As Alaska’s capital city, Juneau is a really beautiful surprise. Juneau is the second largest city in the U.S. by area (Sitka, AK is the first) and has a population of roughly 30,000 people. Their number of visitors grows quite a bit from April to October, as Juneau is a popular port for Alaskan cruises during the summer. Having gone to Alaska myself at the end of January, I’m really glad I got to experience the city during its off-season and see the surrounding mountains covered in snow. I also got to learn what to expect for future visits to Juneau, Alaska and want to share a few things to know.
Getting Around in Juneau, Alaska
Downtown Juneau is really perfect for walking due to being really small, and the surrounding activities are not too far, either. In addition, there are many hiking trails in Juneau, so you’ll definitely want to spend some time getting around by foot. While you can walk everywhere around Juneau’s downtown, other destinations are a bit out of the way. You might not be able or comfortable walking at all times, so I recommend getting a rental car or at least being prepared to take taxis to further distances (to and from the airport, for example).
Daylight Hours
Depending on the time of year you visit, Alaska may get more or less daylight than you’re used to. For Juneau specifically, if you go during the month of December, the sun may set by 3pm and not rise until 9am. In June and July, however, Juneau’s hours of daylight may last from 3am-11pm. This aspect of Juneau likely won’t interfere with your plans but is still useful to keep in mind.
Weather in Juneau
During the summer, the temperature in Juneau can get up to the sixties. Juneau also gets a lot of rain during much of the year, so you should bring a good rain jacket and boots when you visit. While there may be fewer activities available, I found Juneau especially breathtaking in the snow and would highly recommend taking a trip from January to March for this very reason. During these months, Juneau is cold but bearable, and you will still have about 8 hours of daylight.
If you plan a trip during this time, walking (and driving) from place to place may be more challenging. Make sure you are careful and well-prepared. Maybe opt for taking a taxi rather than getting a rental car if you aren’t confident that you can safely drive in icy conditions. Additionally, you should dress appropriately for the weather. If you plan to drive and stay inside for the majority of your visit, you can get by without several layers of clothing. However, if you plan to walk and explore the outdoors (which I would recommend), you should bring a couple layers, good hiking boots, gloves, and something for your ears and face. (I made the mistake of not bringing anything to cover my ears and ended up buying a hat downtown.)
Breathtaking Scenery
There are many aspects of Juneau to admire, but the scenery is, in my opinion, the best part. The city is located on the Gastineau Channel and surrounded by beautiful mountains. Even if you have a rental car while visiting, I highly recommend spending some time just walking around downtown and along the channel. You can even make your way to Sandy Beach, which is located on Douglas Island, just across the channel from Downtown Juneau.
In addition to the immediate scenery around Downtown Juneau and Douglas Island, there are several trails to hike and nature attractions to see. Some of Juneau’s more popular attractions in nature are the Mendenhall Glacier, Nugget Falls, and Glacier Gardens Rainforests Adventure, which can all be accessed by shuttle or taxi. For amazing views of Juneau, you can hike the Mount Roberts Alpine Loop Trail, or simply take the Goldbelt Tram to the highest point. If you’re up for a longer trek, Perseverance Trail will take you around the mountainsides to explore beautiful waterfalls.
Downtown Juneau
If you are only able to venture around Downtown Juneau upon your visit, there are a few things you may find worth your time. Juneau’s downtown is very touristy and easy to navigate on foot due to being very small, though the terrain is uneven in some areas. Some places to see while exploring this part of Juneau include the Alaska State Museum, the Alaska Governor’s Mansion, the Juneau Public Library, and the capitol building. I hope you will also be intrigued by the various cafes, souvenir shops, and pubs (the Red Dog Saloon being my favorite).
Nature Activities in Juneau
I was told on more than one occasion that, when you visit Juneau, it’s not so much about what you see but rather how you see it. Juneau offers a variety of activities through which you can explore nature, with hiking being one of the most obvious and helicopter tours being more unique. In addition to these, you may have the opportunity to go fishing, kayaking, or even whale watching. Even if you don’t go whale watching. As a popular cruise port, it makes sense that Juneau has so many excursions in nature.
Wildlife in Juneau
While visiting Juneau, it’s also common to see different kinds of wildlife, from bald eagles to bears. That being said, you should be careful while you wander. Whale sightings are especially common for boat tours around the glaciers, and you can even go on a whale watching tour if this is something that interests you. If you aren’t able to see any real wildlife while exploring, I hope you will at least come across the Whale Project in Mayor Bill Overstreet Park. In warmer months, this sculpture looks very impressive in its fountain, though I found it just as majestic in the snow.
Beyond Juneau
If you run out of things to do or see in the immediate area, take advantage of the boat tours and go beyond downtown Juneau. The Tracy Arm Fjord, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, and Endicott Arm are just some of the other breathtaking destinations you can reach by plane or boat. Eagle Beach is another natural destination about a 40-minute drive from Downtown Juneau.
In conclusion, I would gladly go back to Juneau, Alaska even if all I did was embrace the scenery. Pictures do not do it justice. If you haven’t already been, I hope you will seriously consider making the trip — and if you have been to Juneau, what are some other important things to know?