15 Best things to do in Juneau, Alaska in a day (Perfect for cruisers!)

If you’ve booked your Alaska cruise, there’s a good chance that you’re going to stop in Juneau, the state’s capital.

Known for its glaciers, lakes, hiking trails, wildlife, and small but lively downtown (with fantastic eateries), Juneau is a popular port stop flocked with tourists during peak cruise season from May to October.

This guide is for cruisers sailing through Alaska and looking for things to do in Juneau while in port for 8–9 hours.

Cecilio and I went on our first Alaska cruise with Holland America Zaandam. In addition to stopping in Juneau, we sailed through Glacier Bay National Park and made stops in Skagway and Ketchikan.

Now, I know when you’re on a cruise, you don’t have time to see everything you want to see (but that’s okay, because you can always book a future cruise and come back!). Just pick 3–4 activities and run with them. Just promise me you won’t miss Mendenhall Glacier and Tracy’s King Crab Shack, ok?!

Disclaimer: This post uses affiliate links, which means I make a commission if you book through this post. If you do decide to book using my links, thank you so much for your support!

Things to do in Juneau

1. Visit Mendenhall Glacier

No trip to Juneau would be complete without a visit to Mendenhall Glacier. Alaska is full of glaciers, but most of them are difficult to get to. What makes Mendenhall Glacier popular is its accessibility; it’s a 20-minute car or bus ride to get there. And once you’re in the entrance, you can see it immediately.

Mendenhall Glacier is also a prime (and sad) example of how quickly climate change is sneaking up on us, as it’s been rapidly melting since the 1980s. When we visited, there wasn’t a lot of snow covering the glacier.

There are some trails where you can see it even closer, but the edges of the trail are blocked off so you don’t fall into the lake (Mendenhall Lake, that is).

The easiest way to get to Mendenhall Glacier is by taking a trolley, where you get picked up and dropped off at the Goldbelt Tram (which is right next to the port). It’s a 3-hour stay, and you can do whatever you want, from getting up close to the glacier to hiking Nugget Falls. It’s twice as long as our stay, since we also had to stop in the Glacier Gardens first!

You can also go on guided tours to go kayaking, paddleboarding, and whale watching on Mendenhall Lake. This gives you a chance to get up closer to the glacier and marvel over it. Here are some fun, adventurous tours to consider booking:

• Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier (⭐ 4.9)
• Mendenhall Glacier Ice Adventure Tour (⭐ 5)
• Mendenhall Glacier Float Trip (⭐ 4.5)
• Mendenhall Glacier Canoe Paddle and Hike (⭐ 4.9)

2. Take a light hike to Nugget Falls

Nugget Falls is located in Mendenhall Glacier around the corner, and it’s a super-easy hike for most able-bodied people. Starting from the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, it’s a 1-mile hike each way on flat terrain and marked paths that lead you to this stunning waterfall.

You’ll see scenic spots along the way, like I did when I spotted this iceberg on the lake!

Nugget Falls is a 377-foot waterfall that runs off from Nugget Glacier at the base of Bullard Mountain. The waterfall is wide and makes big splashes, and runs off into Mendenhal Lake.

If you’re lucky, you might be able to see some brown bears (unfortunately, we didn’t).

3. Marvel over upside-down trees in the Glacier Gardens

One of the most unique things to do in Juneau is to see colorful, upside-down trees nestled in a rainforest. You wouldn’t think of Alaska having rainforests, but it’s not the typical tropical rainforest most people think of which is located near the Equator.

Instead, the Glacier Gardens are in a temperate forest, where the temperatures are cooler, have more defined seasons, and more moss. And they are further away from the Equator and closer to the Poles.

Though privately owned, the Glacier Gardens are tucked deep in the Tongass National Forest (the largest National Forest in the US), and we got to ride through it in these rickety golf carts driven by the staff. The ride through the forest took about an hour with a stop at a viewpoint that overlooks all of Juneau.

When you arrive back at the meeting point, visit the gift shop, where there’s a cafe and a TV showing a live viewing of an eagle’s nest located on property.

Most cruise excursions offer a combo tour of the Glacier Gardens and Mendenhall Glacier. This is the excursion Cecilio and I booked.

