Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure
Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure
4.5
About
View the world renowned Flower Towers AND stunning rainforest of the Tongass. Your fully guided tour offers you a unique experience that combines natural landscapes and non-native manicured gardens . The gardens are the creation of Steve and Cindy Bowhay a guide tell you the unforgettable tale of the Flower Towers, named America's Most Interesting Landmark in 2012 Reader's Digest. Bright floral arrangements and elegant landscapes complement the natural beauty of the rainforest and the cascading waterfalls nearby. At the 580 ft level you will find an amazing panoramic viewpoint of Juneau, and the Chilkat Mountains. You return to the lower gardens in the Visitor's Center atrium and hanging flower gardens ! The Visitor's Center features a live video feed aimed at an active bald eagles nest that is found on the property. You can find online at our website as well. The Garden Gift Shop sells garden specific gifts and the Garden Cafe serves drinks, and light snacks.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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- RuyhiesSantee, California68 contributionsDisappointing for the MoneyI think these trees (which the owners of the garden placed upside down in the ground and did not fall in this position from the landfall) are pretty but not worth the money to get in. They have vehicles that took you on a ride through the forest but maybe only 20 trees that were placed upside down. Disappointing for the money. I would not recommendVisited June 2023Traveled with familyWritten July 3, 2023
- Ann HYork, United Kingdom2,432 contributionsWell worth a visit!!We were really looking forward to this visit off the cruise ship to this glacial garden. The entrance promised much with lots of upturned trees with flowers and the history behind why they are as they are. We then got into a buggy and were driven up some steep and windy paths with a very competent and knowledgeable driver who made us feel safe and really knew her information about the rainforest and all its surroundings. Not so much colour on the trip up and down but there were some lovely ponds with planting around. Lovely greenhouse back at the entrance with a gift shop and a coffee shop too. We enjoyed it!Visited August 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten September 17, 2023
- cheri bSaint Louis, Missouri291 contributionsAmazing!This was an amazing visit! It was a testimony to the vision and work of one fine Alaskan man. Visitors ride up the mountain viewing the constructed areas and planters all the way up to a viewpoint and down again amist the natural rainforest. The vehicle carries several people and feels like a large golf cart. It is magical for garden/landscape lovers like myself. The tour ends at a visitor's center and cafe. Recommended for nature lovers.Visited August 2023Traveled soloWritten October 5, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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NeilMyrie
Wellington, New Zealand23 contributions
Aug 2022
This is a really beautiful and unique garden and the view from the top of the hill is spectacular. We have marked down our review because the tour guide, Alex, gave an irritating commentary all the way filled with bad jokes after each one of which he'd say "you're a tough crowd". After hearing that for at least 20 times it was very tedious. The tour is also expensive for what it is and the garden's star, attractions, the upside down trees in the lower garden, can be sen without going on the tour
Written August 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ruyhies
Santee, CA68 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
I think these trees (which the owners of the garden placed upside down in the ground and did not fall in this position from the landfall) are pretty but not worth the money to get in. They have vehicles that took you on a ride through the forest but maybe only 20 trees that were placed upside down. Disappointing for the money. I would not recommend
Written July 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Philip G
Telford, UK54 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
I was very disappointed with the few minutes of the tour in what I would count as a garden, which consisted of some lovely planted upturned trees and almost nothing else. The adventure part of the tour consisted of a guide driving us up to the top of the hill through the forest on a difficult, steep and winding path - sometimes with one hand as she held a coffee in the other. Some nice views at the top but disappointing overall.
Written September 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GlacierGardens
Thank you for visiting Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure. Everyone here Glacier Gardens try to give our guest a chance to see a Rainforest close up. The first part of the Gardens is landscaped as a restoration project to restore a stream that was destroyed in a huge landslide. When Steve Bowhay did the Rainforest part of our tour he just wanted guest to get a look at the beautiful landscape God made for us. The guides do strive to show off our little part of Alaska, and hopefully you will leave the Mountain with a little more understanding of the Miracle of the natural Rainforest of Southeast Alaska.
