Things to do with kids in Juneau, Alaska
Juneau is the somewhat isolated, Pacific Northwest-feeling capital of the incredibly large, incredibly wild state of Alaska. Only accessible by plane or boat it’s difficult to get there, but there really are so many things to do with kids in Juneau.
My husband spent some of his formative years in the interior of the state, and he, like many of the Alaskans I met, will be quick to tell you that Juneau is it’s own place, more temperate, more developed, etc. I have yet to make it farther, but I loved Juneau, as did my kids. It was a great place for us to get our first taste of this life-changing place.
I’ve broken this list down into two categories: free activities & adventure investments. There is so much to do out in nature that’s completely free, so pair lots of time exploring with whatever bigger adventures fit your budget and your family.
Free Activities
Mendenhall Glacier
It’s fairly unique to be able to access a glacier by car, but this is possible in Juneau. There is a fee associated with visiting the Visitor’s Center in the summer months, but it’s minimal (only $5 for adults, kids under 15 are free) and supports the Forest Service’s education efforts. The fee is only required if you want to take time in the Visitors Center, where there are some really interesting exhibits about the glacier, or take the Steep Creek Trail. All other trails and parking lot access are free of charge.
The glacier is visible from a viewing platform adjacent to the parking lot if you’re short on time. There are multiple hiking options from the Visitors Center. We really loved the Nugget Falls Trail, which will bring you up close and personal with waterfalls and Mendenhall Lake.
On a separate day we hiked the East Glacier Trail, which provides more elevated views of Mendenhall glacier and lake.
Auke Bay Recreation Area
Head here on a low tide (or a minus tide, which means extremely low) to explore the wonders of Juneau nature. This was our first stop on our first morning in Juneau, which happened to coincide with a minus tide and I think it completely imprinted on my children’s memories. They had such joy exploring tide pools and creatures all around the coast line, as well as playing in the forest, and still talk about it to this day.
We walked out to Point Louisa, which I highly recommend. Proper foot wear is so important. We were not prepared on this first day, and our shoes paid the price. We went immediately to purchase these Alaskan favorites to see us through the rest of the trip. These shoes are now a family staple for kids and adults, but whatever you love, make sure you bring them along for exploring the Alaskan coastlines.
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Historic Downtown Juneau
Downtown Juneau is an interesting place. There are more jewelry shops than you can imagine, playing on the city’s history with gold. While that interests my family very little, the waterfront and local shops are fun to browse through. Cruise ships dock right here in the harbor, so during the peak of the day downtown is chaotic with tourists, however, morning and evenings in downtown are really lovely and relaxed, with more small town vibes.
Make sure to walk all the way along the waterfront and take in some of the incredible Tlingit art that decorates the area. Souvenirs are easy to come by here. Try to find something made by a local artist if that’s your thing, watch boats and sea planes, grab food, try and avoid the crowds. It’s actually really lovely to be downtown in the evenings – all the cruise passengers are loaded up, downtown is quiet and the kids will be fascinated watching the massive ships sail away into the evening while grabbing some ice cream and hanging out on the boardwalk.
CC Favorite: The Grind Coffee, located right on the waterfront, was a beloved stop for me every time we were in the downtown area.
Beach Hopping
There are so many beaches and bays marking all of Juneau and the surrounding area. It’s well worth it to simply post up on a beach or a bay somewhere and take in the beauty. If you’re there at the right time of year (July), you can spot spawning salmon in the creeks feeding the bays. It’s a truly remarkable spectacle which we spent multiple hours observing. Even the tiniest of creeks will be thrashing with fish swimming against the currents, trying to fit themselves into the smallest spaces. My kids were enthralled with this for an entire week.
Eagle Beach
The name gives it away, but this is a great place to spot bald eagles, which are numerous and plenty in Juneau. This beach is sparse and eerie, but the presence of the eagles seems to make that fitting.
False Otter Beach
A beautiful rocky beach worth a snack break while the kids scamper and throw rocks into the water.
Lena Beach
A small creek feeds this bay and was teeming with salmon during our visit.
Sheep Creek Beach
Maybe my favorite of the bunch, this beach is located on the other side of Juneau. Drive through downtown and just keep going. It’s remarkable how quickly you’re back to pure nature. We stayed here for hours exploring and watching salmon.
Tongass National Forest
So much of the area surrounding Juneau is a part of this national forest, including some of the beaches mentioned above. While all of the beaches are easily accessible from parking areas, so much of the forest requires hiking to take in. Perhaps our favorite hike of the entire trip was the Auk Nu trail, located past Auke Bay, around mile marker 12 on Glacier Highway. The trail passes varying terrain and goes up to the John Muir cabin, where campers staying in the cabin are requested to act as park employees and greet hikers passing by. We met a super sweet family on our hike who were staying in the cabin for the weekend. A really lovely tradition with beautiful scenery.
