If you're visiting Juneau you might be wondering what to see in Juneau Alaska. The oldest city in Alaska has a rich history dating back to the time of the gold rush. It is home to numerous species of wildlife found nowhere else on Earth and has unparalleled natural beauty. From its snow-topped peaks to its somber Pacific shoreline there are so many things to do in Juneau Alaska. Juneau has activities and sights to see for every kind of tourist.

Whether you're in Juneau for the outdoors the culture the food or the adventure you'll find things to do in Juneau to your liking on our list of top attractions.

1. Mendenhall Glacier

Just 12 miles from downtown Juneau there is a beautiful view. If you are visiting Juneau this is probably one of the best places to visit in Alaska. The wide end of Nugget Falls flows into a lake with icebergs and the Mendenhall Glacier's tongue dips down to the edge of the water.

The Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on the lakeshore is a great place to start your trip. From there you can see the glacier from 180 degrees around. Some of the best views can be seen from the area's walking trails which go up both sides of the glacier and to Nugget Falls. Tours also go out on the very cold lake in kayaks and rafts.

A private tour with transportation to and from the glacier is a good way to see it. One of these tours the Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier Expedition includes a ride to the glacier and a two-hour cruise along the coast. The tour stops at Mendenhall for about 45 minutes during which time guests are free to look around on their own.

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2. Ride to Tracy Arm Fjord

An ice-covered glacial fjord is located southeast of Juneau and it runs through some breathtaking landscape complete with plunging waterfalls cascading down sheer rock faces and glaciers calving off chunks of ice to form little bergs. At the front of the fjord are the imposing twin Sawyer Glaciers whose blue ice is particularly beautiful. Tracy Arm Fjord has massive walls that rise nearly vertically out of the ocean with trees protruding at odd angles. The Tongass National Forest runs back into the mainland from the fjord demonstrating the fjord's impressive length. On a regular basis you might see black bears brown bears deer or perhaps a moose along this section of the trail.

Bald eagles arctic terns and pigeon guillemots can often be seen soaring above the water and whales and seals are common sights in the deep blue sea below. A guided tour is the best way to gain insight into the glaciers and fauna of Tracy Arm as well as its rich natural heritage. Numerous Juneau-based tour operators provide round-trip port transportation for day visits. Allen Marine Tours is one company that offers these kinds of six-hour tours on a catamaran that is kept warm.

3. Exciting Glacier Gardens Rainforest Tour

The Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure is a mix of a landscaped botanical center and a trip into the Tongass National Forest's rainforest environment. It is northwest of downtown in the direction of Mendenhall Glacier. The tours of this forested attraction start with a guided walk through the lower landscaped gardens.

The story of the unique Flower Tower planters which were made from a huge landslide in 1984 is told along the way. After going through the lower grounds people on Thunder Mountain hop on an open-sided shuttle to see the rest of the 50-acre property. This is not a garden but a forest area that has been left mostly alone.

To help people understand the wooded environment tour guides talk about the different species and how the gardens work. The tour stops at different places with boardwalks viewpoints and places to look out over the Mendenhall Valley the Chilkat Mountains the Gastineau Channel and Juneau.

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4. Glacier Bay National Park

Glacier Bay National Park is one of the best parts of Alaska's famous Inside Passage. It is made up of more than three million acres. On land and in the water there are natural sights to see and fun things to do. Both places have beautiful landscapes including huge glaciers temperate rainforests secluded fjords and rough coastlines.

Glacier Bay is made up of two rocky outcroppings and eight glaciers reach down to meet the water. Bartlett Cove is the only place on land with developed hiking trails campsites and places to rent sea kayaks. Humpback minke and orca whales all come to Glacier Bay to eat. There are a lot of tourists in the area who want to see these marine mammals.

There are also opportunities to see moose bears wolves mountain goats and sea birds among other animals. You can take a day trip or a longer cruise to the bay or you can take a flight over the area.

5. Fantastic View from the Tramway up Mount Roberts

The Mount Roberts Tramway begins near the port and ascends to an altitude of 1800 feet. The observatory complex on the hilltop features a nature center cafeteria theater and a shop selling local wares. If you want to get a view of downtown Juneau from one of the nearby mountains but don't feel like hiking taking Mount Robert's Tram is the way to go.

