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You will find booths that are selling shore excursions and shuttle busses to the Mendenhall glacier. Other than that you will get lots in between saloons and souvenir shops. We had read that there was a trail from the Last Chance mine to the Mount Roberts mine but Museum staff said that the only way out was back down the road.
Book Your Mendenhall Glacier and City Tour
Like most helicopter and floatplane rides in Alaska, it’s very expensive, but truly a memorable adventure. You can zip over the glaciers and around the mountains, leaving the green mountains surrounding Juneau on a warm sunny August day and arriving just a few minutes later in a snowy wonderland. Juneau, the capital of Alaska since 1906, was our first port of call. It is the only American State Capital not accessible by road – everything and everyone arrives by boat or air!
Ladd Macauley Visitor Center/Macaulay Salmon Hatchery
The Alaska waters of the Inside Passage have excellent opportunities for whale watching. Several local companies offer transportation from downtown Juneau to the Auke Bay harbor, where you’ll board a boat for a 2.5-hour whale-watching cruise. You can experience the excitement of kayaking on a glacial lake at the Mendenhall Glacier’s terminus. Several tour companies provide round-trip transfers from the cruise ports. Besides being the capital city of Alaska, Juneau is a bustling fishing town with magnificent mountain vistas and a stunning variety of wildlife.
Home Cruise Ships Port Expenses Hints and Tips
They also suggested that once we got back to town we should head across to Douglas Island to visit the Treadwell Mine Historical Trail. But by the time we had walked down we were soaked through (the slight drizzle had turned to full on rain!) so we decided to leave that excursion for another time. However it looks as if Treadwell is accessible by local bus from the downtown transit hub on Egan Drive and Main street. The is mainly on the flat so it would make a nice visit with kids. If you are travelling with the family you might also like to know about the Twin Lakes park. It is just out of town and has a brilliant kids playground too – you can access it from town by bus or taxi.
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If it’s hot in Juneau, like it was for us, then you can also try their delicious ice cream. Every time we passed by, there was a line, so expect a bit of a wait to get your crab legs. Tracy’s Crab Shack is a great place to eat seafood, especially if you want crab legs.
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It takes 30 minutes drive from the Juneau cruise port to the base of the kayaks where you will receive your equipment and briefing. The weather may change during your activity so it is recommended to wear a raincoat/waterproof jacket and closed-toe shoes. Also, bring a bottle of water and binoculars to observe closer the enchanting beauty of Alaskan glaciers. The Tramway is also recommended for fully confined passengers or guests with walking difficulties, as it is wheelchair accessible.
You can save money by booking through an independent operator rather than with one of the cruise lines. You will definitely want to snap a photo in front of the city sign to commemorate your time in this one-of-a-kind capital city. When you depart the ship, a long ramp will lead you to Juneau’s capital city sign.
What Cruise Passengers Need to Know About Juneau Cruise Port
Therefore, resist the temptation to pre-book a shore excursion. Hands-on items in the Mining Gallery teach about geology, assaying and the life of miners. Then, watch the “City Built on Gold” documentary film to follow the history of the gold rush days.
Final Thoughts On Things to do in Juneau Cruise Port
I don’t know if there’s anywhere else in the world where you can reach a glacier within a 20-minute drive. The weather in southeastern Alaska in the summer can be hit or miss. You might end up with a gorgeous sunny day, but you might end up with nonstop rain all day. When visiting the Juneau cruise port, you essentially have to be prepared for anything.
The Mayor's initiative was welcomed by the cruise industry, which customers pay nearly USD 8 million in sales tax while ships are docked in Juneau. However, it has historically not paid sales tax for any merchandise or services sold onboard the cruise ships while in port. A similar exemption exists in Port Ketchikan AK created as an incentive for cruise vessels to dock there longer. Tucked in a breathtaking mountainous setting, Mendenhall Glacier is one of the main highlights of Juneau downtown.
If, however, mobility assistance is needed, there are several other options for navigating this gorgeous port of call. While Juneau offers a walkable city, it also provides a diverse selection of bucket list tours. Pick from glacier dog sledding, take a wildlife tour, or enjoy whale watching in Auke Bay. Cruisers interested in Juneau’s mining history will enjoy this museum. Located about a 2-mile walk from the cruise ship docks, the museum has a collection of interesting photos, artifacts, and equipment. Ketchikan is a very close second for me for the top spot as the best Alaska cruise port!
You will find shops, pubs and restaurants along Franklin St. Shuttles may be provided to take you to Walmart, Fred Meyer and Costco. There is an Foodland IGA supermarket downtown on West Willoughby Avenue. This tour takes you up in a helicopter to see everything from above—the Juneau Icefield, the Herbert Glacier, the Tongass National Forest, and more. If you’re lucky, the pilot will also point out wildlife like whales and bald eagles.
Tour guides wait with signs at the end of the pier, making it easy to locate your tour. Juneau experiences long daylight hours during the summer months, providing plenty of time for visitors to maximize their time in the port and take part in various activities and excursions. For panoramic views of Juneau and its surrounding landscapes, a ride on the Mount Roberts Tramway is a must. Enjoy the scenic beauty from the observation deck, explore the hiking trails, or dine at the mountaintop restaurant. The Mount Roberts Tramway offers a truly remarkable sky-high experience.
It provides access to Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, the Shrine of St Therese, and Eagle Beach. We tendered on our Cunard Queen Elizabeth cruise and found the process easy. We also like the location in which the tender dropped us off in town. Juneau is a great place to go to if you want to watch the Aurora Borealis.
On this tour, you will visit Overstreet Park, which features an impressive multi-million-dollar life-sized whale art installation titled Takhu. Familiarize yourself with the layout and take advantage of the transportation options available, such as taxis and pedicabs. This will allow you to make the most of your time and explore beyond the immediate vicinity of the port.
Along the way are interpretive wildlife signs, viewing platforms and carvings by the Native peoples of this area of Alaska. In addition to traditional motorized taxis and buses is a unique option – pedicabs. These are basically three-person tricycles that are pedaled by a local guide. They are priced by the hour (available at the port) and your guide will tell interesting stories about the town and its people along the way.
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