Juneau private tours

Picture yourself stepping into the lively beat of Juneau, where adventure hangs in the air as crisp as the Alaskan atmosphere. This city, set against towering mountains and the shimmering Gastineau Channel, invites exploration beyond the typical postcard scenes. Accompanied by your local guide, Juneau tours turn into personal adventures: discover hidden paths in the Tongass National Forest or enjoy a food and wine tour featuring the rich tastes of locally-caught salmon and wild berry preserves. A walking tour with your guide allows you to bypass the lines at popular attractions, diving straight into the heart of Juneau's vibrant ...

Picture yourself stepping into the lively beat of Juneau, where adventure hangs in the air as crisp as the Alaskan atmosphere. This city, set against towering mountains and the shimmering Gastineau Channel, invites exploration beyond the typical postcard scenes. Accompanied by your local guide, Juneau tours turn into personal adventures: discover hidden paths in the Tongass National Forest or enjoy a food and wine tour featuring the rich tastes of locally-caught salmon and wild berry preserves. A walking tour with your guide allows you to bypass the lines at popular attractions, diving straight into the heart of Juneau's vibrant community, where each corner narrates tales of gold rush aspirations and indigenous legacy. Let the echoes of the past and the stunning beauty of the present captivate your senses. If you’re looking for more inspiration, take a look at our curated list of things to do in Juneau.

Explore Juneau your way

At ToursByLocals, we believe that how you explore is just as important as where you go. That’s why every Juneau tour is private, flexible, and built around you: Move at your own pace, skip the crowds, make connections and follow your curiosity. Find local guides offering private tours in Juneau for every interest, including:

Layover tours: Get picked up at the cruise dock or JNU for a focused visit to Mendenhall Glacier and a walk to Nugget Falls, then ride the Mount Roberts Tramway for harbour views before you head back. If time is tight, swap in a tasting at Alaskan Brewing Co. or a quick stroll past the Governor’s Mansion and Main Street shops.

Nature and Wildlife tours: Join a small-boat whale-watching tour from Auke Bay to see humpbacks bubble-net feeding and, in season, orcas cruising the channel. Your guide can add bear viewing at Steep Creek when salmon are running and point out bald eagles perched along Gastineau Channel.

History tours: Browse the Alaska State Museum’s Tlingit, Haida, and mining exhibits, then visit the Last Chance Mining Museum and walk part of the Perseverance Trail past old tram towers. See St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church and hear how gold camps grew into today’s capital.

Downtown is walkable and Capital Transit buses run to key areas, but reaching the glacier and docks is faster by car; you can book chauffeured tours or ask about tours with private transportation to maximize your time.

This isn’t a one-size-fits-all itinerary, you can tailor your private tour to match your interests, pace and personality with a local who knows Juneau inside and out.

Walking tours & neighbourhoods

Day trip ideas from Juneau

Base yourself in Juneau, then use day trips to reach glaciers, bays, and islands nearby so your tour stays simple while you see more of Southeast Alaska in one full day.

- Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls - Short, flat trails lead to a roaring waterfall and glacier views, and if you like easy walking with chances to spot salmon and the odd black bear in season, this area keeps things close yet memorable.

- Auke Bay whale watching - Head out on small boats to see humpbacks and orcas when they are feeding, and if marine life and steady photography matter to you, calm bay waters and clear lines of sight make this a solid pick.

- Tracy Arm Fjord - Cruise a narrow fjord lined with waterfalls and blue ice, and if towering cliffs, floating bergs, and seal colonies sound right, this long but rewarding outing drops you into classic glacier scenery.

- Douglas Island - Walk the Treadwell Mine ruins and Sandy Beach for tide pools and local history, then add a forest hike toward Mount Jumbo if you want a tougher climb with big inlet views.

- Herbert Glacier Trail - A gentle path through spruce and alder brings you to glacier ice and braided rivers, and if you prefer a quiet hike with geology up close, this route fits a half day with time to spare in town.

A private tour with a local guide is the best way to really get to know a place. Skip the crowds, follow your interests, and see a side of Juneau most travellers miss.