Juneau travel guide
about juneau
Juneau is the heartbeat of Southeast Alaska. While tourists might consider Juneau a small town, it is considered the big city around these parts. It is home to over 30,000 people, and is the state capitol of Alaska. Major industries include fishing, mining, tourism, and government. Juneau is only accessible by boat or plane, cutoff from the rest of the mainland by coastal mountain ranges and ice fields, and hemmed in by rocky tidal beaches and saltwater channels. Southeast Alaska has a rich cultural heritage. It is Lingít Aaní, or the homeland of the Tlingit, an Alaska Native people who have lived here since time immemorial. Juneau is the traditional home of the Áak’w Kwáan. Full of gold rush history, evidence of Juneau’s gold mining days can also be found on various trails and around town.
Juneau is nestled within the Tongass National Forest, the largest national forest in America. It is a temperate rain forest, meaning Juneau gets a lot of precipitation year round. If you’re planning a trip to Juneau, be prepared to get wet! Expect near-constant light rain during spring and fall. While you should still expect rain, peak summer months (June – August) can see million-dollar blue sky days, with average temperatures falling between 65-75 F. Snow typically begins falling in early November, and will alternate with rain all winter long. Snow accumulations of 1-3 ft is not uncommon, while it typically only snows a couple inches at a time. Winter temperatures typically fall between 10-40 F. Winter skies are usually cloudy, but occasional clear skies yeild for amazing stargazing opportunities and potential chances to see the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis).
While Juneau is too far south to get the “midnight sun,” it does stay light out pretty late here in the summer. Near the summer solstice, true darkness only falls between around midnight and 3 am, shouldered by dusk. Locals who work a 9-5 can get off work with 6 more hours of daylight to spare. Alternately, in the winter it’s dark most of the day with the sun peaking out low on the horizon in the late morning and setting in the afternoon.
The people of Juneau are an outdoorsy folk. We are known to enjoy hiking, fishing, boating, camping, skiing, snow machining, you name it. Visitors can get a taste of Alaska history by gold panning, dog sledding, visiting museums, and appreciating native art, totems, and historical sites around town.
Be prepared to encounter icy roads November-April. While the snow plows work really hard around the clock all winter to keep the streets safe, the roads are not salted to prevent ice. (It rains and snows so much the salt would just be washed away). Instead, shot rock/gravel is thrown on the roads to increase traction. Please keep your distance behind other vehicles on the road to protect your windsheild from stray rocks. Also, backup cameras on vehicles are known to get covered with mucky road slushie while driving, so remembering to pay special attention to your surroundings while in reverse is important (especially in parking garages).
planning your trip to juneau
when should I visit juneau?
Visiting during peak tourist season can be quite a bit more expensive, but there is a good reason for it. Those beautiful blue sky mountain views are pretty much only coupled with warmer weather during our peak season (but the summer does still see lots of rain). Juneau’s tourism industry is in full swing during this time, meaning there will be plenty of excursions to book, restaurants to eat at, and stores to shop at. The nicer weather also makes for more pleasant outdoor recreating. Shoulder season means cooler temps and rain rain rain. Many outdoor recreational activities are still accessible with extra caution, but excursions and guided tours may not be available. If you are looking for a good price, you can often get great deals by visiting in the shoulder season. Winter is not very popular for tourism, but between the skiing, the number of discounted beautiful Airbnbs, the snow and the (possible) northern lights, a winter visit can make for a truly magical experience.
Peak tourist season: May 15 – September 15
Shoulder season: Late April and Late September
“Winter”: October – March
If you plan to fish while you are up here, you will need to look up the open season for the type of fish you are looking to catch, and be sure to plan your visit around those dates. You will also need a fishing license. If you’re going on a fishing charter, check before hand if your purchase includes your license, or if you need to get it yourself.
what should I pack?
Layers! No matter the time of year, you will want to dress in layers. With such a wet climate, staying dry is paramount to an enjoyable time. I highly recommend opting for athletic-style moisture wicking clothing as a base layer, a warm middle layer like fleece or merino wool, and a waterproof layer on top. Your shoes should be 100% waterproof. The Juneau sneaker is a pair of Xtratufs or Grundens (fishing boots). Good in the rain, snow, mud, airport, anywhere. Obviously, if you aren’t planning many outdoor adventures, you can mostly disregard this info. Except about the boots and rain gear. Umbrellas and plastic ponchos are the mark of an unprepared tourist.
