10 Breathtaking Glacier Experiences Only Available in Juneau

I’ll never forget the first time I locked eyes with a glacier in Juneau. It was the kind of view that makes your jaw drop, your camera shake with excitement, and your feet freeze—not just from the ice, but from awe. I’d just stepped off a bumpy skiff ride, still pulling off my life vest, when I heard it—a deafening crack, like the world splitting open. I whipped my head toward Mendenhall Glacier and watched in stunned silence as a chunk the size of a city bus calved off into the bay, crashing into the water below with a thunderous boom and sending ripples out like a mother nature mic drop.

Now, having visited Juneau more times than I can count (my coffee punch card at Heritage Coffee Roasting Co. hit double digits long ago), I can safely say this Alaskan gem has the best glacier encounters in all of North America—some, I’d argue, you can’t experience anywhere else.

Ready to turn your cruise stop into an unforgettable icy adventure? Let’s dive in (pun absolutely intended).

1. Helicopter Glacier Landing – A Champagne Pop of Bucket List Glory

Take a thrilling helicopter ride that lands directly on a glacier, granting you rare access to untouched ice fields with breathtaking views and photo opportunities.

You haven’t lived until you’ve clamped snow boots onto your cruise-ready outfit and stepped off a helicopter onto a living glacier. The feeling of flying over electric-blue crevasses and touching down where no cruise bus can go? Goosebumps.

Pro Tip: Book your tour in advance—there’s limited space, and this experience is wildly popular. Always check with your cruise line’s offerings, but sometimes local tour operators like TEMSCO or NorthStar offer more customizable or small-group options.

Insider Nugget: Guides often stash small flags for photo ops. Bonus points if you bring your own miniature martini shaker for that Bond-on-the-ice shot.

2. Ice Climbing on Mendenhall Glacier – For the Adventurously Inclined

Scale walls of glacier ice with guided climbing tours, perfect for thrill-seekers looking to conquer frozen terrain with professional gear and instruction.

Ever looked at an ice wall and thought, “Yeah, I should climb that”? No? Well, Juneau might change your mind. With the right gear and a top-notch guide, even first-timers can scale a crystalline wall of glacial ice.

What to Expect: It’s tough but exhilarating. Think mountaineering meets superhero training. You’ll be roped and harnessed by pros who’ve led National Geographic teams—so you’re in good hands, not slipping like Bambi.

Pro Tip: Bring liner gloves to wear under the ones they provide. Your fingers will thank you.

3. Paddle to the Face of Mendenhall Glacier – Yes, YOU Can Kayak There

Kayak across glacier-fed Mendenhall Lake past icebergs and seals to come face-to-face with the glacier, offering a peaceful yet invigorating adventure.

If helicopters aren’t your thing (or your budget cried a little), kayaking to the glacier is a serene, sweat-worthy alternative. You’ll navigate past small icebergs (called “bergy bits,” and yes, I giggle every time), and if you’re lucky, seals may pop up to say hi.

Cruiser Tip: Be honest about your paddling fitness. Tours can range from 2 to 6 hours, and your arms need to keep up with your Instagram aspirations.

Little-Known Fact: The lake at Mendenhall didn’t even exist when I first visited in the ‘90s—it formed as the glacier retreated. Nature’s timeline, right before your eyes.

4. Stand on a Glacier and Drink 10,000-Year-Old Ice Water

Experience the unique sensation of standing on ancient glacier ice while sipping pristine 10,000-year-old water right from the source—truly one of nature’s tastiest rewards.

Hydration goals, redefined. Many glacier tours will let you chip off a chunk of prehistoric ice and sip the freshest water you’ll ever taste. It’s crisp, cold, and strangely humbling.

True Story: One of my fellow cruisers brought a mini whiskey flask and added glacier ice for the “oldest on the rocks” experience. Be like Carl from Toronto. Carl knew how to vacation.

5. Glacier Trekking with Crampons – Wear Fancy Footwear with a Purpose

Embark on a guided trek across the glacier’s surface using crampons for grip, perfect for exploring icy terrain and learning about the living nature of glaciers.

When else can you say you hiked across a glacier like a real-life explorer? With the help of crampons (metal spikes you strap to your boots), you’ll get serious traction to navigate the icy terrain.

Heads Up: This isn’t like a walk in the park—it’s uneven, sometimes slippery, and always jaw-dropping. Wear warm layers, and channel your inner Sir Edmund Hillary.

Fun Fact: Some guides will teach you how to listen for water flowing beneath the surface—glaciers are dynamic rivers of ice, not just frozen ground.

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6. The Ice Caves – Nature’s Electric Cathedral

Enter surreal, glowing blue caves carved within the Mendenhall Glacier—a rare and fleeting natural wonder best explored with expert guides.