Written September 19, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ann H
York, UK2,432 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
We were really looking forward to this visit off the cruise ship to this glacial garden. The entrance promised much with lots of upturned trees with flowers and the history behind why they are as they are. We then got into a buggy and were driven up some steep and windy paths with a very competent and knowledgeable driver who made us feel safe and really knew her information about the rainforest and all its surroundings. Not so much colour on the trip up and down but there were some lovely ponds with planting around. Lovely greenhouse back at the entrance with a gift shop and a coffee shop too. We enjoyed it!
Written September 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wanderer5868
1 contribution
Must See! if you want an adventure this is the place to go. Get ready to snap pictures left and right. first you begin your tour with a trip through the lower gardens, then go in to the wonderfull tongass rain forest. lovely view of the town of Juneau Alaska once you get to the top. Must See While in Juneau!
Written November 18, 2003
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
marypoppins913
San Francisco, CA7 contributions
We went to Glacier Gardens expecting (for the price) something like a small Butchart Gardens and were so disappointed to find that the most interesting thing there was building where you buy your way overpriced admission ticket. The rest is a fraud. You speed up the mountain in a golf cart to look at a view which you can get from any number of places for free. The guides just give a speech they know by heart and are unable to answer the most basic questions if they aren't part of the memorized speech. The whole thing is basically contrived to hoodwink the cruise passengers. I feel annoyed with myself for falling for it but after 7 days in Juneau I had seen most of the truly valuable things to see. Save your money for something else.
Written July 28, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are J
Newcastle, Canada262 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
I would be remiss if I didn't offer a review of our visit to Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventures. My wife and I booked a last minute Alaskan Cruise less than two weeks before sailing south in June on the HAL MS Noordam from Seward to Vancouver.
Aware that two days before our Juneau stop we would be sailing in Glacier Bay and not knowing ahead of time what the weather would be like and wanting to spend some time exploring downtown Juneau rather than flying to yet another glacier at great expense, my wife found Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventures. With a little research online we discovered that Juneau's Capital Transit Bus Service at $2.00 each one way drops you off just steps from Glacier Gardens...$8 bus ride for two round trip plus Gardens admission which we paid upon arrival!
Some beautiful upside down trees with hanging gardens. Bus Routes 3 or 4 and the buses will drop you off for a hike to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center if you haven't seen enough ice and snow!
An added bonus to Juneau public transit is that one gets a flavour of the Juneau "Burbs" including stops at Bartlett Regional Hospital and a quick glimpse of Lemon Creek Correctional Center :)
Regardless an interesting and economical cruise ship shore alternative to swimming with whales and seals and pretending to be Luke Glacier Walker and well worth the visit!
Aware that two days before our Juneau stop we would be sailing in Glacier Bay and not knowing ahead of time what the weather would be like and wanting to spend some time exploring downtown Juneau rather than flying to yet another glacier at great expense, my wife found Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventures. With a little research online we discovered that Juneau's Capital Transit Bus Service at $2.00 each one way drops you off just steps from Glacier Gardens...$8 bus ride for two round trip plus Gardens admission which we paid upon arrival!
Some beautiful upside down trees with hanging gardens. Bus Routes 3 or 4 and the buses will drop you off for a hike to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center if you haven't seen enough ice and snow!
An added bonus to Juneau public transit is that one gets a flavour of the Juneau "Burbs" including stops at Bartlett Regional Hospital and a quick glimpse of Lemon Creek Correctional Center :)
Regardless an interesting and economical cruise ship shore alternative to swimming with whales and seals and pretending to be Luke Glacier Walker and well worth the visit!
Written November 6, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tarkle
North Carolina48 contributions
We pulled into Glacier Gardens and saw all the upside down trees with flowers in them. They were beautiful. Maybe the sign saying don't photograph until you pay the admission fee should have been a tip. Because after the flowers, there was nothing to see. We went up the mountain into the Tongas rainforest, which you will see all over Alaska and don't need to pay to see. They took us up in a golf cart that we weren't sure would go up the hill. The kid driving it was turning around talking to us and I was sure it was going to be the end of the road for us. They're wasn't actually anything to see when we got up there other than the back of Fred Meyers food store and Juneau Airport. Luckily, we used our Alaska Tour Saver book so it only cost us $25 instead of $50. My advice would be to skip it. See the photo of the flowers I have attached. I just saved you some money.
