This was a great tour for the whole family. Departing from the docks immediately in front of the cruise ships, you take a 15-20 minute drive to the Mendenhall location. Our tour guide, Dan, was fantastic. We were on his last tour of the day, so we were taken slightly different routes to and from the glacier to see additional sites in the area.

Once you arrive at the glacier there are several hiking paths. The main paths are paved and accessible to anyone. The glacier itself is quite a sight. It doesn't compare to Hubbard, but you are able to get up quite close, and the weather in this area is typically much nicer as well. Juneau is the one port offering whale watches on this cruise, but we were able to see plenty of whales from the ship itself without paying for an additional tour. If you are torn between the whale watch and a glacier tour, opt for the glacier and watch for whales from the cruise ship.

The Mendenhall Glacier is almost everyone's most lasting memory of Juneau. It's a 12-mile-long by 1 1/2-mile wide, 1500-square-mile expanse that will leave you breathless - bring your camera and lots of film (dress warm too). It challenges your sense of scale and perspective. Watch the hikers on the trail to Nugget Falls from Glacier Point Overlook. They appear as mere specks on the horizon when they reach the waterfall. The interpretive talks offered by the Tongass National Forest rangers at Glacier Point are also very informative. The elevator-accessed national forest visitor center charges a $2 admission fee. Watch the film and tour the impressive exhibits and viewing room. Glacier Point Overlook, the best viewing area, is free.

Transportation Tips:

It is just a short 7-mile drive along State Route 7 and the Mendenhall Loop Road to the glacier. If you are staying near the airport, it is only a 4-mile cab ride, unless you can talk your hotel into a courtesy shuttle ride.

If you need transportation from a downtown-area hotel to the glacier, the best bet is probably Mendenhall Glacier Transport's shuttle, which costs only $10 for basic transportation. Take the bus right from the cruise ship dock downtown.

Mendenhall Glacier Transport

For $20, Mendenhall Glacier Transport's 2.5-hour Juneau's Best Tour offers a tour of downtown and many scenic outlying areas. (These may be off-season prices; expect $5 more in the summer.) This is the best bet if you have a short time in Juneau.

Capitol City Transit

The Capitol Transit's city buses will also take you within 2 miles of the glacier on the Lemon Creek Mendenhall Valley Route. You will have to get off at Mendenhall Valley/Boulevard and walk the roadside trail for 2 miles to the glacier. The cost is $2.90.