
Sitka, Alaska
In 1799, the Russian explorer Alexander Baranof founded New Archangel next to the Tlingit village of Sitka.
This was the beginning of permanent Russian settlement in North America. But New Archangel was destroyed three years later by the Tlingit Indians in an attempt to reclaim their ancestral home. Their brief victory ended in 1804, when Baranof returned with warships and retook Sitka in the Battle of Alaska. Sitka was now the captial of Russian America.
In 1867, the Imperial Russian flag was replaced by the Stars and Stripes when the United States purchased Alaska. With the discovery of gold, and the rapid population growth that followed, Alaska's capital was moved north to Juneau in 1906.
Today, picturesque Sitka, sitting opposite snow-capped Mount Edgecumbe, is known for its fishing, its annual summer classical-music festival and, of course, its many historic visitor attractions.
Points of Interest
- Outdoor Adventures
- St. Michael's Russian Orthodox Cathedral
- Alaska Raptor Center
- Wildlife Cruise
- Sheldon Jackson Museum
- Sitka National Historical Park
- Sitka Sound Science Center
- Fortress of the Bear
Ghosts of Historic Sitka Walking Tour
- St. Michael's Russian Orthodox Cathedral
- Outdoor Adventures
Experience the paranormal side of Sitka! Hear ghastly tales of battles, hangings, prostitution, and even disappearing ships as you walk around the town's most haunted sites. Gaze upon the old military barracks, St. Michael's Cathedral and Rose Hill House and hunt for ghostly spirits at the Russian Cemetery.
Easy Activity
$49.95
All About Sitka - Russian & Tlingit Heritage Discovery
- St. Michael's Russian Orthodox Cathedral
- Sitka National Historical Park
Immerse yourself in the fascinating heritage of Sitka's Russian, Tlingit and American cultures on a two-and-a-half hour excursion that includes a Native folkloric show and the discovery of ancient artifacts and totem poles at Sitka National Historical Park.
Easy Activity
$69.95
Sitka Pedal & Pub Crawl
- St. Michael's Russian Orthodox Cathedral
- Outdoor Adventures
Quench your thirst and satisfy your sense of fun and adventure with a bike and beer pub crawl. Along the way, enjoy the sights from your seat on a 15-passenger bicycle while your guide points out areas of interest and shares the town's intriguing history.
Moderate Activity
$69.95
Artist Walk & Hands-On Glass Demonstration
Get to know Sitka's artistic side with a leisurely walking tour that takes you inside three acclaimed shops. Meet several local artists and have the opportunity to visit with them about their work. Then, try your hand at creating your own masterpiece at Wild Arts Gallery & Studio, which specializes in glass art.
Shopping Opportunities, Easy Activity
$79.95
Alaska Raptor Center & Rainforest City Walk
- St. Michael's Russian Orthodox Cathedral
- Sitka Sound Science Center
- Outdoor Adventures
- Alaska Raptor Center
- Sitka National Historical Park
Discover how man and nature coexist in Sitka's enthralling landscape during a three-hour excursion that begins with a look at birds of prey at the Alaska Raptor Center. Then it's on to Sitka National Historical Park for a scenic walk to the see the salmon hatchery at the Sitka Sound Science Center.
Moderate Activity
$79.95
Alaska Raptor Center, Totem Park & Tlingit Dance
- St. Michael's Russian Orthodox Cathedral
- Alaska Raptor Center
- Sitka National Historical Park
Embrace Sitka's unique past on this informative three-and-a-half-hour tour. Visit the Alaska Raptor Center, dedicated to treating injured bald eagles and other birds, stroll past totem poles at the Sitka National Historical Park and hear Native songs and stories in a modern rendition of a traditional clan-style house as you drive through time on a discovery of Sitka.
Easy Activity
$84.95
Easy Sitka: Historic City Highlights
- St. Michael's Russian Orthodox Cathedral
- Sheldon Jackson Museum
- Sitka National Historical Park
Enjoy a half-day exploration of Sitka's long and intriguing history. View the artistic legacy of Native peoples at the Sheldon Jackson Museum. Then, discover its Russian colonial roots with visits to Sitka National Historical Park and St. Michael's Cathedral followed by a delightful performance by the Alaska Storytellers.