In the extreme shoulder seasons and winter, definitely bring a winter coat that can withstand a lot of snow and rain. Many people like to wear crampons when walking outside (ice cleats that snap on to the bottom of your shoes). A headlamp would be smart also since it’s so dark in winter, if only so that cars will see you better. Winds can get pretty ferocious in the fall as well. Hat, gloves, scarf–all are recommended.
We do have a Fred Meyer, (which is similar to a Walmart), and several grocery stores and outdoorsy stores, so if you forgot an essential, you can buy it here.
getting to juneau
Juneau is only accessible by boat or plane. For those arriving at the airport, you will be flying either Alaska Airlines or Delta. Most people flying to Juneau will lay over in Seattle–there are no direct flights from down south. From Seattle, you may stop in Ketchikan, Wrangell, Sitka, or Skagway on a “milk run,” or you can catch a non-stop 2.5 hour flight. Others might be flying straight down from Anchorage. Once you’ve arrived at the airport, you will find it is very small. A simple walk past security and down a flight of stairs brings you to baggage claim and the exit. Alaska Airlines gives a 20 minute baggage guarantee, and you will likely be ready to be out the door before then. If you are not picking up a car at the airport (we offer delivery) I strongly recommend making a cab reservation scheduled for your arrival time before you board the plane in Seattle (or Anchorage).
If you’d like to drive to Juneau, you will need to put your car on the Alaska Marine Highway Ferry. From down south, there are ports in Bellingham, WA, Skagway, AK, and Haines, AK. Unless you are getting on the ferry at Bellingham, you WILL need a passport, because driving up will take you through Canada no matter which route you take. If you are planning to drive through Canada, please be aware of any travel restrictions, illegal firearms, animal regulations, and have all of your travel plans ready to hand to the Canadian border patrol. If you are driving the Alaska Highway up north, please travel safely and well-prepared. I highly recommend grabbing a paper copy of the Milepost (mile-by-mile road guide). You will lose cell service. I do not recommend driving this route in the winter as it is very mountainous with steep curves and, at times, narrow shoulders.
getting around juneau
We host rental cars on Turo, so our obvious suggestion is to rent a car from us! We offer free delivery around town, and have a wide range of vehicles from small EVs to large passenger vans. If you’re planning to be here for more than a month, we often offer sweet discounts (up to 70% off) for long term bookings.
If you’re not looking to drive, Juneau has an excellent and safe public bus system. Fares are $2.00 per ride, and the bus can at least get you close to pretty much anywhere you’d want to go in town. More information and a route map for Capital Transit can be found here.
As far as Uber and Lyft go, there aren’t many drivers in town, so they aren’t always available. You could give it a go, but your best bet if you need a ride in a pinch is to call for a cab–though you may still have a wait ahead of you. If you know when you’ll need a ride in the future, I highly suggest calling in a reservation ahead of time. All three cab companies share one dispatch phone number: 907-586-2121
where to stay in juneau
Check out our availability calendar to see if our rental unit is available for your stay. We are listed on Airbnb and VRBO for instant booking! Stays longer than 60 days are welcome to contact us to book directly. Need a car and a place to stay? Ask us about our combo discounts for long term stays (30+ days).
We also would highly recommend Juneau Vacation Homes, run by our dear friend Adam. He manages several properties around town. Looking for something small in the heart of downtown? He’s got it. How about a spacious water front property? Yep. Unique A-frame cabin off the beaten path? That too. But don’t just trust us, he was voted 2023 Best of Juneau in two categories: hotels and romantic getaways.
Airbnb is very popular in Juneau, and there are many unique and well kept properties. If you are more comfortable staying in a traditional hotel, there are several around town. I would recommend the Best Western Country Lane Inn, or the Four Points by Sheraton. The Super 8 is even decent if you’re on a budget. However, the Baranof Hotel and the Alaskan Hotel are probably the two I would not necessarily recommend for families because they are right downtown next to all the bars and nightlife.
Here are some of our favorite local picks pinned on a map.
Using the “show details” button in the top left corner of the map, you can select which icons you want to see on the map. Icons types are grouped by color (activities, food and drink, shopping, local essentials). Charging stations are also shown to make trip planning easier.
Juneau is best experienced outside! Hikes chosen are on the easier side, but as always: adventure at your own risk. A few boating and indoor favorites are also listed.
Most of the businesses highlighted are very small and locally owned by wonderful people who care about our community, just like us. Stop by and show them some love–and don’t forget to tell them we sent you!
