Sitka is located on Baranof Island and is nestled between the mountains and sea. The arts flourish and an ancient native culture still thrives. Surrounded by rainforest, they share their home with brown bears, bald eagles, otters and all five species of Pacific salmon. This post may contain affiliate links which means if you click and buy that I may make a commission, at no cost to you. Please see my disclosure policy for details. Cruise ships dock at the island’s Old Dock at Halibut Point, about five miles north of Sitka town. A free shuttle bus service runs between the dock and downtown Sitka every 10-15 minutes. Some cruise lines drop anchor offshore instead of pulling into the port and use tenders. You need to prebook tickets for the shuttle, there is no charge. Sitka Sound Shuttle Either way, the drop-off point will be in downtown Sitka near Harrigan Centennial Hall. This modern oceanfront building is the town’s visitor’s center and is the perfect starting point for your visit to Sitka. The hall features restrooms, WiFi and an information desk. Throughout the summer, there are also various cultural events to enjoy. If you’ve booked any tours or excursions with a local company, this is probably the starting point. If your plan is to explore Sitka on your own, you’ll find Sitka to be very walkable. Most attractions are located within a few blocks of the harbor. photo courtesy of Sitka Borough Explore the Historic District Even if you have tours planned, it’s worth the time to walk through the downtown historic area. Stroll down Lincoln Street and walk past some of Sitka’s most important landmarks, including the Russian Orthodox St. Michael’s Cathedral and Bishop’s House. St. Michael’s Cathedral For over 100 years before it became a US territory, Sitka was Russian settlement. St. Michael’s Cathedral ….one of the most popular Sitka attractions….is a perfect example. Built in 1848 by St. Innocent, it was the first Orthodox church ever built in North America. The golden crosses and green onion domes are an architectural wonder and it has a beautiful and spacious interior. A $5 entry fee allows you to explore the historic icons inside the church. There are also weekly services that are open to the public. Russian Bishop’s House From 1808 until 1867, New Archangel…as Sitka was known at that time….served as the capital of the Russian-American colony. The Bishop’s House was the administrative headquarters for their 19th-century missionary efforts. Now, the Bishop’s House is protected as a National Historic Landmark. There is a free guided tour you can take to learn about the home’s art, architecture, and historical artifacts. Sheldon Jackson Museum Located on Lincoln Street between Harrigan Centennial Hall and the nearby Sitka National Park, the museum has been collecting items of historical and cultural significance since 1885. Inside you will find masks, carvings, tools, toys, boats, and other artifacts from native Northwest Coast cultures. Tlingit Clan House Plan a visit here to learn more about the culture of the Tlingit Clan and how they lived off the land. The Tlingit clans thrived on these remote Alaskan islands long before the first Russian settlements. Also known as the Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi Tribal Community House, this “house” provides an intimate look into native Alaskan heritage. Watch a live performance by the Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi Dancers while enjoying the fragrant scent of burning cedar. Everyone will love the energetic drum beats and the chance to join a native dance around the fire pit. You can also pose for pictures in front of the biggest hand-carved screen in Alaska. Looking for nature activities? There are plenty of choices! Baranof Castle State Historic Site (Castle Hill) Commonly referred to as Castle Hill, this state park is one of the most historically significant sites in Alaska. Tlingit natives originally inhabited this area and built a strategic fortification at this site. Russians occupied this site between 1804-1867. Alaska was officially transferred from Russia to the United States in 1867 on top of Castle Hill. Today, Castle Hill is a state historic site and is also designated as a National Historic Landmark. A fully accessible walkway leads visitors to the top of the hill and provides outstanding views of downtown Sitka and waterfront. At the top. you will find interpretive panels that provide opportunities to learn more about the history of this site. Sitka National Historical Park This is the oldest national park in Alaska and covers 113 acres. The park is just outside the city of Sitka. It commemorates the 1804 Battle of Sitka that took place between the Russian settlers and the Tlingit tribespeople. There are 20 hand-carved totem poles scattered along the nature trails and a visitor center with more information about the battle, as well as guided tours that delve into the island’s flora and fauna. Take time to walk through the rainforest. You will have great views of Sitka sound also and opportunities to walk along the beach and explore the numerous tide pools. Fortress of the Bear One of the most popular excursions in Sitka is a visit to the Fortress of the Bear. If seeing bears is on your list of must-do Alaska activities, this is your opportunity! You will get within 25 feet of the distinctive Alaska brown bear in a naturalized setting. The three-quarter acre habitat is located about 5 miles from the town center in the Tongass National forest. You will enjoy 3 populations of bears and observe their unique personalities from a large covered viewing platform. The naturalists are happy to share details about the bears, their behaviors and how they were rescued. City busses run back and forth to the Fortress of the Bear. The rescue center is supported entirely by visitor donations and is open to family members of all ages. The rescue center receives no government funding and relies solely on support and donations from local businesses, visitors and merchandise sales. http://fortressofthebear.org Alaska Raptor Center The Alaska Raptor Center provides medical treatment to around 200 injured birds eachContinueContinue reading “Uncover Sitka, Alaska: History, Nature, and Wildlife Adventures”
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Icy Strait Point: Where Alaska’s Wild Meets Living Culture
