Discover Juneau's historic sights and pristine natural beauty during this scenic orientation tour of the city, and a visit to the Mendenhall Glacier.
Depart the pier with your driver/guide in a comfortable, deluxe coach for an orientation tour of Juneau in style. Along the way, your driver/guide will share tales of Juneau's colorful past and explain current issues that may shape its future. You will pass by the Governor's Mansion en route to the Macaulay Salmon Hatchery, where your guide will familiarize you with one of Alaska's most important wildlife species: the Pacific salmon.
Next, you will continue on for a visit to the magnificent Mendenhall Glacier. This monumental river of glistening ice towers is 1 1/2 miles in height, hundreds of feet thick and the only glacier accessible by road in Southeast Alaska. Upon arrival, you will visit the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. Here, you will find exhibits, interactive videos, and panoramic views and photo opportunities of the glacier. U.S. Forest Service staff members will also be on-hand to familiarize you with this unforgettable attraction.
Afterward, you will proceed to the Green Angel Gardens for a private viewing and leisurely stroll through the varied ecosystems of the Southeast Alaskan rainforest. Along the way, you will have an opportunity to identify and learn about the traditional uses of such indigenous plants as wildflowers, skunk cabbage and towering Sitka spruce.
Following a light snack, you will visit the Alaska State Museum to explore its many intriguing exhibits showcasing the history, art and culture of Alaska. Highlights include a remarkable, life-sized eagle-nesting tree display, and a replica of a Tlingit clan house.
At the conclusion of your visit, you will reboard your coach for the return drive to the pier.