Things to Do in Juneau, Alaska

If you're taking a vacation up to beautiful Juneau, Alaska this summer then there are some things that you absolutely must do and see. If you are on a cruise and there for only a short period of time you will still be able to pack in all of these great things to do in Juneau, Alaska into one fun filled day.

The first thing that you have to do in Juneau is to head out the Mendenhall Glacier. You can take a tour bus or the city bus out there, as well as a guided tour taxi. When you get out there the view will instantly take your breath away, but keep walking anyways. Head on up to the visitor center for a great presentation by a naturalist and then start down the trail for an up close look. You can walk up very close to the Glacier and get fantastic views of the ice and waterfalls. If you're lucky you may even see the ice calve into the water. If you are filled with true adventurer spirit you may take a taxi over to the other side of Mendenhall Lake. An hour or so down this relatively flat trail and you can actually stand on the edge of the glacier; this could be the best photo-op of your life!

If you're looking for a meal then you can't afford to miss the historic Red Dog Saloon in downtown Juneau. The atmosphere here brings you back to Juneau's roots as a gold mining town and the food is incredible. Located on the main drag right in the heart of downtown, the Red Dog can't be missed.

Another great eating option is the Salmon Bake, located near Twin Lakes. The Salmon Bake has its own shuttle buses so transportation is not an issue here. If you fancy fresh Alaskan seafood then this really cannot be beat. The Salmon Bake even provides an up close look at a river where Salmon are spawning, schooling in the thousands just feet away.

If you are looking for a spectacular view then a ride out to Eagle Beach is in order. Eagle Beach provides huge sandy flats, which is actually glacial silt, with an awe-inspiring view of the majestic Chilkat Mountains in the distance. If you're looking for a beach this one is unparalleled, not just in Juneau or Southeast Alaska but from the entire Pacific Coast.