Sitka is a charming coastal city located in southeast Alaska with beautiful natural scenery and a rich cultural history. As the former capital of Russian America, Sitka offers visitors a glimpse into its Russian and indigenous Tlingit heritage.
There is no shortage of exciting outdoor activities and cultural attractions to explore in this scenic waterfront community. Here are 12 of the top things to see and do during a visit to Sitka.
Discover Sheldon Jackson Campus
One of the best places to start a day of sightseeing in Sitka is at Sheldon Jackson Campus. Formerly known as Sheldon Jackson School, this educational institution was established in 1878 as a Christian missionary and vocational school for Alaska Natives. Visitors can explore several buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, including the former boy’s dormitory that now serves as a museum.
Stop by the Rasmuson Library to browse exhibits on Tlingit culture, local wildlife, and Alaska’s history. Don’t miss the Russian Chapel, an ornate Russian Orthodox church built in 1893. Wandering the lakeside campus is a lovely way to learn about Sitka’s multicultural past.
Visit Sitka National Historical Park
Sitka National Historical Park is a must-see for anyone interested in the history and cultural heritage of this region. Located on the site where the Tlingit people once lived, the park protects Castle Hill—the site of the 1804 Battle of Sitka, a significant territorial conflict between the Tlingit and visiting Russian forces.
Take a self-guided tour along forest trails to learn about Tlingit traditions, view totem poles and longhouses, and see Castle Hill where the battle took place. Be sure to stop by the Russkaia House, an authentically rebuilt Russian administration building. A highlight is watching the 45-minute film that dramatizes the battle. History buffs will find this park endlessly fascinating.
Go Wildlife Watching
With temperate rainforests, islands, and extensive coastlines, Sitka offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. Popular spots include Flat Meadows Trail, Herring Cove Trail, and Hemlock Trail in Sitka National Historical Park. Keep your eyes peeled for black bears, deer, mountain goats, bald eagles, and more. Don’t forget to bring binoculars—you may spot humpback whales, sea lions, harbor seals and porpoises swimming in the waters just offshore.
For close-up encounters, head to ACRES Land Trust Conservation Center to see rescued black bears, bald eagles, falcons and owls. Birders will want to check out Sitka’s outstanding birding sites like Crescent Harbor and Ferry Terminal areas during spring and fall migrations.
Tour Sitka Sound Science Center
Sitka Sound Science Center is a marine educational facility that gives visitors a deeper appreciation for Alaska’s spectacular coastal ecosystem. Take a guided nature walk around the center’s tidal estuary and rainforest trails to look for wildlife. Stop at the salmon viewing station to see returning fish. Inside the main building, check out top-notch aquariums housing local fish, invertebrates and more.
Don’t miss the center’s main attraction—a three-story tall, floor-to-ceiling glass wall overlooking Sitka Sound that’s perfect for seabird and wildlife viewing. Guided boat tours are also available to explore the surrounding area’s rich diversity of life. The center is an outstanding place to learn about marine conservation.
Go Fishing or Kayaking
With over 800 miles of coastline, Sitka is a premier fishing and kayaking destination. Charter fishing tours operate year-round pursuing prized catches like halibut, salmon, lingcod and more. Multiday fishing packages are available for venturing farther offshore. Novice and experienced kayakers alike will love paddling the protected bays and sounds. Popular spots include Cress Island, Baranof Warm Springs, and Sitka Sound.
Many outfitters rent kayaks and equipment for exploring at your own pace. For those seeking assistance, guided paddling trips introduce visitors to the rich marine environment. With plenty of fish and sea life to spot along the way, fishing and kayaking make for adventurous ways to experience Sitka’s breathtaking coastal scenery.
Tour Sitka by Bicycle or on Foot
Thanks to its mild weather and relatively flat terrain, Sitka is easy to explore by bicycle or on foot. Rental bikes are available locally for leisurely pedaling along the famous Sitka Pioneer Home scenic loop road or visiting outlying areas like Indian River. History buffs can follow self-guided walking tours through downtown to discover remnants of Sitka’s Russian heritage. Popular paths include the Castle Hill Trail and Mount Edgecumbe Trail for enjoying panoramic ocean and forest views.
Be sure to stop for picnic lunches at picturesque waterfront parks along the way. Fitness buffs will appreciate Sitka’s accessible trail system for challenging hikes year-round. Bicycling and walking are inexpensive, eco-friendly ways to absorb Sitka’s scenic natural beauty.
Attend a Cultural Performance
Sitka’s long history of indigenous, Russian and American cultural traditions come alive through various live performances. Don’t miss the Spring and Fall Native Arts Festivals showcasing traditional and contemporary Tlingit dance, music, arts and crafts. Throughout summer, the Sitka Summer Music Festival presents chamber, choral and orchestral concerts in venues like St. Michael’s Cathedral and Harrigan Centennial Hall.
Theater aficionados will appreciate the Sitka Community Theater’s eclectic lineup of plays and musicals. For a quintessential Alaskan experience, schedule a visit during WhaleFest in early November to enjoy music, dance and storytelling celebrations. Immersing in Sitka’s deep multicultural heritage through live performances is a highlight of any visit.
Go Whale Watching
One of the top activities in Sitka is whale watching from late fall through early spring. Several local companies offer daily 2-4 hour guided boat excursions in search of humpback whales, with some trips also including opportunities to spot orcas, minke whales, sea lions and more. Humpbacks migrate annually to the nutrient-rich waters around Sitka to feed and nurse their young—it’s not unusual to encounter multiple whales breaching, pec slapping and tail lobbing right beside the boats.
Besides the thrilling whale encounters, the boat rides showcase glaciated coastal scenery and wildlife. Whale watching brings visitors up close to Alaska’s legendary marine giants in their natural habitat.
Take a Rainforest Hike
For an invigorating outdoor adventure amid Sitka’s lush natural setting, pack your rain gear and hiking boots for a trek through the Tongass National Forest. Popular trails like Swan Lake Nature Trail, Beaver Lake Trail, and Sitka Lakes Trail offer a variety of walking routes from easy to moderately difficult.
Hike through groves of towering old-growth spruce and hemlock trees while listening for the sounds of streams, birds and other woodland wildlife. Don’t miss the boardwalk loop at Indian River where trees are thickly carpeted in moss—it’s like walking on a soft forest floor. Sitka’s ancient temperate rainforest offers hiking enthusiasts beautiful botany, scenic views, and a sense of calm amidst dense vegetation.
Check out Museums and Galleries
For a deeper cultural immersion, make time to visit Sitka’s excellent museums and art galleries. The Sitka Historical Museum chronicles Alaska’s Russian-American history through interactive and artifact exhibits. Nearby, Harrigan Centennial Hall hosts traveling art exhibits and the Sheldon Jackson Museum exhibits Alaskan art and ethnographic collections.
Avid art lovers will want to browse the many locally-owned galleries featuring works by Alaska Native and resident artists. Sitka is also home to Totem Heritage Center for learning about Tlingit carving traditions and the Sitka Tribe of Alaska’s House of Sharing gift shop highlighting indigenous crafts. The museums and galleries provide enriching perspectives on Sitka’s multifaceted cultural heritage.
Whether you’re interested in history, wildlife, art or the outdoors, Sitka offers amazing opportunities to explore inland trails, beaches, forests and waters. Visitors will find this charming coastal town endlessly photogenic with its picturesque Russian Orthodox churches, totem poles and historic buildings set against a backdrop of mountains meeting the sea.
With its abundance of cultural attractions and activities, Sitka deserves to be on any travel itinerary for those seeking natural beauty and cultural discovery in Southeast Alaska.