4. Sail through Tracy Arm Fjord

Some cruises offer excursions to tender and sail through Tracy Arm Fjord before docking in Juneau, but it’s limited to a capped number of passengers due to the tender boat being smaller. There are restrictions on which boats can sail deep into the fjord.

If you missed your chance to sail Tracy Arm Fjord on your cruise, don’t worry. You can still sail once you dock at the port!

You’ll be able to get up close to glaciers such as the North Sawyer and Sumdum Glaciers. You’ll also spot some icebergs and whales, while your tour guide shares the geological facts about the area.

I’d highly recommend sailing through Tracy Arm Fjord if this is not your first time in Juneau or if you’ve been to Mendenhall Glacier multiple times.

5. Go bear sighting in Pack Creek

If you’re itching to look for brown bears during your Alaska cruise, there’s no better way to do so in Pack Creek, also known as Stan Price State Wildlife Sanctuary.

Located 40 miles south of Juneau, Pack Creek is located in Admiralty Island and is home to over 1,500 bears. There’s no road to get there, so you have to take a boat or floatplane both ways to land there. Most cruise excursions and tour operators land via floatplane, and they fly over the Tongass National Forest.

During this tour, the guide will share tidbits of information about the bears, other wildlife, and the indigenous culture.

Fun Fact: According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the Native Tlingit called Admiralty Island “Kootznoowoo”, which means Fortress of the Bears. ¹

You’ll see at least one bear in Pack Creek, but there’s a good chance you’ll see them in large groups feeding on salmon. In addition to the bears, you’ll aso see other wildlife like Sitka deer, otters, bald eagles, minks, and harbor seals. You may even be able to see humpback whales and orcas!

6. Go whale watching

You’ve got to go whale watching when you go on an Alaska cruise at least once in your life, and Juneau is full of opportunities to see these majestic creatures up close.

Sure, you can go on a whale-watching excursion in Mendenhall Glacier, but there are so many other spots in Juneau where you can see them. Auke Bay is a popular spot for catching the humpback whales, and a vast majority of tour operators take their guests there.

Most people watch the whales from a boat, but if you’re more of the adventurous type, you don’t have to limit yourself to that! You can also see them while jet skiing and kayaking.

You’ll also be able to see some other animals like eagles and sea lions.

Here are some recommended whale watching tours:

• Juneau Whale Watching and Salmon Bake (⭐ 4.8)
• Narrated Whale Watching Cruise with Glacier View Stop (⭐ 4.9)
• Paddle with Whales Kayak Adventure (⭐ 4.5)
• Juneau Jetski & Whale Adventure (⭐ 4.9)
• Private Luxury Whale Watch (⭐ 5)

7. Eat gigantic crab legs in Tracy’s King Crab Shack

When I was researching (scrolling through TikTok and other blogs) for things to do in Juneau, I came across people cracking the shells of these enormous crab legs at a casual restaurant called Tracy’s Crab Shack. It’s one of the most popular restaurants in Downtown Juneau, and an easy 7-minute walk from the cruise port.

I really wanted to try Tracy’s Crab Shack to see what the hype was about. I spent $85 on the Alaskan king crab legs, which were absolutely delicious, but I’m not sure I would spend that much money on a single item again.

Sure, they had snow and Dungeness crab legs for much cheaper, but I wanted to try the signature crab legs, the crab legs that the restaurant is named after (and the crab legs of where it came from).

I will say that the crab legs were insanely delicious with a sweet note. They were even better with a small container of melted butter.

The only thing I didn’t like was the cheap, plastic cutters served alongside the crab legs. It made it difficult to cut through the shells, especially because it was a fork and not a clamp. The crab legs are pretty spiky and painful, too! At $85 for two crab legs, I expect a sturdier, metal clamp that I can easily cut.

I digress, though. They were super good, and I did not let anything go to waste.

Next time, I would love to try their crab bisque!

You can also order a bucket of shareable crab legs, but they are at least $200.

You can also go on a tour combining whale watching with a stop at Tracy’s, which include their crab bucket, bique, rolls with butter, and four crab cakes.

8. Take a “duck fart” shot at Red Dog Saloon

Walk a little bit further into Downtown Juneau and you’ll come across this rustic, Gold Rush-style bar. This is Red Dog Saloon, one of Juneau’s more popular bars (especially for cruisers). It has a fun vibe with loud music, dim lights, and sawdust shavings all over the floor.

