These natural hot springs are now owned and maintained for the city of Sitka and open freely to the public, and the tubs are protected in these cute huts. From Moccasins to Russian Nesting dolls, shoppers can bring home unique souvenirs from their visit. This site is also popularly known as Castle Hill and is one of the most substantial historical sites in the entire state. (I cant promise anything, but if you meet Ms. Clarke when you visit and tell her Valerie sent you, she might show you some of those rooms too!). Thanks for the comment, Kristen. One only runs when there are at least a thousand cruisers in town, though. There are holding trails at totem park. Seeking to inspire others to Travel More, she shares stories of misadventure, destination spotlights and more at her site AlwaysPackTissues.com. It is worth a drink or two at this location. A troller fishes in Sitka Sound, Alaska on February 2, 2021. Drive slow and easy and youll be fine. Thats part of what makes this totem collection unique but also non-traditional in the strictest sense of Tlingit culture and practices. Makes me want to visit. If you have an afternoon tour leaving from the cruise terminal, dont be afraid to take the shuttle bus to town in the morning. Sitka can only be accessed by air or sea. The main street of Sitka, Lincoln Street also boasts half a dozen galleries to peruse. There are two different dance organizations that offer regular performances for Sitka visitors, each providing a unique glimpse into local culture. Bikes were in terrific condition and we were offered helmets, rain parkas, and rain pants. Hours are Wednesday to Saturday, 10am-2pm. From uniquely Sitkan stories to insider tips for your visit, we want to share what makes our island so special. Want to know more? There are some incredible things to do in Sitka, and its well worth giving yourself more time to enjoy them all even if the weather doesnt cooperate (Sitka is in Southeast Alaska, after all!). We recommend Artist Cove Gallery and not just because its owned and operated by our friends. I don't know if I have ever been on a hike more beautiful than this one, and every step is absolutely, 100% worth it. TheTravel has affiliate and sponsored partnerships, so we receive a share of the revenue from some of your purchases. For an immersion in Alaska Native culture, the best place to visit is Sheetka Kwan Naa Kahidi Clan House, a short walk from Totem Square in downtown Sitka. You can pick from various hiking trails and picnic areas. 1. Get my 55-page ebook for just $9.99! A nice shopping experience. While their primary goal is to rehabilitate and release raptors into the wild, the facility is home to many bald eagles who are unable to be released due to health issues, as well as owls and even ravens. Many pre-booked tours depart from here, and tour operators line up to advertise any openings. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Our Favorite Things to Do in Sitka, Alaska, View when.you.wanders profile on Instagram, View WhenYouWanders profile on Pinterest, View UCgMHfTRG8WwcuiOIU9npB0ws profile on YouTube. Dr.Sheldon Jackson, a 19th-century teacher and missionary who traveled all over Alaska. It was a truly amazing experience to see the native youth immersed in telling the stories of their ancestors through costume and dance. The first place we go shopping in Sitka. Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. Address:118 Lincoln Street, Sitka, AK 99835. I was looking for a specific book that I had read out loud to my daughters when they were young. You can walk several trails through the woods to see totems standing among the trees and on the shores much as original visitors might have seen them when approaching Sitka in centuries past. Begin at the Visitor Center to learn about local history and people through artifacts, exhibits, and films. (They also have a facility in Ketchikan if you find yourself there!). All visitors stepping foot in Sitka will want to browse the shops on Lincoln Street. In downtown, on and around Lincoln Street, find the Sheldon Jackson Museum, Sitka Sound Science Center, and Baranof Castle Historic Site, the hill upon which Alaska was officially transferred from . With that, you know everything you need to plan a great trip to Sitka. She was a member of New York University Shanghais third graduating class and explored her love of storytelling through the Interactive Media Arts program there. There is usually posted notices of bear activity in the area, so a can of bear spray should probably be carried as a precaution. Along the way, everyone or at least every local waved and smiled at Jeff as he showed off the sights in town. In the opposite direction, Lincoln Street is the heart of Sitka. Here youll find locally owned restaurants, food trucks, gift stores, and art galleries. However, the bus is out of commission on occasion. Those who have the opportunity to tour the cathedral's interior will see gorgeous Russian icons and other religious artifacts that were a part of the original structure built during the era when Sitka was under Russian control. Here are all the best things to do, places to explore, and sites to see in South East Alaska's historic Sitka. 