Mendenhall Glacier is one of Juneau’s most accessible and iconic natural landmarks, an enormous river of blue ice stretching about 13 miles from the Juneau Icefield down into a calm, iceberg-dotted lake. It’s consistently one of the most popular stops for cruise visitors, also famous for Nugget Falls, a gentle, family-friendly walk leading to a waterfall right beside the glacier.

Whale Watching was one of the absolute highlights of our time in Juneau, with guaranteed humpback whale sightings during peak season (we saw so many!). You can often see sea lions, orcas, and eagles too.

Always one of the most sought after excursions in Juneau, you will typically fly by helicopter to a remote glacier where, after a quick lesson, you’ll glide across the ice on a specially designed sled pulled by Arctic dogs.

A guide will take you from downtown Juneau out to Gold Creek/Last Chance Basin, where Joe Juneau first struck gold.

You will then learn traditional panning techniques and try it yourself, the best bit? You can keep any gold you find!!

Taking you straight from the cruise ship dock straight up the mountainside for sweeping views over the city, water and the surrounding rainforest. The red cable cars climb about 1,800 feet in just a few minutes, offering breathtaking scenery before you even reach the top.

The Alaska State Museum in downtown Juneau offers a fascinating look at the state’s history, culture, and natural environment. Exhibits cover Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian art and heritage, Alaska’s Gold Rush era, and local wildlife. It’s an ideal spot, especially if the weather isn’t ideal for outdoor adventures.