Atop the mountain you may enjoy the view while dining or shopping for mementos. There are a few pathways above and below the tree line if you decide you want to do a short hike after reaching the summit. Short films on Juneau's and Alaska's indigenous peoples can be viewed in the visitor center at the summit of Mount Roberts. The Alaska Native art style is prominently featured in many of the souvenirs. The bald eagle is one of the most revered birds in Alaskan Native religion and tradition and you'll have the chance to view one in person.

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6. Whale Watching Packages

Seeing the whales of Juneau at play is a very magnificent way to spend a sunny afternoon.

Several tour operators depart from a nearby harbor in a wide variety of whale-watching vessels. It is extremely likely that you may see whales seals and porpoises during your excursion. A trip to Juneau wouldn't be complete without seeing whales in the Inner Passage.

The city has a stellar reputation as a prime location for spotting whales and more specifically humpback whales. Killer whales or orcas are also seen in the area's waters though they are harder to spot. When summer approaches Alaska humpback and other whales make the long journey north. When planning a trip to Juneau with the hope of seeing whales the best time to go is during the summer months.

Seeing whales up close and personal is possible only by taking a boat trip. Even if not a single whale shows up many local charter companies will return your money in full. The Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching tour is highly recommended; it's a 3.5-hour narrated cruise on a boat with both outdoor decks and a heated cabin.

7. Macaulay Salmon Hatchery

The Macaulay Salmon Hatchery which can be found to the northwest of town on the way to the Mendenhall Glacier offers a glimpse into the ocean's depths with its many aquariums and touch tanks filled with real tidal pools. The hatchery cultivates several species of salmon. And because it's a real business tours of the plant allow guests to witness multiple phases in the Pacific salmon's life cycle.

The marine fauna of Alaskan waters is brought to you by the DIPAC Hatchery. Halibut and other large Alaskan fish as well as starfish anemones and the tiny species seen at low tides on surrounding beaches can be seen in the hatchery's small aquarium. It's up to you whether or not you want to put your hands in the touch tanks.

Fish flows can be found outside of the hatchery and this is where salmon go to and from throughout the spawning season. The hatchery also features a bear and eagle show educational displays and an outdoor viewing window where visitors may watch salmon swim upstream from June until early October.

8. Alaska State Museum

The Alaska State Museum is in the middle of downtown Juneau. It has more than 25000 items from all parts of Alaska's history. It is one of the top-rated places in all Alaska tour packages. Not only are there artifacts from the Gold Rush and the mining industry but there are also a lot of artifacts from when Russia controlled Alaska that tell us about the history of that time.

At the museum Alaska's native heritage is best shown by old artifacts and a large collection of ivory that was carved by the Eskimo people. Along with traditional forms of fine art this show also has modern pieces made by Alaska Native artists. This group runs the Sheldon Jackson Museum in Sitka Alaska. Sitka is a city and borough known for its natural beauty and friendly people.

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9. Mining Museum

From 1912 through 1944 the Alaska Juneau Gold Mine Corporation extracted gold from this place; today the uneven ground rusty structures and decaying machinery in the trees give the area the feel of an abandoned mine. The museum is run by the Gastineau Channel Historical Society which is also responsible for the upkeep of the exhibits which include mining machinery and railroad carriages.

At this exhibit you may examine some of the historic mining equipment used in Juneau's hard rock mines and learn more about the industry's history. This museum is further from the center of town and requires the capacity to trek upward but if you make the journey it is well worth it to see the historic mining railcars stored behind the building.

The Last Chance Mining Museum is home to an electric locomotive and the world's largest air compressor both built-in 1912. The site has been recognized for its historical significance by being included in the National Register of Historic Places. Please remember that the museum is closed for the season and to dress appropriately.

Final words

Juneau has plenty to offer visitors especially those who enjoy the outdoors whether they are in town for a short time on a cruise ship or for a longer period of time.

You should pack a sturdy raincoat because you'll be in a rainforest but if you do so and dress appropriately you'll have a blast experiencing the many exciting attractions that Juneau Alaska has to offer. For the best prices on tour packages visit TourRadar tours now.