Written by Chillie Falls, July 10, 2023

As I am preparing for a couple Alaska cruises later this summer, I am investigating possible ambulatory accessible excursions for my ports. According to Travel Juneau, the city is committed to accommodating all visitors. So, here are a few accessible excursions I have found.

Mt Roberts Tram: Also known as the GoldBelt Tram. This tour is totally accessible. I did it last summer, and, if I have time, will go again this year. The views from Mt Roberts are breathtaking, despite the weather.

The Goldbelt Tram is located just south of downtown Juneau, just steps off the cruise ship dock. The tram makes a six-minute ascent up Mount Roberts from the lower terminal to a height of about 1,800 feet. A restaurant, theater, and retail shop are located at the top of the tramway, as well as connections to trails leading both up and down the mountain.

The tram has two 60-passenger cabins, capable of a maximum uphill capacity of 1050 people per hour. Maximum speed is 2,000 ft/min (10 m/s; 23 mph). This type of tram is known as a double-reversible or “jig-back”. Both cabins are coupled to a common haul rope and they move in unison, one up and one down.

Alaska State Museum

The Alaska State Museum is a great way to experience the history, art, and culture of the many diverse regions of Alaska through extensive permanent exhibits augmented by seasonally changing exhibits. Museum admission during the summer season is $14 for people 19 to 64 years of age, people 65 years of age or older are $13, and youth (18 and under) are free. The museum is located at 395 Whittier St., Juneau, AK 99801.

We are open Tuesday – Sunday from 9 am – 4:30 pm. In April we will be open Mondays from 12 – 4:30 pm. Starting in May we will be open Tuesday- Sunday 9 am – 4:30 pm and Mondays 1 – 4:30 pm. 

 For groups larger than 10 persons, we recommend calling and making an appointment. Otherwise, walk-in visits are welcome. 

For those who are interested in an Annual Pass: the cost is $40 for one calendar year pass for one person and can be purchased at the Alaska State Museum Visitor Services front desk. 

Juneau-Douglas City Museum

A visit to The Juneau-Douglas City Museum will introduce you to the rich and diverse community of the greater Juneau-Douglas area through guided walking tours and exhibits focusing on local history, art and culture. Open year round, we offer permanent exhibits on fishing (including a 500-700 year old basketry-style fish trap), mining, skiing, Southeast Alaska Native history and lifestyles, politics and statehood. We also offer a variety of temporary exhibits throughout the year including shows by local artists and topical exhibits on local history and culture.

Summer Hours & Admission (May-September 2022)

• Monday-Friday 9am-6pm
• Saturday-Sunday, 10am-4:30pm

Winter Hours & Admission (October-April)

• Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4pm
• Closed Sunday & Monday
• FREE Admission

The Museum Store features items by local artists, books and trail guides by local authors, jewelry, Capitol souvenirs, postcards, and more.

Guided Walking Tours are available May-September and can be booked by calling the City Museum at (907) 586-3572. 

Historic Downtown Juneau Walking Tour

Set out with a local tour guide to learn about the cultures and history of Juneau. This walking tour is chock-full of stories and covers about 10 city blocks of the downtown business district and bordering neighborhood. Participants will learn about Juneau’s first inhabitants, view totem poles, hear the tales of prominent personalities from the early days, and see how the thirst for gold literally changed the landscape of downtown Juneau. This tour begins at the City Museum and ends at Alaska’s Capital Inn, the historic home of Gold Rush pioneer John Olds. Built in 1906, the Inn has been restored and furnished with turn of the century elegance and is run as a bed and breakfast today. Price of tour includes admission to the City Museum, a 20% discount on select items in the Museum Store, and tea time at Alaska’s Capital Inn.

• Reservations recommended.
• Tour Length: Approximately 90 minutes.
• Price: $31.50

Alaska State Capitol Tour

The Alaska State Capitol Building in Juneau has served as the symbol and seat of government for more than 90 years and continues to be a working Capitol today. The building hosts the Alaska Legislature, the offices of the Governor of Alaska and Lieutenant Governor of Alaska, and houses an impressive collection of both historical and contemporary Alaskan art. Join a local guide for a tour of the interior of the Capitol and learn about the building’s architecture, the art collection, the Alaska Legislature, and some of the people who helped to shape Alaska’s political history. This tour starts in the Capitol lobby. Capitol tours are not available on Saturdays or Sundays.

• No reservations. Sign-up at the Capitol 5 minutes before tour.
• Tour Length: Approximately 60 minutes.
• Price: FREE

Juneau True Crime Tour

This guided tour starts and ends at the City Museum and is led by former Juneau criminal reporters, Ed Schoenfeld and Betsy Longenbaugh who will focus on historic Juneau murders. Price of tour includes admission to the City Museum and a 20% discount on select items in the Museum Store.  Space is limited to 15 participants. This tour is recommended for adults and may be suitable for mature teens.

