Juneau is a popular port of call on Alaska cruise itineraries, and for good reason. There's so much to see and do in and around Alaska's capital. Juneau offers a wide variety of activities and attractions to match every interest and budget, from soft adventure tours and flightseeing excursions to history-filled museums and natural wonders. The shopping and dining options are excellent here as well.

Here are ten great things to see and do if you’re planning to visit Juneau on your upcoming Alaska cruise:

1. Take a Floatplane Trip to Taku Glacier Lodge. This flightseeing tour from downtown Juneau offers the best of all worlds. Guests take a 35-minute Wings Airways flightseeing trip on their way to serene Taku Glacier Lodge, located across from a massive glacier in a remote area of the Tongass National Forest. On the way, passengers fly over five huge glaciers flowing out from the Juneau Icefield. After landing on the water in front of Taku Glacier Lodge, there’s time to explore the lodge’s beautiful grounds or do a little shopping before sitting down to partake of an amazing salmon feast. After lunch and the opportunity for a nature walk, a scenic 15-minute return floatplane trip brings guests back to Juneau.

2. See The Salmon. Located a little over two miles from downtown Juneau, the Macaulay Salmon Hatchery provides an excellent way for visitors to learn more about Alaska's salmon industry. The hatchery contains museum-like exhibits, displays, a huge saltwater aquarium, and a shop featuring delicious local salmon produce. During salmon spawning season which typically runs from late June through September, visitors have the chance to see wild salmon climbing the hatchery's outdoor ladder from Gastineau Channel. You may see bald eagles in this area during that time period as well. If catching salmon and halibut is more to your liking, arrange to go sportfishing on one of Juneau's many Coast Guard licensed charter fishing boats. An Alaska state fishing license is required and your catch can be conveniently shipped to your home by one of Juneau's fish processors.

3. Walk (or Dogsled) on a Glacier. Glaciers are one of Juneau's biggest attractions. The Juneau Icefield covers over 1,500 square miles and contains 38 major glaciers. If your dream is to explore a moving field of ice on foot or by dogsled, Juneau is the place to make it happen. Helicopter tours offer cruise guests the chance to view multiple glaciers in the air and then land on a glacier for a 15-20 minute walk on the ice. For the ultimate in Alaska vacation experiences, take a helicopter flightseeing ride to a dogsled camp where you'll take a breathtaking 20-25 ride across a glacier led by a professional dog musher.

4. Go Wildlife Watching. Humpback whale viewing is one of the highlights of an Alaska cruise and the waters around Juneau are filled with these majestic creatures from April to November. Whale watching tours offer cruise passengers an additional opportunity to see whales breaching, bubble net feeding and more. It may be possible to see orca whales, Steller sea lions, harbor seals, Dall's porpoises and other mammals on these tours as well. Juneau is also an excellent port for bear viewing. Admiralty Island National Monument (known as "Fortress of the Bears") has the world's largest density of brown bears and is located just a short floatplane ride away from Juneau. Tours are available to Admiralty Island's Pack Creek Bear Sanctuary from May to September.

5. Zip Through the Trees. Juneau has several popular zipline adventures for those who crave a major adrenaline rush. On these tours, participants zip from platform to platform set high in towering trees amid the temperate rainforest. Participants must be comfortable with heights and be able to climb stairs and walk short distances. Age and weight limitations apply - check with tour providers or your shore excursions desk for more information.

6. Sample the Seafood. Juneau is an excellent place to try some of Alaska's famous seafood. Head over to Tracy's King Crab Shack for delectable king crab legs and king crab bisque. The Hangar on the Wharf is well known for delicious salmon burgers, massive halibut tacos and great water views.

7. View Mendenhall Glacier. Located just 13 miles from the city’s downtown area, Mendenhall Glacier is Juneau’s most popular tourist attraction. This "drive in" glacier is magnificent and the site's Visitors Center offers an informative film, excellent exhibits and superb glacier viewing through its large windows. During your visit to Mendenhall Glacier, take the time to trek to spectacular Nugget Falls and walk along the Mendenhall Glacier site’s nature trail. This trail can be an excellent place to see bears at close range during salmon spawning season. While tours to Mendenhall Glacier are available through the cruise lines, inexpensive shuttle buses are available that transport cruise visitors directly to the glacier on a regular basis. Taxis can be another good option, especially for larger groups.

8. Hike Around Mount Roberts Tramway. Located directly opposite Juneau's main cruise pier, the Mount Roberts Tramway provides its guests with magnificent scenery, interesting nature and cultural exhibits, and a network of great mountaintop hiking and nature trails. One ticket purchase provides unlimited rides throughout the day, however it's quite easy to spend much of the day hiking and exploring all that this area has to offer.

9. Pan for Gold. Joe Juneau and Richard Harris struck gold in Juneau in 1880. Today, kids and adults enjoy learning about Juneau's gold mining history and taking their own shot at panning for gold with the help of a seasoned prospector. Best of all - any gold you find is yours to keep.

10. Marvel at the Rainforest. Take an easy and fully accessible shuttle tour of the flora found in the magnificent Tongass National Rainforest and marvel at the upside down flowering tree displays at Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure. This scenic shuttle tour provides postcard perfect views of Juneau and the Mendenhall Valley from a 580-foot spot atop Thunder Mountain as well as lots of information on Alaska's temperate rainforest climate and vegetation.

If You Go:

* The Juneau Convention & Visitors Bureau website is a great place to start planning your visit to Juneau. It's filled with information on area attractions, shopping, and dining - plus it has a detailed listing of local tour operators. Visit the Juneau Convention & Visitors Bureau website at www.traveljuneau.com.