Sitka
Country: USA · Region: Alaska · Arrival: tender · Currency: US Dollar
Sitka is a port city of 9,000 on Alaska's Inside Passage with rich Russian colonial and Tlingit Native heritage, accessible only by air and sea. It attracts about 250,000 visitors annually and offers abundant cultural, historical, and natural attractions.
Top sights
Sitka National Historical Park, St. Michael's Russian Orthodox Cathedral, Castle Hill, Sheldon Jackson Museum, Alaska Raptor Center, Sitka History Museum
Things to do
- Sitka National Historical Park
- Features the Southeast Alaska Indian Cultural Center, totem poles, museum exhibits of traditional Tlingit life, the Russian Bishop's House, and trails through temperate rain forest.
- St. Michael's Russian Orthodox Cathedral
- A National Historic Landmark constructed 1844 to 1848 that served as the principal representative of Russian cultural influence in 19th-century North America.
- Alaska Raptor Center
- A 17-acre facility where bald eagles and other raptors from across the Western United States are treated and can be viewed up close.
- Sheldon Jackson Museum
- Alaska's oldest museum in the state's first concrete building, featuring a superb collection of Alaskan Native cultural and historical artifacts.
Where to eat
- Ludvig's Bistro
- Mediterranean restaurant open Tuesday, Saturday noon, 9PM with dinner prices $18 to 28.
- Highliner Cafe
- Internet cafe offering gourmet espresso drinks, freshly roasted coffee, bagels, and freshly baked breakfast items.
Bars and nightlife
- Ernie's Old Time Saloon
- Historic saloon open Monday, Saturday 8AM to 2AM with pool table and live music Friday and Saturday nights.
Getting around
The downtown area is walkable on foot, with a free municipal Wi-Fi system; cruise passengers arriving at the Old Sitka Dock take a free 15-minute shuttle bus to downtown Harrigan Centennial Hall.
What to eat
Sitka has about 17 restaurants offering Mediterranean, Mexican, Japanese, and Chinese cuisine, with Ludvig's Bistro serving Mediterranean fare.
Tips
Bring your mobile device to use Sitka's free municipal Wi-Fi system, which was funded by cruise ship docking fees and aids navigation downtown.
Best for
Russian history, Native culture, wildlife