Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center and Trails
Juneau's drive-up glacier: a 13-mile river of ice ending in a lake about 12 miles from downtown, with a visitor center, short viewing trails and a salmon stream where bears fish in summer.
Alaska
Juneau
Juneau is Alaska's capital and one of its most dramatic cities: a compact waterfront town with no road to the outside world, squeezed between the Gastineau Channel and the Juneau Icefield.
This guide covers the headline experiences, from Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls to humpback whale watching, a fjord cruise into Tracy Arm, a seaplane flight over the glaciers and a helicopter ride to a sled dog camp on the ice, along with the Mount Roberts Tramway, the Perseverance Trail, a salmon bake in a gold rush valley and the state museum. It also pairs the sights with eight places to stay across downtown, the Mendenhall Valley, a boutique inn and the nearby gateway town of Gustavus, plus six practical guides on where to stay, when to go and how to plan a first visit or a three-day trip.
Don't miss
Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center and Trails
Juneau's drive-up glacier: a 13-mile river of ice ending in a lake about 12 miles from downtown, with a visitor center, short viewing trails and a salmon stream where bears fish in summer.
Juneau Whale Watching Cruise
A three-hour whale watching cruise from Juneau into the channels where humpbacks feed all summer, with a naturalist on board and a good chance of orcas, sea lions and eagles.
Tracy Arm and Fords Terror Glacier Cruise
A full-day cruise south of Juneau into a steep-walled fjord of waterfalls, floating ice and tidewater glaciers, one of the great Inside Passage excursions.
Helicopter and Dogsledding on the Juneau Icefield
A helicopter flight over glaciers to a dog sled camp on the Juneau Icefield, where you ride a real snow sled behind a team of Alaska huskies.
Things to do in Juneau
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
Nugget Falls Trail
An easy lakeside walk from the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center to a roaring waterfall that drops beside the glacier, with icebergs on one side and spray on the other.
Mendenhall Glacier Trolley Tour
A narrated trolley-style ride from downtown Juneau out to Mendenhall Glacier, a simple way to see the glacier and the lake without renting a car.
Mendenhall Glacier Guided Hike
A guided hike on the trails around Mendenhall Glacier with a local guide who reads the landscape, the wildlife and the changing ice for you.
Mendenhall Lake Kayak Tour
Paddle across Mendenhall Lake among floating icebergs with a guide and the glacier face filling the horizon.
Mendenhall Glacier Rafting and Scenic Float
A guided raft trip on the Mendenhall River below the glacier, a relaxed float with mountain scenery, wildlife and a few splashy moments.
Juneau Whale Watching Cruise
A three-hour whale watching cruise from Juneau into the channels where humpbacks feed all summer, with a naturalist on board and a good chance of orcas, sea lions and eagles.
Whale Watching and Point Retreat Lighthouse Combo
A whale watching cruise that adds a stop at a historic lighthouse on the northern tip of Admiralty Island, combining wildlife with Alaska maritime history.
Orca Point Lodge Dining and Whale Quest
A small-boat whale quest paired with a meal at a remote island lodge, for travelers who want wildlife and a taste of Alaska wilderness hospitality.
Tracy Arm and Fords Terror Glacier Cruise
A full-day cruise south of Juneau into a steep-walled fjord of waterfalls, floating ice and tidewater glaciers, one of the great Inside Passage excursions.
Mount Roberts Tramway and Trails and Ale Tour
A ride up the Mount Roberts Tramway from the cruise docks to about 1,800 feet, paired with a guided trails and ale outing high above the Gastineau Channel.
Perseverance Trail and Last Chance Basin
Juneau's classic gold-rush hike: a gentle trail up Gold Creek valley from the edge of downtown past ruins, waterfalls and mountain views.
1 to 4 hoursDetails →
Where to stay
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
Baranof Downtown Hotel
Downtown Juneau
A downtown Juneau landmark dating to 1939, formerly known as the Westmark Baranof, close to the Capitol, the waterfront and the Mount Roberts Tramway.
Check rates →Pearsons Pond Luxury Inn and Spa
Mendenhall Valley and Auke Bay area
A small luxury inn and spa on the quiet side of Juneau, away from the cruise crowds, with a pond setting and a strong reputation for service and breakfast.
Check rates →Aspen Suites Hotel Juneau
Mendenhall Valley near the airport
A suites-style hotel in the Mendenhall Valley near the airport, useful for families and longer stays who want extra space and a base for the glacier.
Check rates →Best Western Country Lane Inn
Juneau, airport and Valley side
A familiar, mid-priced chain hotel on the airport and Valley side of Juneau, a dependable base for travelers with a car or an early flight.
Check rates →Alaskan Hotel and Bar
Downtown Juneau, South Franklin Street
A restored 1913 hotel on South Franklin Street, one of the oldest in Alaska, with period rooms, a lively bar below and a reputation for ghost stories.
Check rates →Alaskas Capital Inn Bed and Breakfast
Downtown Juneau, near the Capitol
A historic bed and breakfast in an early 1900s house near the Capitol, with hosted breakfasts, period charm and a short walk to downtown.
Check rates →Super 8 by Wyndham Juneau
Juneau, airport and Valley side
A budget-friendly motel-style stay on the airport and Valley side of Juneau, for travelers watching costs who plan to use a car or rideshare.
Check rates →Gustavus Inn at Glacier Bay
Gustavus, gateway to Glacier Bay (nearby town)
A family-style country inn in Gustavus, the small town at the gateway to Glacier Bay National Park, reached from Juneau by air or ferry.
Check rates →Juneau guides
First Time in Juneau: What to Do, What to Skip and How to Plan
A first-timer's guide to Alaska's capital: the glacier, the whales, how to get around with no road out of town and how to choose tours that fit your time.
Where to Stay in Juneau: Downtown, the Valley and Beyond
How to choose between downtown Juneau, the Mendenhall Valley, a boutique inn or a night in Gustavus, with the trade-offs of each base.
Juneau in Three Days: Glaciers, Whales and Gold Rush Streets
A three-day Juneau itinerary balancing Mendenhall Glacier, a whale watching cruise, a sled dog or flightseeing splurge and easy downtown time.
Whale Watching in Juneau: Seasons, Boats and What to Expect
How to choose a Juneau whale watching trip: the season, boat styles, the lighthouse and lodge options, what you may see and how to dress.
Glaciers Around Juneau: Mendenhall, Tracy Arm and the Juneau Icefield
How to see glaciers from Juneau: free viewpoints, guided hikes, kayaks, a fjord cruise, a seaplane flight and a helicopter to a sled dog camp.
Best Time to Visit Juneau: Seasons, Cruise Days and Quiet Months
When to visit Juneau: the summer tour season, shoulder months, winter quiet and the northern lights, with what is open in each.