Red Dog Saloon is a historical saloon dating back to the mining era. They were in several different locations before planting their permanent roots in Downtown Juneau, making it a hot spot for tourists. They’re known for their signature Duck Fart, a layered shot equal parts Kahlua, Bailey’s, and Crown Royal.

I had no idea why they called their most popular shot that name, until I did a bit of research and learned that legend has it that an elderly woman who tried the drink in the late 80s, made a burp that sounded like a duck fart! Now, when you are served the shot, you’re supposed to make a quacking sound (I had no idea that we were supposed to, but I’m not about to embarrass myself).

Other than the duck fart, Red Dog Saloon also has pretty good food and other drinks. I also ordered the Miner’s Scratch Hard Lemonade, made with their own in-house lemonade and Tito’s Vodka. Cecilio and I shared fresh, house-made chips with warm queso and pico de gallo.

9. Try Alaskan Fudge

After you’ve had your fill of crab legs at Tracy’s and a shot of the duck fart at Red Dog Saloon, walk across the street to treat yourself to some decadent fudge from the Alaskan Fudge Company (there is also a location in Skagway).

The fudge comes in different flavors with creative Alaskan-themed names like Juneau White Out (vanilla), Mendenhall Mudd (marshmallow pecan), Inside Passage (chocolate peanut butter), Glacier Bay Walnut (vanilla walnut), Klondike No-Nut (milk chocolate), Gold Rush (peanut butter chocolate chip), Mocha Moose (dark chocolate coffee), Mt. Juneau Mint (milk chocoalte mint), and Taku Toffee (crushed toffee).

You can store the fudge at room temperature and they will be good for a week, or you can freeze them for up to a year. They are made fresh everyday!

10. Ride the Goldbelt Tram

The Goldbelt Tram is a bright red gondola right next to the cruise port. Riding it is an easy, leisurely activity that transports you to Mount Roberts at 1,800 feet with sweeping views of the Gastineau Channel, Douglas Island, and the Tongass National Forest.

The tram is only a 5-minute ride each way. Once you get inside the mountain, you will find so many fun activities. This includes hiking trails, wildlife observation spots, a totem pole, and the Timberline Bar & Grill, which serves burgers, quesadillas, salad, and soup. Timberline also has a beer garden, Tr’Ale House.

Tickets to ride the Goldbelt Tram aren’t cheap; they are $45—$60 for all-day use, so you can go up and down as you please. You can also book excursions in your cruise that include the tram or booking the following tours below:

• Alaska Native Tour and Tram Combo: During this small group tour, you’ll stroll through Downtown Juneau, learning more about the Indigenous Alaska culture, while taking a look at some totem poles. You’ll then get to ride the Goldbelt Tram. Meals are also included in this tour.
• Trails and Ale Tour and Tram Combo: For the outdoorsy types, nothing is better after an intense hike than a cold beer. You’ll be taking the tram and staying in Mount Roberts throughout this tour, hiking the Totem Pole loop, which is an hour long. After the hike, your guide will give you a wooden nickel valued at $10 to redeem at Timberline or Tr’Ale House.

11. Ride a helicopter to the Juneau Icefield and Herbert Glacier

For a wild, once-in-a-lifetime activity in Juneau, skip the typical tourist attractions. Ride the helicopter to walk through Herbert Glacier, which is only accessible by helicopter. It is truly one of Juneau’s hidden gems!

The helicopter will fly over the Juneau icefield before landing in Herbert Glacier, where you’ll get to stroll through the crystallized snow and sample fresh glacier water.

Coastal Helicopters operates this tour, and most guests had a fantastic and memorable time touring with them. They also offer full refunds in case of bad weather and need to cancel.

12. Go on a seaplane tour to see five glaciers

While you won’t stop and land on a glacier for this tour, you’ll fly over the Juneau Icefield and five glaciers. This includes Norris, Hole-In-The-Wall, East Twin, West Twin, and Taku Glaciers. This is a small tour as the seaplane only holds ten passengers, in which all passengers get a window seat view and guided audio narration. You’ll also get views of the Taku River!

13. Hunt for gold like the old miners

Alaska is known for its rich mining history during the Gold Rush, but you too can recreate a similar experience with Juneau’s gold panning tours. You just gotta not be afraid of getting down and dirty, so leave the nice clothes on the ship.

