A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Juneau vs. Hope for Hiking, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Juneau or Hope?

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

Should I visit Juneau or Hope? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Juneau

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

Hope

Hope is a friendly, local, and small town. And you can't forget about the hiking. See Hope travel costs.

Juneau and Hope: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Juneau or Hope?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Juneau. Although Juneau and Hope are popular destinations, Juneau has more sights and attractions for tourists. Juneau is more touristy than Hope and is popular for its wildlife, natural beauty, and Gold Rush in 1880. It is also well known for the Mendenhall Glacier. Hope is famous for its chainsaw carvings and being the filming location of "Rambo."

How is Juneau different from Hope?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Juneau is a great city for its historical sights. However, Hope is not known for its sights and museums.

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.

Hope offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. You can check out Hopes Art Gallery, The Sunshine Valley Tashme Museum, or the Hope Museum.

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

Juneau is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Hope is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Juneau. 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Hope. There's a decent selection of casual restaurants with basic dishes and local cuisine.

Is Juneau or Hope Better for Nightlife?

Both Juneau and Hope are reasonable when it comes to partying.

Most people don't head to Juneau specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. There are a couple of bars and breweries, but most people relax in the evening.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Hope. It's a small town but there are some local pubs and bars.

Is Juneau or Hope Better for Hiking?

Juneau is a world-class destination for hiking. Also, Hope is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Hope is a popular spot for hiking. There are a range of hikes in the area, like more challenging routes such as Hope Mountain and Wells Peak. For a more casual hike you can check out Rotary Trail, Thacker Marsh Trail, and the Othello Tunnels.

Is the Shopping Better in Juneau or Hope?

Juneau is a great city for shopping. However, Hope is not known for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Juneau. 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.

If you're looking to go shopping, Hope has some nice offerings. It's a small town, but there are places to peak up anything you may have forgotten.

Is Juneau or Hope More Beautiful?

Juneau is a world-class destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Hope is not a destination known for its beauty.

Many visitors also come to Juneau because of it's amazing beauty. The landscape is filled with glaciers, mountains, and fjords, making it a dramatic and beautiful destination.

Hope is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Juneau or Hope Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Juneau or Hope.

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.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Hope. Kids will love enjoying the outdoors just as much as the adults. You can also visit the Hope Museum or the Coquihalla Gorge.

Is Juneau or Hope Better for Couples?

Juneau is a world-class destination for romance. Also, Hope is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Hope is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples who enjoy adventures and nature will love a few days in this beautiful area.

Is Juneau or Hope Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Juneau and Hope are great destinations for backpackers.

Juneau is a great city to visit for backpackers. It's a popular destination with budget hotels and even a hostel or two.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Hope. There are many camping and backpacking opportunities in the area.

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

Juneau is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Hope is not known for its public transit.

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

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Hope. There is no public transit in town.

Is Juneau or Hope a more walkable city?

Juneau is a great city for its walkability. However, Hope is not known for its high level of walkability.

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

Hope is generally not very walkable. The town is relatively walkable, but you'll likely want to get into the surrounding area where most of the activities are.

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

Should I spend more time in Hope or Juneau?

How long in Juneau or Hope?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Juneau and Hope. In our opinion, Juneau has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Juneau than Hope. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Juneau than Hope 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 Juneau.

One day in Juneau or Hope?

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Juneau. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the when visiting the destination of Hope. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Juneau or Hope?

Juneau is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the hiking. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Hope is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Juneau or Hope?

You'll find shopping and museums around the breathtaking destination of Juneau. This city offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hope. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Juneau or Hope?

The breathtaking city of Juneau offers museums and food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Travelers enjoy the when visiting the small destination of Hope. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best 10-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Juneau and Hope, we can see that Juneau is more expensive. And not only is Hope much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hope would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hope 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 Juneau would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Juneau than you might in Hope.

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

Which is Bigger, Juneau or Hope?

Juneau has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Hope. When comparing the sizes of Juneau and Hope, 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 Juneau or Hope?

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 Juneau or Hope in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Juneau as well as Hope. The hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Juneau this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Hope for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Juneau is generally cooler than Hope. Daily temperatures in Juneau average around 56°F (13°C), and Hope fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Juneau receives a lot of rain in the summer. Juneau usually gets more rain in July than Hope. Juneau gets 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Juneau or Hope in the Autumn?

Both Hope and Juneau are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Juneau for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Hope in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Juneau is much colder than Hope in the autumn. The daily temperature in Juneau averages around 42°F (6°C) in October, and Hope fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hope. It's quite rainy in Juneau. In October, Juneau usually receives more rain than Hope. Juneau gets 7.8 inches (199 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Juneau or Hope in the Winter?

Both Hope and Juneau during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Juneau in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Hope for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Hope can be very cold during winter. Juneau can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Juneau is much colder than Hope. Typically, the winter temperatures in Juneau in January average around 24°F (-4°C), and Hope averages at about 3°C (37°F).

Hope gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Juneau. Juneau usually gets less rain in January than Hope. Juneau gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 201 mm (7.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Juneau or Hope in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Juneau and Hope. Most visitors come to Juneau for the natural beauty during these months.

Juneau can be very cold during spring. In April, Juneau is generally much colder than Hope. Daily temperatures in Juneau average around 40°F (4°C), and Hope fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

Hope receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Juneau usually receives less rain than Hope. Juneau gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Hope and Juneau