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How We Spent a Port Day in Juneau on Our Alaska Cruise
- 18 hours ago
- 7 min read
Juneau was one of the ports we were most excited to visit on our Alaska cruise, mainly because it’s home to one of the most famous glaciers in the state. Instead of booking an expensive cruise-line excursion, we decided to explore independently by renting a car for the day, and it ended up being one of the best decisions of the trip.
Because Juneau port days often start later in the day and run into the evening, time can feel more limited than it looks on the schedule. That made planning ahead important. Here’s exactly how we spent our time, what it cost, and how to decide whether going independent or booking a tour makes more sense for your trip.
Renting a Car in Juneau (Instead of a Cruise Excursion)
Cruise-line excursions in Juneau were significantly more expensive than we expected. Simple activities like short vehicle rentals or basic sightseeing tours were priced far higher than we felt they should be. Instead, we rented a car through Turo, which gave us flexibility and saved us a considerable amount of money.
Our total rental cost was $186.55 for the day. The price breakdown included:
Daily rental rate
Trip fee
Vehicle delivery fee
Protection plan
Taxes
The car was delivered near the cruise port, which made pickup simple and eliminated the need for shuttles or taxi coordination. Having our own vehicle meant we could move at our own pace, skip crowded tour buses, and explore more than just one location. For an Alaska port where time is limited, that flexibility made a big difference.
Visiting Mendenhall Glacier
Our main goal for the day was Mendenhall Glacier, located about 20 minutes from downtown Juneau. Parking was straightforward, and entry to the recreation area cost $5 per person, making it one of the most affordable glacier experiences available in Alaska.
We started in the main visitor area, which is where most people first see the glacier. From here, there are multiple viewing platforms and open areas with benches where you can sit, take photos, and take in the scale of the ice and surrounding mountains. Even without hiking far, the views are impressive and very accessible. The visitor center is right nearby, with restrooms and exhibits explaining the glacier’s history and the surrounding ecosystem.
After spending time at the main viewpoint, we hiked the trail to Nugget Falls, which ended up being one of the highlights of our stop. The hike is under three miles round trip and mostly flat, making it manageable for a wide range of fitness levels. The path is paved for most of the distance, which makes it easy to follow and comfortable to walk. As you get closer to the waterfall, the trail transitions to a clearly marked rocky area with firm gravel and sand underfoot.
The final section brings you close to the base of Nugget Falls, where you can feel the mist from the water and look back toward the glacier from a completely different angle. Seeing both the waterfall and the glacier in the same view was one of the most scenic moments of our day in Juneau. Because we weren’t tied to a tour schedule, we could take our time along the trail, stop for photos, and enjoy the surroundings without worrying about a departure time. That flexibility made the experience feel more relaxed and personal compared to a structured excursion.
Exploring Juneau at Our Own Pace
After visiting the glacier, having a car allowed us to explore more of the area without constantly watching the clock. We could stop for viewpoints, drive along the water, and return downtown when we were ready instead of when a tour dictated. One important thing to understand about Juneau cruise stops is timing. Many ships, including ours, arrive around midday and depart late in the evening, usually between 9:00 and 10:00 PM. While that may sound like a long port day, the reality is you lose valuable time to docking, disembarking, and returning to the ship. Add in Alaska’s variable weather and limited daylight later in the season, and the window to explore starts to feel much shorter.
Because of that, we felt like we had to make a choice: focus on Mendenhall Glacier or spend more time exploring downtown museums, historic sites, and waterfront monuments. We chose the glacier since it was our top priority, but it meant we didn’t have as much time to wander through local attractions in town. Having a car helped maximize what we could see in the time we had. Transportation between the port and major sights can add up quickly if you rely on taxis or organized tours, and waiting on scheduled pickups eats into your day. Driving ourselves made the entire day feel simpler and gave us control over how we used our limited hours in port.
Stopping at the Red Dog Saloon
Back in town, we stopped at the Red Dog Saloon for a drink and a small appetizer before returning to the ship. It’s a classic, old-timey Alaska bar that leans fully into its Gold Rush-era theme, complete with live music, swinging saloon doors, and a lively atmosphere.
It’s definitely touristy, but in a fun, part-of-the-experience way rather than something trying to feel overly polished. After a day focused on nature and hiking, it was a nice contrast and an easy place to relax for a bit before heading back through security at the port. It also worked well with our limited time, close to the cruise docks and easy to pop into without committing to a long meal. Because Juneau port days can feel shorter than they appear on paper, quick stops like this near the dock are a good way to enjoy some local character without risking being late to the ship.
