1. Last Chance Mining Museum

It was used by the Alaska Juneau Gold Mining Company in the early to mid-1900s. The Last Chance Mining Museum is in the Compressor Building. The museum’s main goal is to show off the equipment and tools that were used to dig gold during the Gold Rush.

The museum has more than just one of the biggest air compressors in the world. It also has tools and other items, trains, and rail cars. Plus, you can walk to the museum, which takes you on a beautiful trip. From May to September, the museum is open every day.

PO Box 21264, Juneau, AK 99802, 907-586-5338

More ideas: Best Things to Do in Anchorage

3. Juneau-Douglas City Museum

The Juneau-Douglas City Museum is open all year, and during the off season, it’s free to get in thanks to sponsors in the area.

Many different parts of Juneau’s past are preserved at the museum, which has displays about mining, fishing, and the city’s culture.

Juneau grew from a small town to a big city thanks to the fishing business. You can see this on a walking tour of downtown Juneau. You can also visit Juneau’s oldest church and end the tour by looking around an old house.

114 W 4th St, Juneau, AK 99801, 907-586-3572

4. Jenson-Olsen Arboretum

Caroline Jenson, a passionate gardener and primrose lover, started the Jenson-Olsen Arboretum. She put her own private garden in a temperate jungle right on the ocean, which might not seem like a good place for a garden. The garden was given to the City of Juneau by her after she died. It is now a popular outdoor science room where people can learn a lot about the environment and nature. People can enjoy walking through a number of different areas, such as the Rhododendron Corridor, the native beds, the vegetable garden, and the big Crescent Bed, which is where the beautiful primroses shine in the spring and summer. There are benches all over the park where you can sit and enjoy the view of the ocean and gardens.

Jenson-Olsen Arboretum, 23000 Glacier Hwy, Juneau, AK 99801, 907 789 0139

5. Harv and Marv’s Outback Alaska

Harv and Marv’s Outback Alaska has small boats with room for 6 to 18 people that are perfect for private and unique whale watching trips. On a normal trip, you can take pictures with Humpback Whales, Bald Eagles, and Sea Lions. Tours leave at different times during the day, go around in just over 4 hours, and include 3 full hours of watching whales.

There are soft drinks, snacks, bottled water, and glasses for guests to use. You can go on a tour by yourself or with a group, and all of them include a free stop at the Brotherhood Bridge to see Mendenhall Glacier. Each tour is different and can be changed based on the weather, the guests’ tastes, and the wildlife’s behavior.

PO Box 32825, Juneau, AK 99803, 907-209-7288

6. Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure

Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure started out as a project to fix up a stream, but it has grown into a one-of-a-kind garden in the Tongass National Forest.

The weather in Southeast Alaska is very different from the rest of the state, so Glacier Gardens has some very different shows and exhibits.

The business gives trips of the forest with guides and shuttles where you can learn about the plants and the area.

Guests can go on tours without a guide, which let you discover the newly built walking paths at your own pace. The business is only 7 miles from the Port of Juneau and works with major ship lines.

Glacier Gardens, 7600 Glacier Highway, Juneau Alaska, 99801, 907-790-3377

7. Alaskan Brewery Company

The Alaskan Brewing Company wanted to include a bit of Alaskan history in every bottle since they were the first brewery to open in Juneau after Prohibition. They are known for making beers that honor Juneau’s past and natural resources, like Alaskan Amber, a reinterpretation of a beer from the Gold Rush. Pure glacial water, Sitka fir tips, and alder-smoked malts are some of the unique ingredients that are used to make seasonal, limited-edition, and all-year beers.

People can start their trip at the company’s base in downtown Juneau, where they can shop for Alaskan-style clothes, outerwear, barware, and gifts. From there, they can take a shuttle to the brewery and tasting room.

5429 Shaune Drive, Juneau, AK 99801, 907-780-5866

8. Gastineau Guiding Company

Since 1994, Gastineau Guiding Company has been taking people into Alaska. Five different kinds of small group trips are led by dedicated and skilled local guides. views include hikes through the rainforest, photo safaris to glaciers, views of downtown areas, tram rides, and treks along the forest floor. You can also book private tours and charters with Gastineau Guiding, and you can choose to have a picnic lunch or a meal provided.

All of the guides are trained according to the rules of the National Association of Interpretation, and all whale watching trips follow the Alaska Humpback Whale Approach Regulations. Gastineau has been named “Best Local Guiding Company” by the Juneau Empire and “Shore Excursion of the Season” by cruise ship guests many times.

1330 Eastaugh Way, Suite 2, Juneau, AK 99801, 907-586-8231

9. DIPAC Macaulay Salmon Hatchery

DIPAC’s stated goal is to promote Alaska’s salmon supplies and reach out to the public through education and tourism. The hatchery has many events and exhibits that are open to everyone all year. Along with the aquariums, which are home to more than 150 different species, the touch tank lets you get up close and personal with some sea monsters.

