Juneau: Mendenhall Glacier, Whale Watching & Salmon Bake

4.63

(147 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

Ever wonder what glacier air actually smells like? I didn’t, until we stepped off the bus at Mendenhall Glacier just outside Juneau. Our guide, Tessa (she grew up here—her accent’s got this soft Alaska lilt), pointed out Nugget Falls rumbling in the distance. The path was muddy from last night’s rain, but it felt good to walk—cold air pinching my cheeks while I tried to snap a photo that’d do that blue ice justice. Inside the visitor center, there was this faint hum of excited voices and wet boots squeaking on the floor. I overheard a ranger explaining how bears come down for salmon runs; made me glance over my shoulder more than once.

Next up was Auke Bay for the whale watching part. The boat had these huge windows and honestly, I spent half my time pressed against one with binoculars glued to my face. When our captain cut the engine and everyone went quiet, you could hear water slapping against the hull—and then someone yelled “There!” A humpback surfaced right beside us, so close you could see barnacles on its back. The whole boat let out this weird mix of gasps and laughter. I still think about that sound—the hush before a whale appears. It’s strange what sticks with you.

Afterwards we were all hungry (maybe it was sea air?), so heading to the Gold Creek Salmon Bake felt perfect. You smell alder wood smoke before you even see the grills—there’s something about wild Alaskan salmon cooked outside that makes regular fish seem kind of sad by comparison. We sat under tall trees with plates piled high—someone next to me said they’d never tasted potatoes so creamy. There was live music too; nothing fancy, just a guy with a guitar who played old folk songs while kids roasted marshmallows over the fire. Didn’t expect to feel so relaxed after all that excitement but… yeah.