Friday, March 15, 2024

How To Get To Mendenhall Glacier From Juneau Cruise Port

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Mendenhall Glacier From Cruise Port By Public Bus

Juneau, Alaska Cruise Port Guide: Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier Tour

Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls is an absolute must-do and it was just beautiful. I would like to share how we got to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center from the cruise port as we arrived on a cruise ship which was docked directly across from the Mt. Roberts Tramway. The choice was to either take one of the expensive shuttle buses that departs by the Tramway or take a public bus which required a little more time/walking for only $4 roundtrip pp. Im glad we choose the public bus route as it was easy peasy and inexpensive. The walk from the cruise port to the Downtown Transit Center was less than 10 minutes where we caught bus# 3 at 8:05 am and arrived at the Glacier Stop-439 at 8:55 am. From here we walked the 1.5 mile and arrived at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center by 9:25 am. As a side note, I had read a very touching book, A Wolf Called Romeo, about a friendly wolf who had lived in this area. On the trail to Nugget Falls you will find a memorial plaque of Romeo and the wolf exhibit with Romeos recorded howls at the Mendenhall Visitor Center.

Have Lunch At The Red Dog Saloon

If you are looking for an authentic western style bar that fits Alaska well, stop for a beer and a bite at the Red Dog Saloon. The place is very nicely decorated and the food is quite good. You can see animal trophies and funny artifacts all around.

Even Wyatt Earps gun is on display, hanging on the wall! The sawdust floors and the waitresses wearing brothel apparel make the place very atmospheric. There is live music and the service is excellent.

Tour Agents & Operators

This Redmond, Washington-based company operates nine day tours in and around the Juneau area, including the Best of Juneau tour, the various gold panning tours, tours featuring the Gold Creek Salmon Bake, and the Custom Hummer excursion. Phone: 323-5757

Juneau-based Juneau Tours offers six day tours in and around the Juneau area, including helicopter tours, whale watching tours and dog sled tours. Phone: 523-6095

Juneau-based Mighty Great Trips offers ten day tours in and around the Juneau area, including Mendenhall Glacier tours, Mendenhall River Float tours, helicopter tours, whale watching tours, dog sled tours and more.Phone: 789-5460

Alaska Shore Tours is a local tour operator that offers a variety of active, adventure, sightseeing, cultural and historical, flightseeing and glacier tours. These tours run the gamut from kayaking, ziplining, sled dogs, flightseeing, whale watching and glacier exploration to city tours. Their prices are typically lower than those offered by the cruise lines, and when you book a tour through Alaska Shore Tours, you’re ensuring that the money you spend in Juneau stays to benefit the Juneau community. Plus they give 5% of the tour prices to charities, including the Alaska Conservation Foundation and the Alaska Native Heritage Center.Phone: 626-9600

Cycle Alaska is open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, and on Saturday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.1107 West 8th Street

Note: F = Fair Chance G = Good Chance E = Excellent Chance

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Shopping Near The Juneau Cruise Port

Looking to get some souvenirs or local treasures while in Juneau’s cruise port? Here are some of the top places to shop:

Alaska Shirt Company 489 S Franklin St, Juneau, AK 99801.

Trove – 497 S Franklin St, Juneau, AK 99801.

Caribou Crossings – 387 S Franklin St, Juneau, AK 99801

House of Russia – 389 S Franklin St, Juneau, AK 99801

Foggy Mountain Shop – 134 N Franklin St, Juneau, AK 99801

Private Mendenhall Glacier Trek Or Private Mendenhall Glacier Kayak & Trek

mendenhall glacier

With Private tours, you have more time to explore the glacier & find cool features like this ice feature!

Whats the advantage of booking a private tour? Worried that you might slow the group down, or, on the flip side, that the group might slow you down? Want a more customized experience for your family or group with your own personal guide and more time to explore? Are you an avid photographer who wants time to capture that perfect shot? Want to propose to your significant other in the Mendenhall ice caves or even get married atop the glacier???

