Mendenhall Glacier Adventure and Downtown Juneau

During our Alaskan cruise aboard the Dinogo Legend, we were thrilled to embark on several glacier excursions. One of the highlights of cruising in Alaska is that it allows access to locations unreachable by car. After navigating through the Tracy Arm Fjord to admire glaciers from our ship's balcony and getting a closer look during our Wilderness Safari in Skagway, we eagerly anticipated one last view of these magnificent rivers of ice during our Mendenhall Glacier Adventure in Juneau.

Speaking of destinations that are inaccessible by car, did you know that Juneau is the only U.S. capital city that cannot be reached by driving? You can only arrive by plane or boat, as the frozen expanse of the Juneau Ice Field blocks any road access. However, once you’re in Juneau, you can catch a glimpse of this ice field at Mendenhall Glacier Park.

We kicked off our morning in Juneau with coffee and breakfast on our stateroom balcony before meeting our tour group at the docks for the Mendenhall Glacier adventure. Since it’s located just outside downtown, we hopped on a bus for a short drive while our cheerful driver shared fascinating stories about Juneau along the way.

Upon reaching the Mendenhall Visitor Center, we set off to explore the park’s trails on our own. There are several hiking options, including one to a scenic overlook, another leading to a stunning waterfall, and yet another for wildlife viewing. After checking out a map, we decided to attempt to see them all during our three-hour excursion.

Our initial stop was at Photo Point Trail, where we enjoyed a stunning panoramic view of the glacier and waterfall. A few kayakers paddled across the water, providing a sense of scale to the massive Mendenhall Glacier, its vibrant blue ice standing out against the white clouds overhead. The chilly breeze from the glacier made the air feel brisk and invigorating. From Photo Point, we spotted Nugget Falls in the distance and decided it would be our next destination.

The Nugget Falls Trail offers a round-trip walk of about 45 minutes, though we took our time and made it a bit longer with all the photo stops. The well-maintained trail was easy to follow and featured many sights along the way, including smaller waterfalls, wildflowers, and a sandy beach that provided a closer view of the glacier.

After our trek to Nugget Falls, we still had some time to explore Steep Creek Trail. This area is renowned for wildlife sightings. Although we didn’t spot any bears, we did see several bald eagles and observed the last of the season’s salmon making their way up the creek.

Spending three hours at Mendenhall Glacier turned out to be more than sufficient for exploring the park and soaking up the natural beauty. Additionally, since food and drinks are prohibited in the park due to bears, we had built up quite an appetite for lunch, making us eager to explore downtown Juneau afterward.

Mendenhall Glacier Excursion Tip: Don’t forget to bring a water bottle and a windbreaker or light jacket. Hiking boots aren’t necessary since the trails are mostly flat and well-kept, so comfortable walking shoes or sneakers will do just fine.

Our tour driver shared an excellent lunch recommendation as he dropped us off in downtown. Just next to the seaplane flight deck, you’ll find the Alaska Fish & Chips Company. It’s a fantastic place to enjoy delicious Alaskan seafood like King Crab or Halibut while watching the seaplanes take off and land, all while sipping on local craft beer from Alaska Brewing Co.

Another delightful discovery in downtown Juneau was Kindred Post, a charming little post office that doubles as a gift shop featuring handmade crafts. My friend Julie had suggested it, and I’m so glad we visited. It was perfect for mailing our postcards and allowed us to pick up a few locally crafted souvenirs.

On our way back to the pier, we made one last stop because I couldn’t leave the city without tasting a cup of locally roasted coffee from Heritage Coffee Roasting Company. This café has been a staple in Juneau for over 25 years. Not only is their coffee exquisite, but the barista who crafted our lattes also shared the charming story behind their logo—a cute bear named Bruno holding a coffee cup, cleverly combining “brew” and “Juneau.” Isn’t that adorable?

From marveling at Mendenhall Glacier to leisurely wandering through downtown Juneau and discovering some fantastic places to eat, our day in Juneau was nothing short of perfect.