Juneau cruise port guide

Why go?

Juneau is Alaska’s picturesque state capital and a port of call for virtually all Alaskan cruises. It serves primarily as a base for sightseeing flights and helicopter trips to the region’s interior, but it also has several in-town attractions and easy access to the Mendenhall Glacier for a taste of the more distant landscapes.

Cruise port location

Ships dock along and just off South Franklin Street, southwest of the city’s downtown area. Larger ships dock at two floating berths at the main terminal close to the Mount Roberts Tramway (see below), around half a mile (800m), or 10 minutes’ walk from the heart of downtown. Smaller ships dock farther south or, if all berths are full, tender to shore just north of the main terminal. The farthest berth, the AJ Dock, is about a mile (1.6km) from the Tramway and main terminal, to which it is linked by shuttle every 15 minutes ($3).

Can I walk to places of interest?

The Mount Roberts Tramway and visitor centre are alongside one another near the waterfront at the southern end of the main terminal. It is five minutes’ walk from terminal to the old-town Franklin Street Historic District and another five minutes to the easily explored and more modern downtown just beyond. It is also a 10-minute walk from the terminal to the excellent Alaska State Museum (see below).

Getting around

Taxis and shuttles are available outside the cruise berths on South Franklin Street. The most popular destination is the Mendenhall Glacier, 13 miles north (21km) of downtown. If you are exploring independently reckon on $45 round-trip with shuttle operators such as Juneau Tours (every 30 minutes; pre-booked voucher). Public bus services 4, 9 and 10 ($2) run from the downtown Transit Center at 100 Main Street) to a point 1.5 miles (2.4km) from the glacier visitor center (see below).

What to see and do

Flightseeing trips are the best way to appreciate the 1500-square-mile (3885sq km) of glaciers and mountains that make up the Juneau Icefield in the city’s immense hinterland. Rafting, sea kayaking, gold panning, bear watching, sailing, ziplining and other outdoor activities are also widely available. Get an introduction to the region in the city’s main museum and experience a taste of the landscape by riding the Mount Robert Tramway and visiting the Mendenhall Glacier.

What can I do in four hours or less?

Most helicopter and other flightseeing trips provide an hour or less in the air, but most take 1.5 hours or more once transfers from the cruise terminal and glacier and other landings are taken into account. Temsco offers a typical flightseeing excursion, with a 90-minute helicopter tour over, and walk on the Mendenhall Glacier from $319 (￡248).

Four hours is plenty of time to ride the Mount Roberts Tramway ($35/￡27; May–Sept only) – the base station is right by the main cruise terminal. Or hike up Mount Roberts from the trailhead at the north end of 6th Street and ride down. There are more easy hikes at the summit station and fine views over the city and its surroundings.Combine the tramway or flightseeing with a couple of hours exploring Juneau.

The best target is the Alaska State Museum (closed Mon Oct–April), whose state-of-the-art displays provide an excellent introduction to all aspects of Alaska.

Four hours is also just long enough to visit the Mendenhall Glacier either as part of a tour or under your own steam (see below), but pay attention to transfer times to the glacier visitor centre and back, and note that you’ll only have time to walk the shortest of the five marked trails from the centre. 

What can I do in eight hours or less?

If you don’t want to take an expensive flightseeing trip, then the best way to experience a taste of the region’s glaciers and other landscapes is to visit the Mendenhall Glacier. Many operators offer combined shuttles and guided hikes, but with eight hours to spare, and assuming you book a transfer or taxi there and back, it’s a trip you can easily manage independently.

Eight hours also allow you time for two longer but straightforward walks from the visitor centre: Nugget Falls (2 miles/3.2km round trip; 1 hr) or East Glacier (3.5 miles/5.6km; 2.5 hrs). Both offer views of the glacier, but do not venture onto or close to the ice itself. For more in-depth visits you will need to join a tour, such as the Mendenhall Glacier Ice Adventure Tour ($314/￡245 plus tax; five and a half hours), which combines transfers, a glacier walk and paddling in a large canoe on the ice lake below the glacier. Specialist equipment and snacks are provided.

Eight hours also give you the chance to take farther-flung tours, such as whale-watching excursions. Gastineau Guiding is a long-established operator and offers five-hour tours with options to combine time at sea with guided hikes and visits to the Mendenhall Glacier.

Eat and drink

Juneau offers excellent fresh fish and seafood, especially salmon and halibut: South Franklin Street’s waterfront has a variety of crab shacks and other informal eating options.

Downtown restaurants offer Thai, Mexican and other cuisines, with Front Street a good place to head for more eclectic choices.

Don’t leave without…

Juneau has several shops and galleries selling local indigenous art and crafts, but visit the Alaska State Council for the Arts for tips on ensuring you are supporting genuine indigenous artists. Also check for export restrictions on ivory, bone and other similar products.

Need to know

Flight time

Some cruise operators offer cruises to or from Juneau. Alaska Airlines has daily non-stop flights to Anchorage (1hr 45min) and Seattle (2hr 25min).

Safety and crime

Juneau is busy with visitors in summer so take the usual precautions against pickpockets and petty crime. Make sure you are properly equipped if you are hiking independently.

Best time to go

The main cruise season runs from late April to early October, with peak season in July and August, when temperatures are highest (average 64F/18C). Note, though, that Juneau receives 90in (228cm) of rainfall a year, and that in July and August it rains on average two days out of every three.

Closures

Many stores, galleries and tour operators close from October to April.