If you said yes to any of those questions, then the exclusive Private Mendenhall Glacier Trek or Private Kayak Paddle & Trek might be the perfect tours for you! Lets look at a quick breakdown of what these tours offer over their public equivalents:

  • Up to an additional hour of tour time
  • Allows children as young as 8 years old to participate
  • Hike & trek at your own pac
  • Customizable & personalized to your groups specifics interests, including photography, proposals, weddings, additional glacier or ice cave exploration, etc.
  • Up to an additional hour and a half of tour time
  • Paddle at your own pace in state-of-the-art tandem kayaks
  • Customizable & personalized to your groups specifics interests, including photography, proposals, weddings, additional glacier or ice cave exploration, etc.

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Opening Hours And Holidays:

In major metropolitan areas like New York and Los Angeles, many drugstores and supermarkets are routinely open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, while department stores, shopping centers and most other large retailers are typically open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and often with shorter hours on Sundays – generally 11 a.m. or noon to 5 or 6 p.m. On holidays, the tendency is to remain open

Holidays in the USA

Why Book With Us

We work with reputable, local tour operators to offer you a wide variety of excursions to choose from, in every port youll visit.

We offer you convenience, flexibility and peace of mind.

  • Convenience of one-stop shopping for all of the ports youll be visiting
  • No hidden costs for transfers or entrance fees – the price you see is what you pay
  • Dedicated pre-cruise and onboard specialists are available to assist you
  • Leverage the knowledge and experience of onboard consultants during your cruise
  • Be one of the first off the ship in every port of call
  • Never get left behind. If a Norwegian organized tour is late, the ship will wait for you
  • Peace of mind knowing your tours are run by insured operators
  • Flexibility to modify or cancel excursions without penalty up to 48 hours prior to arrival into port. Any exceptions are noted in the tour descriptions.

Book Early

Our most popular tours sell out quickly so we recommend that you book early to avoid disappointment.

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Drive Toward Mendenhall Glacier In The Tongass National Forest

The glacier is located about 12 miles north of downtown Juneau. Head northwest on Egan Drive, take a right onto Mendenhall Loop Road which will turn into Glacier Spur Rd. Follow Glacier Spur until you see Mendenhall Loop Road on your left, turn left, and then continue on it. Take a right onto Montana Creek Road.

Where the road forks take the right onto Skaters Cabin road. Follow Skaters Cabin road to the parking lot at the end. This is the beginning of the West Glacier Trail.

To Shop Rental Cars

Culture & History Of The Juneau Cruise Port

Juneau Alaska | Mendenhall Glacier Hike | Princess Cruises

In many ways, Juneau is a melting pot of cultures that is largely a mixture of Native American heritage and the 19th century mining industry. Most people that currently live in Juneau reflect these cultures as well.

For a clear understanding and a better look at the fascinating melting pot cultures of Alaska in general, and Juneau specifically, carve out a little time in your trip to visit the Alaska State Museum. Featuring exhibits on the culture, art, and history of the states Native American heritage, the museum is the official repository for the natural and cultural history of the state. Additionally, the Juneau-Douglas City Museum features an extensive history of the mining industry with exhibits about how it helped found Juneau during the 19th century.

The Auke Tribe of Tlingit Indians was among the first to settle the area that eventually became known as Juneau. The surrounding lands were abundant with food and natural resources, providing ample reasons for these original settlers to live comfortably and be productive. Although these were the first to settle into a life in this area, Juneau showcases a myriad of different Native American tribes from the Northwest Coastal areas.

In 1880, during the peak of the Gold Rush, gold seekers Joe Juneau and Richard Harris stumbled upon the area that was first named Harrisburg, and later renamed Juneau. The Tlingit Chief Kowee pointed the newcomers in the direction of gold when they arrived.

