Top 7 kids-friendly things to do in Juneau

1. Whale watching tour in Juneau, Alaska

Three hours on a jet boat, searching for Humpback Whales and local wildlife, with knowledgeable naturalists on board.

“We encountered numerous whales on this tour. Nate was very informative and responded to many of our inquiries. Watching a mother and her calf made the experience even more special. I highly recommend this tour.”— margaret_j

2. Wildlife whale watching and Mendenhall Glacier visit in Juneau

Four hours touring the Mendenhall Glacier followed by whale watching aboard a state-of-the-art vessel for guaranteed sightings of Humpback Whales.

“Despite the less than ideal weather, the crew—Michelle, Sophie, and Claire—impressed us with their knowledge. Michelle excellently navigated the boat through windy and rainy conditions, managing to spot whales. We enjoyed learning their names and other details. We wholeheartedly recommend Alaska Tales.”— I4368MOfrankp

3. Mendenhall Glacier and whale watching tour in Juneau

Four to five hours on a jet boat — 1 hour at Mendenhall Glacier plus whale watching, with a family-owned local operator.

“We selected this tour for both Mendenhall Glacier and whale watching, and while we found it pricey, we anticipated the added benefits of hot chocolate and snacks. The crew was friendly, and Nia was particularly entertaining. The bus and boat were clean, but I likely would not choose this option again. First, other companies start right at the ship, but this one required a walk to the tram. During check-in, we received the wrong green card, nearly boarding the incorrect tour. When we got on the bus, one individual ended up without a seat. Fortunately, a young crew member called out names and discovered we had been sent to the wrong bus. Despite arriving early, we were the last to board the correct bus. We were informed that whale watching would be first, but we were taken 20 minutes away to an area where whales had previously been spotted. Ironically, we saw more whales coming into port where our ship docked than from this boat. On the return trip, hot chocolate and snack packs were served. Despite knowing the number of passengers, they only provided each of us with half a cup of hot chocolate and ran out of cup lids, which became essential later. Having been whale watching before, this experience did not meet expectations. Captain Jay frequently made poor navigational choices, staying far from the whales compared to other boats. We observed some whale blows and tails, but felt too distant to enjoy the sight properly. On the return journey, Jay seemed more concerned about reaching the dock than the sea conditions. We noticed wake waves from oncoming ships, but he appeared distracted, leading to a hard impact that spilled hot chocolate everywhere. A man's coat ended up completely soaked, while my seat and pants absorbed what remained of my half cup. After cleaning up, we received snack bags, but I expected local Alaska snacks and instead got children's items like applesauce, goldfish, and granola bars. Finally, we headed to Mendenhall Glacier. Lisa was a pleasant bus driver, but I would have preferred more commentary about Alaska rather than yard art. The visitor center was closed since it was after 5 PM, and it was dark by the time we finished the trail. There was no guidance for the trails; we only got transportation. While I appreciated Nia's contributions, overall, I left this tour feeling disappointed.”— family4MI

4. Whale watching tour in Juneau

Two to four hours on a small jet boat with experienced local guides — see humpback whales and more in a relaxed setting.

“My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the whale watching tour. Our bus driver, Otto, and Naturalist, Rio, provided great insights about the local wildlife and tips for spotting them in their natural environment. The boat was heated, enclosed, and offered snacks and beverages, along with comfortable decks for wildlife viewing. Boat driver Austin and Rio guided us to see a humpback whale, orcas (including a baby that breached), Dall's porpoises, and sea lions. We booked this trip at the last minute and were incredibly impressed by the company’s expertise and hospitality. We would give it 10 stars if we could.”— jaredbA4247QB

5. Mendenhall Glacier and whale watching tour from Juneau

Half-day tour combining whale watching and Mendenhall Glacier visits, with small, mammal-friendly jet boats for an intimate experience.

“We participated in the Whales & Mendenhall Glacier tour in Juneau at the end of August, and while the tour itself was wonderful with whales as a standout feature, the experience turned stressful when our bus departed the glacier 8 minutes before the scheduled pickup time. We saw the bus leave while we were still walking from the far end of the loop. After incurring unexpected roaming charges, trekking to the park entrance, and taking a cab, we barely made it back to our ship with just 10 minutes to go. This whole ordeal was incredibly anxiety-inducing. We reached out to the tour operator, who promised to investigate but we haven't heard back after multiple follow-up emails over the past three weeks. It’s disappointing that they haven’t addressed this issue.”— dustinjenniferm

6. Guided city tour of Juneau

Two hours by bus — explore historic downtown Juneau, cross to Douglas Island, and visit scenic spots including a whale sculpture and views of Mendenhall Glacier.

“We had a wonderful ride in a spotless bus. Our tour guide, Aiden, was fantastic, providing us with lots of information while also being quite funny. I highly recommend both him and this tour.”— Companion30847416209

7. Juneau whale watching and wildlife viewing tour

Four hours aboard a custom expedition vessel — spot whales, sea lions, and more with crew insights throughout your Alaskan adventure.