The best souvenirs are not those that can be bought, but those that can be stored in your memory for a lifetime. These memories enrich your experience of life and encourage you to think more deeply about what is in front of you, whether that’s a blade of grass or someone who hails from a background different from your own. Juneau is a treasure trove of such spiritual souvenirs, with activities that will spark and feed the flames of curiosity, joy, and compassion.
This story was created in partnership with Travel Juneau.
1. One of the Most-Loved Things to Do in Juneau: Whale Watching
Photo courtesy of Austin Hawkins
Humpback whale season in Juneau lasts from May until September, and we recommend taking a guided boat trip to see these magnificent creatures up close. You’ll be privy to more than just whales, however. Keep your eye out for animals like porpoises, sea lions, and eagles, as well. If you have children, marine wildlife watching is one activity that the whole family is sure to treasure; the awe one experiences while surveying the horizon for whale spouts and seeing a whale breach the water’s surface for the first time is unmatched.
2. Go Tidepooling to Get Acquainted with Smaller Wildlife
Relish the ocean’s salty breeze as you search Juneau’s beaches for marine creatures like limpets, urchins, sea anemones, and baby crabs. You might also encounter man-made artifacts like glass and trash, and we suggest bringing along a bag to collect such items. However tempting, don’t disturb or remove any wildlife that you see.
For the most fulfilling experience, arrive at the beach an hour before low tide and plan to linger there for about two hours. You’ll have two opportunities each day to experience low tide, and each cycle will turn up a unique assortment of natural treasures. It can be a fun exercise for kids and adults alike to contextualize each object and organism with an imaginative backstory; start by guessing how many miles they will have traveled to reach you! Check the tidebooks, available on NOAA’s website, for predicted timings and measurements, which vary daily.
Pro tip: Negative tides are particularly fruitful.
3. Take a Cooking Class at Jorgenson House
If you have been feeling in a rut every time you break out the pots and pans at home, or if you simply want to take a deeper dive into Alaskan regional cuisine, it’s time to book a cooking class at Jorgenson House. Each three-course lesson is conducted by an expert chef for up to a dozen students. Naturally, fresh wild Alaska seafood plays a starring role in this class, and you might also get to try your hand at preparing pasta from scratch or bundling a plethora of tamales. If you’re looking to take home new skills from the Great Land with you, this cooking class is one of the best things to do in Juneau.
Photo courtesy of Austin Hawkins
4. Feel the Earth’s Breath Emanate from Historic Mines
Juneau’s gold mines have functioned as portals into the earth’s crust since the late 19th century. Before the last mine ceased operating in 1944, it collectively turned out the modern day equivalent of $7 billion. Today, a few of these mines can still be experienced from trailsides and museums that provide access to old tunnels. For instance, you can feel a steady flow of cool air while standing at the entrance of the Ebner Adit near the start of the Perseverance Trail. For a more immersive experience, the AJ Mine and Gastineau Mill Tour will take you into what was once one of the world’s most productive mines, and you can pan for gold and garnets back at the mill, keeping what you find.
5. Experience the Mountains from Multiple Perspectives
Photo courtesy of Gavin Longworth
The coastal mountains surrounding Juneau can, and should, be appreciated from several vantage points to truly appreciate their scale and diversity. A helicopter tour over the 3,000-year-old Juneau Icefield will make you feel as if you are on another planet as your guide contextualizes the glaciers below within an impressive geologic timeline. For a more intimate alpine rendezvous, go for a hike on one or more of Juneau’s 250+ miles of trails. A few of these trails are accessible from the top of the Goldbelt Tram, offering a top shot of Juneau and the rainforest below. Of course, you can always marvel at the peaks from afar, perhaps from the shore of Eagle Beach, which is located in a geographically diverse park just north of town.
6. Visit a Craft Brewery
Each of Juneau’s craft breweries is an ideal place to decompress and refuel after a packed day of adventure, but some take it a step further, offering tours which allow you to learn more about the various beers and spirits being produced on site. Even before you step foot in one of the tasting rooms, you’ll be able to smell the malt aroma permeating the air. You might just grow accustomed to it as you learn from experts about what makes the local flavors so unique, then taste variations of beer made with ingredients like Sitka spruce tips and raspberries.
7. Go Birdwatching and Bird Call Listening
Photo courtesy of Gavin Longworth
Every birdwatching expert knows that there’s more to this relaxing pastime than using your eyesight alone. Keep your ears attuned for bird sounds as you hike on Juneau’s spectacular trails. Alongside the roar of Nugget Falls in Mendenhall Recreation Area, for instance, you might hear eagles laughing high above in the spruce trees. Ravens, which play an important role in Alaska’s Indigenous culture, likewise emit a wide range of calls. You may also spot Varied and Hermit Thrushes, grouse, and owls in the forest. Along the coastline, you’ll marvel at Marbled Murrelets, various gulls, white-winged Scoters, Blue Herons, and more. In fact, over 280 bird species nest in Juneau, and June is the best month to find them, from hummingbirds to Bald Eagles.
8. Indulge in a Food Tour
Indulge in the array of local flavors and taste for yourself how there is more to Alaska’s culinary offerings than salmon alone. Juneau Food Tours can guide you on a curated walking tour, or you can research and plan your own culinary itinerary based on personal preferences. From casual joints like Deckhand Dave’s taco truck to local coffee shops like Heritage Coffee, this needn’t be an expensive endeavor. You can also take your sweet time; we recommend picking up crackers and salmon at Taku Smokeries, then chowing down on them while watching the sunset from the beach.
9. Ponder (Im)permanency As You Watch Glaciers Calve
Photo courtesy of Austin Hawkins
Bundle up and enjoy viewing the Mendenhall Glacier or hike to the Herbert Glacier, both near Juneau. Alternatively, take a seven-hour day trip to the Tracy Arm Wilderness Area with True Alaskan Tours, an Indigenous-owned excursion company. Here, you’ll observe the dynamic movements of tidewater glaciers. Not only will you hear the whip-crack sound of glaciers calving, but you might also catch sight of eagles, harbor seals, and whales. Don’t forget to pack a pair of binoculars to search for mountain goats and bears, both of which can be found in the picturesque woods and near waterfalls on shore.
10. Support the Local Community by Shopping Small
Admire the natural elements of local handicrafts as you peruse the Sealaska Heritage Store for meaningful souvenirs, jewelry, and gifts. The smooth yet intricately detailed texture of a traditional bentwood box will leave you in awe of the artist’s precision and intentionality. Meanwhile, the motifs on a woven blanket can captivate your imagination as you wonder at their meanings. To further feel the artistic threads of Juneau, cross the street to Heritage Square, where you might find an active artist workshop to observe or join. Bring home a hand-crafted souvenir, a new skill, or new knowledge of local traditional and contemporary arts.