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Glacier Canoe Paddle & Trek

Glacier? Check. Mendenhall ice caves? Check . Adventure? Check. Fun? For sure! If you still want an active, exciting, jaw-dropping glacier tour without an intense leg workout, then youll definitely want to sign up for the Mendenhall Glacier Canoe Paddle & Trek! Rated as one of the most popular Mendenhall Glacier tours Juneau has, this tour trades in hiking boots for rain boots as you paddle across Mendenhall Lake.

Your guides on the Paddle & Trek will determine whether the caves are safe to enter.

Dont be fooled into thinking this is a leisurely Sunday afternoon paddle though. Once youre all geared up with the necessary paddling equipment and in the canoes be ready to paddle for 5 miles and sit in the canoe for up to 3 hours.

The paddle is an enthralling journey in itself as you glide across the calm waters of Mendenhall Lake, encircled by the towering peaks of giants such as Thunder Mountain, Mt. McGinnis or the Towers. Watch the famous Nugget Falls grow in scale and grandeur as you paddle closer, passing icebergs with Arctic Terns perched atop like silent sentinels. Keep a sharp eye out for bald eagles, the occasional beaver, and even mountain goats. Keep your camera easily accessible as you navigate around the peninsula to catch the majesty of Mendenhall Glacier right in front of you!

Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure

The Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure is equal parts a gorgeous botanical center and an adventure into the rainforest of the Tongass National Forest.

Tours begin with a guided walk through the landscaped lower gardens. Take in the sights and smells of immaculately manicured flowers and gardens.

Then, hop aboard an open-sided shuttle to tour the rest of the 50-acre property. This untouched forest has been preserved in its natural state. The tour also stops at several viewpoints that overlook the Mendenhall Valley, Gastineau Channel, and Chilkat Mountains.

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Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Tips

Mendenhall Glacier is a rare chance to see a huge glacier up close and on foot. Most Alaska cruise visitors see glaciers from vantage points on ships.

Yes, hikers in Alaska can visit glaciers on foot as part of a land tour, but they usually need expensive transportation such as helicopters to get there. A helicopter visit often costs $300 to $500 per person. Otherwise, cruise passengers usually see glaciers like the ones at Glacier Bay from the decks of their ships.

Mendenhall is a major glacier 13 miles north of the Juneau cruise port. The glacier, which is inland and not viewable from a cruise ship, is part of the 16-million-acre Tongass National Forest. Tongass is the largest natural forest in the United States. The forest covers most of southeast Alaska and surrounds Juneau as well as most of the Inside Passage.

How To Get To Mendenhall Glacier From Juneau

Juneau Highlights &  Mendenhall Glacier Tour

Catch the Glacier Shuttle

Right in front of the cruise ships are shuttle stands. You can book a shuttle or taxi right there for around $45. The ride will take under half an hour and is narrated.

How to Take the Bus from Anchorage Cruise Port to Mendenhall Glacier

If you would like to save even more money, you can walk to the Downtown Bus Station . The bus will take you to Mendenhall for about 8 dollars round trip.

Take the #3 bus from the Downtown Bus Station to the Mendenhall Loop Road stop. The bus will let you off at the corner. You will cross the street and take the 1 1/2 mile walk on the road up to the Mendenhall Visitor Station. The whole trip will take you 1 1/2 hours each way, including the walk. The road is paved but will be alongside the forest. On this walk, we saw a mama black bear and two young cubs fishing in a stream on the side of the road.

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Aj Mine Gastineau Mill Tour

Learn about the history of the Alaskan gold rush era with the AJ Mine Gastineau Mill Tour. Youll put on a hard hat and descend into a 360 foot-long tunnel in what was once the worlds largest gold-producing mill.

An experienced miner will demonstrate hard rock mining techniques and teach you about the old mining lifestyle. Back at the mill, youll have the chance to pan for gold and see the first steam engine brought to Alaska.

