Location: Juneau
Top Things to do in Juneau
What to do and see in Juneau, Alaska (AK): The Best Nature & Parks
Because of its ideal location between the base of Mount Juneau and the Gastineau Channel, the Southeastern Alaskan city of Juneau has been the home of Native American fisherman, European fur traders, and American gold prospectors. Now a free-spirited state capital, Juneau is the perfect base for a journey into the gorgeous Alaskan wilderness, whether it's for fishing, kayaking, and dog sledding in the National Parks, whale-watching at Icy Strait, or glacier hiking at the Juneau Icefield.
Restaurants in Juneau
1. Gruening State Historical Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
2. Outer Loop Point Trail
3. Tracy Arm Fjord
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,879 reviews
Reviewed By clippers2018 - Maidenhead, United Kingdom
I spent the whole of June ‘19 travelling across Canada for 3 weeks followed by an 8 day Alaskan inside passage Cruise. I witnessed and experienced some amazing things including a flight over Niagara Falls and Dog Sledding on a Rockies Glacier. However, clear top (and that’s saying something !) amongst the numerous highlights was the Tracy Arm Fjord Cruise. The Cruise lasted 6.5 hours. It started with a switch from cruise ship to a smaller vessel (100 people ?) at 9am with a return to Juneau at 3:30pm. It was spectacular throughout. We cleared early fog to find ourselves on mill pond like water surrounded by magnificent snow capped mountains, valleys and tree lined rock faces, numerous waterfalls, mind boggling ice floes and jaw dropping glaciers. And then there was the wildlife ! As we travelled through the area every turn delivered yet another incredible view. So good was the spectacle any food time outs were very brief affairs ! There were early sightings of bald eagles, basking seals, brown bears at the waters edge and whales ! As we headed towards Juneau we came across a humpback whale crashing it’s fins on the water before submerging and a few seconds later performing a full breach right in front of us. Quite the spectacular finish to the cruise ! Researching this excursion pre cruise it looked fantastic, but exceeded those expectations considerably. I was advised to pre book and was so glad I did as it had sold out when I boarded. If you are doing one excursion make this the one if you possibly can. Truly magnificent.
4. Alaska Powder Descents
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 18 reviews
Alaska Powder Descents is a full service guiding operation offering a range from half-day trips to weeklong packages. Our guides are all Juneau based and have extensive experience working in Southeast Alaska. Our goal is to use our experience to lead clients to terrain that fits their ability and matches their desire to challenge themselves.
5. Nugget Falls
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,420 reviews
Reviewed By QuantumMover - San Diego, United States
MUST SEE!! Incredibly beautiful glacier, icebergs, and waterfalls all enclosed by a beautiful natural park. Although we did not see bears, signs were posted around the park to stay alert that bears are typically seen in the area. The Photo Point is a 5 minute walk from the visitor center on a paved road, you can hear the waterfalls and have a spectacular view of the glacier from there. You can also hike to the falls, its 2-3 miles round trip from the visitor center. The video at the center is worth watching, as it explains how the impacts from global warming are measurable.
6. Perseverance National Recreation Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 116 reviews
Reviewed By GMLfromTexas - San Antonio, United States
Probably the most physically demanding trail we explored during our stay in Juneau. This is primarily because it is all uphill (mild to moderate grades) going in, but oddly enough the trip back seemed harder on the legs. Trail is in good shape although it is prone to rock slides, so there are patched segments (no difficulty with negotiating). More joggers than the other trails we were on in Juneau as it is apparently the "training run" for the more athletically inclined residents. Make sure you go to the falls.
7. Jensen-Olson Arboretum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By bridieDuncan - Duncan, Canada
This garden is beautiful and inspiring in the way the gardeners have managed to grow so many different plants in some challenging circumstances. I esp enjoyed seeing the wheat - and the photo my husband took of the hummingbird moth. [I missed it!] The arboretum is a work of love:-)
8. Pack Creek
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By AnastasiaHBC - Huntington Beach, United States
First and most important, you DO NOT NEED A GUIDE. We took WARD AIR-they did a good job. Just call Ward Air and book a flight after you secure online permits. Lots of reviews tell you about seeing the bear...so I included some things I wish I knew before I went. Here's how it works: you land on a beach-head where you get your orientation from the state or federal ranger, eat and perhaps hang out to bear watch. To the right is a short flat walk to the "viewing area" and to the left, up hill one mile, is the raised viewing platform. The plane lands very close to the beach...absolutely no reason the plane shouldn't get you close to the shore. Roll your pants up and use water shoes or even flip flops to get to shore because you will walk through the water. That day, there was room in the bear box for our food and water shoes, but bring a plastic bag and be prepared to carry your water shoes with you for the day. All your food will go in the bear box. A ranger is always on the beach and is pleased to answer all your questions (hence no reason for a guide). When you're ready, the ranger gives you the go-ahead to walk either to the viewing area or the platform. Another ranger is stationed at the viewing area-again, she is happy to answer all your questions. The viewing area is simply a little area with logs to sit on. You sit there and wait to see bear. The ranger has to give you the "all-clear" to move back to the beach or to the platform. That's it...those three areas and lots of bear. We came when the salmon were just coming so we didn't get that spectacular show with bear fishing for their lunch. The 7 bears we saw were clamming at low tide and just walking around. Yes, it was absolutely wonderful and I'm soooo glad I didn't pay $825 a person to do this trip that cost the 4 of us $225 each.
9. Treadwell Historic Mine Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 39 reviews
Reviewed By willqh - La Grande, United States
Loved this walk through the trees and on the beach, lots of hidden mining treasures along the path too
