Downtown Juneau Alaska Street Tour

Alaska State Capitol  

The Alaska State Capitol, an unassuming yet historically rich building, stands as a cornerstone of Juneau’s identity. Unlike the ornate domes of other state capitols, this structure reflects the practical spirit of Alaska while offering a treasure trove of history and culture within its walls. 

Built in 1931, the Capitol is one of the few in the nation that wasn’t originally constructed as a statehouse. Instead, it was gifted to Alaska as a territorial building by the federal government and later transitioned into the state Capitol when Alaska achieved statehood in 1959.  

Visitors can explore the Capitol through guided tours available on weekday afternoons during the summer season. These tours provide a deeper understanding of Alaska’s unique journey to statehood, the challenges of governing the largest state in the U.S., and the indigenous and multicultural influences that have shaped its laws and policies. 

The four portico columns and the interior trim showcase light and dark Tokeen marble sourced from quarries on Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska. Other highlights include beautifully preserved legislative chambers, historical photographs, and displays of artwork, including pieces by renowned Alaskan artists.  

For the best experience, visit in the morning when the Capitol is quieter, allowing for a more immersive and personal exploration. Don’t miss the opportunity to snap photos of the Capitol’s elegant exterior against the backdrop of lush mountain vistas.  

On the Docks

Juneau’s waterfront is a beehive of activity during the summer. Start your Juneau Voices walking tour. Juneau Voices is a series of location-specific sound installations featuring stories and memories told by Juneau residents who lived them. Each sound installation is linked to a sign downtown, with several of the Downtown Juneau map signs on the docks serving as the ‘Introduction.’ Experienced as a sequential journey, they add up to a walk through the past and a spotlight on untold histories. To experience Juneau Voices, visit here. 

Look for a sidewalk sundial and a memorial dedicated to fishermen lost at sea near the tram terminal. 

On the dock adjacent to Marine Park Plaza are pictures of Southeast’s lighthouses, a Juneau distance map made of nails hammered into the decking, and a tidewater gauge near the floating dock. 

Use the spotting scopes to find mountain goats on Mt. Juneau.

South Franklin Street  

South Franklin Street is a vibrant hub bustling with history and artistic expression. At the heart of this area is Elizabeth Peratrovich Plaza, a tribute to the pioneering Tlingit civil rights leader who played a pivotal role in the passage of the first anti-discrimination law in the United States. The plaza features a three-story mural honoring Peratrovich by Tlingit artist Crystal Worl and offers a moment of reflection and an opportunity to learn about her legacy through informational plaques and storytelling elements.  

City Hall features a 10-and-a-half by 61-foot mural by artist Bill Ray called “Raven discovering mankind in a clamshell.” The striking composition depicts the Haida story of human creation, capturing an essential piece of Juenau’s cultural heritage that blends seamlessly with the city’s artistic expression.

Keep your eyes peeled for more unexpected art scattered throughout Downtown, providing a delightful surprise around every corner.

Keep strolling to discover the historic buildings that make up Downtown Juneau’s most famous thoroughfare! Find the Red Dog Saloon at 278 South Franklin. Inside you’ll find Wyatt Earp’s gun from Nome, lots of stuffed critters, and interesting Alaska memorabilia. Try the iconic duck-fart shot!

The Filipino Hall at 251 South Franklin was built in 1891, then the site of Anna Goldstein’s Merchandise Store. The restored Senate Building at 175 South Franklin retains much of its former elegance and houses a variety of shops.

The Alaskan Hotel & Bar, 167 South Franklin, is listed on the National Register of Historic Sites and is filled with ornate Victorian-era furnishings. The bar is a favorite with locals on “open mic” night. The Alaska Steam Laundry, now the Emporium Mall at 174 South Franklin, was the center of Juneau’s business district. Built-in 1901 (the business dated from 1895), the building has a wood-shingled turret and ornate slanted and shingled front parapet. Historical photos are inside. 

Front Street

Front Street was the water’s edge at high tide before the Alaska-Juneau mine tailings became the foundations of the streets closer to today’s waterfront. Discover Juneau’s first bar, The Missouri (built-in 1891 and later renamed the Louvre), now the Imperial Bar at 241 Front. The pressed tin ceiling and walls behind the bar date from 1906. Also on Front Street were Jorgenson’s Hardware and the 1896 Lewis Building at 130 Front Street. Now Heritage Coffee Roasting Co., the building housed a bank until 1925.

Heritage Square

Juneau is the Northwest Coast Arts Capital of the World and Heritage Square is the epicenter. Located in the heart of downtown Juneau at Front and Seward Streets, Heritage Square is the home to Sealaska Heritage Institute. Sealaska Heritage is a nonprofit dedicated to perpetuating and enhancing Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian cultures. 

Admire the monumental art of the Walter Soboleff Building. Opened in 2015, the Walter Soboleff Building houses a hand-adzed cedar clan house and view and purchase authentic Alaska Native art pieces. 

