Things to do in Juneau
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Juneau: Whale Watching Cruise & Salmon Bake Full DayYou board a jet boat at Auke Bay with a naturalist guide and spend the morning hunting humpback and orca whales in nutrient-rich waters—sightings are guaranteed or you get $100 back. You'll also see sea lions, seals, eagles, and bears from the deck. After the cruise, you eat a wild salmon buffet with hot and cold drinks and live music. Transport from the pier and all meals are included; the whole day runs about eight hours.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see whales and eat wild salmon without arranging two separate activities—the fixed schedule and included transport from the pier mean you show up and the day unfolds on its own.
Juneau: Underground Gold Mine Tour & Panning ExperienceYou ride to the mine, descend 360 feet into the only underground tunnel tour in Alaska, watch a working stamp mill, and pan for gold you keep. Transportation is included, the tour runs year-round, and you leave with whatever garnets or gold flakes you find in the pan.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see how Juneau actually worked — not a recreation, but the real mill and tunnel — and you'd rather not arrange your own transport to get there. The included transportation and guaranteed panning find make it a complete half-day without loose ends.
Taku Glacier Lodge Seaplane Tour: Glaciers & Salmon FeastA 3.5-hour seaplane tour from Juneau that departs the waterfront, flies 25 minutes over the Juneau Icefield past five glaciers including Taku, and lands on the Taku River at the historic 1923 Taku Glacier Lodge. You spend two full hours there eating wild Alaska salmon with homemade sides, walking forest trails, joining a guided nature walk, or watching for black bears on the porch before the 15-minute return flight. Every seat is a window seat with audio narration throughout, and the lodge sits steps from Taku Glacier itself.Is it for me?You're on a shared seaplane with up to ten passengers, so this works best if you're comfortable in a small aircraft and don't need privacy. The fixed two-hour lodge stay means you get the meal and time to explore without building the day yourself—the schedule holds everything together, and the window seat and narration let you see the glaciers without managing the route.
Juneau Segway Trail Ride: Off-Road Adventure in Tongass ForestRide an off-road Segway through Tongass National Forest on Juneau's only small-group trail adventure, starting from the cruise ship docks with a scenic shuttle to Fish Creek Valley. The tour includes a short training session, helmet, hands-free radio for guide commentary, water and snacks, and covers a 12-mile route through alpine meadows, rainforest and the historic Treadwell Ditch Trail. Designed for first-time riders and cruise passengers, the tour runs three hours and requires a moderate fitness level and the ability to stand and balance for the duration.Is it for me?The tour demands three hours of standing and balancing on the Segway, so you need moderate fitness and good balance — but the machine handles the terrain, not your legs, which is what makes it possible to cover ground through rainforest and muskeg without the strain of hiking. Book this if you want to see the forest interior without arranging your own transport or worrying about ship departure times.
Juneau: Mendenhall Glacier & Whale Watching Jet Boat TourYou spend an hour at Mendenhall Glacier with self-guided access to Photo Point Outlook and the Visitor Center, then board a small jet boat for two hours searching for humpback whales in Auke Bay. Snacks and hot drinks are included, and the company handles all transfers from your cruise ship so you don't have to arrange transport or timing yourself.Is it for me?Right for cruise passengers on a short Juneau stop who want both glacier and whale-watching without arranging separate transport or timing—the fixed schedule and included transfers mean you're back at the ship on time. The small jet boats and two-hour search window are what make finding whales realistic in a few hours.
Juneau: Mendenhall Glacier & Whale Watching with Nugget Falls HikeYou drive to Mendenhall Glacier, spend nearly two hours exploring the Visitor's Center and hiking to Nugget Falls at your own speed, then board a small jet boat from Auke Bay Harbor to search for whales with a local captain. Binoculars, snacks, and hot drinks are included, and the whole day moves without long waits between stops.Is it for me?Book this if you want glacier, waterfall, and whale-watching in one morning without arranging separate transport or timing the stops yourself — the fixed itinerary and quick transfers between vehicles mean you see three major things without the logistics.
