full days to explore. Alas, our flight ended up getting cancelled and we had to move up our departure. So, we only had half the time and it wasn’t enough.

Above photos: Juneau, Alaska

This post will focus primarily on downtown Juneau since that is all we managed to squeeze in. However, I have included information on the other attractions and activities we had originally planned because you won’t want to miss them if you can help it!

Where to stay in Juneau

Since many visitors to Juneau arrive via cruise ship, figuring out where to stay is a non-issue. For us, it was our point of disembarkation and we wanted to explore for a day or two before our flight back home. Likewise, many cruise ship itineraries start in Juneau.

There are several hotels in the Juneau area, but be forewarned there are no luxury resorts here. So, just find a place that looks reasonably comfortable. We chose the Four Points by Sheraton Juneau so we could pick-up some Marriott Bonvoy points, and it turned out to be one of the nicer hotels in the area. It was also a great location — a short walk from the cruise ship docks and close proximity to the downtown attractions.

Things to do in Juneau

Juneau Seawalk

The very first thing we did in Juneau after dropping off our luggage at the hotel, was walk to the northern end of the Juneau Seawalk. This lovely boardwalk is a little out-of-the-way from the main downtown shopping area. I knew once we got busy and distracted with everything else, it would be harder to break away to this area. So, we did it first!

The Juneau Seawalk is a pedestrian walkway that stretches from the Marine Park to OverStreet Park. Along the Gastineau Channel waterfront, there are numerous interpretive kiosks and Totem poles, along with amazing views of Douglas Island. If you are looking for a calm way to start your morning — or a respite from shopping — this is a perfect spot to take a moment.

Above photos: Juneau Seawalk

Tahku and OverStreet Park

350 Whittier Street, Juneau, Alaska

The Juneau Seawalk ends at Mayor Bill OverStreet Park and the iconic whale sculpture, Tahku. Also known as “The Whale Project,” this landmark was constructed in celebration of Alaska’s 50 years of statehood in 2009.

The life-scale, bronze humpback whale appears to be breaching out of the infinity pool with an impressive display of waterworks. The waterworks run periodically, and they are worth the wait if you arrive during a pause of its operating.

Above photo: Tahku, The Whale Project

Downtown Juneau & Historic Franklin Street

Juneau has a TON of character! The narrow streets are lined with art deco architecture, remnants of Russian history, and ties to its Native Alaskan cultural roots. There is something interesting around every corner!

If you are hoping to do a little souvenir shopping while in Alaska, Juneau is a great place to it. Along South Franklin Street and in the central downtown area there are numerous shops. The more typical jewelry, t-shirt, and trinket shops are close to cruise ship docks along South Franklin Street. To discover more authentic and locally-owned businesses, try venturing a little further north to the historic downtown area where you will find Native Alaskan trading posts, boutiques, coffee shops, and breweries.

Above photoL Downtown Juneau and the Senate Mall

Above photos: Buildings in historic downtown Juneau and the Downtown Clock

Above photos: Native Alaskan arts and crafts

Above photos: The Alaskan Hotel, National Register of Historic Places

Above photos: Heritage Coffee

Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church

326 5th Street, Juneau, AK

Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church was built in 1893 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The octagonal building was constructed by request of the Native Alaskan Tlingit people with funds donated from Russia. In fact, it is one of the oldest standing structures from the Russian period in the state.  While visitors are welcome, it is important to know that this is an active parish. It is quite possible you may encounter services, confession, classes, and other activities.

Above photos: Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church Juneau

Inside the church, there is a wonderful collection of artwork and original liturgical items. I was astounded to learn that many of these items were sent over from Russia when the church was consecrated and are still in use today. There is no fee for visitors. However, the church relies on donations to maintain and preserve this incredible Juneau landmark.

Photos: Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church Juneau

Mount Roberts Goldbelt Tramway

The Goldbelt Tramway is an aerial cable car that ascends and descends Mount Roberts from downtown Juneau. The base station is footsteps away from the main cruise ship dock, so it is hard to miss. In roughly 6-minutes, the tram takes visitors up 3,819 feet to the upper Mount Roberts station where a host of family-friendly activities await.