People come to the hatchery for fun, but schools also take field trips there. They put on events every fall and spring to teach kids in the area about sea life.

2697 Channel Drive, Juneau, AK, 99801, 1-877-463-CHUM (2486)

10. Coastal Helicopters

You can take dog sled rides and helicopter tours of Herbert Glacier in Tongass National Forest with Coastal Helicopters. The Icefield Tour flies over Alaska’s wild places before landing for a once-in-a-lifetime walk on a glacier. The Dog Sled Tour includes a helicopter ride to Blue Kennels dog sled camp, where 80 Alaskan Huskies meet guests and give them a real mushing experience.

You can also book custom chopper tours or a trip that combines a dog sled with a walkabout on the Glacier. Last but not least, the Taku Glacier Adventure includes a helicopter flight, a walk on the glacier, and an airboat ride up the Taku River.

8995 Yandukin Drive, Juneau, AK 99801, 900-789-5610

11. Sealaska Heritage Institute

The Sealaska Heritage Institute is a non-profit organization whose goal is to share and bring attention to Southeast Alaskan Native culture. Visitors and locals can enjoy the group’s exhibits, educational chances, and programs.

The Sealaska Heritage Institute has collections of artifacts, books, manuscripts, pictures, and recordings. The archives can only be seen by request.

105 S. Seward St., Suite 201, Juneau, AK 99801, 907-463-4844

12. Adventure Bound Alaska

Adventure Bound Alaska offers full-day cruises up Tracy Arm, a beautiful fjord that is only 45 miles south of Juneau. Tracy Arm is a “must see” on any trip to Alaska. It has tidewater and raised glaciers, mile-high sheer rock walls, waterfalls, and Alaska’s biggest icebergs.

On Adventure Bounds’ two Coast Guard-inspected boats, guests can walk around the decks and stay warm while looking for whales, bears, mountain goats, seals, and other animals. On board, you can buy sandwiches, coffee, cold drinks, and snacks. Guests are also welcome to bring their own food.

76 Egan Drive #110, Juneau, AK 99801, 907-463-2509

13. Above & Beyond Alaska

More than and beyond Alaska is a company that offers guided tours in the Tongass National Forest and the wild areas around Juneau. Because Above and Beyond works with the US Forest Service, they can get to the most beautiful and well-kept parts of the National Forest. All of their trainers know how to stay alive in the wild and do CPR. You can go on most trips from May to September.

There are different packages that can take you on a 6-hour walk or a multi-day trip with a helicopter ride. For people who want to go on an adventure by themselves, they also offer a boat taxi service and a service where you can rent gear.

PO Box 211202 Auke Bay, AK 99821, 907-364-2333

14. Eagle Beach State Recreation Area

The Lynn Canal, the Juneau Mountains, and the Chilkat Mountains can be seen from Eagle Beach State Recreation Area, which is just north of Juneau. You can go swimming here and have a great time. Wildlife from far away, like whales, seals, and sea lions, live there.

There are 26 campsites at Eagle Beach, and each one has drinkable water and a bathroom. An extensive network of trails makes it possible for walkers of all skill levels to enjoy the area. The Recreation Area has great cross-country ski paths in the winter.

Mile 29, Glacier Highway, Juneau, AK, 907-465-4563

15. Alaska State Museum

In their goal statement, the Alaska State Museums say that they will collect and preserve natural parts of Alaska’s history so that people can see and use them. They are also involved in the growth of other museums in Alaska.

The museum has both fixed and temporary displays that teach people about Alaska’s native cultures as well as modern Alaskan cultures like music and art. The museum will move to a new 118,000-square-foot building in the spring of 2016. The new building will have many halls, libraries, and an auditorium.

395 Whittier Street, Juneau, AK 99801, 907-465-2901

More top ideas in Juneau: Tracy Arm Fjord and Mendenhall Glacier

16. Wings Airways & the Taku Glacier Lodge

Wings Airways is a business that gives tours of the glaciers in the Juneau area to see them from above. Guests can see the beautiful scenery of the Tongass National Forest from above with floatplane trips. Floatplanes are planes that use pontoons instead of wheels to take off and rest on water.

The Taku Glacier Lodge, which was built in 1923 and has been used for many things since then, is where they are based. The Taku Lodge is where guests stay and eat meals with King Salmon straight from the Taku River.

2 Marine Way, Suite 175, Juneau, AK 99801, 907-586-6275

17. Shrine of St. Therese

The Shrine of St. Therese is a service of the Diocese of Juneau. It is a beautiful and peaceful place where people of all faiths and walks of life are welcome. 22 miles north of downtown Juneau.

The shrine is dedicated to Alaska’s patron saint, St. Therese of Lisieux. She is famous for writing “The Story of a Soul,” in which she says that strong love is more important than great acts. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, Mass is held every Sunday. You can also rent the space for weddings, funerals, and gatherings for small or large groups.

