Glisson, Juneau, Alaska Adventure
Lodging: 3 Nights/4 Days
#1 Airbnb, $825.00. 2 Bedrooms, 3 Beds, 2 baths. Gorgeous views of Mt. Roberts & Mt. Juneau from the front deck. This is a duplex, with a quiet couple living next door. This is located just across the bridge from downtown Juneau, on Douglas Island. Wonderful amenities include washer/dryer, personal
items (shampoo, conditioner, body soap, etc.), 55” TV with Roku, and a stocked kitchen to include pots, pans, dishes, etc.
#2 Best Western Country Lane Inn Hotel. $871.95. 2 Queen beds and a kitchenette. Close to the airport with free shuttle. Free hot breakfast. Close to downtown and the Mendenhall Glacier.
#3 VRBO $794.00 2 Bedrooms, 3 Beds (1 double/1 queen, sleep sofa), 1 Full Bath. Downtown Douglas
(Just across the bridge from Juneau. Less than 2 miles from downtown Juneau.) Washer/Dryer,
fully stocked kitchen.
***Top Time Travel Pick is #1, the Airbnb on Douglas Island. All three would be great choices, but I pick
#1 for the views alone.
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Activities:
#1 Tracy Arm Fjord Tour. Approximately $175 per person plus tax (as of 2022). Take the Captain Cook as it transports you down the Tracy Arm Fjord to the Sawyer Glacier. This is an all-day tour (approximately 12 hours total) so please take that into account. It truly is a “must see” adventure. Breathtaking scenery
is at every turn. Whales, seals, and bald eagles are all common on this trip. But the crowning glory
is Sawyer Glacier. Engines will be shut off at the face of the glacier for you to experience the sights and sounds. Cracking, creaking, popping explosions are all common place. If you’re lucky you will even
witness ice calving.
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#2 Mendenhall Glacier & Nugget Falls. The park is easily accessible by car. There is a $5 fee to enter the Visitor Center but you are free to explore all around for free. Mendenhall Glacier is one of the most beautiful and accessible glaciers in the North America. There are several hiking trails you can take, to include Steep Creek Trail where you can see salmon swimming and spawning. Occasionally you can even see a black bear coming to feed. Not to worry, you're well above the creek. One trail leads you to the incredible Nugget Falls. This is an easily traveled, leisurely 45-minute, 1.5 mile round trip. You can walk right up to these 377ft tall falls. They are right next to the Mendenhall Glacier.
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#3 Whale Watching. Prices vary depending on boat/company chosen. An example is Jayleen’s Alaska, $185 pp (2022) for a four hour trip, including transportation. During the peak whaling season (May-September) you can see Humpback & Orca whales. You are almost guaranteed to see one or the other—sometimes even BOTH (I DID!). Juneau is one of the premier places to whale watch.
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There are SO many absolutely incredible things to do in Juneau, I am throwing in a few more just for good measure.
AJ Mine Gastineau Mill Tour. Underground Mine Tour.
Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure. Botanical Gardens.
Coastal Helicopter Dog Sled Tour. This was a phenomenal, but pricey tour.
***Top Time Travel Pick is #1, the Tracy Arm Fjord tour. The scenery and wildlife encounters on this trip were
the most beautiful I’ve ever seen anywhere. Completely worth the time involved
to experience this.
Restaurants:
#1 Red Dog Saloon A “must go” in Juneau. It is a landmark that began in the mining era of Juneau. It has a cool and fun atmosphere. Be sure not to miss trying a Duck Fart and the salmon burger!
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#2 Squires Rest, also known as Squirez Bar Fun dive bar in Auke Bay—recommended by locals. Live music
on the weekends.
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#3 The Island Pub on Douglas Island. This is a local, hidden gem just across the bridge from Juneau. The pizza is an experience all to itself. SO good—as were all of the other choices we tried.
***Top Time Travel Pick is #3 the Island Pub. Their pizza alone could have won them this spot, but what really put it at the top of my list was the location. Being able to step away from downtown Juneau was a wonderful and relaxing change of pace. And the views were amazing.