Across Seward Street from the Walter Soboleff Building, you can see the next stage of Sealaska Heritage’s Arts Campus. The 6,000 square foot campus houses indoor and outdoor space for artists to make Northwest Coast art pieces, such as totem poles, paddles, and canoes; classrooms for art programming, jewelry making, skin sewing, instruction, and spaces for performances and Alaska Native art markets. This is a very special place and one of the gems of Juneau.

Seward Street

Head uphill on Seward to see some of Juneau’s prominent historic sites. In 1913, jeweler and businessman Emery Valentine built the Valentine Building, which now houses the Juneau Drug Company, at 119 Seward. He organized the Volunteer Fire Department and served six terms as mayor.

In 1914 the Goldstein Building, 130 Seward, featured a department store. It also served as Alaska’s Capitol three times. Keybank at 234 Seward is across the street from the original 1896 bank.

At the corner of Seward and Third, turn left on Third and walk uphill on Main Street to see local artist Skip Wallen’s “Windfall Fisherman,” a life-sized bronze brown bear.

Governor’s House

Follow Fourth Street, which becomes historic Calhoun Avenue, about two blocks to the Governor’s House, a “liberal interpretation of New England colonial” architecture built-in 1912 for $40,000. 

Gov. Mike Dunleavy and his wife, Rose Newlin, are the 12th to live in the house since statehood in 1959. Prior to that, nine territorial governors and one secretary of Alaska resided in the house. Over the years, Charles Lindbergh, Warren Harding, Herbert Hoover, and Gerald Ford entered its halls. George Eastman of Kodak and Sir Thomas Lipton of yachting and tea fame have been guests.

In December, the governor hosts an open house for the community. Guests are able to greet the governor and lieutenant governor and take in the bottom floor of the house while sipping hot apple cider. The governor’s chef prepares gingerbread houses for display and 17,000 cookies to give guests a sweet treat as they listen to Victorian carolers from Vox Borealis.

The 14,400-square-foot building has 35 rooms, not including the garage or closets, 10 bathrooms, and six bedrooms. The house boasts eight fireplaces, one of which still sports the Territorial seal. The second floor serves as the family’s personal quarters. 

The totem pole outside, commissioned in 1939 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, tells the story of the mosquito’s origin.

St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church

Backtrack on Calhoun, take the overhead walkway and trek down Fifth Street a little more than two blocks to the next stop. 

St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church at 326 Fifth Street, with its gold onion dome, is a reminder of the Russian presence in 19th-century Alaska. Built-in 1894 by newly baptized Orthodox Natives and Siberian gold miners, the church has been refurbished and is a national historic landmark. The octagon-shaped structure houses 18th-century Russian icons and religious relics. It is included in “A Guidebook to the 500 Most Notable Buildings in the United States.” Visitors stand during services. The church has a small bookstore and gift shop with postcards.

Across Gold Street on Fifth Street is the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, home to the Catholic Diocese of Juneau.

House of Wickersham

High up in Juneau’s hills at 213 Seventh Street is the House of Wickersham. The home remains much as it was when Alaska pioneer Judge James Wickersham purchased it in 1928. It was the first large Victorian home built on “Chicken Ridge,” the “Nob Hill” of Juneau.

Downtown Hikes

If you’re up for a hike, head back to the Governor’s House and wind down Calhoun across Gold Creek at Cope Park. Veer left (Calhoun becomes Irwin toward the right). Take the entrance to Evergreen Cemetery, where Juneau founders Joe Juneau, Richard Harris, and Tlingit Chief Kowee are buried.

Proceed through Evergreen Cemetery to Glacier Avenue. Turn left on Glacier Avenue to the Federal Building, which houses the post office, Native art and history exhibits, and the Juneau time capsule. Glacier becomes Willoughby Avenue. Cross Gold Creek and continue until Whittier. Turn right at the Alaska State Museum then continue to Centennial Hall.

Downtown Juneau Shops  

Downtown Juneau offers a shopping experience that’s as rich and unique as its history. Many stores specialize in handmade crafts and authentic Alaska Native artwork, perfect for finding one-of-a-kind keepsakes. Look for the Silver Hand sticker, a mark of authenticity that guarantees items are made by Alaska Native artists. This certification supports Indigenous artisans and ensures your purchase is meaningful.  

A standout destination is Sealaska Heritage Square, a cultural hub where visitors can watch live workshops. Artisans often carve intricate totems, craft beautiful jewelry, or work on traditional Native designs, offering a glimpse into the creative process. Beyond Native art, shops throughout downtown feature stunning Alaska-themed prints by artists like Rie Munoz, Barbara Lavalle, Jon Van Zyle, and Byron Birdsall, whose works capture the spirit of the region.  

Most stores are locally owned, ensuring your purchases contribute directly to the community. Whether you’re seeking authentic artwork, unique gifts, or simply browsing, the shops in Downtown Juneau provide an enriching cultural journey.