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Why the Best of Juneau® Tour Is Great for Families of All Ages
From glacier views to whale watching and a salmon bake, the Best of Juneau® offers a well-paced day that works for grandparents, parents, and kids alike.
If your family has limited time in Juneau and wants one well-paced experience that works for grandparents, parents, and kids, the Best of Juneau® tour is one of Alaska Travel Adventures’ strongest all-ages options. It combines Mendenhall Glacier, whale watching, and the Gold Creek Salmon Bake into one easy-to-plan day that gives families a memorable look at Southeast Alaska without feeling rushed.
Face to Face with a Glacier
The Best of Juneau® begins with a narrated transfer to Mendenhall Glacier, one of the most accessible glacier experiences in Alaska. The glacier face is reached by a flat, easy walking path, and the visitor center alongside it gives younger travelers a hands-on way to understand what they’re looking at. Rangers are on site to answer questions. There is no steep terrain, no physical demand beyond comfortable shoes, and no age limit on the scale of what you’re seeing.
A Whale Watching Experience Built for Everyone
From the glacier, the group heads to Auke Bay to board a custom-designed 48-passenger jet boat. The oversized windows and open viewing deck mean guests of every age and mobility level can experience the whale watching fully. Kids who want to stand at the rail can. Grandparents who prefer to stay warm inside with a clear view through floor-to-ceiling glass can do that too. Alaska Travel Adventures has operated tours in Juneau since 1978. The whale sighting guarantee is straightforward: if no whales appear, adults receive a $100 refund and children receive $50. However, Juneau has such a thriving whale population, their tours have a 99.8% whale sighting record!
Salmon, Fire, and a Rainforest Worth Slowing Down For
The final stop is the Gold Creek Salmon Bake, set in a clearing in the rainforest bordered by old-growth trees and Salmon Creek. Wild Alaskan salmon grills over an open alder wood fire on arrival. The all-you-can-eat buffet includes salmon, barbecued ribs, au gratin potatoes, baked beans with reindeer sausage, wild-rice pilaf, a variety of salads, and blueberry cake. After the meal, guests can roast marshmallows at the campfire, walk to Salmon Creek waterfall, or browse the trading post at their own pace. For families with young children, this unstructured time tends to become a favorite part of the day.
Easy to Plan, Easy to Enjoy
The full tour runs approximately 6.25 hours and fits comfortably into most Alaska itineraries. Transportation throughout is handled by locally led guides, the pacing is relaxed, and return times are reliable. Guests with limited mobility or who prefer a low-intensity experience will find the Best of Juneau asks almost nothing physically while covering an enormous amount of ground. Summer travel dates fill quickly, especially in June and July. Booking ahead with Alaska Travel Adventures makes it easier to secure your preferred timing and enjoy a well-planned, low-stress day in Juneau.
