Alaska‘s capital wasn’t always Juneau, and the state’s most important port wasn’t always Anchorage. It was Sitka, before Alaska passed from Russia to the United States, that was the nerve center of Alaskan administrative and commercial life.
Although today the political and economic centers are elsewhere, Sitka remains one of the essential destinations for those who want to fully discover the history of Alaska, as well as being an excellent stop to include in your itinerary with nature attractions. It is no coincidence that we have chosen to include it in the top 10 places to visit in Alaska.
Contents
How to get to Sitka
How to reach Sitka is not obvious. Geographically, it is located in the archipelago that together with the southeastern coast of the state, creates the so-called Inside Passage: a large system of canals and fjords that allows ships to move safely from south to north. Not surprisingly, all the towns in the region overlook the interior of the channel. All except Sitka, which was instead built facing the open ocean.
Here are the ways to get there.
- Aircraft. Sitka Airport is connected to the capital city of Juneau by fast flights (40 mins) with Alaska Airlines. There are also other air connections with Anchorage (3h10 mins), Ketchikan (1h) and Seattle (4h). Plane is definitely the fastest and most comfortable way to reach the city.
- Ship. Sitka has always made the sea its fundamental resource. Reaching it by ship is therefore one of the most obvious choices. Due to its out-of-the-way position, not all the cruises along the Inside Passage stop here, but you can use the Alaska Marine Highway System ferries if you are traveling independently. Ferries have the disadvantage of time compared to plane journeys (from Juneau it takes almost 10 hours), but the great advantage is that this area of sea nestled between islands and mountains offers some of the most beautiful views in the entire state. In addition, you may well sight some whales along the way. Finally, if you are on a road trip, you can take your car on board ferries
Climate and Temperatures: Best Time to Visit Sitka
As discussed in the article on when to go to Alaska, the southeastern coast of the state is mild compared to the Alaskan hinterland and this favors year-round visits. While temperatures are never too cold, there is high rainfall throughout the twelve months. Moreover Sitka, compared to the cities facing the Inside Passage, is more exposed to oceanic disturbances, without the natural shelter of the archipelago.
The warmest months are July and August, with nighttime lows around 52° F and average highs around 59/61° F. The temperatures in June and September are slightly lower, with the maximum daytime temperature often staying below 59 ° F. May and October are very similar to each other: the highs are on average slightly above 50° F, and the lows around 41° F.
The real mid-season can be felt in April and November, months in which the maximum temperatures fluctuate between 43° F and 50° F and the minimum temperatures stay around 32° F. Winter, from November to February, is never harsh. During the day it is almost always between 41° F and 43° F and at night it can drop a little below 32° F.
Sitka Attractions
The municipality of Sitka has the largest territorial extension of all the United States. A record that you would never expect from a town of not even 9 thousand inhabitants located on an island. The town itself, as you can guess from the number of residents, is really small and can be visited in a short time, but it is also one of the most interesting in Alaska. Here you can still breathe the combined traditions of the natives and those of the Orthodox Russians, who located the capital of Alaska here, which was called Novo Arkhangelsk at that time.
The center develops around Lincoln Street, under the shadow of the Baranof Castle Hill State Historic Site: the place where, in 1867, the Russian flag was lowered in favor of the American one. Right on Lincoln Street is the Russian Bishop’s House: one of the oldest remaining Russian structures in America.
There are still original items and clothes from the 19th century. In order to rediscover the Russian soul of the city, a visit to St. Michael’s Cathedral, the main Orthodox church of the city, is a must. Despite the fire in 1966, it has been rebuilt almost the same as the original and furnished with objects saved from the fire.
One of the must-see places in the center is the Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi Tribal Community House: what could be called a modern house of the native Tlingit clan. During the summer there are daily performances of traditional dances and songs (Address: 200 Katlian Street).
A part of the city center, which is developed around a green area along Lincoln Street, is now called Sitka National Historical Park. This institution is due to the memory of the bloody battle between the natives and the Russians in 1804. In addition to some of the aforementioned points of interest, it includes the Totem Trail: a walkway with 18 totem poles.
The harbor is still the most lively area of the city that, despite its size, sees the bustle of hundreds of fishing boats every day. As it faces west, it is also the ideal point for admiring the wonderful sunsets on Mount Edgecumbe, only 10 miles away on the nearby island of Kruzof. This extinct volcano with its snow-capped tip is very reminiscent of the more famous Japanese Mount Fuji and photographers can take home shots that are no less beautiful.
Museums and parks
The town offers different alternatives for those wanting to spend one or more days there, both with a naturalistic and museum perspective.
