Why Juneau Is One of America’s Best Towns to Visit in 2026
Juneau, Alaska’s capital, is a place unlike any other in the United States. With no roads connecting it to the rest of the state, this remote city is only reachable by boat, plane, or birth. Surrounded by the vast Tongass National Forest—the world’s largest intact temperate rainforest—Juneau offers travelers a rare blend of rugged wilderness, rich history, and vibrant local culture. It landed at No. 7 on CNN’s list of America’s Best Towns to Visit 2026, thanks to its stunning landscape, abundant wildlife, fresh seafood, and unique frontier spirit.
More than 90% of the 1.5 million annual visitors arrive by cruise ship, but the city now caps daily disembarkations at 16,000 on most days, easing the summer crowds. Whether you come by sea or air, Juneau rewards those who venture off the beaten track.
Glaciers and Ice
The Mendenhall Glacier is the star of the show—a luminous blue frozen river that you can view from the road, hike alongside, kayak past, or even land on via helicopter. Sadly, it is retreating rapidly due to climate change and no longer touches Mendenhall Lake. For a less crowded but equally dramatic experience, take a day tour to Tracy Arm Fjord, home to the Dawes Glacier, ice cliffs, and waterfalls.
Whale Watching and Wildlife
Humpback whales migrate from Hawaii to feed in the nutrient-rich waters of Auke Bay each summer, often coming within close range of small boat tours. Family-owned Juneau Whale Tours offers intimate two-hour excursions with a maximum of about a dozen passengers. Orcas are a rarer but spectacular sight. On land, you might spot black bears, mountain goats, and bald eagles. The Mendenhall Wetlands Refuge is a prime birding area with 250 species, including sandpipers and Canada geese.
Hiking the Rainforest
Juneau is a hiker’s paradise. The Gold Creek Flume Trail is an easy walk from downtown that follows a historic boardwalk along a rushing creek and waterfall. The Perseverance Trail crosses bridges and passes old mine ruins, while the Mendenhall Basin Trail offers panoramic valley views. Locals say there are more trails than they can explore in a single summer.
Gold Rush History
Juneau owes its existence to the gold rush that began in 1880 after local Tlingit chief Cowee led prospectors Joe Juneau and Richard Harris to a stream rich in gold. The AJ Mine tour lets you don a hard hat and explore a small section of the 160 miles of tunnels. The Juneau-Douglas City Museum and the Alaska Museum offer deeper dives into the region’s history, from Native Tlingit culture to the sale of Alaska and the days of the Love Boat.
Where to Eat and Drink
No visit is complete without Alaskan king crab legs. Tracy’s Crab Shack is the iconic spot, but locals recommend The Hangar on the Wharf for the same delicious crab legs with stunning waterfront views of seaplanes and mountains. For a classic saloon experience, the Red Dog Saloon serves Duck Fart shots and live piano music. Jellyfish Donuts crafts individual warm donuts with inventive flavors like Alaskan Spruce and even a savory salmon donut. For a quiet craft beer, head to Devil’s Club Brewing Co. Pel’Meni offers inexpensive beef or potato dumplings with curry powder, sour cream, and hot sauce.
Getting Around and Staying
Most visitors sleep on cruise ships, but land options include the Four Points by Sheraton downtown, the historic Alaskan Hotel & Bar, or the cozy Grandma’s Feather Bed near the airport (a Best Western with a free shuttle). Rental cars are pricey, but hotel vans and Uber are available. The city bus runs along Egan Drive linking downtown to the airport.
With its temperate rainforest climate—expect rain about 230 days a year—Juneau is a destination for nature lovers and history buffs who don’t mind a little rain. As one lifelong resident put it, “one sunny day makes all the wet and cold days totally worth it.”
