Juneau
Around Juneau
Photo: Gillfoto · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Alaska · 31k people
Juneau
Locals say Southeast Alaska
Alaska's capital, where the wild begins.
Glacier TealMidnight BlueAurora Gold
Welcome to Juneau, where the mountains meet the sea and the rain keeps everything green. Whether you're here for the glaciers, the fishing, or the friendly locals, you'll find a community that loves the outdoors and a good story. Come say hello at the coffee shop or on the trail.
Clubs for Juneau
No clubs for Juneau yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Juneau. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Juneau. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Mendenhall Glacier Iconic glacier just outside Juneau with visitor center and trails.
- Glacier Bay National Park Famous for tidewater glaciers and whale watching.
- Mount Roberts Tramway Gondola ride with panoramic views of Juneau and the channel.
- Alaska State Capitol Seat of Alaska's government in downtown Juneau.
- Alaska State Museum Exhibits on Alaska's history, native cultures, and natural history.
- Juneau-Douglas City Museum Local history with mining and Tlingit artifacts.
- Outdoors Hike the Perseverance Trail
- Outdoors Kayak in Auke Bay
- With kids Visit the Alaska State Museum
- With kids Take the Mount Roberts Tramway
- Evenings Live music at local bars
- Evenings Open mic nights
- Locals love Coffee roasters
- Locals love Craft breweries
Through the year
- Alaska Folk Festival April Week-long folk music celebration in April.
- Juneau Jazz & Classics May Jazz and classical performances in May.
- Southeast Alaska State Fair August Agricultural fair, concerts, and carnival in Haines.
- Sitka Summer Music Festival June Chamber music performances in Sitka.
- Alaska Bald Eagle Festival November Celebrates eagle migration in Haines.
Juneau has a temperate rainforest climate with mild, wet winters and cool, damp summers. The best time to be out is in summer (June-August) when days are long and temperatures are in the 50s-60s°F. Best: Summer (June-August) with long days and mild temps.
Talk like a local
- “Outside”
- The rest of the US (outside Alaska)
- “Breakup”
- Spring thaw when ice breaks up
- “Termination dust”
- First snow on the mountaintops
- “Sourdough”
- Veteran Alaskan or old-timer
Getaways
- Glacier Bay National Park Boat or plane trip to see tidewater glaciers and wildlife.
- Haines Ferry ride to a small town with outdoor adventures.
- Whitehorse Drive or fly to Yukon's capital for northern culture.
- Ketchikan Known for totem poles and salmon fishing.
Local flavour
Rooting for Seattle Seahawks (NFL), Seattle Mariners (MLB), Seattle Kraken (NHL), Seattle Storm (WNBA), Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)
Eat and drink
- Alaskan salmon (king, sockeye, coho) Fresh-caught, often grilled or smoked.
- Halibut Thick, flaky fillets, often beer-battered for fish and chips.
- Alaskan king crab Sweet, succulent legs, a local delicacy.
- Reindeer sausage A savory Alaskan staple, often served with eggs or on a bun.
- Alaskan Brewing Company beer Founded in Juneau; known for Smoked Porter and Amber Ale.
- Sourdough bread A pioneer tradition, often served with seafood chowder.
Where people go
- Glaciers and icefields Mendenhall Glacier, ice caves, and the Juneau Icefield.
- Fjords and tidewater glaciers Boat tours through Tracy Arm and Glacier Bay.
- Totem parks
- Fishing lodges and charters Salmon and halibut fishing excursions.
- State capitol building The seat of Alaska's government in Juneau.
- Gold rush towns Skagway's historic streets and the White Pass & Yukon Route railway.
- Seaplane docks Bush planes taking off from the water, connecting the region.
Heritage and traditions
Juneau and Southeast Alaska take pride in their deep-rooted Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian heritage, Russian colonial history, and a rugged frontier spirit shaped by glaciers, fjords, and the sea. Locals are proud of their capital city's unique isolation—accessible only by boat or plane—and their strong sense of community built around fishing, art, and the great outdoors.
Say it like a local: “Cheechako” — A newcomer to Alaska, often from the lower 48.
Festivals
- Celebration June, even years A biennial gathering of Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian people with dance, song, art, and language workshops.
- Sitka WhaleFest November A weekend of whale watching, science talks, and family activities celebrating humpback whales.
- Sitka Russian Orthodox Christmas January Celebrated with church services, traditional foods, and community gatherings in Sitka.
Landmarks with a story
- St. Michael's Cathedral A rebuilt landmark in Sitka, originally built in 1848, known for its onion dome and icons.
- Russian Bishop's House A restored Russian colonial building in Sitka, one of the few surviving examples in North America.
- Sheldon Jackson Museum A museum in Sitka with an extensive collection of Alaska Native artifacts and art.
- Alaska Governor's Mansion The residence of the Governor of Alaska in Juneau, a historic building with tours.
- Chilkoot Trail A 33-mile route from Skagway to the Yukon, used by gold rushers in 1898.
Food traditions
- Smoked salmon A traditional Tlingit and Haida method of preserving salmon over alder wood, often served at gatherings.
- Herring eggs (spawn on kelp) A spring delicacy harvested from the sea, eaten raw or boiled, a staple of Alaska Native cuisine.
- Spruce tip tea A foraged beverage made from young spruce shoots, enjoyed for its vitamin C and fresh taste.
- Piroshki Russian pastries brought by settlers in Sitka, filled with meat, cabbage, or other savory fillings.
- Fry bread A pan-fried bread common at Alaska Native potlatches and community events.
Music and arts
- Totem carving A living Tlingit and Haida art form, with carvers creating poles for clan houses and public spaces.
- Chilkat weaving A traditional Tlingit art of weaving ceremonial blankets from mountain goat wool and cedar bark.
- Perseverance Theatre A professional theater in Juneau known for contemporary and classic productions.
A little history
- 1802 Tlingit attack on Russian fort
- 1867 Transfer of Alaska from Russia to the US
- 1880 Gold discovery leading to founding of Juneau
- 1898 Klondike Gold Rush, with Skagway as gateway
- 1906 Juneau becomes capital of Alaska Territory
Rivalries
- Juneau vs. Sitka Annual Gold Medal Basketball Tournament rivalry.
- Haines vs. Skagway Klondike Relay race rivalry.
- Juneau vs. Ketchikan Friendly competition over best salmon fishing.
- Game day Gold Medal Basketball Tournament
- Outdoors Hiking the Chilkoot Trail
- Outdoors Watching bears at Pack Creek
- With kids Alaska Raptor Center
- With kids Sitka Sound Science Center
Southeast Alaskans often use terms like 'outside' for the rest of the US, 'cheechako' for a newcomer, and 'breakup' for spring thaw. Tlingit words like 'kwaan' (village) also appear in local speech.
Only here
- Juneau is the only state capital in the US not accessible by road.
- You can see humpback whales from downtown Juneau during summer.
- The Mendenhall Glacier is a short drive from the city center, with a visitor center and trails.
- Sitka was the capital of Russian America and retains a strong Russian Orthodox heritage.
New here? A few tips
- Juneau is only accessible by ferry or plane, so plan travel accordingly.
- Bring rain gear—it rains frequently, even in summer.
- Learn to say 'Juneau' as JOO-noh.
- Try local seafood like salmon and halibut, and visit a cannery or fish market.
- Respect Alaska Native cultures and traditions; ask before taking photos at cultural events.
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Nearby
Every areaJuneau, AK. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.