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While the town itself is plenty spread out, the downtown area where most visitors enjoy is relatively small. Excursions are available through the cruise line (and will include transportation), but admission on your own is $15 per adult. The spot is located on the edge of town, about a 20-minute walk from downtown. Elsewhere around the quaint downtown area are a number of shops selling everything from souvenirs to gourmet salt, and restaurants to grab a bite off the ship. One nice thing is that the town blocks off the area, so that cruise passengers don’t have to worry about car traffic. This six-mile trail offers breathtaking views of Sitka Sound, Baranof Island, and Mt. Edgecumbe.
Spot Birds on St. Lazaria Island
When you visit a cruise port, the most difficult decision is deciding what to do with your limited time. If your ship parks offshore instead of docking at port, it is only a five-minute tender into the town. Located at the corner of Lincoln and Katlian streets, this stately building was once a log barracks built by the Russians in the 1800s. Walk through the beautifully manicured gardens in front of the Home and be sure to visit the gift shop. Take a look in the shop for Alaska arts and crafts souvenirs made by the residents.
Viking Travel Inc
In the downtown area of Sitka you’ll find a number of shops selling everything from Alaskan magnets to Russian nesting dolls (fitting with the area’s Russian history) to local artwork. If you can’t find what you’re looking for in one of these shops, then it likely doesn’t exist. Located just behind the Sitka Hotel and up a hefty set of steps is the historic spot called Baranof Castle Hill. This spot is the highest in the immediate area, making it a strategic importance. But today, it offers a stunning 360-degree view of the entire area where you can see for miles. As well, the area is relatively flat, well-paved, and traffic is usually light (even blocked off in the main downtown area).
Visit Russian Bishop’s House
You’ll follow the trail through hemlock and spruce forest to Thimbleberry Lake, where you could spot locals fishing for trout. Keep an eye out for bears as they are often spotted around here, feeding on summer berries. Seaplanes can take off and land from the water near Sitka, offering a thrilling adventure as you fly high over sea stacks, gently swaying kelp beds, Alaskan beaches, and forest. You could swoop low enough to spot sea otters rafted up in family groups and the blow of a whale.
How do I get from Sitka cruise terminal to downtown?
If you have a rental car (which I would highly recommend if you're staying for more than a day) , drive west until the road ends to find some stunning, South East Alaskan scenery. If you're here with photography and scenery as a goal, this is a spot not to be missed. For Alaska's day-to-day weather, it’s best to plan for a bit of everything.
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Downtown is very walkable, but how do you get from the cruise terminal to downtown Sitka? A free shuttle bus runs from the Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal to town every 15 minutes. The national park is also located directly on the shoreline, so you can go out and walk along the shore. Once at the national park, you can go to the national park visitor center for a brochure and a map of the park.
You’ll also want to have an excellent rain jacket (I recommend this REI brand one if you’re looking to purchase one for your trip). Rain pants are optional (I use these) but are really helpful if you’re going to be outside all day or on a hike with lots of wet brush. You can always add evening hikes to your lineup on any day if you want more during Sitka’s long summer evenings.
Take a Checkered Cab Tour
The museum boasts a collection of boats, carvings, tools, toys, and other artifacts from Alaskan Native groups. And in 1972, the museum was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This museum was founded in 1888 by Rev. Dr. Sheldon Jackson, who wanted to display his collection of Alaskan artifacts. The octagonal building is the oldest museum in Alaska and the first concrete building in the state. Constructed in 1842, the Russian Bishop’s House is one of the oldest surviving buildings of Russian America. It served as one of the Russian Orthodox church’s administrative headquarters to spread its influence in Alaska.
It does not have as many cruise ships or visitors as other parts of Southeast and it has lots of interesting and unique things to do. Many visitors come on a cruise ship and spend the day in port as part of an Alaska cruise. Just as a warning to cruise visitors so you’re not surprised when you arrive in town, Sitka’s restaurants are VERY EXPENSIVE. Although seafood is caught locally, everything else has to be brought in by boat or plane, so menu prices will come with a bit of sticker shock. Shows usually take place in the early afternoon, and exact dates and times of the 30-minute shows are posted on their online performance schedule. 👆 There is a free shuttle from the Sitka Sound cruise port to downtown Sitka.
