Excursions for a port day in Juneau
We always save our whale watching excursion for Juneau. But what if you find you’re in port all day and looking for activities before or after your whale watch? Right near the docks, Juneau features hiking and a great seafood meal.
Mount Roberts Tramway
On our 2016 trip my husband, George, and niece and nephew started their morning in Juneau on Mount Roberts. I was sick in bed that morning battling a sore throat that I had managed to pick up on board. I figured my best bet was to conserve my strength for our afternoon whale watch. But if I hadn’t been? I’m not sure if my fear of heights would’ve let this surefooted traveler get onboard for the climb.
George, Alyx, and Luke took this photo on the Mount Roberts Tramway to show me how high above our ship they were while I was snuggled in bed below.
The Mount Roberts Tramway travels 1800 feet from the cruise ship docks and over the rainforest to reach Mount Roberts in five minutes. An Alaska Native corporation owns the tramway. It features, at the top, a nature center, restaurant, and Raven Eagle Gifts & Gallery.
They enjoyed the hiking trails on the way back down (but could have hiked or ridden the tram in either direction). Or you can opt to skip the tram (it’s $33 per person, which is good for all day) and hike in both directions. I’m hoping to at least hit the hiking trails on our future return to Juneau. Riding the tram? We’ll see.
We always pack good hiking shoes for our Alaska trips, and they came in handy in Juneau for their hike back down Mount Roberts.
Tracy’s Crab Shack
We may have passed by this great dock-side Juneau restaurant, assuming it was a “tourist trap”, had it not been for the recommendation of a crew member. Jazzy, our favorite bingo host, eats there every time he is in port.
Here’s the thing – the crab legs are so, so much bigger than what you find in a restaurant or grocery store at home. An entire meal is made up of one crab leg – just one – plus sides.
When in Juneau, head to Tracy’s Crab Shack for their massive crab legs.
Eat gluten-free like I do? You’ll have plenty to eat with the crab leg, coleslaw, and delicious bisque. After a day out on the water whale-watching, there’s no better supper.
It’s one of those meals that I daydream about during my daily commute.
Most of the seating is outside, but on rainy days, we’ve been able to find a picnic table inside. Sure, we’ve already paid for our meals on the ship, and there’s no shortage of yummy seafood on board. But for us, a trip to Juneau includes a meal at Tracy’s Crab Shack as a finale to a great day of whale watching.
Wrapping up our day in Juneau
By the time we return to the ship we usually don’t feel like rushing to get dressed up for dinner in the dining room anyway. We’re happy to grab a light dinner at the salad bar or evening snacks at the buffet. Then we sit back, relax in our jeans and fleece, and reminisce about our great day in Juneau.
Update: We were last in Juneau in 2016. Tracy’s Crab Shack has since moved 100 feet towards the new dock facilities that opened for the 2017 cruise season. The new building appears to offer even more indoor seating (needed for those rainy Juneau days) but with the same great crab legs.
Let’s make the most of our vacation days!
Have you been to Juneau?
What are your favorite excursions?