Quick Tip: As is true of everywhere in Alaska, it’s important to be aware that this is a wild place. As you’re hiking, keep an eye out for signs of animals in the area. Make sure to make lots of noise so you don’t surprise an unsuspecting bear. They want to avoid you, so give them the chance to do so. We did see black bears in our backyard one morning, but never on the trails.
CC Favorite: After hitting the trails, take a break at Forbidden Peak Brewery, which sits right on the bay. Incredible views, nice atmosphere, good snacks and beer.
Berry Picking
There are so many open areas of nature and blueberries, salmon berries and a host of other options are plentiful. We had a great time picking salmon berries in the backyard of our home or blueberries on hiking trails and then turning them into desserts or muffins later that day.
Douglas Island
Head to Savikko Park (the Sandy Beach) if you catch a warm day and want to swim or hike the Treadwell Mine Historic Trail. The Island Pub offers great pizza, Alaskan brewed beer and fun view of the sea planes taking off from the water.
Twin Lakes Kids Playground
If you need a hiking break or just want a place to burn off some afternoon energy, this was the best playground we spotted. Our kids befriended some locals one evening and we ended up spending several unexpected hours here. There is a lot for kids to do and would be a great a place to bring an easy lunch or dinner.
Adventure Investments
Goldbelt Tram
Ascending Mount Roberts on the Goldbelt Tram is probably the most popular tourist activity in Juneau. Due to its proximity to the docks, cruise passengers love this one. While it’s often crowded, there is good reason for it. The views over Juneau from the top of Mount Roberts are spectacular. Hiking trails leaving from the tram stop are really special. Even though you will see more people on these trails than on any other you’ll choose in Juneau, you’ll have an incredible time.
Salmon Fishing
Hiring a boat to go fishing is an expensive, but sure fire way to ensure that you come home with the true Alaskan treasure – salmon. My kids are all super into fishing (inherited it from dad and grandpa), so this was a big expense, but for us, an opportunity we didn’t want to leave on the table. A hired captain takes you to the right spots, with the right gear and the right expertise.
Our crew was also super invested in teaching our kids about sustainable fishing practices, showing them which fish were ok to keep and which should be released. They even taught us how to best release the fish to ensure their health going back into the water. The respect they had for the ocean and its inhabitants was incredible.
As a bonus, we saw so many humpback whales. Our captain’s experience out on the water put us in the perfect place to see whales.
Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness
Visit the spectacular Sawyer Glacier, see some of the most incredible teal water, watch ice bergs float by, spot seals and whales and bears from the deck of a boat.
A trip out to Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness is truly unforgettable. This is a really great way to experience some of Alaska’s incredible nature if you have family members who are less capable of trekking or just want a relaxed, yet exciting day for the kids. Boat travel is also the only way to see the Tracy Arm fjord, unless you want to hire a sea plane. I’d recommend the boat, only because of the chance to get up close and personal to the glacier and the seals napping on ice bergs in the water.
We took a seven hour cruise straight from downtown Juneau. Lunch and hot beverages are provided on the ship, so it was easy to just jump on board and enjoy the ride. Bring layers, because the wind when you’re outdoors is brisk, but the views are incredible. Watching the glacier calving was honestly a favorite experience mine. Definitely consider this tour as your one big activity if you’re limited. I don’t think you’ll regret it.
Rainy Day Activities
Tongass is an actual rain forest, and Juneau locals will tell you that rain is a constant. Think Pacific Northwest in its climate. So most likely you will run into some rain. Usually it’s light, and you can press on anyways. If not, the Juneau Public Library was a great place to spend a few hours, with an entire section focused on Alaskan history. It was a nice (free) way to spend a rainy hour.
We spent another rainy day at the Dimond Park Aquatic Center. Your typical public pool, but with water slides and a lazy river, it was super fun for our kids and, again, affordable.
The Alaska State Museum offers histories of native Alaskan peoples and the state as a whole. The material is a bit dry for kids, but there was a lovely children’s area that we ended up sending them to while we read on. I think it’s best reserved as a rainy day activity, but a good option if it’s set in for a while.
Quick tip: This backpack cover is a great idea for a trip to Juneau, as most likely you’ll be experiencing some light rain. If you’re using a kid carrier for hiking, look into this rain cover for your pack and your kid.
I honestly can’t wait to go back to Alaska. I hope Juneau makes its way onto your list – I don’t think it will disappoint.
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