Glacier Gardens

This is the place to see the rainforest if you have mobility problems. The heart of the hour-long tour is a ride in vehicles similar to golf carts up a steep mountainside, past a stream and pools, to a platform with a view of the Mendenhall Valley. They mainly get groups from the cruise ships, but the staff will take just a few independent travelers at a time for a ride, explaining the forest flora in as much detail as you wish. Gardeners will especially enjoy the extraordinary hanging baskets and other bright and ingenious plantings in the lower area -- weddings of cruise ship passengers are held here almost every day in the summer. The gardens' trademark is upside-down trees whose roots, way up in the air, are planted with trailing flowers. An eagle nest on the grounds has been active in recent years. All good, but as much as I like the place, I have to point out it is priced as a guided tour, not a botanical garden. The garden has a hiking trail for those who don't want to ride on the vehicles, but hikers have plenty of rainforest trails to choose from without fees.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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