Port Spotlight: Juneau, Alaska
Welcome to Juneau! Alaska’s capital city is one of the most unique stops you’ll make on an Alaskan cruise. Because there are no roads connecting Juneau to the rest of the state, arriving by cruise ship is truly one of the best ways to get here.
Exploring Downtown on Foot
If you don't feel like booking a packed excursion, don't worry! Downtown Juneau is compact and incredibly walkable right from the cruise ship docks. You can easily spend your day wandering down historic Franklin Street, dipping into quaint shops, picking up local souvenirs, and stopping by cozy restaurants or historic saloons for a local bite.
For incredible views of the harbor and surrounding mountains, check out the Goldbelt Tram (formerly known as the Mount Roberts Tramway). Located just steps from the cruise docks, it takes you on a scenic 6-minute ride up 1,800 feet to Mount Roberts. At the top, you’ll find a cultural center, gift shop, restaurant, and several scenic hiking trails.
A quick tip from experience: If you plan on doing any hiking at the top, make sure to bring sturdy hiking boots! The trail terrain can be rough, and if it rains—which is quite common in Alaska—it gets slick and muddy very quickly. We learned this the hard way when my daughter only brought sneakers. The trail turned out to be far too slippery and dangerous for her shoes to trek back down, so we had to take the tram back down instead of hiking! Save yourself the scramble and pack good footwear.
Popular Juneau Excursions
If you do want to venture out a bit further, Juneau offers some of the absolute best excursions in Alaska. Here are a few top recommendations to consider for your port day:
1. Whale Watching
Juneau’s surrounding waters—especially Auke Bay—are a haven for humpback whales during the summer cruise season. Booking a dedicated whale watching boat gives you a front-row seat to spot humpbacks feeding, tail-slapping, and occasionally breaching, alongside sea lions, bald eagles, and porpoises.
2. Visiting Mendenhall Glacier
Mendenhall Glacier is one of Alaska's most accessible glaciers, located just 12 miles from downtown. You can tailor your visit to your preferred adventure level:
By Vehicle: Take a shuttle or tour bus to the visitor center for scenic overlook views and easy walking paths to Photo Point or Nugget Falls.
By Kayak or Canoe: Paddle across Mendenhall Lake right up toward the face of the glacier and iceberg-laden waters.
By Boat: Take a guided tour to get close-up views from the water.
By Helicopter: For a bucket-list experience, fly over the glacier and land directly on the ice for a guided glacier walk!
3. All Things Salmon
If you want a true taste of Alaska, you can’t go wrong with a salmon-focused activity:
Salmon Bakes: Enjoy an outdoor, all-you-can-eat feast featuring wild Alaskan salmon grilled over an open alder-wood fire, often set in a lush forest setting near Gold Creek.
Macaulay Salmon Hatchery: Great for families and curious travelers wanting to learn about the salmon lifecycle while viewing marine life touch tanks.
Salmon Fishing: Charter a boat for a day on the water! If you're looking to see salmon running or go fishing, May through September is the prime window. King salmon peak in late spring through early summer (May–June), while Silver (Coho) and Pink salmon run heavily throughout mid-to-late summer (July–September).
4. Dog Sledding Adventures
Experience Alaska's official state sport! Many dog sledding excursions involve taking a short helicopter flight onto a high-altitude glacier, where you meet a team of sled dogs and their musher at a summer training camp for a ride across the snow. (If helicopter flights aren't your thing, land-based summer cart-sledding options are available too!)
5. Exploring the Tongass National Forest
Juneau sits right inside the Tongass National Forest—the largest temperate rainforest in North America. Guided rainforest hikes lead you beneath giant Sitka spruces and Western hemlocks, past moss-covered paths, rushing streams, and hidden waterfalls. It’s an easy way to disconnect and immerse yourself in Alaska’s pristine wilderness.
Whether you spend your day wandering historic downtown, watching humpback whales breach in Auke Bay, or stepping onto the icy expanse of Mendenhall Glacier, Juneau delivers an unforgettable taste of Alaska's natural beauty and rich culture. No matter how you choose to explore, just remember to layer up, pack your rain gear, and wear sturdy boots—Alaska’s capital is waiting to welcome you to your next great adventure!
