JUNEAU SIGHTSEEING TOUR FIELD GUIDE
From Gold‑rush Streets to Blue Ice: Juneau’s Signature Highlights and Mendenhall Glacier
A narrated 3.5‑hour tour of historic downtown Juneau and Douglas Island viewpoints, with roughly one hour exploring Mendenhall Glacier’s waterfalls, trails and wildlife.
From Gold‑rush Streets to Blue Ice: Juneau’s Signature Highlights and Mendenhall Glacier.
This compact, narrated outing threads historic downtown Juneau and Douglas Island viewpoints with a stop at Mendenhall Glacier—offering gold‑rush lore, landmarks such as the Red Dog Saloon and the Capital building, the Breaching Whale Statue, and an hour to walk glacier trails and view waterfalls and wildlife against a backdrop of snow‑capped mountains.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Gold‑rush Juneau: Streets with Stories
Experienced guides narrate Juneau’s gold‑rush era as you pass landmarks including the Red Dog Saloon and the Capitol building, layering local lore onto the city’s weathered storefronts and alleys.
Douglas Island Panoramas and the Breaching Whale Statue
The route includes a panoramic stop on Douglas Island for sweeping views of Juneau framed by snow‑capped peaks and a close look at the new Breaching Whale Statue and fountain in downtown Mayor Bill Overstreet Park.
Mendenhall: Waterfalls, Trails and Wildlife
Spend about an hour at Mendenhall Glacier exploring trails, viewing waterfalls and watching for wildlife while taking in the glacier’s blue ice and the surrounding alpine scenery.
What the day feels like
What the tour feels like
The pace is deliberate: a narrated drive through downtown Juneau and along panoramic overlooks, a brief staged stop for waterfront monuments and skyline photos, then roughly an hour on foot at Mendenhall Glacier to move among trails, waterfalls and viewing areas before returning—an approximately 3.5‑hour outing in total.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who gets the most from this short, interpretive outing.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The tour runs approximately 3.5 hours and includes roughly one hour spent at Mendenhall Glacier.
Bring a camera for panoramic and glacier photo stops; dress in layers appropriate for coastal and alpine conditions.
Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center is operating on limited hours (10 AM to 5 PM, Sunday–Friday) and is closed on Saturdays; while indoor exhibits may be inaccessible, surrounding trails, views and restroom facilities remain available.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the tour?
The tour lasts approximately 3.5 hours.
How much time will I have at Mendenhall Glacier?
You will spend approximately one hour exploring Mendenhall Glacier’s waterfalls, trails and wildlife viewing areas.
Are the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center exhibits open?
Due to recent federal funding reductions, the Visitor Center is operating on limited hours and its indoor exhibits and displays may not be accessible during this time.
What are the Visitor Center’s current hours?
The Visitor Center is currently open 10 AM to 5 PM, Sunday through Friday, and closed on Saturdays.
Is there any extra tax or fee added?
A 5% sales tax will be added in the cart.
Who operates this tour and under what authorization?
The tour is operated by M & M Tours of Juneau under a Special Use Permit granted by the US Forest Service and the Tongass National Forest; M & M Tours is an equal opportunity provider.