I love the feeling of walking into a hidden gem—a place that’s off the beaten path, where you immediately think, Wow, this is one of Juneau’s best-kept secrets. These spots are harder to find nowadays because once the word gets out, they become must-visit destinations. So, consider yourself lucky—you’ve stumbled upon this guide before everyone else!

Most visitors to Juneau, Alaska arrive via cruise ships, making a quick stop in the capital city while exploring Southeast Alaska. If you’re wondering what to do in Juneau within walking distance of the cruise port, here are three lesser-known spots you won’t want to miss.

The good news, during the summer when most visitors pile into the area, most services are functional. You can walk outside the airport and there are generally 3-4 cabs out front. IF you are one of the last people to get outside after an incoming flight, and there is a shortage of cabs, try to catch a cab driver and let them know that you’ll wait for a pick up. Most cab drivers will circle back around after their initial drop off. The good news, since Juneau is not too big (40 miles of a road system give or take), often times the drop off and return back to the airport is not too long of a wait.

The summers in Alaska can be magical. The ocean is teeming with wildlife, eagles are soaring overhead and everyone you meet seems to have an extra spring in their step. As the days grow longer heading into the summer solstice, the Alaska sun kisses your cheeks and the familiar smell of the Tongass Rainforest fills your lungs. These are just a few of the reasons why people head to Alaska during the Summer but you still may be craving a deeper level of specificity around an answer to: What month should I go to Alaska?

Whenever I tell people I live in Juneau, Alaska full-time, one of the questions that I get is: even during the winter? I can imagine their minds are filled with images of sled dogs, sub-zero degree temperatures and ice fishing. Ironically, the winter temperatures in Juneau often do not feel as cold as the winters that I experienced in Chicago, sitting right next to Lake Michigan and the frozen breeze that rolled from the lake to on-land.

Alaska remains one of the best destinations for winter discovery, adventure and fun! While temperatures are frigid and the darkness can make the season feel long, the state boasts incredible opportunities. Here are 6 activities for you to experience during the Winter in Alaska.

There is so much adventure and exploration to be had when visiting the Southeast Alaska port towns! Adventuring and wandering through the towns is exciting in and of itself - stopping in tiny stores that offer goods such as fudge, souvenirs and locally handcrafted items. There’s always a few dining options as well in case you love trying new tastes along your journey. While I love staying shoreside and exploring merchants right next to the ocean, I also like diving into the adventure that can be unlocked through guided experiences.

What I find tough to do is narrow down exactly what experiences I want to have in the area. So in this blog post, my goal is to help you by sharing the best experiences I have had in Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway. I am starting with these three towns because to date, these three locations have the most infrastructure built which enables more visitors.

I took a direct flight from Juneau to Anchorage (just about 90 mins) on Alaska Airlines and rented a car. The drive from Anchorage to Valdez is about 5 1/2 hours one way so I decided to overnight in Anchorage and then head to Valdez the next morning.

Before getting on the road in the early hours, I grabbed a coffee and breakfast in Eagle Creek and started along the AK-1 highway. As predicted (from reading many other blogs), the views were spectacular. If you have someone who is willing to go with you and split the driving, I would highly recommend. Not because the drive is so long but because the views are so great that you will not want to be focused on the road.

Every so often, I find myself in a place where I’m not hitting on all cylinders or everything feels monotonous and tiresome. Some people call it a ‘creative slump’. For me, the range of emotions that come with this peculiar downturn starts with frustration, carries through to irritation and ends with helplessness. Nothing feels inspiring and when you look around at the world, it feels as if everyone else is thriving when you’re just trying to survive. How do I find my mojo again? Will I ever find my mojo?

As the cooler air arrives in Juneau, Alaska, I can sense the urgency of the sun setting. Each day the darkness lingers a bit longer, the sunshine feels less intense and the wildlife seems to know winter is coming.

Unlike the east coast, the tree leaf colors tend to be yellow instead of the brilliant reds and oranges. The boats in the harbor have slowed down, many of them will stay put for the rest of the season instead of cruising back and forth. The cruise ships and tourists have slowed and the seasonal restaurants are now closed.

How Snow Impacts Photographing Eagles - In my opinion, photographing eagles during the winter is harder than the summer and here’s why. The Bald Eagle has a white head, which makes it harder for my camera to focus on against a white, snowy backdrop. There’s also less light during these months. Not only are the days shorter in length (right now I believe the sunrise is around 8:30 am and the sunset is around 3:00 pm) but the amount of light that is available throughout the daytime is often hidden amidst swirling snowflakes and clouds.