The Local Perspective: 5 Places to Visit in Juneau

This month has been a busy one with family and friends coming to visit. With tourist season in full swing, we’ve been able to take our visitors to some of our favorite Juneau attractions. I thought I’d share our 5 favorites with you.

#1 Mendenhall Glacier

Mendenhall Glacier is easily viewable from the parking lot and the nice visitor center. For those that enjoy hiking, my favorite trails are the 20 minute walk out to Nugget Falls (see the photo), and the East Glacier trail which is a 3 mile loop. If you come at the right time of year, you just might see bears feeding on salmon in streams just below a raised walkway off the parking lot.

#2 Jensen-Olson Arboretum

The Jensen-Olson Arboretum is a historic homestead sight that was donated by the family to the city as a free arboretum for the community. It is a beautiful beach side property. The tour buses do not come here, so it is one of the few places often quiet during the summer. It’s a wonderful spot to take a picnic and either sit on the beach or the lawn. After lunch you can explore the vegetable garden and the flowerbeds.

#3 DIPAC Salmon Hatchery

#4 Mt. Roberts Tram

#5 Glacier Gardens

Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure has a beautiful greenhouse, perfect for small functions, just off the parking lot. I also believe it has the best gift shop in this tourist-oriented town. Your adventure begins behind the greenhouse where you will meet your golf-cart buggy which will take you up to a mountaintop look out. The golf-cart drivers, your guides for your ride both up and down the mountain, will explain the history of the area and provide interesting information about the terrain as you drive by. If you have not gotten out on one of our many hiking trails, the ride up and down is well worth it. If you have managed to get out on the trails, at least stop by the gift shop and greenhouse at the base of the mountain.