21425 Glacier Hwy, Juneau, AK 99801, 907-586-2227 ex. 24

18. Eaglecrest Ski Area

It is possible to ski on more than 640 acres at Eaglecrest Ski Area, which has a height difference of more than 1500 feet. Since it’s only 12 miles from downtown Juneau, it’s very convenient for people who want to come during the winter. Anyone can ski or snowboard on their many slopes, no matter how good they are. They will rent you everything you need if you are in town but don’t have any of your gear.

They also teach people who have never skied or snowboarded before how to do it. They teach people who have never been to a ski mountain how to ski, and they also teach people who want to switch from skiing to snowboarding.

No Address Provided, 907-790-2000

19. Hangar on the Wharf

Juneau’s Hanger on the Wharf is inside the Historic Merchants Wharf. It was originally the home of Alaskan Airlines and was used to store float planes. It’s no longer used as a hangar, but it has become one of Juneau’s most famous restaurants and meeting spots, with great food and views. Popular meals from all over the world are on the menu, with a focus on fresh Alaskan fish and seafood. However, meat eaters have not been forgotten; they can choose from burgers, steaks, sandwiches, and more. There are many craft beers to choose from, as well as wines, drinks, and cocktails.

Hangar on the Wharf, 2 Marine Way, Suite 106, Juneau, AK 99801, 907 586 5018

20. Wickersham State Historic Site

The National Register of Historic Places lists the House of Wickhersham as a building that was built in 1898. The person named James Wickhersham was a traveler, a federal judge, and a member of Congress. He built the Alaska Railroad and the University of Alaska, which are both named after him.

Because he had such a big impact on the growth of Alaska, his old house is now a popular tourist spot.

The season for them to be open starts in May. His life story and the history of the Gold Rush can be learned from pictures and artifacts that the State of Alaska has kept safe for this reason.

Wickersham State Historic Site, 213 7th Street, Juneau, AK 99801, 907-586-9001

21. The Rookery Cafe

The Rookery Café is a coffee shop and diner that serves lunch, dinner, and a brunch on Saturdays. They try to make most of their food from scratch. The Rookery has the best coffee in downtown Juneau because it is the only place in Alaska that serves Stumptown Coffee.

Small plates like a Pickle Board and Crispy Gustavus Potatoes are on the lunch menu. There are also soups, sandwiches, and big plates like The Rookery Ramen. The dinner menu changes all the time so that fresh, local products are always used.

111 Seward St, Juneau, AK 99801, 907-463-3013

22. AJ Mine Gastineau Mill Tour

If you want to learn about Juneau’s mining past, the AJ Mine Gastineau Mill Tour lets you see what used to be the world’s most productive gold mine. It takes about two hours to do the trip.

Along the way, you will learn about the mine’s history and see trained miners show you how things were done in the past. At the end of the walk, you can pan for gold to try your hand at mining. In the state of Alaska, this is the only real deep mine tour. It also has the first steam engine to run in Alaska.

P.O. Box 34105, Juneau, AK 99803, 907-463-5017

23. The Statue of Patsy Ann

For more than ten years, a Bull Terrier named Patsy Ann waited quietly on the Juneau Quay to greet all the people who came and went. She worked so hard and with so much energy that people called her Juneau’s Official Greeter. Soon, Patsy Ann was the most photographed dog in Juneau, and many postcards had pictures of her on them. She didn’t do well sitting around at home, so she spent her days wandering the streets and dock yards, where everyone loved her. 50 years after she died, New Mexico artist Anna Burke Harris had a beautiful bronze figure made of her and put it in the place where Patsy Ann spent a lot of her life.

The Statue of Patsy Anne, 254 Marine Way, Juneau, AK 99801

24. Goldbelt Tram

Goldbelt Tram is the only aerial tramway in southeast Alaska. It has been open since 1996 and runs from May to September.

From downtown Juneau’s cruise ship dock, cars go up 1,800 feet through the rainforest to get to the Mountain House. Views of Juneau and the Gastineau Channel are very wide. Riders can then go to Mount Roberts, the Nature Center, or the Chilkat Theater.

The Raven Eagle gift shop and gallery are at the Timberline Bar and Grill, which is at the top of Mount Roberts. An all-day pass for the tram can be bought at the Tramway Station or on all big cruise ships. Kids under 5 ride for free.

Goldbelt Tram , 490 S Franklin Street, Juneau, AK 99801, 888-461-8726

25. Nugget Falls

In Tongass National Forest, the 0.8-mile Nugget Falls walk starts halfway down Photo Point walk.

There is a 377-foot waterfall called Nugget Falls that ends the trail. It drops in two levels into Mendenhall Lake. Nugget Creek comes from Nugget Glacier and flows into the falls.

If you go to the falls, you can see the end of Mendenhall Glacier in beautiful blue ice and big black bears fishing for sockeye salmon.

The trail was recently leveled out to make it a flat, easy hike that people of all skill levels enjoy. The round-trip walk takes about 45 minutes.

6000 Glacier Spur Rd, Juneau, AK 99801