Juneau
Travellers combining Southeast Alaska glacier and whale watching with occasional aurora sightings
About Juneau
Juneau is one of the world's most extraordinary capital cities — Alaska's state capital is inaccessible by road, perched between the sea and near-vertical mountains, and home to the Mendenhall Glacier, a vast river of ice flowing almost to the city suburbs. At 58.3°N, Juneau sits on the fringe of the auroral zone — northern lights are seen several times per year on clear nights, particularly during solar maximum periods, but the notoriously wet Southeast Alaska climate means cloud cover is frequent. The Mendenhall Glacier has 19 square miles of accessible glacial terrain with easy guided hikes from the visitor centre. Between May and September, humpback whale populations in nearby Frederick Sound and Lynn Canal offer world-class whale watching. Bald eagles are abundant year-round. The Alaska Marine Highway ferry journey through the Inside Passage to Juneau is one of North America's great scenic sea voyages. Juneau's downtown offers excellent fresh seafood, locally brewed beer, and the Alaska State Museum. Aurora viewing is possible but not reliable — visit for the glacier and wildlife first, with aurora as a welcome surprise.
Best Time to Visit
Monthly Weather & Aurora
| Month | Avg Temp | Dark Hours | Aurora Chance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan★ Best | -4°C | 13h | Low |
| Feb★ Best | -2°C | 10h | Low |
| Mar★ Best | +1°C | 6h | Low |
| Apr | +5°C | 2h | Low |
| May | +9°C | Midnight sun | — |
| Jun | +13°C | Midnight sun | — |
| Jul | +14°C | Midnight sun | — |
| Aug | +14°C | Midnight sun | — |
| Sep | +9°C | 4h | Low |
| Oct★ Best | +4°C | 9h | Low |
| Nov★ Best | 0°C | 11h | Low |
| Dec★ Best | -3°C | 13h | Low |
Activities
Getting There
Fly to Juneau International Airport (JNU) from Seattle (2h) or Anchorage (1.5h). No road connections to Juneau — the Alaska state capital is only reachable by air or sea. Alaska Marine Highway ferries connect to Bellingham, WA.
Accommodation Highlights
- ✓Downtown hotels
- ✓Glacier View lodges
- ✓B&Bs
Location
Budget Estimator
Based on avg $140/day in Juneau. Includes accommodation, food, local transport & one guided tour. Flights not included.
Quick Info
🏨Where to Stay(10)
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Best Western Grandma's Feather Bed
2358 Mendenhall Loop Rd, Juneau, AK 99801, USA
hotel
Best Western Country Lane Inn
9300 Glacier Hwy, Juneau, AK 99801, USA
hotel
Juneau Hotel
1200 W 9th St, Juneau, AK 99801, USA
hotel
Aspen Suites Hotel Juneau
8400 Airport Blvd, Juneau, AK 99801, USA
hotel
The Alaskan Hotel & Bar
167 S Franklin St, Juneau, AK 99801, USA
hotelFrontier Suites Hotel in Juneau
9400 Glacier Hwy, Juneau, AK 99801, USA
hotelFour Points by Sheraton Juneau
51 Egan Dr, Juneau, AK 99801, USA
hotelBaranof Downtown, BW Signature Collection
127 N Franklin St, Juneau, AK 99801, USA
hotelRamada by Wyndham Juneau
375 Whittier St, Juneau, AK 99801, USA
hotelTravelodge by Wyndham Juneau
9200 Glacier Hwy, Juneau, AK 99801, USA
hotel🍽️Where to Eat(10)
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Devil's Club Brewing Company
100 N Franklin St, Juneau, AK 99801, USA
brewery
Buoy Deck
345 Egan Dr, Juneau, AK 99801, USA
bar and grill
The Tr'Ale House
490 S Franklin St, Juneau, AK 99801, USA
beer garden
Red Dog Saloon
278 S Franklin St, Juneau, AK 99801, USA
bar
The Island Pub
1102 2nd St, Douglas, AK 99824, USA
bar and grillThe Hangar On The Wharf
2 Marine Way #106, Juneau, AK 99801, USA
american restaurantGold Creek Salmon Bake
1061 Salmon Creek Ln, Juneau, AK 99801, USA
restaurantIn Bocca al Lupo
120 2nd St Suite B, Juneau, AK 99801, USA
italian restaurantSandbar & Grill
2525 Industrial Blvd, Juneau, AK 99801, USA
barThe Rookery Cafe
111 Seward St, Juneau, AK 99801, USA
restaurant🎯Things to Do(10)
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Juneau Tours and Whale Watch
492 S Franklin St, Juneau, AK 99801, USA
tour agency
Juneau Whale Tours
11497 Auke Bay Harbor Rd, Juneau, AK 99801, USA
point of interest
Liquid Alaska Tours
212 Admiral Way, Juneau, AK 99801, USA
tourist attraction
Alaska Shore Excursions
212 Admiral Way #5, Juneau, AK 99801, USA
tour agency
Gastineau Guiding Company
1330 Eastaugh Way Ste 2, Juneau, AK 99801, USA
tour agencySEGWAY ALASKA TOURS AND EXCURSIONS
490 S Franklin St, Juneau, AK 99801, USA
national parkAbove and Beyond Alaska
2767 Sherwood Ln, Juneau, AK 99801, USA
tour agencyAlaska Travel Adventures
9085 Glacier Hwy # 301, Juneau, AK 99801, USA
tourist information centerAlaska Luxury Tours
11305 Glacier Hwy, Juneau, AK 99801, USA
point of interestGlacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure
7600 Glacier Hwy, Juneau, AK 99801, USA
botanical gardenNearby Destinations
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