Easy Activity
$89.95
Easy Sitka: Historic City Highlights (Wheelchair Accessible)
- St. Michael's Russian Orthodox Cathedral
- Sheldon Jackson Museum
- Sitka National Historical Park
Enjoy a half-day exploration of Sitka's long and intriguing history. View the artistic legacy of Native peoples at the Sheldon Jackson Museum. Then, discover its Russian colonial roots with visits to Sitka National Historical Park and St. Michael's Cathedral followed by a delightful performance by the Alaska Storytellers.
Wheelchair Accessible, Easy Activity
$89.95
Taste of Sitka - A Food Lover's Tour
Embark on a guided walking tour of Sitka's lively culinary scene. Sample local flavors at a variety of culinary establishments.
Moderate Activity, Includes meal
$99.95
Tongass Rainforest Hike
- Outdoor Adventures
Explore the remote areas of Sitka on this two-and-a-half-hour, active guided hike through the world's largest temperate rainforest to a glistening creek where salmon spawn annually. View stunning mountain vistas, take a tide pool walk along the beach.
Strenuous Activity
$109.95
Birds, Bears & Barnacles (Wheelchair Accessible)
- Alaska Raptor Center
- Sitka Sound Science Center
- Fortress of the Bear
Witness Alaska's remarkable animal kingdom with a half-day excursion that guarantees bald eagles at the Alaska Raptor Center, brown bears at the Fortress of the Bear sanctuary and a menagerie of sea creatures at the Sitka Sound Science Center.
Wheelchair Accessible, Easy Activity
$109.95
Birds, Bears & Barnacles
- Alaska Raptor Center
- Sitka Sound Science Center
- Fortress of the Bear
Witness Alaska's remarkable animal kingdom with a half-day excursion that guarantees bald eagles at the Alaska Raptor Center, brown bears at the Fortress of the Bear sanctuary and a menagerie of sea creatures at the Sitka Sound Science Center.
Easy Activity
$109.95
Sitka Bike & Hike Tour
- Outdoor Adventures
Trek to a Sitka visitors rarely see on this active three-hour guided bike and hike tour. Cycle along gently rolling hills. Hike to a cascading waterfall and picturesque lake. Ride to a seaside park to observe local wildlife and stunning vistas.
Strenuous Activity
$109.95
Wild Alaska: Alaska Raptor Center & Fortress of the Bear
- Alaska Raptor Center
- Fortress of the Bear
Visit two wildlife rehabilitation centers that rescue and care for sick, injured and orphaned native animals. First, come face-to-face with eagles and other birds of prey at the Alaska Raptor Center. Then witness brown bears in a naturalized setting at the Fortress of the Bear Sanctuary. Enjoy a salmon and microbrew tasting at a local restaurant.
Easy Activity, Includes snack
$129.95
Dry Suit Snorkel Adventure
- Outdoor Adventures
Explore the underwater world of Sitka Sound on this moderately active, guided, two-and-a-half hour dry-suit snorkeling adventure! Swim shallow waters teeming with colorful marine life. Float among kelp forests and lush eelgrass beds. Learn about the eco-system as you come back to the beach.
Moderate Activity
$149.95
Sea Otter & Wildlife Quest
- Wildlife Cruise
Enjoy guaranteed wildlife viewing on this exciting three-hour, award-winning guided cruise via luxury catamaran through gorgeous Sitka Sound. Observe a stunning array of wildlife and enjoy complimentary snacks. Receive $100 refund if you don't see an otter, whale or bear during your cruise!
Easy Activity, Includes snack
$159.95
Sitka Historical Floathouse & Scenic Cruise
- Outdoor Adventures
An intimate group joins this cruise that takes you around beautiful Sitka Sound. From your covered and heated cabin cruiser, gaze at the scenery and learn about Sitka's rich local, natural and marine histories. Then, enjoy a visit to a "floathouse," originally built in the 1920s during the logging era.
Moderate Activity, Includes snack
$189.95
Wilderness Sea Kayaking Adventure
- Outdoor Adventures
Embark on an exhilarating, three-hour, guided kayak tour along the rugged Alaska coastline. Paddle through mazes of reef and kelp forest filled with colorful marine life. Glide past rainforests to view otters, eagles, brown bears and even whales. Enjoy a complimentary hot beverage and snack at your floating base camp.