Juneau: Husky Sled Dog Ride & Iditarod Musher CampYou ride a full team of 16 Iditarod-veteran huskies through the Tongass rainforest, then spend time with the sled dog puppies training for future races. The musher walks you through what it takes to build a champion dog and handler. Transport from Mt. Roberts Tram base and back to downtown is included, so you only need to show up at the pickup point.Is it for me?Book this if you want to ride actual working sled dogs and understand what Iditarod training looks like — the musher's insight into the dogs' conditioning and temperament is what separates this from a tourist photo op.
Juneau: Mendenhall Glacier Canoe Tour & IcebergsYou paddle a traditional Tlingit canoe across Mendenhall Lake to within safe distance of the glacier face, navigating past icebergs and watching for eagles, bears, and salmon. The trip includes all gear, a snack of Alaskan fare with hot beverage, and transport. Forest Service permits keep groups small, and the whole experience runs three to four hours.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Mendenhall Glacier up close without arranging your own boat or navigating the lake yourself—the Forest Service permit and small group size are what make the close approach possible and keep the experience quiet.
Juneau: Mendenhall Glacier Canoe Paddle & Hike AdventureYou’ll paddle across chilly Mendenhall Lake in Juneau with a local guide, passing noisy arctic terns and waterfalls before hiking right up to the face of Mendenhall Glacier. Expect cold air on your cheeks, blue ice shining in crevasses, and real stories from guides who know these waters by heart.
Juneau: 5-Glacier Seaplane Tour & Taku Glacier ViewsYou board a floatplane in downtown Juneau and spend 40 minutes flying over five glaciers, including the massive Taku, with a guaranteed window seat and narration included. The flight departs from the water, saving you travel time, and the small group size keeps the cabin from feeling crowded. You return to downtown with the afternoon still ahead of you.Is it for me?A good fit if you want to see Alaska's largest glaciers without spending hours on the ground or arranging your own transportation — the 40-minute flight and downtown departure mean you keep the rest of your day free. The small group size and guaranteed window seats make it worth booking ahead, especially during peak season.
Juneau: Shore Fishing Class & Gear Included with Local GuideYou’ll slip into waders on the Juneau shoreline, learning both fly fishing and spinning reels from a local guide who keeps things easygoing. All gear is provided—including your license—so you can focus on casting lines, swapping stories, or just listening to the water. Expect some laughs, salty air, and maybe even an eagle overhead.
Juneau: Alaska Native Totem Tour & Mt. Roberts Tram ComboYou’ll step among ancient totems in Juneau with a local guide sharing real family stories, ride the Mt. Roberts Tram up through misty forest, and taste fresh Alaskan flavors over lunch with mountain views. It’s not just sightseeing—it’s feeling history under your fingers and hearing it in someone’s voice.
Mendenhall Glacier Sea Kayaking in Alaska: Two-Person KayaksSea kayaking activity in Alaska where you paddle a stable two-person kayak to view Mendenhall Glacier from the ocean, explore the Mendenhall Wetlands, and watch for wildlife including bald eagles, seals and whales. An experienced guide teaches paddling technique before departure and provides snacks and stories about the area on the return. The glacier view depends on weather; low clouds or fog can obscure it.Is it for me?Book this for paddlers who want to see a glacier from the water and don't mind two hours of active paddling—the ocean vantage point is the only way to see Mendenhall's full scale except from a plane.
Juneau: Mendenhall Glacier, Whale Watching & Salmon BakeYou’ll breathe glacier air at Mendenhall, watch humpbacks break the surface in Auke Bay with your naturalist guide, and end up sharing stories around an open-fire salmon bake deep in Juneau’s forest. Expect laughter, smoky flavors, and moments you’ll remember long after you leave Alaska.
