When cruise travelers step off their ships in Juneau, they are immediately greeted by Alaska’s stunning capital city—a magnificent “city in the forest surrounded by ocean and ice.” Nestled between Gastineau Channel and the towering peaks of the Tongass National Forest, Juneau is a nature lover’s paradise. But while many visitors expect beautiful scenery, few realize that Juneau offers several truly singular adventures that you cannot find anywhere else in the world.
If you are planning your day in the capital city, here are the most unique, local experiences you can only have in Juneau, Alaska, when you book with Juneau Tours.
1. Ride in Style on Juneau’s Classic City Trolleys
There’s no better way to capture the spirit of Alaska’s gold rush era than by exploring the historic streets of downtown Juneau aboard a classic city trolley. Juneau Tours is proud to feature beautiful, custom-built classic city trolleys that provide a narrated overview of the town.
As you glide past iconic landmarks like the legendary Red Dog Saloon and the historic state capitol building, your local guide will regale you with fascinating historical backstories. You will learn about Juneau’s deep-seated gold mining roots and the rich, vibrant heritage of the Southeast Alaska Native culture that thrives on our doorstep.
2. Stand Face-to-Face with Mendenhall Glacier (and Support Public Lands!)
Juneau is home to the majestic Mendenhall Glacier, a massive river of blue ice flowing from the 1,500-square-mile Juneau Icefield. Mendenhall is famous as Alaska’s only drive-up glacier, located just 12 miles (a 25-minute drive) from the cruise ship docks.
When you book the Mendenhall Glacier Shuttle with Juneau Tours, you board a permitted shuttle bus that drops you off directly in front of the USDA Forest Service Visitor Center. From there, you have a wealth of incredible trails to explore:
- Photo Point Trail: A paved, flat trail that is only a 10-minute walk round-trip. It leads you to a spectacular overlook offering the “dream shot” of the glacier’s face and the roaring Nugget Falls in a single frame.
- Nugget Falls Trail: An easy 40-minute round-trip walk that takes you right up to the base of the massive, thundering 377-foot waterfall of melted glacier water.
The Best Part? Mendenhall Glacier Park has strict commercial capacity permits to protect the local ecosystem. By booking through Juneau Tours an officially permitted operator $7 of your ticket goes directly back to the U.S. Forest Service to help maintain, protect, and support this magnificent natural treasure.
3. Experience an Authentic “Alaskan’s Alaska”
Because many of our guides, drivers, and captains are year-round residents and passionate locals, or guides who return year after year, you get access to genuine Alaskan experiences and insider tips. Our guides are highly trained and famous for keeping guests laughing with local folklore, historic gold mining tales, and what life is like in Juneau during the quiet, dark winter months.
Ask your driver for their favorite off-season stories, and you’re likely to hear incredible adventures of being chased by bears, embarking on local hunting trips, or camping out under the stars on a deserted island. This authentic connection with our guides is what turns a simple shore excursion into an unforgettable highlight.
Book Your Juneau Adventure Today!
Whether you want to combine the historic town on a trolley with the jaw-dropping beauty of Mendenhall Glacier, booking directly with Juneau Tours guarantees upfront pricing, flexible schedules tailored specifically around your cruise ship’s arrival, and a dedicated, local team that treats you like family.
Don’t wait until you arrive glacier permits are strictly limited, and day-of bookings are rarely available. Reserve your Juneau Tours excursion today!
