Juneau

Juneau, Alaska

Juneau is Alaska’s capital city, located on the Gastineau Channel in Southeast Alaska. The magnificent mountains, rugged fjords, and thick rainforest of Alaska’s Inside Passage surround Juneau. The massive Juneau icefield is the source of the beautiful Mendenhall Glacier and over 140 other glaciers. Glacier Bay National Park is nearby, with the world’s largest concentration of tidewater glaciers. Wildlife abounds on sea and land including whales, seals, bear, eagles, and more.

There is a lot to do in the Juneau area, and visitors can easily spend a few days.   

Juneau is a popular place for outdoor activities. In the summer visitors enjoy rafting, hiking, biking, kayaking and trips to the Juneau Icefield for glacier hiking and dogsledding. Winter activities include snowboarding and downhill, cross-country and heli-skiing. 

Fishing. Abundant salmon and halibut fishing is available minutes from downtown. Wilderness cabins and fishing lodges are available nearby.

Wildlife Viewing. Incredible wildlife inhabits the Juneau area. The downtown area is served by tramway up Mount Roberts, where the great outdoors is instantly accessible. Nearby Admiralty Island National Monument features one of the largest concentrations of brown bear in the world and special bear viewing tours are available. Juneau is popular for its whale watching tours. Icy Strait offers unprecedented whale watching.

Alaska Native Heritage. The Tlingit and Haida Indians were the first settlers to the area. Juneau remains a center of Alaska Native culture. Every two years the Celebration festival is held in Juneau. 

Russian Heritage. The Russians settled the area in the 1700’s and 1800’s and established fur trading operations. Russian heritage can still be found in Juneau. The

Gold Rush Heritage. Alaska’s first big gold strike was in the Juneau area in 1880. One of the miners was named Joseph Juneau - now you know how the city was named!

Juneau Icefield and Glaciers

The massive Juneau Icefield is the 5th largest in North America and is the source of over 140 glaciers. There are many ways to experience the magnificent mountains and glaciers of the Juneau Icefield: airplane tours, helicopter tours that land on the Icefield, glacier hikes, ice cave exploring, and more.

Mendenhall Glacier. This beautiful glacier is only a short drive of 19km from Juneau. It lies across Mendenhall Lake from the modern Visitor Center. Learn more.

Tracy Arm Fjord. A popular day cruise is to sail south to Tracy Arm Fjord to view the magnificent twin Sawyer Glaciers. This cruise is a great opportunity for wildlife viewing to include whales, seals, eagles, and other animals.

Glacier Bay National Park. Juneau is a hub for travelers to Glacier Bay National Park, which is about 100 miles west of Juneau. Visitors can fly or cruise to the Park on trips on multi-day trips. Learn more.

Things to Do in Juneau - Our Top Picks

• Mount Roberts Tram
• Mendenhall Glacier
• Day cruise tour to Tracy Arm Fjord for glacier, whale, and wildlife viewing
• Airplane tour of the Juneau Icefield (wow!)
• State Capitol building

Events in Juneau - Our Top Picks

• Celebration - Southeast Alaska Native Heritage Festival

More Articles: Click the Juneau category link for articles in this category.

Access: Daily jet service from Seattle, Anchorage and Fairbanks; scheduled air taxi service from all Inside Passage communities. Year round Alaska state ferry service from Bellingham, WA, and Prince Rupert, B.C., Canada, connecting to all Inside Passage communities and Southcentral Alaska. All classes of cruise vessels. Water taxi or fast ferry service between Juneau, Sitka, Skagway and Gustavus. No Road access.

Location: Juneau is located in the heart of Alaska’s Inside Passage on the mainland of Southeast Alaska, opposite Douglas Island. It lies 577 air miles southeast of Anchorage and 900 air miles northwest of Seattle.

Population: 31,193.

Accommodations: 12 hotels/motels, 50 bed and breakfasts (over 900 rooms); 64 restaurants (seating for 5,300+); two large enclosed shopping malls, many other shopping centers in downtown and outlying areas. All services and conveniences.

After you’ve explored the articles on our website please take a look at the official website of the Juneau Convention and Visitors Bureau - go to www.TravelJuneau.com to learn more.