Mendenhall Glacier Hike Juneau: 7-Mile Trek & Glacier ViewsYou hike 7 miles through Alaska's largest temperate rainforest, gaining 800 feet of elevation over rocky, slippery terrain, to reach a ridge overlooking Mendenhall Glacier's blue ice face and Nugget Falls. Your guide leads the pace, provides snacks and water, and handles transport from your hotel. Plan for 4 to 5 hours on the trail if you're fit and conditioned for steep hiking with a backpack.Is it for me?Right for hikers with solid fitness who want to see Mendenhall Glacier's blue ice and surrounding peaks without a multi-day expedition. Expect 4 to 5 hours of steep, rocky terrain with a full backpack—that's what gets you to the glacier vista and back in one day.
Juneau brewery tour with glacier views and three tastingsA guided brewery and sightseeing tour in Juneau that visits three distinct breweries—Alaskan Brewing Company, Forbidden Peak Brewing, and either Harbor Mountain or Devil's Club—with one signature tasting flight at each stop. The tour includes scenic stops at Mendenhall Glacier's Nugget Falls viewpoint and Juneau's iconic waterfront whale statue, plus kelp salsa from Barnacle Foods. Small groups only, with a live English-speaking guide.Is it for me?Choose this if you want a guided brewery crawl across three different neighborhoods—you'll taste at each stop and hear the stories behind Juneau's beer scene, plus scenic glacier and waterfront views along the way.
Mendenhall Glacier canoe paddle and hike: 5.5 hoursA 5.5-hour canoe paddle and glacier hike in Juneau starts at Mendenhall Lake with paddle instruction, then crosses toward Mendenhall Glacier while you watch for freshly calved icebergs and Arctic tern nesting grounds. After paddling past Nugget Falls, you exit the canoes and hike the rocky terrain to explore the glacier's edge—crevasses, ice fall and deep blue features—before paddling back across the lake. A professional guide, all paddling equipment, rain gear, boots, snacks and National Park fees are included; you'll need to be in strong physical condition and able to swim.Is it for me?Book this tour if you're in strong physical condition and comfortable paddling and hiking for a full morning—the 5.5-hour commitment and the 5-to-6-mile paddle plus 2-mile hike mean this is built for travelers who can sustain effort over several hours. Shared canoes with other guests keep the cost down and build the group energy that makes paddling across a glacier-fed lake feel like an expedition rather than a solo outing.
Juneau: Mendenhall Glacier Hike & Tongass Rainforest WalkYou’ll trek deep into Juneau’s Tongass rainforest with a local guide, crossing rocky trails and mossy woods before reaching a ridge overlooking Mendenhall Glacier’s wild blue ice. Expect muddy boots, hearty snacks at the viewpoint, and moments of quiet awe you’ll carry home long after your boots dry out.
Mendenhall Lake kayak tour: Paddle to the glacierA guided kayak tour on Mendenhall Lake puts you in a two-person kayak paddling across iceberg-studded water toward Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls, with a live guide who teaches proper technique and points out native wildlife. The tour operates under a limited U.S. Forest Service permit that keeps group size small; life jackets, rain gear, and snacks are included. The 3.5-hour outing is grouped by paddling ability so beginners and experienced kayakers travel at a comfortable pace.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to paddle among icebergs and stand (or float) in front of Mendenhall Glacier's face—the limited Forest Service permit keeps the group small and the water uncrowded, which is what makes the experience feel like you've found something few travelers get to see.
Juneau: Pack Creek Brown Bear Viewing & FloatplaneYou fly 25 minutes to a remote bear sanctuary, hike forest and shoreline trails with a certified guide, and watch brown bears fish or rest in their natural habitat. The tour includes floatplane transport, all gear and rain clothing, lunch, and ranger expertise. You'll need moderate fitness for 1–2 miles of hiking and must be at least 12 years old; pregnant travelers and those with certain health conditions aren't able to participate.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see brown bears in their natural habitat without arranging your own floatplane charter or guide—the certified ranger and fixed itinerary handle the logistics and safety. You'll need moderate fitness for hiking and must meet the weight and age requirements; this isn't a casual sightseeing trip, and bear sightings are never guaranteed.
