Things to Do in Juneau

About Juneau

Alaska's capital city rises where ancient glaciers meet the sea, accessible only by air or water—a geographic isolation that has preserved its wild character and authentic frontier spirit. Here, massive ice fields cascade down mountainsides into temperate rainforest, creating a landscape so dramatic it seems to belong to another era. This is a place where nature operates on an overwhelming scale, and civilization exists by permission of the wilderness, not the other way around.

Travel Tips

When to Visit

# When to Visit Juneau, Alaska

Juneau's peak summer season from mid-June through August offers the most favorable weather with temperatures ranging from 13-18°C (55-65°F), nearly 18 hours of daylight, and access to all attractions including whale watching, glacier tours, and the Mount Roberts Tramway, though this period brings cruise ship crowds of 5,000-10,000 daily visitors, premium accommodation prices ($200-400+ per night), and the need to book activities weeks in advance, with notable events including the Fourth of July celebration and the Gold Rush Days festival in mid-July. The shoulder season of May and early September provides excellent value with temperatures of 8-13°C (46-55°F), significantly reduced crowds as cruise ships wind down, hotel rates dropping 30-40%, and May offering the Alaska Folk Festival (early May) along with prime halibut fishing, while September delivers spectacular fall colors and reduced rainfall (averaging 140mm compared to October's 230mm), though some tour operators begin limiting schedules. Winter from November through March transforms Juneau into a budget traveler's paradise with hotel rates as low as $80-150 per night and temperatures hovering between -7 to 2°C (20-35°F), offering unique experiences like northern lights viewing (particularly December-February), the Juneau Jazz & Classics festival in late November, excellent opportunities for ice climbing on Mendenhall Glacier, and the famous Alaska Bald Eagle Festival in Haines (accessible by ferry) each November, but visitors must contend with only 6-7 hours of daylight in December, frequent flight cancellations due to weather, and many outdoor activities being unavailable. April and October represent true shoulder periods with unpredictable weather mixing rain, occasional snow, and temperatures of 3-10°C (37-50°F), minimal tourist infrastructure operating, but rock-bottom prices and the chance to experience Juneau as locals do, with April marking the return of humpback whales and October offering salmon spawning viewing at Steep Creek, though visitors should prepare for 150-200mm of rainfall and limited tour availability during these transitional months.