Juneau excursions and other ports

[pem309]

What excursion did you do in Juneau?  How was it?  Who would you recommend it to?  We are uncertain on what to do in Juneau.  We were thinking of just doing the shuttle on our own to Mendenhall Glacier.  Our friends are looking at the excursion that goes to gardens and the glacier.  It looks like it is basically a bus trip.

 

In Icy Strait Point we have booked and independent whale watching trip but will still have several hours in port.  What do you suggest.  Someone had mentioned there are jeeps to rent. Do those need to be booked in advance?  My grandson may want to do the Zipline. I think that can only be booked through the ship.  Is the zipline in I think Skagway better?

 

In Sitka we did not book anything as it is the 4th of July and were told there will be a parade and carnival.

 

In Skagway we booked the basic train ride but grandkids are looking at the train that includes kayaking.

any suggestions are very welcome!

[donaldsc]

3 hours ago, pem309 said:

What excursion did you do in Juneau?  How was it?  Who would you recommend it to?  We are uncertain on what to do in Juneau.  We were thinking of just doing the shuttle on our own to Mendenhall Glacier.  Our friends are looking at the excursion that goes to gardens and the glacier.  It looks like it is basically a bus trip.

 

In Icy Strait Point we have booked and independent whale watching trip but will still have several hours in port.  What do you suggest.  Someone had mentioned there are jeeps to rent. Do those need to be booked in advance?  My grandson may want to do the Zipline. I think that can only be booked through the ship.  Is the zipline in I think Skagway better?

 

In Sitka we did not book anything as it is the 4th of July and were told there will be a parade and carnival.

 

In Skagway we booked the basic train ride but grandkids are looking at the train that includes kayaking.

any suggestions are very welcome!

 

I love being in a small town on 4 July.  On our last AK trip we were in Wrangell on 4 July.  It seemed as if half the town was in the parade and the other half was on the sidewalk watching the parade.  Sitka is a bit bigger than Wrangell but it still should be good.

 

DON

[jdk4asu]

It has been nearly five years since we went but from what I have been reading nothing has really changed. So hopefully what I have written here will help and still be valid.

 

Skagway was a bit touristy but loved the train ride! I have been on several historical trains and this one was pretty good. Some of the most AMAZING scenery you will ever see! We even found a great BBQ place to eat there!

 

Icy Point Straight was cute and I think the native community has done a great job of preserving and showing off their culture. Hopefully they still serve their fried halibut sandwich in the main building as I have to say it was one of the best I have ever had. My friend told me his family loved the zip line there. My family and I went on a too many people whale watching tour (we all basically liked it), and I went on a "bear hunt" in the afternoon. They pick you up in a bus at the main center and escort you out to a wonderful valley with specific viewing areas. OK, I only saw a pair of ears moving about 1,00 yards away but it was cool to see such a huge animal in the wild. And the scenery was spectacular! Too bad I had a sunset that was a bit better or one of those pictures would be on my dining room wall!

 

Normally I do not like those tourist packages on tour buses. But I have to tell you that we took one that had a tour of the city, went to Mendenhall Glacier (gave us about 45 minutes), and then took us to the Gold Creek Salmon Bake. Ok, again, I grew up going to Disneyland and I kinda figured this could be touristy. NOT! It was a buffet of BBQ'd salmon, chicken and other local favorites. It is still highly recommended and trust me, it was GREAT and a lot of fun! 

 

Hope this helps!

[Bostonjetset]

6 hours ago, jdk4asu said:

 

Normally I do not like those tourist packages on tour buses. But I have to tell you that we took one that had a tour of the city, went to Mendenhall Glacier (gave us about 45 minutes), and then took us to the Gold Creek Salmon Bake. Ok, again, I grew up going to Disneyland and I kinda figured this could be touristy. NOT! It was a buffet of BBQ'd salmon, chicken and other local favorites. It is still highly recommended and trust me, it was GREAT and a lot of fun!

Thanks for sharing this. I’ve been considering the Mendenhall/salmon tour for our upcoming August trip so glad to hear you loved it. Last time I was in Juneau, I took the blue bus independently to Mendenhall and I think it was only like $20 or so. When I checked recently it seems it’s now $45 so it makes sense to just book the Holland America excursion that included that and the salmon bake (instead of just the bake with doing Mendenhall on our own). I was also concerned the salmon bake would be kinda kitchsy and overpriced but everyone seems to love it. 

[Coral]

What times are in you in Juneau?