Top 5 Activities for Your Visit to Juneau

Juneau is a somewhat isolated location, despite being on the Alaskan mainland. With rugged terrain and water on all sides, there are no roads leading into Juneau, so you have to plan your trip ahead of time – but once you’re there, it’s more than worth it. Gorgeous views, untouched wilderness, and adventures await you in Alaska’s capital.

In fact, there’s so much to choose from that it may be difficult to narrow your choices down! With that in mind, we’ve listed five of the top activities to consider making time for on your trip to Juneau.

Goldbelt Tram

If you’re here for beautiful views, look no further than the Goldbelt Tram, which takes visitors from sea level to about halfway up Mount Roberts. At the mountaintop observatory, 1,800 feet up, you have a breathtaking view of Juneau and the Gastineau Channel.

The observatory and nature trails offer some fantastic ways to enjoy that view and the nature center is an educational pit stop, especially fun for families with kids. As an additional educational feature, the Chilkat Theater teaches visitors about Tlingit history, including a free showing of Seeing Daylight, a film on Tlingit history and culture produced by local Alaska Natives. With 2, 3 & 7-mile trails, there are options for hikers of all experience levels.

Whale Watching

If you love ocean life, you should certainly look at the whale watching tours available in Juneau. The summer months – from May to September – are the most active months for seeing humpback whales and orcas. At Above and Beyond Alaska, our whale tour includes a wildlife and whale watching cruise in a 6-person boat as well as some time spent paddling in a tandem kayak, allowing you to enjoy the water firsthand! You also get to pause on a remote island for a hearty snack featuring local ingredients before striking back out in your kayak!

Last Chance Mining Museum

For those interested in history, the Last Chance Mining Museum is a one-of-a-kind look into Juneau’s gold rush. From 1912 to 1944, the Alaska Juneau Gold Mining Company operated at this site, which is now maintained by the Gastineau Channel Historical Society. The site is home to some of the world’s largest air compressors, along with plenty of mining equipment, rail cars, and an electric locomotive.

Dogsledding

Dogsledding is an activity integral to Alaska and its’ history, so if you have the opportunity to give it a try, you definitely don’t want to pass it up! There are several dogsledding experiences in the area, all led by experienced mushers. Some of these tours involve other components like hiking or helicopter tours, so you can find the perfect experience for your interests!

Mendenhall Glacier

Just a few miles away from Juneau is the scenic Mendenhall Glacier, located in Mendenhall Valley. The glacier is over 13 miles long and visible from Mendenhall Lake. You can see much of this from the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, which is situated right on the edge of the lake and provides a gorgeous view of the lake & the glacier itself.

For some more up-close views of the glacier, you can take to the trail or approach by water. Above and Beyond Alaska provides several tours of the Mendenhall Glacier by canoe or by hiking out to the glacier.

When you’re planning your Juneau vacation, take time to check out the adventures available from Above and Beyond Alaska. Whether you want to take in Juneau’s gorgeous vistas, search our marine wildlife, or check out bears and native wildlife, we’re here to help make that happen. We have professionally guided tours for those who want an expert to show them around and we also offer equipment rentals for those who’d rather strike out on their own. With accommodations also available, Above and Beyond Alaska truly lives up to its’ name.

Give us a call today to learn how we can help make the memories of a lifetime on your Juneau trip!

From time to time we’ll have specials for our Juneau adventure tours. Why wait? Start your booking before the busy season reservations fill up.