Sitka is one of the lesser known port stops on an Alaska cruise, but after spending a few hours in town, you will soon find that this hidden gem is wildly underrated, and a beautiful representation of Alaska and her rich history. While showing up less frequently on cruise itineraries than the famed Skagway, Junau, or Ketchikan, you will be impressed by Sitka's diverse activities, shoppable downtown, historical landmarks, and delicious fresh seafood options.
Situated on Baranof Island in the Alexander Archipelago, Sitka is a small city of 8,000 people and has many historical sites throughout. The rich history of the native Tlingit people and the history of the Russian colonization of Sitka in the 1700's is woven throughout the town. Old Russian buildings stand alongside intricately carved totem poles; a stark contrast and mixing of cultures that makes Sitka such a unique and diverse looking city.
Alongside the history, the surrounding natural terrain and its many benefits are another draw that make Sitka an incredible port stop. The remarkable display of the salmon jumping up and out of the water in the harbor is a sight to behold. Take a walk along the coast on the trails of the Sitka National Historic Park, and marvel at lush forest and the totem poles scattered throughout. There are a couple different animal rescue centers in town where you can enjoy the beautiful raptors and bears, a great outing for the whole family!
With so much to do in Sitka, you'll leave wanting to come back and do them all again and more! There is an activity for everyone, especially families with young kids, making Sitka an incredible stop on your Alaska cruise. Here are all the activities, excursions, dining options, and more that can be found in this beautiful Alaskan town.
Excursions
One of the main reasons to book an Alaska cruise is the excursions. The vast and untouched wilderness of Alaska, and the beautiful natural wonders found on and off her shores are the reason people visit the state. There are many incredible excursion offerings in Sitka that will allow you to enjoy the local wildlife, and see the beauty of the surrounding area up close.
WHALE WATCHING - Alaska is prime territory for whale watching, and Sitka is no exception. Humpback whales frequent the area, and witnessing their incredible breaches and tail waves will create lasting memories.
Whale Watching and Wildlife Tours - https://pe.tours/NTE5NjA3/
Private Whale Watching Boat Charter - https://pe.tours/NTE5NjA0/
SITKA SCENIC TOUR - This tour offers a car that will take you to all the must-see spots in and around town. You can enjoy the antics of the grizzly bears at the bear rescue center "Fortress of the Bears", walk the trails and view the totem poles as Sitka National Historical Park, and tour the museums in town that talk all about local Sitka and Alaska history.
Sitka Scenic Tour - https://pe.tours/NTE5NjAz/
BOAT AND LAND TOUR - If you don't know whether you would prefer to spend your time in Sitka enjoying the attractions on land, or on the ocean searching for ocean life, the Sitka's Best Boat and Land Tour is for you! You will start with a group of 10 driving around the best parts of the area, searching for bald eagles, admiring the bears at Fortress of the Bears, walking the trails of the Sitka National Historical Park, as well as other incredible on-land attractions. After this, you will board a small board and head out to find marine wildlife, from seals, to otters, whales, sea lions, and more! You will get your fix of the best of Sitka in one tour.
Boat and Land Tour - https://pe.tours/NTE5NjAy/
Shopping
Downtown Sitka features an array of unique shopping. You can browse Russian inspired goods, Sitka logowear, coastal gifts, and Tlingit style art pieces.
