Juneau, Alaska Travel Guide | Best Things to Do & Where to Eat
We never thought much about making the trek up to Juneau, Alaska, but when the opportunity presented itself and we felt a touch of spontaneity, we hopped on a short flight schedule from Portland, and we are so glad we did. Juneau, Alaska, is surrounded by beautyāmountains, rivers, ocean, and ice collide in a beautiful and wild way. Though Juneau is located on a peninsula, it feels very much like an island, as itās only accessible by plane or boat. You can only drive about an hour in any one direction into the wilderness before you canāt drive any further. It is so isolated and yet so full of culture, great food, and spirit! Juneau is one of the most underrated places weāve ever had the pleasure to visit, and with so many things to do in Juneau, Alaska, itās a destination worth planning for.
Thereās so much to do and see in the area, we wanted to create a short guide of some of our favorite things. For those planning to venture to Juneau, make sure to also hit some of the other great spots in South East Alaska, such as Haines, Sitka, and Skagway.
Where to Eat in Juneau Alaska
Best Brunch Spots in Juneau, Alaska
1. The Rookery Cafe
A quaint and laid-back cafe in the heart of Juneau offering an eclectic menu of brunch items. The Rookery Cafe serves Stumptown coffee (an ode to Portland, Oregon) and has some of the best avocado toast Iāve had the opportunity to try. The lattes are deliciously nutty, the baked goods are crisp and fresh, and the atmosphere is perfect for any rainy day in Juneau. Theyāre open every week from Tuesday through Saturday, and if youāre mapping out what to do in Juneau, Alaska, a stop here is the ideal way to start the morning.
2. Sandpiper Cafe
This is perhaps the most well-known breakfast and brunch in the Juneau area. The crab cake Benedict is the real star of the show! Made from king crabs, Iāve never had crabcakes that are so full of meat and flavor. This popular Juneau brunch spot is at the top of my list to return to for our next trip back to Alaska! As much as the savory takes the cake, the sweet options are just as worthwhile. Strawberry French toast, eggs sunny-side-up, and fresh fruit ā you cannot go wrong! The Sandpiper Cafe currently takes reservations, which, if you are visiting on a weekend, I recommend calling in advance! For food lovers, itās one of the best foodie spots in Juneau on a morning visit.
3. Coppa Cafe
Youād be hard-pressed to find a more friendly or delicious cafe in Juneau. Thereās no better place for espresso, sweet and savory pastries, and ice cream. Coppa Cafe has a small location amongst the food carts in downtown Juneau; however, we visited its brick-and-mortar location serving hot coffee and pastries. Itās a great spot for small bites, coffee, or a snack on your way in or out of town. Coppa Cafe is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm and is one of the charming Juneau places to visit if youāre looking for local flavor in a casual setting.
4. Sacred Grounds Cafe
This indigenously Tlingit and Haida-owned coffee shop serves seriously good brew. The brightly lit and modern atmosphere is the perfect place to spend some time enjoying a cup of coffee or one of their sausage burritos. The artwork around the coffee shop highlights Alaska Native culture, and visiting is a great way to experience a bit of what makes Juneau truly unique. Sacred Grounds Cafe is open from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm daily, and it stands out as one of the unique things to do in Juneau, Alaska, since it connects you with local heritage while sipping a fantastic cup of coffee.
Top Restaurants in Juneau Alaska
1. In Bocca al Lupo
In Bocca al Lupo literally means āinto the wolfās mouthā or, in another way, āgood luck!ā Serving modern Italian fare, In Bocca al Lupo is one of the best places to eat in Juneau, as well as experience the local cuisine. Specializing as a bakery in the heart of downtown Juneau, the cozy restaurant offers wood-fired pizzas, fresh pasta, cured meats, and catering.
The menu rotates depending on seasonality and availability of ingredients; however, we highly recommend enjoying a pasta dish, a wood-fired pizza to share, and a main course featuring seafood if available. We ordered the Wood-Fired Salmon Steak, which ultimately proved itself to be a major highlight of the entire trip. It was the largest piece of salmon Iāve attempted to eat, and yet it was completely different from any other salmon Iāve tried. It was like a fine sirloin steak, freshly sourced and perfectly seasoned. For travelers searching for things to do in Juneau, Alaska, dining here is a cultural experience that blends local flavors with Italian craft.
2. Devilās Club Brewing
This downtown Juneau brewing company offers an ever-rotating selection of locally brewed beer styles and gourmet grub. The trendy taproom serves tasty pizzas, pretzels with beer cheese, gyros, and its delectable World Famous Pesto Ciabatta. This brewery represents the adventurous among us, the off-the-beaten-path lifestyles, and the unique people who inhabit this little part of the world. Open every day from 2:00 to 8:00 pm. Adding a stop at Devilās Club Brewing is not only about food, itās also one of the fun things to do in Juneau, Alaska, if you love exploring local craft beer scenes.
