Mendenhall Glacier

Lonely Planet review

Alaska's famous drive-in glacier, Mendenhall Glacier, is Juneau's most popular attraction, flowing 19km (12mi) from its source, the Juneau Ice Field. On a sunny day it's beautiful, with blue skies and snowcapped mountains in the background. On a cloudy and drizzly afternoon, it can be even more impressive, as the ice turns shades of deep blue.

Near the face of the glacier is the Visitors Center, which houses various glaciology exhibits, a large relief map of the ice field, an observatory with telescopes and a theater that shows the film, Magnificent Mendenhall.

Outside you'll find a salmon-viewing platform overlooking Steep Creek, as well as six hiking trails, ranging from a 483m (0.3mi) photo-overlook trail to a longer trek up the glacier's west side.