A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Washington vs. Juneau for Attractions, Food, Hiking, and Couples

Should you visit Washington or Juneau?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Washington and Juneau can help you decide which place is right for you.

Washington

Washington is a international, diverse, and active city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the museums, theater, and nightlife.

Juneau

Juneau is a scenic, breathtaking, and historic city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include museums, food, and hiking.

Washington and Juneau: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Washington or Juneau?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Washington. Although Washington and Juneau are popular destinations, Washington has more sights and attractions for tourists. Washington is very popular for its museums, theatre productions, food, nightlife, music, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Juneau attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Washington is famous for its reputation as the capital of the United States, but it's also known for its many monuments, memorials, and museums. It is also well known for The Washington Monument and the White House. Juneau is famous for its wildlife, natural beauty, and Gold Rush in 1880.

How is Washington different from Juneau?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Juneau and Washington. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Washington or Juneau?

Washington is an amazing city to visit for its sights and museums. Also, Juneau is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Washington are among the most recognizable in the world. The city has world class museums that are often free. The Smithsonian Museums are arguably some of the most impressive museums in the United States. The city also has a large collection of monuments that are dedicated to past presidents or historical events. Many are best experienced at night when the sun sets and the lights come on.

Many visitors head to Juneau specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Many museums focus on the history in the area, including the Gold Rush and the mining industry. You can visit several historic mines as well as the Last Chance Mining Museum. Other museums around town include the Juneau-Douglas City Museum, the Walter Soboleff Building, and the Alaska State Museum.

Is Washington or Juneau Better for Theater?

Washington is a well-known place for its theatre productions. However, Juneau is not a theatre destination.

While in town, many visitors enjoy seeing a show in Washington. Theater is popular in the city. From major theaters like the Kennedy Center and Ford's Theater, to lesser known smaller venues, there are options for everyone.

Juneau is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Washington or Juneau? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Washington is an amazing city to visit for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Juneau is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

For foodies, Washington is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. This city is among the most diverse in the country, so you can find restaurants from almost any cuisine here. It's worth exploring and stepping out of your comfort zone. There are popular neighborhoods for Ethiopian, Korean, Thai, Japanese, and Chinese food, among many others.

Juneau has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The seafood is superb and visitors will regret if they miss out on the salmon, halibut, and crab. There are many local restaurants and local chefs serving up the freshest caught fish. For the best seafood, head to the waterfront, and if you're looking for something other than seafood, the downtown is where you'll want to be.

Is Washington or Juneau Better for Nightlife?

Washington is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. However, Juneau is not a good city for its evening party scene.

Washington offers plenty to do in the evening. Many visitors head straight to the museums and the National Mall, and don't realize what a livable and fun city this is. Some of the best nightlife is found in Dupont Circle, U Street, and even Arlington, VA. The city's young population ensures that there's never a dull moment.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Juneau. There are a couple of bars and breweries, but most people relax in the evening.

Is Washington or Juneau Better for Music?

Washington is a popular place for its live music scene. However, Juneau is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Washington is active and vibrant. Notable live music venues include the 9:30 Club, the Anthem, and Union Stage.

Juneau is not a live music destination.

Is Washington or Juneau Better for Hiking?

Juneau is a world-class destination for hiking. However, Washington is not a good destination for the nearby hiking options.

Many people visit Juneau specifically for its hiking. You'll find more than 250 miles of hiking trails in the area, and this really is the best way to experience Alaska. The area is known for its wildlife, but there are also glacier hikes, meadows, mountains, and more. In downtown Juneau there's the Perseverance Trail, the Granite Creek Trail, and the Mount Roberts Trail. From the Mendenhall Visitor Center there's the East Glacier Loop Trail, the West Glacier Trail, and the Nugget Falls Trail. There are also trails on Douglas Island and many options just outside of town.

Many visitors include a hike while visiting Washington. Just outside of Washington DC you'll find plenty of places to go hiking. There's also an elaborate bike and walking trail system in the city. To enjoy a bit of nature, head to Teddy Roosevelt Island.

Is the Shopping Better in Washington or Juneau?

If you're looking to go shopping, Washington and Juneau both offer plenty of great spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Washington. Head to Georgetown and Dupont Circle for some of the city's best local shopping. There are name brand chains mixed in with local boutiques. You'll also find plenty of souvenir shops in the more touristy areas if you're looking to pick up some trinkets.

Juneau is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There's a mix of contemporary art and traditional artisan crafts. You'll find gift shops and art galleries around, particularly downtown and in the Mendenhall Valley business district. Visitors often enjoy buying art, wood carvings, jewelry, pottery, quilts, or dolls.

Is Washington or Juneau Better for Christmas?

Washington is an amazing city to visit for its Christmas activities. However, Juneau does not offer Christmas activities.

Washington is a world class destination during the Christmas season. With it's beautiful lights and holiday shows, Christmas is beautiful in the capital of the United States.

Juneau does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Washington or Juneau Better for Families?

You'll find great kid-friendly activities in either Washington or Juneau.

Washington is a very family-friendly destination. It is a fun and educational destination where kids can explore world class museums and try unique foods from all around the world. The city has nationally recognized landmarks, monuments, and memorials and it's also home to some of the best (free) museums in the United States including the world class Smithsonian Institutions. Many schools visit Washington DC as a field trip, particularly during the Spring months, so you'll kids groups in colorful t-shirts running around the National Mall.