3. Deckhand Daves
One of the most popular places to try seafood in the Juneau area. Deckhand Daves offers salmon, rockfish, and halibut in a selection of seriously tasty tacos and fish and chips platters. Serving out of a food cart, the outdoor eating area in downtown Juneau is the perfect place to grab a beer, some fish tacos, and enjoy the views, along with a lively but laid-back atmosphere. Deckhand Daves is open daily from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm. For anyone making a trip to Juneau, Alaska, this stop is a casual but memorable way to taste freshly caught local seafood.
4. Alaskan Crepe Escape
Along the theme of Juneau food carts, Alaskan Crepe Escape is located within Gunakadeit Park amongst other dining and bar options. With the mountains as an incredible backdrop, the food cart is open daily from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm, offering a wide variety of sweet and savory crepes, healthy and nutritious smoothies, and delicious espresso. The setting makes it not just a quick meal, but also a chance to enjoy the views, and it is a must for Juneau things to do and see while exploring downtown.
5. Captainās Sāmore & Brew
For those looking for something sweet to top off an evening or just for a midday snack, Captainās Sāmore & Brew serves locally crafted marshmallows that are roasted right in front of you. They also have handcrafted coffee and hot chocolate available alongside the unique Sāmore recipes. This dessert stop is small but delightful, and definitely deserves a place on your Juneau, Alaska, must-see food experiences.
Best Bars & Pubs in Juneau Alaska
1. Visit Amalga Distillery
A distillery that specializes in exquisite gin flavors made from locally harvested spruce and florals. The mid-century modern space was designed with natural woods, concrete, and surrounded by spacious windows. Itās the perfect spot to unwind with a specially crafted cocktail, or two! We loved the flavors of Amalga Gin so much that we bought a couple of bottles to take home with us. This is at the top of our list for bars and specialty drinks in Juneau. For anyone curious about what to do in Juneau, Alaska, in the evening, this stop is a must for craft cocktails.
2. The Narrows Bar
Quaint, classy, and cosy atmosphere feels like a warm hug in central Juneau. The Narrows Bar acts like a living room for the downtown area. Good conversation is accompanied by great drinks. If you find yourself looking for a nightcap or a place to relax in the evening, this is it. Itās a small but inviting highlight among the many Juneau places to visit for a laid-back night.
3. Forbidden Peak Brewery
Open daily from 11 am to 8 pm, Juneauās newest family-owned handcrafted brewery is located in beautiful Auke Bay. It overlooks the Harbor and has amazing outdoor seating with fireplaces. They usually have some sort of food there, and itās also next to the most iconic fishermanās bar in Juneau, Squirez Bar, which has great greasy late-night bar food as well! For all of your hop needs, Forbidden Peak Brewery offers a wide selection of craft beers. A stop here is perfect if youāre building out your list of fun things to do in Juneau, Alaska, with friends.
4. Barnaby Brewing
A bright and eclectic space serves as a great place for a drink. Open daily from 3 pm to 8 pm, Barnaby Brewing is an award-winning nano-brewery focusing on American-style ales and lagers while incorporating locally harvested ingredients. Every so often, they have a cute cat that wanders around the space as well, so you can pet a cat while you drink a beer! Itās a quirky little addition that makes it one of the unique things to do in Juneau, Alaska, if you want something different than the typical bar scene.
Top Things to Do in Juneau Alaska
1. Glacier Helicopter Tour with Coastal Helicopters
One of the best ways to experience the incredible landscape surrounding Juneau is to view it by air. The Glacier Helicopter Tour with Coastal Helicopters is a great way to not only get a birds-eye-view but also to have the chance to walk on the famous Mendenhall Glacier. This was our first helicopter tour weāve taken, and itās safe to say it certainly wonāt be our last. Without question, itās among the top things to do in Juneau, Alaska, for adventure seekers.
2. Find Great Views at the Shrine of St. Therese
About a 30-minute drive from town sits a Catholic church on a peninsula with great views of the mountains. The best things in life are indeed free, and the Shrine of St. Therese just so happens to be one of those things. This is a great option for photography, as well as just taking the chance to enjoy the natural beauty of the Alaskan wilderness. If youāre asking yourself what to see in Juneau, Alaska, this site should be on your list.