Above photos: Mount Roberts Goldbelt Tramway

A theater, restaurant, and gift shop are housed in the upper station. We mulled around the gift shop and then reluctantly sat down in the theater to watch a short film about the Tlingit people. It ended up being really interesting! Highly recommend reserving about 20 minutes to enjoy this presentation.

The main outdoor attractions at the top are the views and hiking trails. The panoramic views of Juneau and Gastineau Channel are not to be missed!

Above photos: Mount Roberts

Red Dog Saloon

278 South Franklin Street, Juneau, AK

It is impossible to come to Juneau without stopping by the infamous Red Dog Saloon. Established during the period of the Alaska Gold Rush, this bar has welcomed visitors and entertained the locals for decades. We swung through their walk-through bar for a Duck Fart — made with Kahlua coffee liqueur, Bailey’s Irish cream, and Whiskey — and it hit the spot!

Above photos: Red Dog Saloon

Tracy’s King Crab Shack

432 South Franklin Street, Juneau, AK

Just about everywhere you go along Alaska’s inside passage, the cuisine is predominantly fish and seafood. Since I am a huge fan of both salmon and crab, this worked out really well for me:) One of the best places to get your fill of all kinds of crab is Tracy’s King Crab Shack, just steps away from the cruise ship docks on South Franklin Street.

Be ready for a little sticker shock. Just because it is pulled from the nearby Bering Sea, it is still a pricey meal. Still, if there is any place to splurge for a taste the freshest crab you’ve ever had in your life, this is it! We waited in the ordering line for a while (my husband actually went t-shirt shopping while I held our place in line), but it was truly worth it. Yum, a thousand times over, YUM!

Above photos: Tracy’s Crab Shack

More in and around Juneau

And now for the sad part. Shortly before our trip, our return flight was cancelled and we ended up having to re-book on an earlier flight that meant we forfeited our entire second day in Juneau. Some of the best highlights and attractions we had saved for Day 2. The plan was to allocate a full day for the downtown sightseeing and a second full day for adventures in the surrounding area.

That being said, I had done so much research before our trip, that I have a pretty good list of recommendations to pass along to anyone lucky enough to have more time.

Mendenhall Glacier: The Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center is located about 12 miles from downtown Juneau. There are multiple ways to see the glacier aside from the main trails. We were super excited to embark on a canoe trip across Mendenhall Lake. The excursion brings paddlers as close as possible to the face of the Mendenhall Glacier with front-row views. Other options include helicopter tours, kayaking, and hiking. While I really wanted to get out to the glacier, I had already set eyes on four other glaciers earlier in the week. So, thankfully, I don’t have a hole in my heart having missed this.

Nugget Falls: Nugget Falls can be combined with a trip to Mendenhall Glacier. The 377-foot falls are located along the east side of Mendenhall Lake. The Nugget Falls Hike trailhead is located steps from the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. The trail itself is around 1-mile and easy enough for families with kids.

Mendenhall Glacier Tour Recommendations

Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure: Glacier Gardens is a botanical garden and landscaping business located between downtown Juneau and the Mendenhall Valley. It would be a great stop either before or after visiting Mendenhall Glacier. The Rainforest Adventure tour is about 1-hour long and takes visitors through the rainforest to a viewing area at 580-feet elevation. Among the highlights are upside-down Spruce and Hemlock trees with flowers cascading down the tree trunks, as well as other one-of-a-kind flora and wildlife.

Gold Creek Salmon Bake: The Gold Creek Salmon Bake is an all-you-can eat dining adventure that has become an iconic Juneau experience for visitors coming to taste authentic Alaskan salmon and sides. Most cruise ships offer this as an excursion, but it can also be booked independently. Thinks of it as an Alaskan BBQ complete with entertainment and a campfire for ‘smores.

Need help packing? Read my Alaska Cruise Packing Guide here.

More Juneau Tour Recommendations

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