Written July 6, 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
carolinanorte
Chapel Hill, NC155 contributions
We were advised by 3 different sets of local residents to tour Glacier Gardens as an alternative to Mt Roberts Tramway. Boy, are we glad we took their advice. The concept of land reclamation is visionary, and the AmeriCorps volunteers who guide your tour and work the site are inspirational!
Written November 25, 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bill M
Gardnerville, NV190 contributions
Jun 2014 • Friends
We weren't sure what to expect; but, we were all pleasantly surprised by how entertaining this was. You don't walk this tour, they drive you through the garden and up the mountain and explain everything as you go. It is absolutely beautiful and worth the visit.
Written September 22, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Voyager658
52 contributions
Hello, we will be flying into Juneau airport in mid-July this summer, and renting a car at the airport. Is there parking available for independent travelers who have purchased the tour at Glacier Gardens Rainforest? If so, are there extra fees for parking?
Thanks for your help.
Forgot to ask the name of the beautiful hanging vines in the visitor center. Anyone know by chance?
Travelrn995
Ohio54 contributions
I know the ones you are talking about. Give them a call and ask or contact thru Facebook. They are very responsive.
Vincent S
Margate, FL468 contributions
Is there food service at this location?
GlacierGardens
Juneau, AK1 contribution
Hello Vincent, Thanks for your interest in Glacier Gardens. There is a cafe with snack foods, some and cold lunch items, and coffees and cold beverages for our guests convenience. Please let me know if you have any more questions prior to your visit to Juneau.
If I were to just visit, a walk-in from the bus, how do I get on a guided tour? How long is the tour? Is it easy walking...meaning not too fast or strenuous? thx, judy
GlacierGardens
Juneau, AK1 contribution
Hi Judy - Thanks for your interest in the Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure tour in Juneau. You are welcome to arrive on your own through the city bus and walk-in for a tour. There will be a 15 minute wait as we get your guide ready. You can book online at our website to help us plan for your arrival a little better. The tour will last about 1 hour and the average stay is between 1.5 and 2 hours to take in the grounds and enjoy the amenities. It is very easy walking with slight grades on packed gravel pathways. Not fast and not strenuous at all as our motorized shuttles do all the work of transporting you through the gardens and rainforest to our observation point about a mile through the forest and up to 600 feet above sea level for stunning views of Juneau's surrounding area. Please check our website if you have any other questions, or email us and I'll be happy to provide additional information! Best regards with your vacation planning!
Sean @ Glacier Gardens
RATHNAM C
Princeton, NJ11 contributions
Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure and The Upside Forest of Mendenhall Gardens...are both one and the same? Our cruiseline is Holland America,_Ms Zaandam, and I don't see any shore excursion offered by the Cruiseline for the gardens. Any advice?
GlacierGardens
Juneau, AK1 contribution
Hi mchaguturu -
Thank you for your interest in the Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure tour in Juneau, Alaska. I am not aware of an “Upside Down Forest of Mendenhall Gardens” but I am very positive we are the only gardens in Alaska featuring the Flower Towers - upside-down trees planted with 100s of flowering varieties on display in the Tongass National Forest. We are certainly offered on-board Holland America Line cruise ships coming to Juneau. Find us under the name Grand Tour of Juneau featuring a combination tour with us, the DiPac Salmon Hatchery, and the Mendenhall Glacier.
If you contact me at our email address:
info @ glacier gardens . com
I can email you a link to the listing. (TripAdvisor prohibits links and emails being included in answers to questions)
Thanks again for your interest in the tour and for the great question on how to find booking options through Holland. Please get in touch so I can send that link for your ways to book us onboard the Zaandam. Best regards with your travel plans! ~Sean @ Glacier Gardens
Indaus
Sydney, Australia655 contributions
We will be in Juneau on 25th June this year; will be part of the cruise ship. The ship will be docking 8am. Keen to visit this garden.
How can we reach there without a car? Do you pick up from the pier? How far is it from the pier and how long does it take? How much time should we allow to see the garden, reasonably ? How much does it cost us for the entry? Your response will be much appreciated
GlacierGardens
Juneau, AK1 contribution
Hi Indaus – Thanks for getting in touch with us about your upcoming trip to Juneau and including a visit the Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventures. You have a few options for visiting us while you’re in town.