Travels with Mickey Cruises Disney Planning & Packing About Cruises Disney Planning & Packing About More than 2 results are available in the PRO version (This notice is only visible to admin users) Icy Strait Point Alaska Cruise Guide: Whales, Bears & Best Excursions This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through these links, at no additional cost to you. I only share products I personally use, genuinely recommend, or believe will help make your cruise travel easier and more enjoyable. Thank you for supporting Travels With Mickey! There are some cruise ports you visit for a few hours and barely remember later. Then there are places like Icy Strait Point, where the scenery stays with you long after the cruise is over.Tucked along Alaska’s rugged Inside Passage, Icy Strait Point feels very different from many other cruise ports. It’s quieter. More personal. More connected to the place itself. And that’s because this isn’t just a tourist destination built for cruise ships. It’s owned and operated by the local Native Alaskan Hoonah Totem Corporation, with tourism helping support the nearby community of Hoonah, one of the largest Tlingit communities in Alaska.That connection to local culture is part of what makes this port feel so special. A Cruise Port With Real History Long before cruise ships arrived, this area was home to the historic Hoonah Packing Company cannery. Back in the early 1900s, the cannery was one of the economic lifelines of the region, processing salmon pulled from the rich Alaskan waters surrounding Chichagof Island.Today, many of the original buildings still remain, beautifully restored into museums, shops, restaurants, and gathering spaces. Walking through the old cannery area genuinely feels like stepping into Alaska’s past. You can still see original equipment, historic displays, and reminders of the generations who worked here.Unlike some cruise destinations that can feel overly commercialized, Icy Strait Point still feels rooted in the community around it. Many of the shops are locally owned, and excursions often include local guides sharing stories about life in Southeast Alaska.The nearby town of Hoonah is only about a five-minute drive away, or around a 30-minute walk if you enjoy stretching your legs. Honestly, even the walk itself is beautiful.The views along the shoreline are incredible, and wildlife sightings are surprisingly common. On one visit, we watched humpback whales bubble-net feeding right from shore while walking toward town. In Alaska, moments like that somehow start to feel normal. Incredible things to do Whale Watching at Icy Strait Point If there’s one excursion people should seriously consider booking here, it’s whale watching.The waters near Point Adolphus are some of the richest feeding grounds for humpback whales in Alaska, and this area has developed a reputation for having some of the most reliable whale sightings anywhere in the state.And when people say reliable, they really mean it. Some local operators proudly note they’ve had whale sightings on every tour since 2004.From the moment the boat leaves the harbor, you’re already in prime wildlife territory. Depending on the day, you may see: Humpback whales breaching or bubble-net feeding Orcas Sea lions Sea otters Bald eagles overhead One of the most incredible things about this area is just how wild it still feels.Chichagof Island is famous for having one of the highest concentrations of coastal brown bears in the world. There are estimated to be over 3,500 bears living on the island. That’s almost two bears per square mile.Bear watching excursions typically travel through rainforest, muskegs, and remote wilderness areas outside Hoonah, where sightings are common during summer months. Along the way, you may also spot bald eagles and Sitka black-tailed deer.And while sightings are never guaranteed, that unpredictability is part of what makes it feel so real.This isn’t a zoo attraction. It’s actual wilderness. There’s something unforgettable about seeing a bear moving through the forest completely undisturbed, just existing naturally in its own environment.If you’re doing a wildlife excursion here, definitely bring binoculars! Alaska wildlife often appears at a distance first, and good binoculars make a huge difference. Even if you’ve been whale watching before, Alaska feels different. The scenery alone is breathtaking, with dense forest, misty mountains, and calm water surrounding you in every direction.One important tip: book whale watching early if it’s something you want to do. These excursions sell out quickly, especially during peak Alaska season. The ZipRider: Not for the Faint of Heart For travelers wanting something more adventurous, the ZipRider has become one of Icy Strait Point’s biggest attractions. And honestly, just looking at it from below is enough to make some people rethink their life choices.Stretching more than 5,300 feet with a vertical drop of over 1,300 feet, it’s one of the largest zip rides in North America. Riders soar high above the forest canopy with sweeping views over the ocean below.Even people who normally avoid thrill rides sometimes end up loving this one because the scenery is just so spectacular. Bear Watching in the Wild One of the most incredible things about this area is just how wild it still feels. And a bear watching excursion is the safest way to see bears in the wild.Chichagof Island is famous for having one of the highest concentrations of coastal brown bears in the world. There are estimated to be over 3,500 bears living on the island. That’s almost two bears per square mile.Bear watching excursions typically travel through rainforest, muskegs, and remote wilderness areas outside Hoonah, where sightings are common during summer months. Along the way, you may also spot bald eagles and Sitka black-tailed deer.And while sightings are never guaranteed, that unpredictability is part of what makes it feel so real.This isn’t a zoo attraction. It’s actual wilderness. There’s something unforgettable about seeing a bear moving through the forest completely undisturbed, just existing naturally in its own environment.And, remember your binoculars! Fishing Excurions Fishing in Icy Strait Point is as authentic as it gets—these waters are rich with salmon, halibut,ContinueContinue reading “Icy Strait Point: Where Alaska’s Wild Meets Living Culture”