RUSSIAN AMERICAN CO - This unique gift shop is full of intricately carved Russian statues, endless varieties of matryoshka dolls, and many other Russian style wares. Be sure to check out the sister store "Grandfather Frost" just up the road for the best Christmas ornaments and Santa carvings. - https://www.russianamericancompany.com/
SITKA LIGHTHOUSE CO - If you are looking for coastal gifts and beautiful Sitka T-shirt designs, the Sitka Lighthouse Co. is the place! The shop is inspired by the natural beauty of the Alaska coastline, and features handcrafted items, and curated goods throughout. - https://www.sitkalighthouse.com/
ALASKA'S BLUE EYED BEAR - This shop features incredible whale statues, unique jewelry, and Tlingit inspired art pieces. - https://www.sitkaartscouncil.org/alaska-blue-eyed-bear
SITKA BAZAAR - Here you will find an array of unique gifts and souvenir options, including made-in-Alaska goods. - http://sitkabazaar.com/
ALASKA PURE SEA SALT - This beautiful shop features infused sea salts with intriguing flavors. You will find Wild Blueberry Flake Sea Salt, Lemon & Lime Sea Salt, Alder Smoked Sea Salt, and even Sitka Spruce Tip Sea Salt! These salts will be perfect for the Alaska Salmon dish at your next dinner party. - https://www.alaskapureseasalt.com/
Dining
SITKA PEL'MENI - This small cafe serves only one thing: Russian dumplings. Pelmeni is a dumpling filled with either potato or beef. The toppings range from cilantro, to sriracha, to sour cream, or all of the above, and the dish is served with a slice of brown bread. - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100054527526873
WILDFLOUR CAFE & BAKERY - A local favorite, WildFlour offers elevated cafe fare, and the most delicious baked goods you will ever find. - https://www.sitkawildflour.com/
LUDVIG'S BISTRO - Ludvig's is a Sitka classic! The menu features seafood, steak, pasta, and local Rockfish 'n' Chips. - https://www.ludvigsbistro.com/
LUDVIG'S CHOWDER CART - Sitting right on the water, and with a quaint fishing shack atmosphere, Ludvig's Chowder Cart is the quick grab-and-go sister restaurant to Ludvig's Bistro. Here you can order clam and seafood chowders, soups, and sandwiches to eat at the picnic tables by the water; the perfect Alaska vibe. - https://www.ludvigsbistro.com/
THE LONGLINER - This is waterfront dining at its best! Sitting on the water's edge, Longliner is the stop if you are looking for delicious Alaska seafood. The menu features mussels, tuna tartare, scallop pasta, and fish tacos. - https://longlinersitka.com/menu/
Activities & Museums
FORTRESS OF THE BEAR - This bear sanctuary is fun for the whole family! Fortress of the Bear rescues and protects orphaned grizzly and black bear cubs who won't be able to survive on their own in the wild. Since laws prevent their release back into the wild, Fortress of the Bear has become an educational space where you can learn all about the bears of Alaska. - https://www.fortressofthebear.org/
ALASKA RAPTOR CENTER - The Alaska Raptor Center rescues injured raptors and other birds. Their mission is to rehabilitate and release the bird back into the wild. Those birds which cannot recover enough to survive on their own are kept at the center and are part of the Raptors-in-Residence team, providing valuable education about the raptors and their habitats to visitors. - https://alaskaraptor.org/
SITKA NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK - This park provides a beautiful network of walking trails along the water's edge, and through the beautiful Alaska forest. Throughout the trail are recreations of historic Tlingit totem poles, each telling a unique and beautiful story or tale. Inside the visitor's center is a small museum with displays of historical Tlingit clothing and other artifacts, as well as the original totem poles and Tlingit canoes. - https://www.nps.gov/sitk/index.htm
RUSSIAN BISHOP HOUSE - One of the few surviving examples of Russian colonial architecture left in America, the Russian Bishop House was the center of the Russian Orthodox Church authority in Sitka in the 1800's. It is now a museum open to the public for tours, with many of the rooms still laid out as they would have been over 150 years ago. - https://www.nps.gov/sitk/learn/historyculture/russian-bishops-house.htm
SHELDON JACKSON MUSEUM - Reverend Sheldon Jackson, a missionary who served as General Agent for Education in Alaska in the late 1800's, was a collector, and collected nearly 5,000 artifacts during his many travels to Alaska. The museum now boasts collections of Aleut, Alutiiq, Athabascan, Inupiat, Yup'ik, and Tlingit artifacts, all on display for visitors from around the globe to enjoy and learn from. - https://museums.alaska.gov/sheldon_jackson/
BARANOF CASTLE STATE HISTORIC SITE - This small hill has a great significance as the site where Alaska was officially transferred from Russia to the United States in 1867. It is now a National Historic Landmark, and has a walkway that takes visitors to the top where there is more information, as well as incredible views of Sitka and Sitka Sound. - https://www.nps.gov/places/baranof-castle-state-historic-site.htm
THE HATCHERY - The Sitka Sound Science Center is the location for the Hatchery, where the incredible display of salmon egg harvesting takes place. Here you will watch the salmon as they jump up through the gates and into the tank. The eggs are then retrieved from the dying salmon, and placed in the safety of the Hatchery, ensuring the millions of salmon eggs have a chance of survival from the outside world where many are lost to predators every year. The Sitka Sound Science Center saves millions of salmon eggs a year, rearing, and then releasing the baby salmon into the ocean. - https://sitkascience.org/hatchery/
Booking Your Alaska Cruise
Now that you are ready to book your Alaska cruise and see the beautiful city of Sitka for yourself, be sure to reach out to the experts at Harr Travel. We know the cruise ships inside and out, their itineraries and port stops, and will be able to book you, your family, or group, on the cruise vacation of a lifetime to beautiful Alaska!
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