Top Juneau Historical Tours

The Treadwell mine collapse of 1917 ended an era of gold and industry in Alaska. Today, the preserved ruins of this massive site sit quietly among the trees. While the forest has grown in around it, the foundations, machinery, and stories still remain. This guided walking tour takes you through the original streets of Treadwell, past towering ruins, old mine shafts, and up to the edge of the 1917 cave-in. Along the way, carefully placed immersive media scenes help bring key moments of history to life right where they happened. The tour spans 2–3 miles of scenic walking trails, showcasing a century-old industrial footprint that few visitors ever see. Along the way, your guide shares stories of the people who both built and lost this remarkable place.

Three self-guided audio tours starting steps from the cruise dock: the downtown Juneau walking tour plus the Mount Roberts and Perseverance Trail hikes — 47 GPS story stops. One purchase plays from one phone as you explore together. Written by a born-and-raised Southeast Alaskan; GPS triggers each story hands-free, fully offline. Just so it's clear: this is not a live human guide and not a paper ticket — it's a self-guided audio experience written by someone who actually walks these trails. You'll hear how Gold Creek built a capital city, stand at the Glory Hole, meet Patsy Ann at the waterfront, climb past Father Brown's Cross, and stop by the Red Dog Saloon and St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church — stories no placard will hand you. No date, no time limit, no expiry — and no signal needed on the trails. Setup takes about 2 minutes — full steps are on your Viator ticket and in your confirmation email (check spam). In the app, your pass appears as "Downtown Juneau Explorer."

Skip the hassles of driving and slow-moving walking tours. With this private pedicab tour, you’ll explore Juneau in the open air and cover serious ground—with an expert guide at your disposal. Stopping at all the spots you want to explore and photograph, you’ll get a custom downtown tour highlighting the city’s history, culture, and daily life, enriching your experience of this scenic Alaskan city.

Learn more about Indigenous Alaskan culture, past and present, with this small-group tour than you ever could from any old guidebook. See the local wilderness in a whole new light and hear the stories behind the totem poles in the area. Take a scenic tram ride up Mount Roberts, where you find things like a shop and a beer garden to explore, as well as incredible views.

Perhaps the most scenic US capital, Juneau—carved into a hillside, tumbling into the sea—is rife for road-tripping. On this private tour, you won’t have to worry about the driving, sitting back to enjoy views of Mendenhall Glacier, the Gastineau Channel, downtown, and more. You’ll likely also catch views of wildlife, including whales and seals, for a memorable, only-in-Alaska adventure.

Enjoy the intimacy of just your family and friends — up to 5 — on a private sightseeing tour of gorgeous Juneau. See the Mendenhall Glacier from a scenic lookout; as well as mountain vistas, eagles, salmon, seals, and more. Ride in a luxury hybrid SUV, with mid-row captain seats and an expansive moonroof for spotting eagles soaring above. Take comfort in a heated seat (if temps are too cool for your liking), and charge your phone while relaxing in style. Your guide is a local family man, who has lived in Juneau since 2016. Learn about the town’s history, while your eyes feast on the scenery. * Start times are flexible, both earlier and later times are possible (contact me). * The DIPAC Salmon Hatchery is open May 4-Sept 30. A visit is optional; another site or two can take its place. * More people in your group means more savings per person * If your party has six, I may be able to accommodate them. Contact me. * Guaranteed to return you to your ship before its departure

Alaska's dramatic glaciers are best experienced up close, and this full-day tour takes you right to them. Heading out from Juneau on a purpose-built expedition vessel, explore the Tracy Arm Wilderness Area from a vantage point on the water—a perspective many travelers miss. Snap photos of pristine scenery and experience the area's natural wonders from the comfort of the boat during this 8.5-hour adventure.

One pass, eight Juneau audio tours — Mendenhall Glacier, Nugget Falls, Mount Roberts, the Perseverance Trail, the 70-mile scenic drive, and downtown — plus a quick 90-minute glacier-drive edition for short port days. One purchase plays from one phone for everyone with you. Written by a born-and-raised Southeast Alaskan; GPS triggers each story automatically, hands-free. To be clear: this is a self-guided app experience — no live guide, no paper ticket, no bus schedule. Download before you sail — everything works with zero cell service. This is the Juneau the crowded bus tours skip — rainforest trails, gold-rush ruins, the bears at Steep Creek — for less than one seat on a bus tour. No date, no time limit, no expiry. Driving audio plays through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; transcripts in six languages. Setup takes about 2 minutes — full steps are on your Viator ticket and in your confirmation email (check spam). In the app, your pass appears as "The Ultimate Juneau Experience."

Get away from the crowds and experience Alaska’s grandest marine life from an intimate, 20-person vessel. Less disruptive to wildlife, you’ll get a front-row seat to the 49th State’s most beloved creatures—including whales, sea lions, eagles, and more. You’ll also get to scope out ice-blue glaciers, rocky shorelines, and hidden inlets from the comfort of the heated cabin or right from the catamaran's bow.

Discover the captivating charm of Juneau, Alaska, where natural beauty and rich history intertwine. This sightseeing tour invites you to explore the city’s historic streets and vibrant arts scene, all while enjoying stunning views of majestic mountains and pristine waters. Engage with local culture and create unforgettable memories as you navigate through this picturesque capital city. - Explore Juneau's historic streets and local arts scene - Experience breathtaking landscapes of mountains and waters - Learn about the rich cultural heritage from expert guides - Ideal for travelers seeking cultural immersion and scenic beauty

Turn Juneau's out-the-road scenic drive into a story: 70 miles and 42 GPS stories that play automatically — glacier viewpoints, Eagle Beach, the Shrine of St. Therese, the Amalga ghost town, and the sunken Treadwell gold mine. Hear the Áakʼw Ḵwáan history, the wreck of the Princess Sophia, and the island that gave up millions in gold before the ocean swallowed it. One price covers everyone in the car; audio plays through Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, or Bluetooth. Written by a born-and-raised Southeast Alaskan and fully offline — the dead zones don't matter. To be clear: this is an app on your own phone, not a live guide — and the vehicle isn't included. Drive either direction, pause anywhere, finish any day — 2 to 4 hours at your pace, no date, no time limit, no expiry. Setup takes about 2 minutes — full steps are on your Viator ticket and in your confirmation email (check spam). In the app, your tour appears as "Juneau Driving Extended Tour."

