Alaska's Old Russian Capital

Sitka is small enough to hike around town easily. There are also bike excursions for those so inclined. We hiked to the Raptor Rehabilitation Center where there were bald eagles, a falcon, owls and other birds. Then a hik back to te historical park and some hiking/shopping around downtown.

Quick Tips:

No need to buy the excursions from the cruise here. Easy to get around town by hiking. If you are not up for a couple miles of hiking, there are tours that you can get for on the dock that will drop you off wherever you want. We went with another couple and the wives took this option and got dropped off at the New Archangel dancers location and were let off before the excursions. They got front row seats :) .

Best Way To Get Around:

hiking, tour bus or rent a bicycle if you want to get out to Whale Park (6 mi.)... some folks on the cruise did that and had a good experience.

The Raptor Rehabilitation Center helps injured birds (mostly raptors) from all over the United States with medical attention and recovery. We saw some bald eagles, owls and a falcon. Hike the mile and a half from the dock past the historical park. On a nice sunny day it is a pleasant hike. Also get yourself the "I Am Smiling" t-shirt with the bald eagle on the front.

The Sitka National Historical Park includes the 1804 battle site between the Russians and the Tlingits and a cultural exhibit demonstrating totem pole carving, basket weaving, and other Tlingit activities.

Downtown Sitka is a couple of blocks from the dock that the tenders for the cruise ships ferry to. It consists of three blocks of shops with St. Michael's church in the middle of it all. Good Russian curios and souveniers to be bought as well as the usual t-shirts, hats etc. There is a nice park a block from the docks with the Russian blockhouse overlooking the park.

Sitka's harbor is quite picturesque. It has more than its share of towering mountains and numerous islands with many homes and lodges dotting the islands. The trip on the tenders is a pleasant entry into town.