Their white heads are distinctive and if you keep an eye out for that gleam of white, you might just get lucky. The church sits in the middle of the town square, and was originally built in the mid-1800s. A fire destroyed the building in 1966, but an exact replica was built back in its place. Today it still holds services and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Once on the bus, however, the ride is just about 10 minutes and gives you a nice passing view of the area.
Sitka is one of those small towns where you can see almost all of the sights within walking distance on one day in port. From where the complimentary bus drops you off at Centennial Hall, pick up a Sitka walking map and head out on your own. The back of the map has a list of all the attractions that are within walking distance. This didn’t sit well with the Tlingit people and a bloody uprising took place. In 1804 Russian reinforcements stormed ashore in revenge for the attack two years prior.
This guide aims to help you make the most of your time in this captivating locale, ensuring that your Sitka experience becomes a memorable chapter in your Alaskan cruise journey. Most cruise ships dock just north of town at Old Sitka Dock, recently renamed Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal. There’s a free shuttle that runs every 15 minutes from the Old Dock to the center of town, 6 miles away. Among the main attractions in the park are the 20 hand-carved totem poles scattered along the nature trails. There’s a visitor center with more information about the battle, as well as guided tours that delve into the island’s flora and fauna.
Here are some of our recommendations of things to do in Sitka, Alaska. If your cruise to Alaska includes a stop in Sitka, here are the 28 best things to do in Sitka Alaska cruise port. Savoring Sitka’s local flavors extends beyond just the food and drinks; it’s an exploration of the land and sea that surround it. By diving into the culinary offerings, you engage with the community and its traditions, making your trip all the more memorable. Sitka’s local cuisine is an eclectic blend, featuring freshly caught seafood, traditional Tlingit dishes, and Russian-inspired fare. At the top of the list is, of course, salmon—prepared in every way imaginable, from grilled to smoked.
The pristine wilderness spans millions of acres, encompassing towering old-growth forests, majestic mountains, and glimmering waterways. Other cities, such as Ketchikan, Juneau, and Petersburg, are all within the Tongass National Forest. Adventure Sitka is Alaskan owned and operated with headquarters in Sitka, Alaska. Sitka is an island community boldly living between the mountains and sea, where the arts flourish and an ancient native culture still thrives...
Insider's Guide to Sitka, Alaska: Free and Fun Things to Do in Sitka with Kids - Mommy Poppins
Insider's Guide to Sitka, Alaska: Free and Fun Things to Do in Sitka with Kids.
Posted: Sat, 31 Jul 2021 07:00:00 GMT [source]
After years of having to tender, with only a single dock 6 miles outside of town, cruise ships were welcomed to Sitka for the 2022 season with a brand-new 1,300-foot dock. The Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal is a 40,000-square-foot timber complex able to accommodate two neo-Panamax cruise ships (think Royal Caribbean’s megaship Ovation of the Seas). But the big draw is a walking trail through dense forest along the shoreline that is dotted with replica totem poles rebuilt from originals. The walk itself would be a neat thing to do as you get to experience the nature of Alaska. However, the totem poles are amazing works of art that you don’t get to see every day. Within a small area you’ll find lots to do an experience, whether you want to see a sanctuary for rescued bears or totem poles built by native people in a National Historical Park.
Sitka, Alaska is a hidden gem tucked away on Baranof Island, offering a blend of stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. Also with their main entrance on Lincoln Street, Old Harbor Books has that certain book store smell that you just don’t find much very often. Through a walkway at the back of the store is the aptly-named Back Door Café. Buy a book and go to the café and relax for a hour before you head back to the ship. It was at the top of Castle Hill in 1867 that the transfer of Alaska from Russia to the United States took place. Today, there is a wide, accessible walkway that leads to the top or take the more challenging stairway.
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