Strenuous Activity, Includes snack
$199.95
Best of Sitka: Otters, Raptors & Bears
- Alaska Raptor Center
- Wildlife Cruise
- Fortress of the Bear
Thrill to the sight of Sitka's wildlife with three unique excursions. First, you'll set sail aboard the award-winning Sea Otter & Wildlife Quest. Back on dry land, you'll take a guided tour through the world-famous Alaska Raptor Center. Finally, you'll visit the acclaimed Fortress of the Bear sanctuary.
Easy Activity, Includes snack
$209.95
Ocean Rafting Adventure
- Outdoor Adventures
Embark on a rigorous, two-and-a-half-hour guided excursion via motorized ocean raft through the waters of Sitka Sound. Travel up to 50 mph over ocean swells to majestic volcanic islands. View and photograph the area's abundant wildlife and travel into sea caves carved out by pounding waves.
Strenuous Activity, Includes snack
$209.95
Siginaka Islands Cruise & Kayak Adventure
- Outdoor Adventures
Take adventure into your own hands when you paddle around Siginaka Islands. While quietly gliding through narrow passages, your guides will identify the colorful life above and below the icy blue water. You'll also learn about the Tlingit people who harvest the ocean's bounty using knowledge passed down for generations.
Moderate Activity, Includes snack
$209.95
Alaska Zodiac Adventure & Fin Island Lodge
- Outdoor Adventures
- Wildlife Cruise
Discover Sitka's spectacular chain of rainforest islands, teeming with wildlife, on a thrilling, high-speed zodiac adventure that navigates the waterways for up-close views of the region's amazing biodiversity. Then, dock at Fin Island Lodge and savor a delicious surf-and-turf feast and relax in front of a cozy beach fire.
Moderate Activity, Includes meal
$229.95
Fortress of the Bear & Silver Bay Homestead Cruise
- Fortress of the Bear
Discover what makes Alaska unique with an excursion that showcases its wild and human side! Observe bears in their natural habitat at the Fortress of the Bear. Search for bald eagles with a boat ride through a glacier-carved fjord. Learn about early pioneer life at Silver Bay Homestead.
Moderate Activity, Includes snack
$229.95
Sitka's Great Adventure
- Outdoor Adventures
Calling all outdoor enthusiasts! Thrill to a small-group adventure led by a wilderness guide that travels to remote locales and introduces the natural and cultural history of the region. Experience an ocean boat ride, visit a traditional floathouse, hike through the national forest and fish on a picturesque lake.
Strenuous Activity, Includes snack
$249.95
Wildlife Quest & Fin Island Lodge
- Wildlife Cruise
Discover Sitka's famed wildlife in its waters and on the shores when you board a high-speed Alaska-built catamaran with a comfortable cabin for a wildlife-viewing cruise through Sitka Sound. Then, dock at exclusive Fin Island Lodge and savor a delicious surf-and-turf feast and relax in front of a cozy beach fire.
Moderate Activity, Includes meal
$259.95
Sitka Guided Fly Fishing
- Outdoor Adventures
Attention, anglers! Get ready to catch the big one. This is the experience many fishermen dream about - the chance to pull in Dolly Varden or steelhead trout. No matter your skill level, learn the secrets of fly fishing with an experienced fishing guide at your side.
Moderate Activity, Includes snack
$289.95
Alaska Wilderness ATV Adventure
- Outdoor Adventures
Explore the Alaskan wilderness on this half-day guided 4X4 off-road adventure. Take a boat to Kruzof Island then drive a two-person Polaris Ranger off-road vehicle through temperate rainforest to a wildflower meadow searching for wildlife such as brown bear and Sitka blacktail deer.
Moderate Activity, Includes snack
$299.95
Alaska Remote Fly Fishing
- Outdoor Adventures
Cast your line and go fish on a remote Alaska river. Depending on what river your guide decides is best to fish that day you'll hike through the Tongass National Forest to the perfect fishing spot to catch and release steelhead, salmon, trout, char and any other fish is running.
Strenuous Activity, Includes meal
$339.95