How Do I Get From Juneau To Mendenhall Glacier

The Mendenhall Glacier Shuttle The shuttle is the best mode of transportation from the Juneau cruise port to Mendenhall Glacier. I found plenty of shuttles close to the Juneau port outside the Roberts Tramway Ticket Office. For $30, the bus provided a 30-minute ride to and from the visitors center.

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Stop For Lunch At The Base Of The Juneau Water Airstrip

Grab a crab lunch on the patio at the Flight Deck. It is touristy and expensive, but when can you eat crab while enjoying the quintessential Alaskan sight of seaplanes taking off and landing alongside cruise ships? If you dont want to spring for lunch, you can grab ice cream next door and stand by the railing. This is not the best crab I had in Alaska, though- that was in Hoonah .

What Should You Not Miss In Iceland

Mendenhall Glacier at Juneau Alaska | Free things to do | Celebrity Cruises Infinity 2018

10 Things Not to Miss in Iceland: The Great Geysir. The Great Geyser in Iceland has been active for approximately 10,000 years and was the first geyser known to man. The Blue Lagoon. Hallgrímskirkja. Askja. Thórsmörk National Park. Þingvellir National Park. Vatnajökull National Park. The Northern Lights.

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Am I Guaranteed To See The Mendenhall Ice Caves

Glaciers are dynamic, which means they are always changing. Its a well-known fact that Mendenhall Glacier has been receding at an alarming rate over the past decade, which has brought both beautiful and heartbreaking changes to the glacier and surrounding landscape.

As this river of ice continues to change, ice caves are formed and can last for months, weeks, or only a matter of days before melting and collapsing. For this reason, we never guarantee visits to, or entrance into the Mendenhall ice caves on any tour. Be assured though, if there is an ice cave open, accessible, and declared safe to enter by the guides , then you too can experience this phenomenal, icy cave of wonders.

We know the selection of glacier tours can be overwhelming, so weve put together a list to make it easier! Check out all of the adventurous Mendenhall Glacier tours Juneau offers below:

Even when you dont see ice caves, these glacier tours will take your breath away!

Public Transportation To Mendenhall Glacier Transport In Juneau

Wondering how to get to Mendenhall Glacier Transport in Juneau, United States? Moovit helps you find the best way to get to Mendenhall Glacier Transport with step-by-step directions from the nearest public transit station.

Moovit provides free maps and live directions to help you navigate through your city. View schedules, routes, timetables, and find out how long does it take to get to Mendenhall Glacier Transport in real time.

Looking for the nearest stop or station to Mendenhall Glacier Transport? Check out this list of stops closest to your destination: Downtown Transit Center Franklin St And Front Street Willoughby Avenue And D Street Glacier Avenue And 9th Street .

You can get to Mendenhall Glacier Transport by Bus. These are the lines and routes that have stops nearby -Bus: 3, 4

Want to see if theres another route that gets you there at an earlier time? Moovit helps you find alternative routes or times. Get directions from and directions to Mendenhall Glacier Transport easily from the Moovit App or Website.

We make riding to Mendenhall Glacier Transport easy, which is why over 930 million users, including users in Juneau, trust Moovit as the best app for public transit. You dont need to download an individual bus app or train app, Moovit is your all-in-one transit app that helps you find the best bus time or train time available.

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Take Helicopter Flight With Glacier Landing

The most memorable and exciting trip in my opinion is the helicopter tour up to Mendenhall Glacier with a landing on the glacier itself. Despite its rapid retreat in recent years, this glacier is well worth a visit if youre in Juneau, especially if you have never been on one before.

The trip is relatively expensive, but the entire experience is absolutely unique. Before landing on the glacier, the helicopter will take you around the bay and over the mountains for about 30 minutes. If the weather is good, you will enjoy stunning views of the entire Inside Passage up to tens of miles away.

After landing, you will have the opportunity to walk on this huge mountain of ice that looks like a river that was frozen in its tracks. The tour is great and you will learn very interesting things about the ice field and the climate change.

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