There are two gold panning tours in Juneau that you can book outside the cruise:

Juneau Underground Gold Mine and Panning Experience

For this tour, you’ll be in the Peterson Gold Mine, one of the only underground tours in Alaska. Since it’ll be dark, you’ll be provided a hardhat. You’ll ride through the Gastineau Channel and walk through a boardwalk 360 feet down into the underground tunnel.

An experienced miner will show you how to do hard rock mining in the tunnel. Then you’ll go back into the mill and try gold (and garnet) panning. You’ll also be able to keep what you find!

Historic Gold Mining and Panning Adventure

Prepare for a fun tour in Juneau before heading to Gold Creek and Last Chance Basin for gold panning. You’ll pass by a few attractions, including the Alaska State Capitol, before you stop in Last Chance Basin.

Last Chance Basin and Gold Creek are where Joe Juneau and Richard Harris, both prospectors, found gold (actually, it was revealed to them by Chief Kowee). Both prospectors also founded the city of Juneau as it is today. And yes, the city was named after Joe Juneau. So you know that this tour is going to be historical and educational.

Your guide will be dressed up in 19th-century lumberjack garb and will share tidbits about Juneau’s history. Then you will go gold panning along Gold Creek, which you will get to keep!

The tour guide will guarantee that you arrive at the Juneau port before your cruise departs, but if there is any instance that the ship leaves early, they will arrange your transportation to the next port-of-call. They will also issue a refund if your cruise is delayed before docking and you can’t make the tour on time.

14. Go on a beer-tasting tour

For a small city, Juneau has a robust beer scene and breweries scattered along the area. If you love craft beer, consider going on a brewery and sightseeing tour operated by Alaska on Tap!

For this tour, you will meet your guide at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Plaza next to the Juneau Public Library. You’ll be picked up in a van and be taken to three breweries along with a stop at Brotherhood Bridge
where you can catch views of Mendenhall Glacier.

Snacks are included in this tour; you’ll be provided some chips and kep salsa to tide you over in Alaska Brewing Co., one of the breweries you’ll stop at.

15. Learn about Juneau’s Philippine heritage at Manila Square (and try Filipino food nearby)

With Cecilio and I being Filipino, we were pleasantly surprised to see that Juneau has a longstanding Filipino community. In the heart of downtown, there is a little area, Little Manila, honoring José Rizal with a bust of him, a national hero who inspired the Philipine Revolution.

Fun Fact: Filipinos started emigrating to Alaska in the 1920s after learning of the gold deposits that created an industry and job oportunities. They started as ore sorters in Alaska-Juneau Gold Mining Company before they closed in 1944. They ended up staying in Alaska, some of whom have married Tlingit women. ²

There are also two Filipino restaurants in downtown Juneau you could try:

• Golddigger Filipino Restaurant: 140 Seward Street, Juneau, AK 99801
• Carillo’s Caldo: 290 Marine Way, Juneau, AK 99801

Frequently Asked Questions

Making the most of one day in Juneau

From pristine glaciers to adventurous activities to delicious, fresh seafood, there is no shortage of things to do in Juneau, especially as a small town. Unfortunately, since you have limited time while you’re there on a cruise, you can’t do everything you want, and that may require repeat visits.

Which is what I plan to do. I enjoyed my time in Juneau that I would love to go back and go whale watching on Auke Bay, fly to walk on Herbert Glacier, and try the snow crab nachos at Tracy’s.

Looking to plan an Alaska cruise?

As a travel advisor, let’s work together to make your dream Alaska cruise happen (and offer extra perks!). Depending on your lifestyle, interests, and physical abilities, I can also curate a personalized itinerary of things to do in Juneau for a day.

If you’re interested, please head to my Custom Travel Planning Services and fill out the form, and I’ll reach out shortly!

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Hannah Padilla

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Hannah is a travel writer, graphic designer, and the founder/editor of Hannah on Horizon. She is based in Sacramento, California, living with her husband and two adorable dogs. She shares tips on how to experience luxury travel on any budget, and how to maximize time at each trip or destination, no matter what your budget or amount of vacation time at work. She enjoys making you feel like you have visited each destination with her through her storytelling and informative writing style.