3. Spot Black Bears at Eagle Beach Recreation Area
For all nature lovers, this is a great quick stop to see wild black bears fishing in the streams! Stop by Eagle Beach Recreation Area to watch wildlife and take in the views of the mountains. Thereās also a campsite, cabins, and lodging available nearby.
4. Hike Nugget Falls
If you drive down Glacier Spur Road, youāll end up at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitorās Center. Here, there is the starting point to one of the easiest and most popular hikes around the Juneau area. The hike is about 2 miles round-trip and leads to the edge of the Mendenhall Glacier, where youāll find Nugget Falls pouring straight out of the ice. Itās an incredible sight to see, and something that should absolutely be included on any itinerary to Juneau! Adding this hike is simply one of the best things to do in Juneau for all visitors.
5. Explore Downtown Juneau
Downtown Juneau is home to a variety of eclectically designed buildings. From quaint log cabins, to new industrial-build complexes, to little historic shops with early 1900s charm. Itās a great activity to just walk around the area and familiarize yourself with Juneauās living room. After wandering through a few shops, we found ourselves strolling along the waterfront, taking in the views of the mountains and watching for whales. Exploring downtown is sightseeing in its simplest form, but also one of the easiest and most rewarding things to do in Juneau, Alaska.
6. Visit the Alaska State Historical Museum
One of the best ways to familiarize yourself with the history and culture of Juneau is to visit the Alaska State Historical Museum. From ancient artifacts to the profession of Alaska's becoming a part of the United States, the museum paints a vivid picture worth seeing. It will give you a great appreciation for the area, and some context to Alaskaās past and why itās so important to conserve the culture and natural wonders that the area holds dear. This is a Juneau, Alaska, things to do essential for travelers who value history and culture.
Unique Businesses to Visit in Juneau Alaska
1. Kindred Post
Open Daily 11-5 Kindred Post is a post office, gift shop, and gathering space located in the heart of downtown Juneau, Alaska. The store holds a ton of local products, great for finding some treats or souvenirs. One of the companies to highlight here is Trickster Company, an indigenously owned creative group that features Natively designed art pieces. A stop here gives you not just shopping but also a cultural glimpse into the things to see in Juneau, Alaska, that go beyond the usual tourist attractions.
2. Barnacle Foods
Barnacle Foods products are something truly unique and pretty remarkable to the area. I wasnāt aware that kelp could be so tasty until I tried Barnacle Foodās Kelp hot sauce. It is seriously incredible. Cooking with kelp is a tradition well known in the area, and as the local couple Matt and Lia found their cupboards were overflowing with mason jars of preserved ocean foods, they decided to share the wealth.
It's salty, savory, crisp, and full of vitamins, minerals, and iodine. Kelp makes foods taste richer, imparting a subtle savory flavor known as āumamiā.
From fresh kelp-pickles to hot sauces and salsas to umami-blasted toppers, itās all delicious. The best part of this product line, along with the unique flavors, is its impact on the environment. Harvesting kelp is not only sustainable but good for the planet. Kelp is a carbon sink, grows abundantly and wildly in our oceans, and harvesting it for food as an alternative to land-based farming reduces humansā impact on the environment. For foodies, itās not just shopping; itās one of the most unique things to do in Juneau, Alaska, while supporting local innovation.
3. Rainy Retreats Books
A beautiful and cozy bookstore filled with new, used, and rare books alongside a selection of vinyl records. You can get lost in here looking at the selection of books. Itās a fun place to wander if you find yourself on a rainy day in Juneau! The store is open daily from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. This shop adds a literary touch to your Juneau, AK, visitors' guide if youāre planning a quiet afternoon.
4. Alaska Robotics Gallery
The Alaska Robotics Gallery features the illustrations and artwork of Pat Race and other artists driven by a sense of adventure and whimsy. Alaska Robotics Gallery carries a wide selection of graphic novels, comics, and short films, which you can see on their website. Open from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm daily. Itās a playful stop that easily lands on any Juneau, Alaska must see list for art lovers.
5. Harbor Tea & Spice
Harbor Tea & Spice offers over 300 organic bulk herbs, spices, and in-home custom spice blends, as well as over 50 varieties of organic teas and tisanes from all over the world, including handcrafted exclusive tea and tisane blends. Harbor Tea & Spice is open daily from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm. Beyond the flavor, visiting here is both cultural and sensory, something to include when considering what to do in Juneau, Alaska, that isnāt outdoors.
MORE TO EXPLORE
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM
If youāre planning a tripāor already lucky enough to call Seattle homeāthis guide is for you. Here, Iām sharing some outstanding LGBTQ+-owned businesses, the top places to eat in Seattle, the best bars to visit in Seattle, and a variety of iconic (and lesser-known) attractions that Michael and I just canāt resist.