When you’re looking at Juneau on a map, locals would tell you there are 7 main parts of town: Out-the-road, Auke Bay, The Valley, Lemon Creek, Downtown, Douglas/West Juneau, and North Douglas. Of course, reality is a bit more complex than that (yes, I see you Twin Lakes, Fritz Cove, Thane…), but that’s the gist of it. There is one major road that runs the length of Juneau (Egan/Glacier Highway), with Out-the-road at the north end, and Downtown at the south. Douglas Island is connected to Downtown Juneau by a bridge, and is considered part of Juneau–much to the dismay of lifelong born-and-raised Douglas sourdoughs.
- Out-the-road: If you arrived in Juneau on the ferry and turned north out of the parking lot, you would be driving “out-the-road.” Turnouts along the road boast scenic water and mountain views, and there is a chance you may see bears or other wildlife meandering along the side of the road in the summer. There are a few trailheads out this way, as well as state parks, national forest, and the Shrine of Saint Therese. People looking to get away from the city live out this way.
- Auke Bay: Between the ferry terminal and Auke Lake. Gets its name from the bay situated in the Auke Recreation Area, which also is the historic village site of the Áak’w Kwáan. There are many very nice waterfront properties in this area. The Auke Bay area is also home to the University of Alaska Southeast.
- The Valley: Primarily residential neighborhood with grocery stores, two small malls, local amenities (library, pool, schools, etc) and some restaurants. Mendenhall Glacier sits at the back of The Valley. The airport is also located in this area, as well as a few hotels.
- Lemon Creek: Primarily residential neighborhood. There are more industrial businesses back this way. Costco, Home Depot, the Alaskan Brewery, as well as the city dump and recycling center. South of Lemon Creek along the highway is Twin Lakes, followed by Salmon Creek, where the Hospital is.
- Downtown: Residential houses are packed in with businesses, schools, and government buildings all clamoring for space on steep hills at the feet of Mount Roberts and Mount Juneau. Cruise ships dock downtown in the summer, and visitors will flock to the stores along Franklin St. and off of Main St. During the winter, they decorate the streetlights for the holiday season. There is also a healthy nightlife scene along Franklin St.
- Douglas/West Juneau: Crossing the bridge from downtown will lead you into “West Juneau”–which is really just Douglas. Douglas Island is primarily residential. The city of Douglas is south of the bridge, ending at Savikko Park: one of Juneau’s only sandy beaches and the home of the Treadwell Mine Trail.
- North Douglas: Similar to Out-the-road, people who live here want to get away from the city vibe of Juneau. Eaglecrest Ski Area is located in this area. Facing Auke Bay and Admiralty Island, North Douglas is capped with beautiful water views, rocky beaches, and you guessed it–more hiking trails. This is about the farthest you could drive from the airport or ferry terminal.
what to do in juneau
The most popular things to do in Juneau are outside! Visitors enjoy whale watching, hiking, getting out on the water, and being immersed in Juneau’s rich culture and history. Included in the gallery below are some of the favorite adventures and past times of both locals and tourists alike. For each activity, I’ve attached a link (external) with helpful information. Some of the adventures highlighted are top ranked Juneau experiences from Viator, a tripadvisor company. Additional adventures including free hiking trails, scenic viewpoints, indoor activities, and more are highlighted on our local map below.
Using some of the links below to book an experience though Viator will earn us a small commission.
- All
- Summer
- winter
- indoors
- like a local
bar & grills
- EV Charger Nearby (Transit center)
- EV Charger Nearby (Transit center)
pizza
- EV Charger Nearby (library garage)
Family-friendly with lunch buffet and small arcade
9108 Mendenhall Mall Rd, Juneau, AK 99801
(907) 789-3900
- EV Charger Nearby (Transit center)
ethnic cuisine
- EV Charger Nearby (behind building)
tasty dives
Asian, American and Breakfast
9320 Glacier Hwy, Juneau, AK 99801
(907) 789-1422
casual bites
- EV Charger Nearby (Transit center)
(907) 789-7878
Beer tasting, food truck nearby (usually)
5364 Commercial Blvd, Juneau, AK 99801
(907) 780-5912
- EV Charger Nearby (behind building)
shopping in juneau
When you are out shopping, please choose to patron locally owned businesses. See our map for a selection of our favorite shops. It truly makes a difference in our community by supporting local families and those who live here year-round. Most of these locally owned businesses downtown will have signs proudly displayed in their windows. Many storefronts (especially right around the downtown cruise docks) are not owned locally and close down during the off-season.
Also look for the Made in Alaska sticker (white polar bear on a black or gold square) on handcrafted items, another way to be sure you are investing your money in real, hardworking Alaskans.