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Consolidated city-borough in Alaska, US
Photo: Patrick Denker, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Sitka is a city of about 9,000 on the Pacific Ocean coast of Baranof Island in Alaska. First settled by Tlingit Aboriginal people, Sitka also has history as a Russian settlement, established in 1799 by Alexander Baranoff of the Russian American Company, which became the Russian capital of Alaska. In 1867, when Russia sold Alaska to the US, the transfer ceremony took place on Castle Hill at Sitka on October 18, a day celebrated as Alaska Day. Sitka now attracts about a quarter million visitors a year.
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There is no food service or lodging in this park. The visitor center is wheelchair-accessible. The Southeast Alaska Indian Cultural Center, totem poles, and museum exhibits are in the building. Exhibits depict traditional Tlingit life. A short video reviews Sitka's history.
Baranof Castle State Historic Site, a National Historic Landmark. American flag raising site. In 1867, when Alaska was transferred from Russia to the US, the Russian flag was lowered and the American flag raised here. In 1959, when Alaska became the 49th State, the first 49-star American flag was raised here. Once the site of a two-story log mansion known as Baranof's Castle, which overlooked Sitka Sound during the Russian fur trading era. A fully accessible walkway leads visitors to the top of the hill and provides outstanding views of downtown Sitka and waterfront. Interpretive panels provide opportunities to learn more about the history of this site.
National Historic Landmark. Constructed 1844–1848, the Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel was the principal representative of Russian cultural influence in the 19th century in North America, as the Seat of the Russian Orthodox Diocese of North America, and then as the Seat of the Diocese of Alaska. Although the original was burned down in 1966 and reconstructed, the artifacts inside including the icons were largely preserved from the fire.
formerly the Isabel Miller Museum
State Cultural & Historical Museum
Offering a superb exhibit and collection of Alaskan Native cultural and historical artifacts. The Rev. Dr. Sheldon Jackson was the moving force behind the construction of the Sheldon Jackson Museum and the collector of many of its artifacts. It is the oldest museum in Alaska, in the state's first concrete building. Construction began in 1895 and it has been occupied since 1897. The building was placed on the National Historical Register in 1972. While the building may be as old as some of the items in its collection, its exhibits reflect a dedication to professional museum standards. The museum's collection has been called a jewel in the crown of Alaska ethnographic collections.
Brown Bear Education and Viewing Center
Fortress of the Bear is a non-profit education and rescue center with a three-quarter acre habitat for orphaned Brown Bear cubs complete with covered viewing areas. Also home to the Sawmill Farm. The Fortress has two resident brown bears and may have additional cubs or other bears as rescues occur. Bear cubs are usually housed temporarily at the Fortress until reintroduction in the wild is possible.
The Science Center operates an educational fish hatchery and the Molly Ahlgren Aquarium.
Bald eagles and other raptors from all over the Western United States are treated at this 17-acre facility. See the eagles, hawks, falcons and owls up close.
St. Lazaria Island
Can be seen by boat tour. St. Lazaria is a rugged island with limited and difficult access – ideal for birds to inhabit and to nest. On the island, one can find Fork-tailed Storm-petrels, Leach"s Storm-petrels, Thick-billed Murres, Tufted Puffins, Rhinoceros Auklets, Pigeon Guillemots, Glaucous-winged Gulls, Bald Eagles, Peregrine Falcons, and Black Oystercatchers
A dormant volcano that looks like Mt. Fuji, looms in the background and dominates views to the west.
A 3-mile-long reservoir six miles east of Sitka.
Go saltwater sport fishing with a friendly local instead of with an over-priced 'monster' lodge.
A floatplane flightseeing trip is a good way to get an overview of Baranof Island.
Tribal Tours provides a variety of cultural coach tours including a 2½-hr cultural tour and 3½-hr cultural tour w/Alaska Raptor Center. Both tours feature authentic Tlingit native dance performed in classic clan-style house with cedar fire pit.
Russian Dance Performance
Enjoy a half-hour performance of lively, traditional Russian folk dances. The New Archangel Dancers mission is to promote and encourage interest in Alaska's Russian History and culture through sharing of ethnic folk dance and song. These were evident in Sitka during the 18th and 19th centuries. The Dancers have performed in Japan, Canada, Mexico and Russia, and are considered by many to be ambassadors for Sitka and Alaska.
Ludvig's
Mediterranean.
Chips, peanuts, pool table. Live music F Sa nights. Cash only.
Internet cafe with gourmet espresso drinks and freshly roasted coffee, full line of bagels, freshly baked breakfast stuffed croissants, Scandinavian cookies, other pastries.
Sitka's only waterfront hotel, a little over 2 miles from downtown. All rooms have private balconies with views of the Pacific Ocean. Oceanfront sauna and barbecue, laundry and convenience/liquor. 10 rooms.
Tillie Paul Manor
23 beds total (spread across 5 dorms and one private double room). Kitchen and dining facilities. There is a lockout from 10AM–6PM. 11PM curfew; hostel reopens at 8:30AM. Guests assigned one chore each day.
Over 30 local artists
BACA has a summer shop filled with locally made items including: jewelry, paintings, photographs, graphic arts, yarns, books and music, roasted coffee and nuts, ceramics, and assorted crafts. Representing over 30 Sitka artists.
Russian and Native Art
Museum-quality Russian lacquer boxes and matryoshka nesting dolls are two highlights of our shops. As direct importers, there is a large and affordable selection of unique Russian folk art and handcrafts, such as amber jewelry and Zhostovo floral painted trays, brooches, boxes, porcelain and hair clips. Hand painted nesting dolls are priced from under $10 up to $3,000. Authentic Russian lacquer boxes, handcrafted from papier mache and hand painted by the specially trained artists of Fedoskino, Palekh, Mstera, and Kholui, are available from $69 to over $10,000. The Russian American Company is an authorized dealer of contemporary Faberge jewelry. Also offer large selection of Alaskan Native Art: Ivory, whalebone, baleen baskets, scrimshaw, totemic plaques and masks.
By plane
Sitka Tours +1 907-747-8443 provides an airport shuttle to the downtown area or to any accommodations. May–September, $6 one-way; $8 round-trip.
By sea
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Sitka · Regional · SIT
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