747.7137. Walk through the lush Tongass National Forest and experience an amazing ecosystem where life is essentially growing and crawling on every square inch of ground. We visited in late September 2021, right as the summer season was winding down; our first day was one of those gloriously sunny last-day-of-summer types and the next day was a downpour that all the locals said signified the arrival of autumn. Located in an octagonal brick building, the Sheldon Jackson collection includes art and artifacts from Alaska's Native people, including Aleut, Alutiiq, Athabascan, Inupiat, Yup'ik, and Northwest Coast tribes. Originally a Tlingit settlement, the Russians claimed it as their capital of Territorial Alaska in the 18th and 19th centuries, and it was the site where the Alaska Purchase was finalized in 1867. We saw seals, black slugs, and bald eagles. The bears are cared for, have plenty of space to explore and interact, and given lots of stimulation in both toys (like giant tires) and food (like salmon to hunt in their respective ponds and waterways. Discover why Sitka was the epicenter of Russian colonization in North America. Interesting and different items to peruse. Personally, I would save your budget for whale watching/glacier viewing in those two towns and do more land activities in Sitka. For a more immersive experience, book A Taste of Sitka tour with Sitka local Bob Purvis. Options are limited but you do have choices: Additionally, there are some vacation rentals available on VRBO if youre looking for a local option or have a bigger group that wont fit in a hotel. We figured we couldnt do an ultimate Alaskan road trip without ferrying our home on wheels through the Alaska Marine Highway. This is a favorite for cruisers stopping in port for the day. Once at the top youll be able to take in gorgeous views of the waterfront and downtown Sitka. With frequent shuttles and a walkable downtown, youll have more than enough time to make it back. Herring Cove Trail is a MUST see! If you're not used to extensive treks, plan time for lots of breaks. Im also a not-so-secret space nerd and speak fluent emoji! Scheduled performances are primarily timed to accommodate cruise ship visitors. Take a Whale Watching Cruise 2. While she worked with Visit Sitka she participated in the Alaska Fellows Program, a nine-month residential fellowship program nurturing the next generation of Alaska- based leaders. You can find it on the main road just behind the service station at saw mill creek road. This small island city did not disappoint. The Sitka Historical Society has a lovely small Sitka History Museum in Centennial Hall, the main building where cruise ship shuttles pick up and drop off visitors during their day in Sitka. Here are all the best things to do, places to explore, and sites to see in South East Alaska's historic Sitka. She stayed on with Visit Sitka as the Visitor Services and Community Coordinator for a year following her fellowship. This was especially disappointing as Ive been jonesing for a good hike since our visit to Pinnacles National Park in April 2021, but the weather and our itinerary just didnt work give us the time. A few you can't miss are -. You start across lush fern covered ground, climb through a forest of trees, and then end with a 360 degree view of the city of Sitka, the sea, the mountain range behind, and a crystal clear blue lake. Make sure to watch the time when youre there. Today, visitors can take a free tour of the restored building to see what it was like to live in Sitka during the Russian-American period. To experience all of the wonder and adventure that Sitka has to offer, make sure to visit in the high-season of summertime so you can enjoy the long days and warmest temperatures. RELATED: All The Best Kept Local Food And Drink Secrets In Anchorage, Alaska. It is located at 4513 Halibut Point Road, Sitka, AK. But the forest is amazing and the trail if well maintained. This summer, both a gift store and fur gallery are open and operating on site, with a restaurant and taste room set to open in 2022. Find ways to explore the community's culture, history, unique landscape, and opportunities for adventure. By the end of this post, youll know the best things to do in Sitka, plus where to eat between adventures and my recommendations for hotels to rest after each day of your Sitka adventure. Popular things to do Ports of Call Tours Nature and Wildlife Tours Top Picks Water Tours Cultural & Theme Tours Private & Custom Tours Likely to Sell Out Walking Tours Food, Wine & Nightlife Luxury & Special Occasions Special Offers Kid-Friendly Multi-day Tours Shopping Passes & Offers Art Classes Theatre Shows Ways to tour Sitka This Bear Rescue takes in orphaned or abandoned young bear cubs that will not survive in the wild and rehabilitates them to save their lives - and many are eventually rehomed to ethical zoos and sanctuaries around the world. At the Sitka Sound Science Center, children will love getting up close and personal with the touch pool aquariums, built to showcase the tidal pool sea life of Sitka Sound. Twin Islands is a private island just off of Sitka's main harbor and a stay here is all inclusive with activities and homemade meals, and can be booked as individual rooms or as the full island for families or retreats. The waterfalls were beautiful. If