Juneau is Alaska’s capital, and unusually for a state capital, it has no road connection to the rest of the state or to Canada — you can only get there by air or water. It’s tucked between the Coast Mountains and the Gastineau Channel, with the Mendenhall Glacier just outside town.
Getting There
Most independent travelers fly into Juneau International Airport from Anchorage or Seattle. The Alaska Marine Highway ferry system also connects Juneau to other Inside Passage communities, though schedules are limited and should be booked well ahead. Juneau is also a major cruise port, and cruise passengers make up a large share of summer visitors.
What to See and Do
Mendenhall Glacier, about 12 miles from downtown, is Juneau’s best-known sight and has an easy visitor center and short trails right up to viewpoints of the ice. The Mount Roberts Tramway rises straight from the cruise dock downtown to alpine hiking trails with views over the channel. For a deeper look at Tlingit culture, the Sealaska Heritage Institute and Alaska State Museum are both downtown. Whale watching tours run out of Auke Bay in summer, and flightseeing trips over the Juneau Icefield are available for those wanting an aerial view of the glaciers feeding the city’s namesake ice.
When to Go
Late May through early September is peak season, when cruise ships, tours, and most visitor services are running; it’s also Juneau’s driest stretch, though the city gets significant rain year-round. Visiting outside summer means fewer crowds but more limited tour and ferry schedules.