Juneau’s rarest and most surreal glacier experience: Mendenhall Ice Caves. Often accessible only in early summer, you’ll duck into glowing, electric-blue chambers formed as meltwater carves through the glacier’s belly. It’s like strolling inside a frozen sapphire.

Caution: These aren’t guaranteed and accessing them can be dangerous without a trained guide. But if you’re lucky enough to snag this tour, it’ll be one of the most magical experiences of your life.

Pro Tip: Some cruise lines won’t risk offering this due to liability—this is where going with a vetted local outfitter pays off.

7. Glacier Bay Cruising – A Front-Row Seat to a Moving Ice Opera

Set sail through Glacier Bay National Park for a extraordinary vantage point of tidewater glaciers, wildlife, and thunderous calving ice from your cruise ship deck.

While technically just north of Juneau, many cruise itineraries include a day sailing through Glacier Bay National Park—and it’s the most breathtaking sea day you’ll ever have.

You’ll pass towering tidewater glaciers, watch for whale spouts, and hear the echoing cracks of calving ice—best enjoyed with a warm cocoa on deck.

Cruise Wisdom: Get up early and stake out your spot on the port side in the morning… and starboard during the return. Yes, you’re welcome.

Fun Fact: Seabourn and Holland America Lines are known for bringing National Park Rangers onboard for narration—that’s like having David Attenborough personally guide your morning coffee.

8. Exploring the Mendenhall Visitor Center – Gateway to Glacial Glory

Enjoy educational exhibits and scenic overlooks without strenuous effort; the Visitor Center provides accessible glacier views and trailheads for all ages.

Not all glacier experiences require adrenaline and a liability waiver. The Visitor Center above Mendenhall Lake offers 360-degree views, educational exhibits, and easy trails for all fitness levels—including Nugget Falls Trail, a relatively flat jaunt to a roaring waterfall near the glacier.

Cruise Smart: This is often included in “Juneau Highlights” excursions, but it’s easy (and often cheaper) to visit on your own. Taxis and shuttles run frequently from the port.

Surprise Perk: Photographers love the spot after 6 PM when the cruise tours thin out—glacier all to yourself? Yes, please.

9. Glacier View from a Mountaintop Tram – Lazy Luxury, Killer Views

Ride the Mt. Roberts Tramway for sweeping aerial glacier views, a cozy lodge at the summit, and short alpine hikes—all just steps from the cruise ship dock.

Short on time or energy? Hop on the Mt. Roberts Tramway just steps from your cruise dock. In minutes, you’ll be soaring high above downtown Juneau with a panoramic view that stretches all the way to—you guessed it—the glaciers.

Suggestion: Grab a drink at the top lodge or hike the short Alpine Loop Trail (trust me, it’s worth the effort). Don’t forget to say hello to Lady Baltimore, the resident rescued eagle.

Bonus Tip: Watch for pink tape on the trees—these mark local berry bushes. Wild blueberries taste better with a glacier in the background.

10. Discover the Secret Behind the Name “Mendenhall”

Learn the fascinating origin story of Mendenhall Glacier’s name and its deeper cultural significance to the local Tlingit people—perfect for trivia buffs and history lovers.

Okay, this one’s not technically a “glacier experience” but it’s a dinner-conversation gem: Mendenhall Glacier was originally called “Auk Glacier,” named after the local Tlingit people. It was renamed in 1891 for Thomas Corwin Mendenhall, an American physicist and meteorologist… who never once stepped foot in Alaska. The locals still call it “Sít’ Eeti Geiyí,” meaning “the Glacier Behind the Town.”

Cruise Challenge: Learn a few Tlingit words before your trip—the locals appreciate the effort, and it will deepen your connection to the land.

Bonus: Cruise Guru Tips for Glacier Glory

Layer like an onion… a glamorous, waterproof onion. Bring base layers, a windproof jacket, and waterproof pants if you’re trekking. No one wants to be soggy under breathtaking ice.
Pack snacks. Cruise food is great, but cliffside granola bars hit different.
Charge everything. Cold temps drain batteries fast. Bring extra camera batteries or a power bank.
Avoid the “three o’clock glacier flop.” Plan your big excursions early in the day—weather is typically more stable, and crowds lighter.

Final Thoughts: The Ice Is Melting, But the Memories Won’t

Standing on a glacier is a reminder: we’re just passing through. These mammoth ice rivers are thousands of years old but vanishing faster than ever. That’s part of what makes glacier experiences in Juneau so urgent—and unforgettable.

So whether you’re clambering over crevasses, sipping ancient ice water, or just marveling from a helicopter window, know this: you’ve stepped into a moment that future generations may only see in photos. Take it in. Snap 100 pictures. And when someone asks how your Alaska cruise was, just smile and say, “Wait until I tell you about Juneau.”

Trust me—once you’ve had a glacier day, all other ports are just warm-up acts.