- Southeast Alaska Indian Cultural Center. This small museum houses artifacts from both cultures that lived here (Tlingit and Russian), telling the stories of the two peoples before and after the bloody battle that saw them rivals in 1804 (Address: 106 Metlakatla St).
- Sitka Historical Museum. A small museum exhibit, especially interesting for the large, detailed model of what the city looked like in 1867 and the historical photographs. (Address: 330 Harbor Drive).
- Sheldon Jackson Museum. This, on the other hand, is one of the largest collections of indigenous art in Southeast Alaska. It was created in the late 1800s by the Reverend Sheldon Jackson, after whom the museum is named. It displays terrifying shamanic masks, weapons and tools of all kinds. (Address: 104 College Drive).
- Artist Cove Gallery. This is a small gallery that displays works by local artists and natives from other parts of the coast. (Address: 241, Lincoln Street).
- Alaska Raptor Center. This is where many birds, mostly birds of prey, are cared for and released back into the wild. It is the ideal place to get to know the birds through the explanations of those who take care of them every day. (Address: 1000 Raptor Way).
Whale Watching and Whale Fest
Sitka is one of the best places to see whales, so much so that every year the Whale Fest takes place here. At the beginning of November it enlivens the city with events related to the marine giants. Conferences and reports, exhibitions and workshops, but above all excursions at sea to see the cetaceans make a visit to Sitka unforgettable in this period.
In addition to Whale Park, where you can spot cetaceans from the mainland, there are numerous boat tours to get closer to the whales. You can book them locally, but in the fall period the sightings are so easy that the seats on the boats sell out among tourists, ready to jump on the first boat as soon as they get off the cruise ship. If you don’t want to risk being left on the dock due to a sold-out crowd, I recommend booking a tour in advance.
Sitka Sound is one of Alaska’s best areas to view marine wildlife, from whales to the small mammals that inhabit the shores. A good place to start understanding this complex ecosystem is the Sitka Sound Science Center, where you can find an aquarium, a salmon nursery, a research center, and several educational activities that are especially interesting for families with children.
Whale Watching and Marine Wildlife Shore Excursion
Best excursion near Sitka
Baranof Island, on which the city is located, is full of points of interest, making it worthwhile to stay in Sitka a few days.
- Starrigavan Recreation Area. The entire city is surrounded by the Tongass National Forest and the Starrigavan Recreation Area (6.5 miles north of the center along the Halibut Point Road) is the ideal starting point to visit this natural area. From here there are 3 free walking trails, but it is also possible to take part in hikes with a guide, one of the volunteers of the non-profit organization Sitka Trail Works. The Forest and Muskeg Trail is 0.75 miles long and passes through a fir forest and over a boardwalk above a bog rich in mosses and carnivorous plants. The Estuary Life Trail is a 1200 feet walkway that allows you to visit the marshy area where numerous waterfowl and Sitka black-tailed deer, endemic to these areas, make their home. The Mosquito Cove Trail is a 1.2-mile loop that runs along the shores of Starrigavan Bay and Mosquito Cove, then enters the thick forest.
- Whale Park. Despite the name, Whale Park is not really a park, but simply a boardwalk (3 miles from downtown along Sawmill Creek Road), recognizable by the silhouettes of some whales sticking out of the ground. This area is one of the best for spotting whales from the mainland when, especially between September and December, they come to feed in these plankton-rich waters. Thanks to special underwater microphones, it is possible to listen to the whales’ songs from the mainland.
- Bear Fortress. If you would love to spot a bear, but are afraid to meet one in the wilderness, go to the Bear Fortress. Eight miles from downtown Sitka, along Sawmill Creek Road, is this rescue center for orphaned bears. Some cubs lose their mothers when they are killed by poachers or other causes. The center cares for these young bears, raising them safely.
Places to Stay in Sitka
Sitka is very small, so there are not a lot of alternatives for spending the night. Therefore, especially if you go here during the busiest periods for tourism (summer and autumn), I strongly recommend that you book your accommodation in advance. Here are some suggestions.
- Longliner Lodge & Suites. If you’re looking for comfortable lodgings that feel like home, you’ll fit right in here. The common room with fireplace and board games pairs perfectly with the cozy rooms.
- Aspen Suites Hotel. The Aspen chain, which is fairly new but already present in other cities, also opened in Sitka in 2017. The rooms are all equipped with microwaves – it’s provides good accommodation if you’re looking for comfort but also convenience.
- Sitka Hotels. A Victorian-style hotel where you still feel like you would have done in the gold rush days.
Here you can see all the other available accommodations by clicking on the link below.