Juneau is a very kid-friendly city. Its is filled with adventure that the whole family will enjoy. There's whale watching, dog sled tours, helicopter rides, hiking, and the Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway. This bucket-list destination will have an impact on kids and adults alike.

Is Washington or Juneau Better for Couples?

Juneau is a world-class destination for romance. Also, Washington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

For those traveling as a couple, Juneau has plenty to offer. Couples who enjoy exploring and adventuring will be in awe of this destination. Glacier trekking, superb gardens, and romantic helicopter rides will leave you feeling like a contestant on "The Bachelor". There are also opportunities for romantic evenings out and cozy hotels where you can stay in.

Washington is a very popular place to visit for couples. The city lights up at night, so couples will enjoy wandering by the monuments in the evening or taking in a dinner and show. During the Spring months you'll find couples wandering through the Cherry Blossoms or along the waterfront.

Is Washington or Juneau Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Juneau is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Washington is not a good destination for backpackers.

Juneau is very popular with the backpacker crowd. It's a popular destination with budget hotels and even a hostel or two.

Washington is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While it is an international travel destination, the city often isn't at the top of most backpacker's lists. There are some affordable accommodation options available though if you know where to look.

Is Washington or Juneau Better for Students?

Washington is an amazing city to visit for students. However, Juneau is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Washington. International students come from around the world to study, learn, intern, and work in the capital of the United States. There are many internships available through the federal government as well as NGOs and nonprofits.

Juneau is not popular with students.

Is Washington or Juneau Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Washington is an amazing city to visit for its public transit. However, Juneau is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Washington is top-notch. The metro system and the bus system are reliable and efficient ways to explore the city.

Public transit is mostly limited in Juneau. You can only reach Juneau by boat or plane and there are three bus routes through town.

Is Washington or Juneau a more walkable city?

Washington is an amazing city to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Juneau is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its ease of walking around.

It is easy to get around Washington on foot. Many neighborhoods around the city are easy to explore on foot. Most tourists spend a lot of time in the Mall area, which is very pedestrian friendly.

Juneau is a very walkable destination. The downtown is very walkable and many places can be reached within a reasonable walk.

For even more information, also check out Is Washington Worth Visiting? and Is Juneau Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Juneau or Washington?

How long in Washington or Juneau?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Washington and Juneau. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Washington than in Juneau. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Washington, and 2-3 days is enough time in Juneau.

Families should spend more time in Washington than Juneau. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Washington, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Washington than Juneau. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Washington that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Washington than Juneau if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Washington.

One day in Washington or Juneau?

Washington is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

With museums and food around the historic city of Juneau, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Washington or Juneau?

Washington is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

With food and shopping around the destination of Juneau, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Washington or Juneau?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Washington. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Juneau, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Washington or Juneau?

Washington is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Juneau is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Washington and Juneau, we can see that Washington is more expensive. And not only is Juneau much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Juneau would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Juneau and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Washington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Washington than you might in Juneau.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Washington Expensive? and Is Juneau Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Washington or Juneau?

Washington has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Juneau. When comparing the sizes of Washington and Juneau, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Washington or Juneau?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Washington or Juneau in the Summer?

Both Juneau and Washington during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Washington for the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Juneau because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Washington is much warmer than Juneau. Typically, the summer temperatures in Washington in July average around 79°F (26°C), and Juneau averages at about 56°F (13°C).

It's quite sunny in Washington. In the summer, Washington often gets more sunshine than Juneau. Washington gets 278 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Juneau receives 179 hours of full sun.

Juneau gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Washington usually gets less rain in July than Juneau. Washington gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Juneau receives 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Washington or Juneau in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Washington and Juneau. The autumn months attract visitors to Washington because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Juneau this time of year.

In October, Washington is generally much warmer than Juneau. Daily temperatures in Washington average around 60°F (15°C), and Juneau fluctuates around 42°F (6°C).

Washington usually receives more sunshine than Juneau during autumn. Washington gets 197 hours of sunny skies, while Juneau receives 69 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Juneau receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Washington usually receives less rain than Juneau. Washington gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Juneau receives 7.8 inches (199 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Washington or Juneau in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Washington as well as Juneau. The museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Washington this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Juneau for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Juneau. It's quite cold in Washington in the winter. Washington is much warmer than Juneau in the winter. The daily temperature in Washington averages around 35°F (1°C) in January, and Juneau fluctuates around 24°F (-4°C).

In the winter, Washington often gets more sunshine than Juneau. Washington gets 139 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Juneau receives 87 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Juneau. Washington usually gets less rain in January than Juneau. Washington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Juneau receives 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Washington or Juneau in the Spring?

Both Juneau and Washington are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Washington for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Juneau in the spring for the natural beauty.

Juneau can get quite cold in the spring. In the spring, Washington is much warmer than Juneau. Typically, the spring temperatures in Washington in April average around 56°F (14°C), and Juneau averages at about 40°F (4°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Washington. Washington usually receives more sunshine than Juneau during spring. Washington gets 228 hours of sunny skies, while Juneau receives 185 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Washington usually receives around the same amount of rain as Juneau. Washington gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Juneau receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Juneau and Washington