• Reservations required
• Tour Length: Approximately 120 minutes.
• Price:$31.50

Treadwell Mine Complex Walking Tour

Join local tour guide, Rich Mattson, to walk the Treadwell Mine Historic Trail on Douglas Island and learn how Treadwell grew from a single gold claim into four mines, five mills, and a bustling community of workers and their families. Rich Mattson grew up playing in the Treadwell Mine area and acquired a lifelong interest in the mine complex. This tour begins and ends at Sandy Beach in Douglas (transportation required). Price of tour includes admission to the City Museum and a 20% discount on select items in the Museum Store.  Space is limited to 20 participants.

• Reservations required
• Tour Length: Approximately 120 minutes.
• Price:$31.50

Douglas True Crime Tour

This guided tour starts and ends in Douglas (transportation required) and is led by former Juneau criminal reporters, Ed Schoenfeld and Betsy Longenbaugh who will focus on historic Douglas murders. Price of tour includes admission to the City Museum and a 20% discount on select items in the Museum Store.  Space is limited to 15 participants. This tour is recommended for adults and may be suitable for mature teens.

• Reservations required
• Tour Length: Approximately 120 minutes.
• Price:$31.50

Permanent Exhibit Highlights:

Hands On Mining Put on your hard hat and come explore Juneau’s mining history and mining practices in our interactive Museum environment. Our hands-on mining gallery includes a variety of interactive exhibits including:

• Local rocks, minerals and ore.
• Illustrated books on local geology, mining history and the history of Tlingit use of rocks.
• An interactive cross-section of the Treadwell Mine cave-in of 1917.
• A working stamp mill replica and mill ball display.
• An interactive hydropower exhibit related to the Salmon Creek Dam.

In addition to the interactives, our hands-on mining room includes an Assay Lab Exhibit, a Hard Rock Mining Exhibit, a cross section of a hard rock mine, and digital historic mining photos. Children will enjoy trying on clothing, miner’s tags and hard hats while communicating through a mine phone.

Wood and Waterways, A look at Tlingit Canoes: This permanent exhibit invites visitors to learn about the construction, use, and maintenance of Tlingit canoes and paddles from pre-history to today. This interactive exhibit allows visitors to learn the steps involved in making a canoe and about types of paddles. A video from a 2014 canoe journey allows visitors to see a contemporary canoe being made and used for travel between Haines and Juneau.

Life on the Water: With no land roads connecting Juneau to other communities, this permanent exhibit celebrates Juneau’s unique maritime lifestyle. Flip-up portholes provide information about Tlingit Canoes, Early Exploration, Steamships, the three USS Juneau naval ships, Freight, Ferries, and Modern Cruise Ships. A “Shipwrecks of Northern Southeast Alaska” map is accompanied by information of seven steamship wrecks which occurred within the boundaries of the City and Borough of Juneau.

Juneau Businesses Exhibit: This exhibit offers a glimpse into the commercial history of Juneau through objects, including an “I Spy” interactive.

Glaciers

There are several to choose from, but Mendenhall Glacier is our biggest chip off the ol’ (ice) block — and you can actually drive right to it if you’re so inclined. We’ve conveniently placed Alaska’s most popular attraction just 13 miles from downtown and right near the airport. We’re friendly that way. As if Mendenhall wasn’t enough, explore more glaciers the surrounding area has to offer.

Wildlife

Everyone wants to see a little wildlife, even if from afar. Juneau has such an abundance of air, land and sea creatures that you are more than likely to catch a glimpse of a bear, bald eagle, or even a humpback whale while you are here – especially April through November. And if you do want to watch our wildlife a little closer, a variety of tours can get you near a black bear, Dall’s porpoise, sea lions, harbor seals, sea otters, mountain goats, and Sitka blacktail deer.

Outdoor Activities

Sea kayaking, hiking, rafting and other outdoor adventures offer exhilarating ways to enjoy Alaska’s wilderness. For something even more unique, take off in a small plane or helicopter to see the sights from above, then land right on a glacier to go hiking or dog-sledding. During the winter, hit the slopes for downhill skiing, heli-skiing, cross-country skiing, and snowboarding.

Shopping and Dining

You should don your Sunday best (or not – we’re pretty casual around here) and attend a performance at Juneau’s nationally acclaimed Perseverance Theatre, dine on locally caught seafood, and pick up handcrafted Native artwork to take home to people you like. Yourself, for instance.

Fishing

Juneau residents schedule their year around the salmon migration. (We’re not kidding.) If you’re inclined to cast a line, you can charter a boat to catch the good stuff or ask a local – you might just snag a few good tips. 

NOTE: Check with individual tour providers to assess the accessibility for you particular case.