what is a good "plan b" in Juneau?

[irun5k]

Hey all, we'll be visiting Juneau on Quantum in June.  We have the float plane excursion with Taku Lodge scheduled for 2 PM.  My understanding is that arial activities are cancelled frequently in Alaska due to weather concerns, and the likelihood of cancellation gets worse later in the day.    

 

So, with that fact combined with my luck (which is typically not good) I'm prepping the family for this being an excursion that we likely won't get to do.  Always better to underpromise and overdeliver.  What are some good "plan B" options that can be activated with basically no notice?  We're paying a lot to go to Alaska so I hate to just walk around the port area. 

 

Anything would be better than nothing- but I'm just not sure what you can walk up and do without a reservation.  Also, cost wouldn't be a major concern for plan B, since we're already doing one of the more expensive excursions and I certainly hope it would be refunded if it is cancelled.

 

 

[torybruno]

Taxi to Mendenhall Glacier, tour the visitor center and hike out to the glacier and falls.  Taxi return, if it’s cleared up, take the tram up to the top.  We enjoyed an Alaska beer up there with crabmeat nachos, there are also some hikes up there.  

[dfilpus]

There are kiosks on the docks that sell excursions (unrelated to the cruise ship ). You can see what’s available and what your risk of missing the ship is.

[wolfie11]

3 hours ago, torybruno said:

Taxi to Mendenhall Glacier, tour the visitor center and hike out to the glacier and falls.  Taxi return, if it’s cleared up, take the tram up to the top.  We enjoyed an Alaska beer up there with crabmeat nachos, there are also some hikes up there.  

You cannot walk out to the glacier.  It is inaccessible by foot.

[wolfie11]

3 hours ago, irun5k said:

Anything would be better than nothing- but I'm just not sure what you can walk up and do without a reservation.  Also, cost wouldn't be a major concern for plan B, since we're already doing one of the more expensive excursions and I certainly hope it would be refunded if it is cancelled.

 

 

You might be able to get on a whale-watching tour although there are fewer in the afternoons.  If you booked through the ship or direct with Wings, you’ll get a refund.  If you booked third-party, check your terms and conditions carefully.  Some will not refund if within 24 hours.  Some will refund if the excursion is cancelled for bad weather but not if your ship skips the port.

[Northern Aurora]

If you are weather cancelled in Juneau the Alaska State Museum is an easy walk.  The Sealaska Heritage Institute is even closer.

[CaribbeanIsland]

Helicopter is cancelled more than plane. I haven't heard of many who have had Taku lodge cancelled but I am sure it happens.

 

Whale watching would be my Plan B. Museum would be Plan C. Mendenhall Plan D.

[karatemom2]

Mount Robert’s tramway might be a good plan b. There are some nice hiking trails at the top. Generally you can get same day access at the Salmon Bake as well which we enjoy. Food is good and it’s a really pretty area with a waterfall. You can also go to Mendenhall and hike to Nugget Falls. 

[Casey12]

Whale watching!

[irun5k]

Thanks all, these are some solid options so far and gives me some confidence that we'll find *something* to do 🙂. Hopping on a tour with someone selling from a kiosk is a little scary to me just because I'm risk adverse and like to reach the company, duration, etc. ahead of time but I am sure it is normally fine.  I presume most of the pier runners we see have gone off and done their own thing and planned it poorly.

 

My hope was indeed that the float plane trips had a higher likelihood of happening than the helo flights to the glacier so we went with that option instead.

 

My daughter loves dogs and would be upset not to have some experience with them so I decided to book the musher camp excursion in Skagway figuring that was almost a sure bet.  Playing the odds here... not just in the casino.

 

 

[SoloAlaska]

15 hours ago, irun5k said:

Thanks all, these are some solid options so far and gives me some confidence that we'll find *something* to do 🙂. Hopping on a tour with someone selling from a kiosk is a little scary to me just because I'm risk adverse and like to reach the company, duration, etc. ahead of time but I am sure it is normally fine.  I presume most of the pier runners we see have gone off and done their own thing and planned it poorly.

 

My hope was indeed that the float plane trips had a higher likelihood of happening than the helo flights to the glacier so we went with that option instead.

 

My daughter loves dogs and would be upset not to have some experience with them so I decided to book the musher camp excursion in Skagway figuring that was almost a sure bet.  Playing the odds here... not just in the casino.

 

 

We went whale watching with one of those kiosks last year and it was incredible, the staff were awesome.

 

Mendenhall or whale watching would be my two options for plan B. The tram is a pretty quick little thing unless you want to take a multi hour hike. The hike to Gastineau Peak is over 3 hours and rated as hard according to AllTrails, I’m planning on it and maybe another hike for my cruise but I love hiking and am preparing for some pretty serious trails during this trip.

[wolfie11]

I would point out that if the weather is bad enough that flying is cancelled, it may not be very pleasant at the top of the tram either.

[torybruno]

On 2/14/2024 at 3:17 PM, wolfie11 said:

You cannot walk out to the glacier.  It is inaccessible by foot.

Walk out water falls with glacier view.  I stand corrected!

[Kat915]

I went to Taku lodge in the afternoon in September. Great excursion and I hope you get to experience it.  Helicopter to land on glacier has been canceled before. 

 

Good back up plans noted above. 

[lynncarol]

On 2/14/2024 at 3:17 PM, wolfie11 said:

You cannot walk out to the glacier.  It is inaccessible by foot.

True, but if you take the shuttle to the Visitor Center of the Glacier, you can easily see the glacier across the little lake (inlet?) and you can walk to Nugget Falls, which my husband and I enjoyed. At the time we went, they had telescopes set up in the visitor center where you could get a really close-up view of the glacier. 

[wolfie11]

1 hour ago, lynncarol said:

True, but if you take the shuttle to the Visitor Center of the Glacier, you can easily see the glacier across the little lake (inlet?) and you can walk to Nugget Falls, which my husband and I enjoyed. At the time we went, they had telescopes set up in the visitor center where you could get a really close-up view of the glacier. 

Yes. Although it has really retreated in the last couple of years.

Edited February 22 by wolfie11

[Coral]

15 hours ago, lynncarol said:

True, but if you take the shuttle to the Visitor Center of the Glacier, you can easily see the glacier across the little lake (inlet?) and you can walk to Nugget Falls, which my husband and I enjoyed. At the time we went, they had telescopes set up in the visitor center where you could get a really close-up view of the glacier. 

It has retreated so much - I no longer recommend going. I think there are better ways to spend time in Juneau. The view IMO is underwhelming.

Edited February 23 by Coral

[whee-sailing]

2 hours ago, Coral said:

I think there are better ways to spend time in Juneau.

 

Any specific recommendations? Thanks!

[Coral]

21 hours ago, whee-sailing said:

 

Any specific recommendations? Thanks!

Whale watching. Not sure if you want to do that considering where you live.

 

Tracy Arm: https://allenmarinetours.com/juneau/tracy-arm-fjord-glacier-explorer/#gsc.tab=0 

[lynncarol]

On 2/23/2024 at 8:06 AM, Coral said:

It has retreated so much - I no longer recommend going. I think there are better ways to spend time in Juneau. The view IMO is underwhelming.

That is indeed sad to learn.