Things to do in Juneau
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Mendenhall Lake Kayaking: Paddle past icebergs to a salmon bakeKayak across Mendenhall Lake in two-person stable kayaks, navigating icebergs while your guide points out native wildlife and the history of Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls. The activity includes full raingear, life jackets, instruction before launch, pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points, and an all-you-can-eat salmon bake at Gold Creek with sides, salads, beverages and blueberry cake. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by a parent; those 13 to 17 need a signed parental consent form. The tour runs 5 hours and is weather dependent.Is it for me?At 5 hours total, this activity fills most of a day but leaves room for other stops in Juneau before or after. The paddling itself takes roughly two hours of active upper body work, so you need moderate fitness and the ability to handle a kayak; it's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries. The weather-dependent schedule means you'll want to confirm conditions the day before.
Ice Climbing in Juneau: Helicopter & Mendenhall GlacierAn ice climbing class on the Mendenhall Glacier near Juneau, reached by helicopter from the airport. You learn climbing fundamentals from an expert guide over roughly four hours, including the flight, a trek across the glacier, and the climb itself. Jackets, pants, crampons, helmet, harness and ice tools are provided; you must be at least 12 years old and in moderate physical fitness, and your departure time should be at least one hour after your cruise ship arrives.Is it for me?The van pickup from the airport and return to the dock means you don't need a rental car or a way to get from the cruise terminal to the heliport—the logistics are handled, so you can focus on the climbing itself. Book this if you're staying in Juneau without a car or arriving by ship and want to climb the same day you land.
Juneau Helicopter & Glacier Walk: Private Icefield TourA private helicopter tour from Juneau combines 25 to 30 minutes of flightseeing over the Juneau Icefield with a 20 to 25 minute guided walk on Herbert Glacier, where you drink fresh glacier water and explore the ice landscape with your pilot as guide. The tour runs roughly two and a half hours total, includes round-trip private helicopter transport and ground transportation to and from the airport or hotel, and provides boots and raincoats if needed. Weather can cancel the flight, in which case you get an alternative time or full refund.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to see the Juneau Icefield from the air and walk on actual glacier ice in a single outing—the helicopter gets you there and back within a port day, and the pilot's knowledge of the ice landscape makes the walk more than just wandering. If your group is large or you have mobility concerns, confirm seating and accessibility details at booking, since helicopter weight limits and the ADA lift's restrictions shape how the day unfolds.
