The views of Mount Roberts and downtown Juneau are spectacular. A city bus runs here from downtown hourly. Just about any waterfront spot with a stream can offer a view of salmon during July and August spawning times. You can also see a variety of sealife in an aquarium at the National Marine Fisheries Service laboratory at Auke Bay. The lab offers free, self-guided tours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.
Admission is charged.
If you have access to a vehicle, drive to the Mendenhall Glacier visitors' center in Mendenhall Valley. The center and surrounding areas offer great views and exhibits. Nearby trails take you away from the crowds, through virgin rainforest and close to the glacier. Take Glacier Highway north past Auke Bay to the Auke Recreation Area, a good spot for picnics, views and beach strolls. Drive north about another 10 miles to the Shrine of St. Therese, a Catholic chapel surrounded by the stations of the cross.