Is this a reasonable One Day Itinerary?

Question

Hello, we will be visiting Juneau Sept 16th on the Discovery Princess cruise ship from 1p-9p. We have a reservation for a minivan rental right near the port, we are a group of 7 adults and one 13 yr old. No mobility issues.

We are open to moving things around or removing sites if needed (like Red Dog & Whale Fountain). I just want to make sure this is reasonable or is it too much? We would like to be back near the ship by no later than 7pm.

Get off the ship as soon as possible to pick up rental car

Drive to Mendenhall > tour visitor center > walk to Nugget Falls

Drive to Shrine of St Terese

Return to Downtown area

Whale Fountain (is there anywhere to park near here)??

Drop off rental car ??

Red Dog Saloon for Duck Fart shots??

Trays Crab Shack (or anywhere for King Crab Legs)

Return to ship

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Answer

Hi,

Your planned one-day Juneau itinerary is ambitious but doable with careful timing. Given that your cruise ship docks at 1 pm and you need to be back by 7 pm, you have roughly six hours. Here’s a breakdown and some recommendations to make the day smoother:

1. Pick up rental car: Try to get off the ship as soon as possible and pick up your minivan. Factor in 15–20 minutes for paperwork and any traffic near the port.

2. Mendenhall Glacier & Nugget Falls: From the port, Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center is about a 25–30 minute drive. You’ll want at least 45–60 minutes to walk to Nugget Falls and explore the area. This is a must-see and provides the most iconic Juneau experience.

3. Shrine of St. Therese: About a 10–15 minute drive from Mendenhall. A quick stop to take photos should suffice, 10–15 minutes.

4. Return to downtown Juneau: This is about a 20–25 minute drive. Once back downtown, you can consider:

Red Dog Saloon: A short visit for drinks if desired. Keep in mind it may be crowded in the afternoon.
Whale Fountain: Parking nearby is limited; consider a quick stop if timing allows, otherwise prioritize other sights.
Tracy’s King Crab Shack (or similar): A great lunch/dinner spot. Depending on wait times, allow 30–45 minutes for food and tipping.

5. Return rental car: If you drop it off downtown near the port, allow 15–20 minutes to return the vehicle and walk back to the ship.

Suggested modifications to make it more comfortable:

Consider skipping Whale Fountain if timing is tight; it’s less essential than Mendenhall or Red Dog.
If your group is more interested in nature, spend a little extra time at Mendenhall Glacier and skip the Shrine stop.
Plan meals carefully: Crab Shack can get busy, so call ahead if possible or adjust arrival time to avoid crowds.

In summary, your itinerary is feasible but leaves little margin for delays. Prioritize Mendenhall Glacier, Nugget Falls, a downtown meal, and optionally Red Dog Saloon. Dropping minor stops like Whale Fountain or Shrine can give you more breathing room and ensure you’re back to the ship on time.

With these adjustments, you should have a fulfilling Juneau experience within your 6-hour window.