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

Should you visit Juneau or Vernon?

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

Should I visit Juneau or Vernon? 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 historic, scenic, and breathtaking city. You'll find world class beauty in Juneau as well. Other popular activities here include food, hiking, and shopping. See Juneau travel costs.

Vernon

Vernon is a relaxing, quiet, and peaceful town. And you can't forget about the food, hiking, and shopping. See Vernon travel costs.

Juneau and Vernon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Juneau or Vernon?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Juneau. Although Juneau and Vernon are both popular with visitors, Juneau has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Juneau is more touristy than Vernon and is known for its wildlife, natural beauty, and Gold Rush in 1880. It is also home to the Mendenhall Glacier. Vernon is popular for its surrounding valley with lakes and hiking trails.

How is Juneau different from Vernon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Vernon 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 Vernon?

Juneau is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Juneau can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

Vernon is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are local galleries and museums that offer information on the region's history and culture. You can visit the Canadian Wildlife Museum, the Caetani Center, the Museum and Archives of Vernon, the Paddlewheel Park Stationhouse Museum, and the Vernon Public Art Gallery.

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

Juneau is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Juneau is an experience not to be missed. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Vernon. The region is known for its vineyards and wineries and many of the local restaurants have been around for generations. The food is often locally produced and prepared with traditional recipes.

Is Juneau or Vernon Better for Nightlife?

Both Juneau and Vernon are decent 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 Vernon. The town gets very quiet in the evenings, so you won't find much of a nightlife scene.

Is Juneau or Vernon Better for Hiking?

Juneau is terrific for the nearby hiking options. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its hiking trails.

Known for its hiking, Juneau draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. 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 explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Vernon. The surrounding valley has more than 300 kilometers of hiking trails. They run along pristine lakes, pass by granite rock formations, and take you to impressive viewpoints.

Is the Shopping Better in Juneau or Vernon?

Juneau is a well-known place for its shopping areas. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Vernon. There are a number of boutique shops that are fun to explore in the downtown area.

Is Juneau or Vernon More Beautiful?

Juneau is terrific for its scenery and beauty. However, Vernon is not a destination known for its beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Juneau as well. The landscape is filled with glaciers, mountains, and fjords, making it a dramatic and beautiful destination.

Vernon is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Juneau or Vernon Better for Families?

Juneau is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Juneau is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Vernon is a family-friendly city. There are biking and hiking trails as well as other outdoor activities. You can also visit the Allan Brooks Nature Center or the Rock Garden Climbing Center.

Is Juneau or Vernon Better for Couples?

Juneau is terrific for couples. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for romance.

Juneau has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Vernon is a nice destination for couples. It offers a peaceful getaway for couples. You can visit the Okanagan wineries or enjoy one of the many hiking trails. There are also nice restaurants to try.

Is Juneau or Vernon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Juneau is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Vernon is not a good town for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Vernon is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a hostel in town, but this isn't a popular destination for backpackers.

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

Both Juneau and Vernon offer decent public transit options.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Vernon. There is a bus system, but it's better not to rely on it.

Is Juneau or Vernon a more walkable city?

Juneau is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. However, Vernon is not a good town for its walkability.

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

Vernon is generally not a very walkable city. You'll really want to have a car to make the most of your time here.

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

Should I spend more time in Vernon or Juneau?

How long in Juneau or Vernon?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Juneau and Vernon. In our opinion, Juneau has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Juneau than Vernon. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Juneau, and 1-3 days is enough time in Vernon.

Families should spend more time in Juneau than Vernon. 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 Vernon. 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 Vernon 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 Vernon?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Juneau. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Vernon. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Juneau or Vernon?

Juneau is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Vernon 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 Vernon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Juneau. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Vernon. 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 Vernon?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Juneau. This city 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the relaxing destination of Vernon. 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 Coach Bus Tours in Canada, and The Best Adventure Tours to Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Juneau and Vernon, we can see that Juneau is more expensive. And not only is Vernon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vernon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vernon 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 Vernon.

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

Which is Bigger, Juneau or Vernon?

Vernon has a larger population, and is about 54% larger than the population of Juneau. When comparing the sizes of Juneau and Vernon, 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 Vernon?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Juneau or Vernon in the Summer?

Both Vernon and Juneau are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Juneau for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Vernon in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Juneau is much colder than Vernon. Typically, the summer temperatures in Juneau in July average around 56°F (13°C), and Vernon averages at about 23°C (73°F).

It's quite rainy in Juneau. In July, Juneau usually receives more rain than Vernon. Juneau gets 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Juneau or Vernon in the Autumn?

Both Vernon and Juneau during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Juneau in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Vernon for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Juneau is generally much colder than Vernon. Daily temperatures in Juneau average around 42°F (6°C), and Vernon fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Juneau. Juneau usually gets more rain in October than Vernon. Juneau gets 7.8 inches (199 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Juneau or Vernon in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Juneau and Vernon. Most visitors come to Juneau for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Vernon because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Vernon can be very cold. Juneau can be very cold during winter. Juneau is much colder than Vernon in the winter. The daily temperature in Juneau averages around 24°F (-4°C) in January, and Vernon fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).

Juneau gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Juneau usually receives more rain than Vernon. Juneau gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Juneau or Vernon in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Juneau as well as Vernon. The spring months attract visitors to Juneau because of the natural beauty.

The weather in Juneau can be very cold. In the spring, Juneau is much colder than Vernon. Typically, the spring temperatures in Juneau in April average around 40°F (4°C), and Vernon averages at about 12°C (53°F).

Juneau usually gets more rain in April than Vernon. Juneau gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Vernon and Juneau