Since you are arriving via a cruise ship you should be able to purchase a shore excursion that includes Glacier Gardens. They pair our tour with other popular location and provide transportation between sites for your convenience. They offer a tremendous value and one you should look into as you consider touring options.
You are still able to take a tour outside of the cruise line offerings. We are located about 7 miles from the downtown cruise pier and we do not recommend walking to our location. While we do not operate our own transportation, you do have a few options available to you. We can be reached via a taxi service or the city bus system. The city bus is $2 each way and picks up from multiple locations in the downtown docking area and takes you directly to the entrance to Glacier Gardens – a short 5 minute walk on flat ground to our entrance. The bus ride will last about 30 minutes, each way. A taxi is available for hire for $20 each way, the ride last about 15 minutes, and they conveniently take you directly to our entrance and are called to pick you up at the conclusion of your tour.
Our tour last about 1.5 hours to fully enjoy the tour and take in the garden grounds. We also have a network of trails to explore and your admission includes all day access to the gardens for your leisure. The price for guided tour and admission is just $24.95 – one of the most affordable guided tours in Juneau.
Please visit our website for more information and get back in touch with us if you have any additional questions. We hope to see you in the Gardens soon! Best regards with your travels, Sean @ Glacier Gardens
sweetpeaw
victoria, bc21 contributions
Why does it cost $25 to take a taxi to the gardens when the bus only costs $2? If I take the bus, will I have to walk far to get to the gardens?
GlacierGardens
Juneau, AK1 contribution
Hi again - this looks like a double post. Please see my answer to your other question and let me know if you still need additional informaiton. Thanks! Sean @ Glacier Gardens
sweetpeaw
victoria, bc21 contributions
Why does it cost $25 to get there by taxi when there is a bus for $2? If I took the bus, would I have a long walk to get into the gardens?
GlacierGardens
Juneau, AK1 contribution
Hi sweetpeaw, Thank you for your questions regarding the Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure tour in Juneau.
I am not sure why it costs roughly $20-$25 each way by taxi from the cruise docks, but that seems to be the going rate for transportation in Juneau. The $2 capital city bus picks up from multiple locations in the cruise docking pier and drops you off a 5 minute walk from our Visitor's Center. We are directly on the bus route and an easy walk on flat ground from the bus stop to our gardens, there is just a slight hill when entering our property. You can ask the bus driver to direct you to the correct stop for Glacier Gardens, we are between the Switzer Village and Fred Meyers stop. A taxi will take about 15 minutes and can be called to pick you up at the conclusion of your tour for your convenience. The bus ride is about 30-35 minutes depending on traffic and amount of stops and picks you back up going to town at the :15 and :45 minutes past the hour - so every half hour.
I hope this answers your questions. You can find more information at our website under the Schedule/Transportation page. Please let me know if you have any other questions before you get to Juneau so I can help with your touring decisions. All the best, Sean @ Glacier Gardens
info @ glacier gardens . com
katerachel15
Somerset, NJ129 contributions
We willl be visiting Glacier Gardens as part of a tour on the Celebrity Solstice. They describe our visit as a "guided walk" and we will have the opportunity to collect fresh produce in the greenhouse. Is the tour an actual walk through the gardens or is it a guided tour on the golf cart? If it is a walk, how long and strenuous is it?
Thanks so much!
KAREN
GlacierGardens
Juneau, AK1 contribution
Hi Karen,
Thanks for getting in touch with us about the Glacier Gardens tour offered on the Celebrity Solstic. This "Chef Inspired" tour is designed as a brief walk through the botanical gardens where we can highlight our gardens and the spectacular designs we plant each year. Your chef will take back a seasonal ingredient to incorporate into your Alaskan dish later on. It is a short walk and we can tailor it to your groups abilities so no one is going beyond their comfort level. There is only about 600 - 800 ft of walking from when you depart the bus till you get back on board, and it is very moderate inclines with slight grades. It is not a very strenuous walk at all.
Please let me know if you have any other questions prior to your arrival in Juneau. All the best with your upcoming vacation!
Sean Smith
Glacier Gardens
info@ glaciergardens . com
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Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure Information
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