Auke Bay, with its harbor of whale watching vessels, lies about a half-hour’s ride from Juneau. This whale watching trip saves you the trouble of getting to the harbor and back with a round-trip shuttle directly from your cruise ship dock or a designated meeting point.

The Mendenhall Glacier is one of Juneau’s most impressive natural wonders, stretching over 13 miles (21 kilometers). On this half-day tour, enjoy spectacular views of the glacier from the viewing platforms and walkways, and learn more about the mighty glacier at the Visitor Center. Then, set sail on a thrilling whale-watching cruise along the coast and look out for humpback whales, as well as other wildlife such as bald eagles and blue heron.

When your cruise stops at Juneau, see whales in their natural habitat on this whale-watching boat trip, all without the fuss of organizing shore transport. Prebook to secure your place, board a comfortable boat with outdoor decks and heated cabins, and cruise Alaska’s waters to see marine life in the wild. Then, enjoy guaranteed sightings of humpback whales, with a naturalist providing commentary on their behaviors as you cruise.

If you wanted to get to know Juneau on a street-by-street level, then this exciting scavenger hunt is a great choice. Do more than stroll aimlessly as you’re sent in every direction on a quest to solve clues. Find items around Juneau and earn points. Complete zany challenges and claim even more points.

Paddle across Mendenhall Lake, past icebergs and waterfalls, on this guided Alaskan adventure. Explore the Tongass National Forest and hike near Mendenhall Glacier with expert guides. Enjoy breathtaking views and experience wildlife up close. This small-group tour offers a unique and unforgettable wilderness experience.

While most visitors only see the Mendenhall Glacier from crowded viewpoints, this tour takes adventurous travelers on a canoe trip to the base of the glacier for a completely different perspective of the majestic ice. With canoe lessons and a guide, the tour is open to first-time paddlers and the mellow water means you can take along a camera and capture the arctic cliffs, icebergs, and pristine blue ice.

Uncover the hidden supernatural secrets of Juneau on this private guided ghost walking tour, where history and haunting tales intertwine. Wander through the eerie alleyways of the Gold Rush era with your licensed guide, pausing at the famed Red Dog Saloon to listen for phantom piano notes. Explore the haunted Juneau Drug building, rich with maritime tragedies, before concluding your chilling adventure at the historic Alaskan Hotel, where mysterious apparitions are rumored to roam. Each tour is unique, adapting to conditions and visitor experiences for a truly memorable outing. - Feel spine-tingling chills as you traverse dimly lit alleyways filled with ghostly folklore. - Listen for haunting piano melodies in Juneau's iconic Red Dog Saloon. - Discover tragic maritime stories outside the historic Juneau Drug Co. Building. - Explore Alaska's oldest hotel and hear tales of shadowy apparitions in its hallways.

Combine a gold-panning shore excursion with a special salmon bake that's only available to visitors thanks to a special permit with this combo shore excursion. At Gold Creek and Last Chance Basin, learn how to cull the waters for the precious metal and potentially make your own small fortune exploring the gold fields on your own. Then visit Gold Creek to savor tasty Alaskan salmon at an all-you-can-eat buffet.

Experience the living cultures of the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian peoples at Sealaska Heritage. Step inside an authentic cedar clan house, explore immersive exhibits and monumental art, and learn about our totems. Your visit supports Alaska Native artists, language revitalization, and cultural programs rooted in thousands of years of tradition. Now on view: Their Grandparents’ Names on the Land an interactive exhibit revealing ancient place names and ingenious salmon and halibut technologies that sustained Native peoples for millennia.

See Mendenhall Glacier on your own schedule: four self-guided audio walks — the glacier overlooks, Nugget Falls, the Trail of Time, and the East Glacier Loop — 43 GPS story stops. One purchase plays from one phone as your group walks together; stories by a born-and-raised Southeast Alaskan trigger automatically, hands-free, fully offline. To be clear: this is an app experience on your own phone — no live guide and no paper ticket. Get there by bus, shuttle, or rideshare and explore at your own pace. Walk to Nugget Falls and hear the legend of Romeo the wolf. Find the tunnel blasted through solid granite on the East Glacier Loop. Stand where the ice reached in 1937 on the Trail of Time. In salmon season, watch black bears work Steep Creek. No date, no time limit, no expiry. Setup takes about 2 minutes — full steps are on your Viator ticket and in your confirmation email (check spam). In the app, your pass appears as "Mendenhall Glacier Explorer Pack."

The Brown Bears at Pack Creek range in size from small cubs of the year to large males coming in over 1000lbs. May to Mid-June is mating season and summer foraging. We see bears interact in a variety of ways and courtship behavior is common, we also often see bears digging for clams, or eating sedge grass. This is also a great time to watch sows playing with cubs, and the best time for encounters with large males. Mid-July to the end of September are the various Salmon Runs, this is when the bears go to work. The bears focus is on fishing. The primary viewing location is about ten meters from the creek. This is when we often see the most bears in view at a given moment, and the only time to get a picture of a bear with a fish in its mouth. Viewing distances at Pack Creek can be as close as 30ft away or as far as a 1,000yds out, depending on the individual bear and which food source they are using.