How to Plan Your Time in Juneau (Glacier vs. Town)
One of the biggest surprises about our Juneau stop was how quickly the day went by. Even though ships often list long port hours, many cruises arrive around midday and depart late in the evening, which means your real exploring time is much shorter than it looks on paper.
Because of this, most visitors have to make a choice: focus on nature outside of town or spend more time exploring Juneau itself.
If You Prioritize Nature
If seeing a glacier is high on your list, plan to dedicate a large portion of your day to Mendenhall Glacier and nearby trails. Getting there, hiking, and returning can easily take several hours, especially if you hike to Nugget Falls. This is the most iconic experience Juneau offers, but it does mean less time for museums, historic sites, and shopping in town.
If You Prefer a Slower, In-Town Day
If you’d rather avoid travel time and long walks, you could spend your port day exploring downtown Juneau instead. The area near the cruise docks includes historic buildings, small museums, local shops, and waterfront viewpoints. This option is less physically demanding and easier to adjust around weather, but you may miss out on seeing a glacier up close.
Why Transportation Matters
No matter which route you choose, how you get around can shape your day. Relying on taxis, shuttles, or tours means working around schedules and wait times. Renting a car gave us more flexibility and helped us fit in the glacier visit without feeling rushed, but if you stay in town, you can easily explore on foot. There isn’t one “right” way to spend a day in Juneau, it comes down to what you value most: dramatic natural scenery or a relaxed, walkable town experience. Knowing this tradeoff ahead of time helps you plan a day that fits your interests instead of trying to squeeze in too much.
Was Renting a Car in Juneau Worth It?
For us, absolutely. Renting a car gave us:
Freedom to set our own schedule
A cheaper alternative to cruise excursions
Time to see more than just one location
A less crowded glacier experience
Juneau is one of the best ports for independent exploration because distances are manageable and the roads are easy to drive. If you’re comfortable navigating on your own, this approach offers much better value than many ship-sponsored tours.
If You’d Rather Book a Tour in Juneau
Exploring Juneau independently worked well for us, but we know that renting a car and planning your own day is not for everyone. Some travelers prefer a guided experience, want transportation handled for them, or simply feel more comfortable with a structured plan.
If that sounds like you, there are several popular tour styles in Juneau that cover similar highlights to what we did on our own.
Mendenhall Glacier + Whale Watching Tours
These combination tours are one of the most common choices for cruise visitors. They typically include transportation from the port, a stop at Mendenhall Glacier, and a separate boat excursion to look for whales and other marine wildlife. It’s a convenient way to experience both Alaska’s glaciers and ocean wildlife in one day without needing to coordinate logistics yourself.
Guided Glacier & Nature Hikes
If you’re interested in getting deeper into the landscape beyond the visitor center area, guided hiking tours around the Mendenhall area are another option. These are more physically involved and usually include a knowledgeable guide who can point out plants, wildlife, and geological features along the way.
Scenic & Historical Tours of Juneau
For travelers who would rather skip longer hikes or glacier-focused excursions, there are also city and scenic driving tours that focus on Juneau’s history, viewpoints, and surrounding landscapes. These tend to be less physically demanding and can be a good fit if weather or mobility is a concern.
We didn’t take a guided tour in Juneau since we chose to explore independently, but these are common alternatives many cruise visitors choose instead. If driving yourself doesn’t sound appealing, a tour can simplify the day and reduce the stress of planning around port timing.
Final Thoughts
Our day in Juneau ended up being a perfect balance of dramatic natural scenery and a little bit of local character. Seeing Mendenhall Glacier on our own schedule and hiking out to Nugget Falls felt far more rewarding than rushing through a tightly timed group excursion. Finishing the day back in town gave us a taste of Juneau beyond just its landscapes.
The biggest lesson from this port is that you can’t do everything. With ships often arriving midday and leaving late in the evening, you’ll likely need to choose between focusing on glacier scenery or spending more time exploring downtown attractions. Renting a car gave us the flexibility to prioritize what mattered most to us without worrying about tour schedules or shuttle wait times.
If your cruise stops in Juneau and you’re debating between a tour and going on your own, renting a car can be one of the best value options, especially if Mendenhall Glacier is high on your list. Just go in knowing that Juneau rewards focused plans more than packed itineraries.