Tag: mendenhall glacier

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How to See Mendenhall Glacier on a $9 Budget: A DIY Guide for Your Juneau Trip

Planning a visit to Juneau, Alaska, but want to avoid the expensive, crowded tours? This guide is for those who like to walk or hike. In our latest YouTube video, we show you exactly how to do a full Mendenhall Glacier excursion for just $9 per person. That’s a fraction of the cost of a typical tour, which can easily be upwards of $75. It gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace.

This budget-friendly guide is perfect for independent travelers and cruise ship passengers looking for an authentic and affordable way to experience one of Alaska’s most stunning natural wonders. You don’t need to spend a fortune to have an incredible adventure, you just need a little local knowledge.

Here’s how the trip works and what you need to know to do it yourself:

  • Step 1: Get on the Bus. From downtown Juneau, you’ll take the public city bus (Routes 3, 4, or 8) to the Dredge Lake Road bus stop. The bus fare is only $2 per person each way, and it’s a scenic ride that takes about 45 minutes from the cruise port.
  • Step 2: Take a Short Walk. The public bus doesn’t go all the way to the visitor center, but it drops you off at the closest point, a 1.5-mile walk away. The walk is beautiful and on a paved path, taking about 30 minutes at a brisk pace. It’s a great way to stretch your legs and get an up-close look at the Alaskan wilderness.
  • Step 3: Explore the Glacier. Depending on the parts of the park you want to visit, you may have to pay a $5 fee. Have a closer look at the website for the fee areas.

Essential Resources for Your Trip

Before you go, it’s always a good idea to check for the most current information, as schedules and fees can change. Here are the official links you’ll need to plan your Mendenhall Glacier adventure:

Ready to See How It’s Done?

This trip is not just a budget hack, it’s a more authentic way to see Juneau’s famous glacier on your own terms. Watch our full video guide to see the entire journey, from bus ride to the incredible views at Nugget Falls.

Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/DwHbE1Cmibo

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Whale Watching and Mendenhall Glacier Adventure – Grand Princess Alaska Cruise Day 3 🐋🏔️

Grand Princess Alaska Cruise Vlog – Day 3: Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier Exploration

Day 3 of our Grand Princess Alaska cruise brought us to the stunning port of Juneau, Alaska – and what an incredible day it was! From calm ocean views to glacier-fed waterfalls, it was the kind of day that reminds you why Alaska is such a bucket-list destination.

We started the morning onboard with a peaceful breakfast in the Botticelli Dining Room, enjoying classic cruise cuisine while watching the mountains glide by. After breakfast, we headed up on deck where we were lucky enough to spot whales 🐋 in the distance as we cruised through the Inside Passage – a truly unforgettable moment.

In the early afternoon, we arrived in Juneau. Rather than book an excursion, we opted for the local city bus 🚌, an easy and budget-friendly way to explore the area. (🚌 Check out the Juneau Bus Schedule here.)

We rode out to the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area, where we hiked the trail to Nugget Falls. The views of the glacier and roaring waterfall were absolutely breathtaking. To access the trails and visitor center, a fee or pass may be required depending on your visit time or the specific areas you plan to visit in the park, so be sure to check the official Mendenhall Glacier site for details.

On the way back, we stopped by the Juneau Whale Project to see the iconic whale statue before strolling through the shops and soaking up the coastal charm of downtown Juneau.

Back on the ship, we enjoyed a delicious dinner in the Da Vinci Dining Room and wrapped up the night with a fun and energetic juggling show in the Princess Theater.

🎥 You can also check out our separate video on the Goldbelt Tram Excursion in Juneau if you’re planning an upcoming cruise!

This was a day full of natural beauty, Alaskan adventure, and memories we’ll never forget. Don’t miss the full Day 3 vlog here:
📺 Watch the full Day 3 Juneau Vlog on YouTube

Coming up next: Day 4 in Skagway, Alaska!

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Holland America Koningsdam Alaska Cruise 🐳 Whales!! & Juneau AK (VLOG Day 3)

Embark on an unforgettable Alaskan adventure with us aboard the Holland America Koningsdam! Day 3 takes us from breathtaking whale sightings to the stunning glaciers of Juneau. Explore the enchanting city of Juneau, hike to Nugget Falls, and marvel at the majestic Mendenhall Glacier. As the day winds down, relax and indulge in a world-class dinner and show on the luxurious Koningsdam. Don’t miss this incredible journey through Alaska’s pristine beauty. Join us now for an up-close look at Juneau and the Koningsdam experience!

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Crown Princess Alaska Cruise: Juneau AK – Mendenhall Glacier & Nugget Falls (Day 3 VLOG)

Embark on Day 3 of our 10-Night Crown Princess Alaska Cruise! Juneau Awaits!

Today, Alaska’s magic unfolds in enchanting Juneau. Stroll through charming downtown, hop on a scenic city bus ride to witness the mighty Mendenhall Glacier and cascading Nugget Falls. Don’t miss the iconic Tahku the Whale sculpture! As we return to the ship, savor a delicious dinner at Botticelli’s Dining Room and cap off the evening with a dazzling show. Join us as we explore the wonders of Juneau on Day 3 aboard the Crown Princess!

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Mendenhall Glacier & Nugget Falls Shore Excursion – Juneau Alaska

In this video, we will ride the Glacier Express bus to the Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls in Juneau Alaska USA. This $45 shore excursion is a private excursion that can be taken when you get to shore in Juneau. The excursion booth is located at the base of the Mount Roberts Tramway next to several other excursion booths. The Glacier Express bus took about 25 minutes to travel to the Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls which is located in the Tongass National Forest. From there we hiked for about 1 mile to reach Nugget Falls. The park also has a great visitors centre that will give out tons of information about the glacier. We took this private excursion while sailing to Alaska on a cruise as it was much cheaper than the excursions on the ship. The $45 cost also included the park fees to enter the area. If you are wondering what to do while visiting Juneau Alaska this Glacier Express Excursion is a great option.

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Norwegian Joy Cruise VLOG – Day 4 Juneau Alaska – Dawes Glacier – Mendenhall Glacier

This day 4 Vlog is of our cruise to Alaska onboard the Norwegian Joy. In this video, we will visit Juneau Alaska, Dawes Glacier in the Endicott Arm and the Mendenhall Glacier. We will also walk the Nugget Falls Trail to Nugget Falls from the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor’s Center. This cruise set sail from Seattle and visits several ports and locations in Alaska and B.C. including Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Victoria and the Dawes Glacier in Endicott Arm. The Norwegian Joy is part of the Norwegian’s Breakaway Plus class and is a sister ship to the Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Bliss. The NCL Joy is a massive ship that is 333.46 metres in length and can hold 3883 passengers and 1700 crew. The Norwegian Joy currently has itineraries to the Mexican Riviera, Pacific Coast, Alaska, Bermuda, Panama Canal and the Caribbean. The NCL Joy has so many features including go-carts, laser tag, mini-golf, water slides, pools, hot tubs, buffets, restaurants, casino, theater and so much more. This Norwegian ship was truly amazing and a Joy to sail on.

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