Mendenhall Glacier & Juneau tour: Small group with local guide

Walk through Juneau's gold rush past and stand at Mendenhall Glacier in one morning

A small-group tour of Juneau covers the Mendenhall Glacier, historic downtown, Brotherhood Bridge viewpoint, the Tahku Whale Sculpture, and the Shrine of St. Therese with a local guide fluent in English or Filipino. The tour runs 3 to 4 hours and includes glacier admission, an air-conditioned vehicle, and pickup from cruise ports or hotels. Children from age 2 are welcome, and the guide coordinates flexible start times for cruise passengers.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Juneau and Mendenhall Glacier

• Stroll historic downtown Juneau
• Spot wildlife along the way
• Stop at Brotherhood Bridge viewpoint
• Explore Mendenhall Glacier trails
• Visit Tahku Whale Sculpture
• Tour Shrine of St. Therese

The experience

Juneau's best sights fit into a single morning on this small-group tour. You'll start in historic downtown, walking streets lined with shops and landmarks while your guide explains the gold rush era and Tlingit heritage. From there the route moves through terrain where deer, bears and eagles often appear. Keep the camera ready. Brotherhood Bridge is a stop on its own, a scenic overlook where you step out to photograph the Mendenhall River, surrounding mountains and distant glacier views.

The Mendenhall Glacier itself is the centerpiece. You'll explore the glacier, walk the trails and have a real chance of watching ice calve into the lake. The tour also includes the Tahku Whale Sculpture at Mayor Bill Overstreet Park, a life-sized bronze humpback breaching from a fountain, and a stop at the Shrine of St. Therese on a forested island north of town. The shrine has a stone chapel built in the 1930s, a Rosary Trail through landscaped gardens, and views across Lynn Canal.

An air-conditioned vehicle carries the group, and glacier admission is included. If you're arriving by cruise ship, the tour coordinates a start time that works with your ship schedule. Just message the operator with your arrival details. Pickup and drop-off happen at the cruise port or your hotel.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle.
• glacier admission fee.
• local guide in English or Filipino.
• scenic photo stops at Brotherhood Bridge and other viewpoints.
• cruise port pickup and drop-off.

Before you book

Days and timesWednesdayDeparts at 12:30

AgesAdult (17 and older) · Youth (6 to 16 years) · Child (2 to 5 years)

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 6 pickup points.Operator's directions: “2 ports Juneau Cruise Ship Terminal Area, 470 S Franklin St, Juneau, AK 99801, USA Auke Bay Ferry Terminal, 13485 Glacier Hwy, Juneau, AK 99801, USA”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Pedz Sight Seeing Tour

Is this one for you?Choose this if your ship docks in Juneau and you want glacier, downtown, and scenic stops in one trip. The guide picks you up at the cruise terminal and adjusts the start time to your ship's schedule.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Filipino.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (6 to 16 years); Child (2 to 5 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

What is the Mendenhall Glacier like when you get there?

Mendenhall Glacier is an active glacier where you can walk trails, photograph the ice meeting the lake, and if conditions align, watch ice calving into the water. The trails let you get close to the glacier face itself.

Can I book this tour if my cruise ship arrives at a specific time?

Yes. The tour offers flexible scheduling for cruise passengers. You send the operator your ship's arrival time and they coordinate a start time that works for you, then arrange pickup and drop-off at the cruise port.

What does the downtown Juneau stop involve?

You'll stroll through historic downtown streets with shops and restaurants while the guide shares stories about Alaska's gold rush past and local Tlingit heritage. It's a walking portion through the charming core of the city.

What is Brotherhood Bridge and why is it on the tour?

Brotherhood Bridge is one of Juneau's most scenic and culturally significant landmarks. The stop lets you step out and photograph the Mendenhall River, surrounding mountains, and distant glacier views. It's a key photo opportunity on the route.