Cruise to Juneau for Stunning Views, Fresh Seafood, & Unforgettable Wildlife

It’s almost time for summer, and that means it is the perfect time to take a cruise to Juneau to experience the beauty and majesty of Alaskan wilderness. This place is a nature lover’s dream, a foodie’s fantasy, and an absolute must for cruise enthusiasts of all kinds. You won’t find sunny beaches or soft white sand here, but there are plenty of other things to do in Juneau that make it well worth the visit. Whether you cruise to Juneau to experience the wilderness, partake in the culture, or just for a nice change of pace, you are guaranteed to leave satisfied!

Top Juneau Excursion: Mendenhall Glacier

One of the most popular things to do in Juneau is to visit the Mendenhall glacier, a 13.6 mile long glacier located in Mendenhall Valley. The glacier is about 12 miles from downtown Juneau, and getting there is half the fun. You can take a canoe or kayak on Mendenhall Lake up to it, you can take a flight on a helicopter and walk around the top of it, or you can go the old fashioned way and just hike to it. Tours of the glacier will often take multiple approaches, such as canoeing up to the glacier and then continuing on foot once you are there. Whichever way you get there though, it is a magnificent sight to see and easy to understand why so many people cruise to Juneau to see it. While you are here, you can also visit Nugget Falls, a massive two-tiered waterfall that dumps water from the Nugget Glacier into Mendenhall Lake — which just so happens to be a great spot for the perfect instagram pic!

Cruise to Juneau to Experience the Food and Drink

One of the best reasons to take a cruise anywhere is to experience the local food, and there is plenty of killer seafood and local brews here to justify a cruise to Juneua just to experience the authentic Alaskan cuisine. If you’re not sure where to go for a drink, we recommend the famous Red Dog Saloon, where you can get the Kahlúa, Bailey’s Irish Cream, and Canadian Whiskey concoction known as the Duck Fart shot. For the best seafood you’ve ever had, head to Tracy’s King Crab Shack for fresh caught crab like you’ll never get anywhere else. If you’ve got a little more time to spend, the Gold Creek Salmon Bake is a two-hour experience where you will take a short hike up to Salmon Creek Waterfall and see salmon being caught and cooked on the spot. The all-you-can-eat feast includes baked chicken, potatoes, baked beans, wild rice, and cornbread, and it is easily one of the tastiest things to do in Juneau! 

Top Things to do in Juneau: Explore Wildlife

Any time you cruise to Juneua you will get the opportunity to see amazing wildlife in their natural habitat. But if you are looking to spot some whales, April to November is the time to go. During this time, around 600 humpback whales occupy the waters of the northern Inside Passage, and daily boat tours catch sightings on nearly every trip out. If you’re lucky, you might also get to see orcas as well as they come here to hunt for seals. In addition to whale watching, there are many other iconic Alaskan animals to keep an eye out for. Birdwatching is another very popular thing to do in Juneau, with roughly 20,000 bald eagles residing here alongside many other avian species. To see bears, head to Admiralty Island National Monument and the Kootznoowoo Wilderness Area during July or August to see the bears hunting for salmon in the rivers.

Cruise to Juneau to Visit Mount Roberts Tramway

Last but not least on our list of things to do in Juneau is the Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway. It starts with a ride up 1,800-feet high in a cable car to the for some stunning aerial views of Juneau. Once at the Sky Bridge and Mountain House complex created by Goldbelt Incorporated, you can visit the live bald eagle display or do some mountain hiking along the various trails. At the Mountain House, or “Shaa Hit” as the local indigenous people call it, you’ll find a theater, a gift shop, an espresso bar, and The Timberline Restaurant. There is plenty to do while you are here, but the insane panoramic views are the real star of the show, and no cruise to Juneau would be complete without these breathtaking views of the mountains.

If you want to book your own cruise to Juneau, check out all the Alaska cruises Cruises.com — we can help you book the smart way! We give you our exclusive bonus offers and all qualifying cruise line offers, plus all of the cruise line loyalty program benefits. Book online at Cruises.com or call 800-288-6006 today.

Related: Alaska Cruise – Experience All Alaska Offers