I had only one day in Sitka, and the weather was nice, this is absolutely the one big activity I would decide on doing! Previous to that, the hill served both the Tlingits and the Russians as a fortified lookout. It is filled with a unique array from jewelry to photography and so much more.. Our favorite (bought many) are the hand made wooden pend made by Jay Sweeney. As you walk through the temperate rainforest youll see the gorgeous Haida and Tlingit totem poles standing along the parks coastal trail. Buses depart every ten to fifteen minutes skip the six mile walk to downtown and take a twelve minute shuttle instead! (There is a car rental agency at the airport if you decide to rent a car for yourself, but its not necessary!). Say that three times fast! Looking for an unusual getaway or an inspiring retreat? Full Day Powerboat to Exuma from Nassau One Day Wonder Hiking Trip 3 in 1 Rafting , . Last but not least, youll need a place to rest your head a few times if you want to try all these great things to do in Sitka. . Quiet Drive - ended 4/3/2022. Are you outdoorsy or a museum fan? Meet the Birds at Alaska Raptor Center, 6. Onsite at this part science center/part aquarium, families can enjoy seeing a salmon hatchery and learn about the processing of egg hatching. She reports for AfroTech, Lifewire, and The Plug. Not for lack of activities to do, but for the convenience of having built-in lodging and dining options at the end of the day. It was one of those lovely reminders about how small Alaska is despite its geography. If high tide comes in youll have to use magic to fly back to shore or have a very wet walk back! Good selection of silver bracelets at prices a bit better than some other locations. The commercial season for king salmon - or chinook - in Southeast Alaska opens on Saturday, July 1. One of my favorite spots in Sitka is the Sheldon Jackson Museum. Don't miss my full Sitka, Alaska Travel Guide here! Tours are given May through September, and you can look around on your own the rest of the year. SEAK Adventure is a locally run tour company providing an impressive list of unique kayaking opportunities to visitors. major disruptions to one of Southeast Alaska . This incredible facility works to rehabilitate and rescue bear cubs in Alaska, which are often euthanized after their mothers unwittingly cross humans and end up killed too (which is legal if a bear is threatening your body or property). Her gravesite is located in the Sitka Lutheran Cemetery (which holds very few graves) a short walk from the Russian Cemetery. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. It's also near enough to Juneau to make a whole Alaskan adventure out of a trip. With respect, I make a formal land acknowledgment, extending my appreciation and respect to the past and present people of these lands. We go on the "Wildlife Quest & Fin Island Lodge" tour in Sitka, Alaska.We thought we were going on the "Alaska Zodiac Adventure & Fin Island Lodge" tour.When. A ceremony was held on this site when the Russian flag was lowered and the American flag was raised, finalizing the transfer of the Alaskan Territory to the United States. Walking in Sitka, Alaska - What to Do on Your Day in Port - YouTube This is a quick video of our port call in Sitka, Alaska. Please note this is one of the first stores to open in the morning so if you are in port early its a good place to head to before all the other shops open. In its new location off Sawmill Creek Road this brewery is just minutes from the center of town. To learn more about the peoples who call these lands home, I invite you to exploreNative Land. Sadly, sometimes a bird is injured so severely it cant make it in the wild even after rehabilitation. I recommend taking your time here. This tour is not suitable for children under the age of 10. A good layering jacket - nights here are cold even when days are warm! My husband bought a piece. The view from the top is beautiful. I highly recommend you visiting here and taking back a bit of Sitka salt as you wont be disappointed. The views are amazing on a clear day. Let me know in the comments! Also, with the help of Sitka Tribal Tours we saw numerous exquisitely crafted totem poles, a raptor rehabilitation center, and a native Alaskan tribal dance performance. Private Snorkeling Trip (Depart Gili T),Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, Shopping Outlet La Valle Village Round-Trip Transport from Paris. For a small town of just 8,600 people, youre going to be pleasantly surprised at your dining options in Sitka. Located on Baranof and Chichagof Islands, Sitka is an Alaska Inside Passage cruise port of call and a fun destination on its own. With a town full of history, there's bound to be some spooky stories to tell. Little did I know it would be one of the highlights of our trip; it turns out that my middle school science teacher (Janet Clarke) and her son (Chance Gray) who I swam with on teams growing up both work at Sitka Sound Science Center! Sitting about 850 miles from Seattle, the small town of about 8,500 is located on the western edge of the state's panhandle. The once Russian-ruled city of Sitka, Alaska is a treasure to explore. Check out the museum on weekdays. 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