This Alaska City Is An Outdoorsy Dream: Hotels, Hikes, Packing Recs & More

While it may not be your typical wellness destination, Juneau is a treat for the eyes, the taste buds, and the soul. Once your plane touches down or your barge pulls up, here are some ways to explore all it has to offer.

The Jorgenson is well situated between downtown Juneau and nearby scenic trails. Once you're done exploring for the day, return to sit in its quaint garden and see if you can keep your eyes open late enough to catch a summer sunset.

For a more affordable option that's even closer to downtown, Four Points features sizable rooms with unobstructed views of the Gastineau Channel and neighboring Douglas Island. It also has a 24-hour fitness center and bar and grill if you don't feel like venturing out for a workout or a bite to eat.

Another thing to note is that Alaska is very strict on fishing quotas, and you'll need to get a permit in order to fish recreationally. This hearkens back to the state's commitment to sustainable fisheries: Alaskans take great pride in ensuring that their stocks of salmon, sablefish, king crab, and more are healthy.

As you trail these stunning creatures, you'll probably spot some other incredible wildlife too—including Steller sea lions, bald eagles, and plenty of bears.

A short five-minute drive from downtown Juneau, Perseverance Trail is a scenic ~5-mile out-and-back route with awe-inspiring views of Mount Juneau and Gold Creek below. The trail is very well-kept and not too steep, so it's approachable to beginner hikers or trail runners. It can get a bit busy later in the day, so I'd suggest visiting in the morning. Even though I was only in Juneau for a long weekend, I hiked it no less than three times—it was the best way I could imagine starting each day.

While Juneau's natural splendor is hard to beat, its downtown is special in its own right. Some must-visits include the Sea Alaska Heritage Store for jewelry, art, and provisions made by Alaska Native artists; Taku Fisheries processor for boat-fresh fish and seafood products to bring (or ship) home; and The Rookery Cafe for a quick pick-me-up. Wellness-conscious travelers can pop into Alaska Probiotics for teas infused with the flavors of the surrounding landscape. And if you're in the market for a different kind of fermented brew, the Amalga Distillery down the street sells locally made gin in a historic converted building.

Upon landing, you'll have some time to explore the surrounding woods and wildflower trails before your lunch. After feasting on grilled salmon, biscuits, beans, and other barbecue fixins, you can spend some time soaking up the nearby glaciers (potentially spotting a curious bear, too) before hitching your ride back to town. As someone who doesn't love heights, I was nervous about the seaplane, but the views made it well worth it. It's an experience I'd highly recommend—even to my fellow airplane-phobes.

Deckhand Dave's is a food truck located in an open-air market in downtown Juneau turning the day's freshest catch into delicious tacos. You'll find blackened rockfish, beer-battered halibut, and breaded salmon tacos on the menu, along with a rotating array of specials based on what's in season (if the shrimp and corn tacos are in the rotation, you must get them). If you want to make an afternoon of it, you can always stay for briny oysters and crisp Champagne.

Its menu rotates based on what the Alaska wilderness has in season. When I visited, the marinated spot prawns, fresh scallop pasta, and anchovy-laden Caesar dressing were highlights. The chef, Beau Schooler, is a James Beard nominee who was named "Best Seafood Chef" at the Great American Seafood Cook-Off a few years back, so you can bet that all the seafood is wonderful. This place is beloved by both locals and visitors, so make a reservation.

Juneau weather is, shall we say, indecisive. In the four days that I visited in early summer, the weather ranged from 75 and sunny to 50 and rainy. Whenever you visit during the year, you can probably expect at least some rain and fog. (Juneau is technically a temperate rain forest, after all.) This makes packing a bit of a challenge, but your best bet is to stock up plenty of waterproof layers, sportswear and outdoor apparel, and cozy socks and walking shoes.

Juneau is a tight-knit community of friendly people, stunning scenery, and plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventure. I'm already dreaming up my return voyage. See you there?