The Best Reasons to Visit Alaska in the Summer

There’s a reason summer is Alaska’s biggest travel season. In Juneau, it’s when hiking trails are accessible, whales return to Southeast Alaska’s waters, local tour operators are out in full force, and the extra daylight gives you more time to see the city and everything surrounding it.

And summer isn’t finished yet. August is still a great time to experience Juneau, with many of the activities that define an Alaska summer continuing into September. If you’re considering a last-minute trip or already thinking ahead to next year, here are a few reasons summer is such a good time to visit.

You Can See Humpback Whales in the Wild

Juneau is one of Alaska’s best-known whale-watching destinations, and summer falls right in the middle of humpback whale season.

Humpbacks migrate to Southeast Alaska to feed in its nutrient-rich waters, with local tours departing regularly from Auke Bay. Depending on the day, you may see whales surfacing, breaching, or showing their tails before a deep dive. You may also spot orcas, along with Steller sea lions, harbor seals, bald eagles, and other local wildlife.

For many visitors, whale watching is one of the highlights of the entire Alaska trip.

Mendenhall Glacier Is Right Outside the City

You don’t have to travel hours into the wilderness to see one of Alaska’s glaciers. Mendenhall Glacier is about 13 miles from downtown Juneau and is part of the massive Juneau Icefield. Visitors can see the glacier from several viewpoints and explore the surrounding recreation area on foot.

Popular options include the short Photo Point Trail and the approximately two-mile Nugget Falls Trail, which leads to the 377-foot waterfall beside the glacier. More experienced hikers can tackle longer trails for different views of the lake, glacier, and surrounding mountains.

Afterward, head back toward town and stop for a local beer and mountain views before dinner.

The Hiking Is Hard to Beat

Juneau has more than 250 miles of hiking trails, so you can find an option for just about any schedule or ability level.

Perseverance Trail begins close to downtown and follows the route of one of Alaska’s earliest mining roads. The Mount Roberts Trail climbs through the rainforest above the city and connects with the upper tram area. Around Mendenhall Glacier, East Glacier Loop takes hikers through the Tongass National Forest and offers a more substantial outing than the shorter visitor-area trails.

You can also take the Goldbelt Tram up Mount Roberts and explore trails from the top if you want the views without hiking the full elevation from downtown.

You Can Spend a Day on the Water

Juneau is surrounded by water, and some of the best summer experiences happen on it.

Beyond whale-watching tours, visitors can kayak, canoe, fish, take sightseeing cruises, or head out on more adventurous excursions around the channels surrounding Juneau. Guided trips make it possible to get closer to glaciers and explore areas you wouldn’t reach on your own.

There’s also something to be said for simply seeing Juneau from the water. The combination of mountains rising almost directly from the shoreline is one of the things that makes the area look so different from many other Alaska destinations.

Or See the Juneau Icefield From Above

Juneau is also one of those places where getting somewhere can become part of the experience. You have lots of options to explore Juneau your way.

Floatplanes and helicopters give visitors an aerial view of the mountains, glaciers, and Juneau Icefield. Some helicopter excursions include glacier landings, while other trips combine flightseeing with experiences such as dog sledding on the ice.

Yes, you can go dog sledding in the middle of summer in Alaska. It’s one of the more unusual ways to experience a classic Alaska activity without planning a winter vacation.

There’s Plenty to Eat After a Day Outside

Juneau’s summer food scene deserves room on the itinerary, especially if you make a point of looking beyond the most obvious stops.

Seafood is an easy place to start. Tracy’s King Crab Shack has developed a huge following for its king crab and other Alaska seafood. It’s also a small family business with a connection to Silverbow: Jill’s son works at Tracy’s.

Food trucks are another good option during the summer. Dave’s Tacos is a longtime Juneau favorite, serving tacos from its bright bus downtown.

Juneau also has local breweries and distilleries where you can stop after hiking or sightseeing. Forbidden Peak Brewery in Auke Bay pairs locally brewed beer with views of the surrounding mountains, making it a particularly good stop if your day takes you toward Mendenhall Glacier or Auke Bay.

Want to pack lunch instead? Stop at Rainbow Foods downtown for picnic supplies before heading out for the day.

Downtown Juneau Is Worth Exploring, Too

It’s easy to fill an Alaska itinerary with excursions, but leave some time for Juneau itself. Downtown is compact and walkable, with independent shops, restaurants, historic buildings, museums, and reminders of the city’s Gold Rush history packed into a relatively small area.

Visit the Alaska State Museum to learn more about Alaska Native cultures and the state’s history. Walk over to the State Capitol. Explore the historic downtown streets, then stop for a drink or dinner without needing to get back in the car.

Silverbow Inn is right downtown, which makes it easy to explore on foot and use the hotel as a starting point for adventures farther out.

August Still Counts as Alaska Summer

If you’ve been thinking you missed your chance to visit Alaska this summer, you may have more time than you think.

August remains an active travel month in Juneau, and many tours and seasonal activities continue into September. The days are getting shorter, but that also means visitors begin to see more noticeable sunsets and darker evenings after Alaska’s longest summer days.

If a trip this year isn’t realistic, now is also a good time to start looking ahead. Summer 2027 will bring another season of whale watching, hiking, glacier trips, days on the water, and plenty of time to see why Juneau is worth more than a quick stop.

Make Silverbow Inn your downtown home base, and build the rest of your Alaska summer from there.