Sitka, Alaska
What to do in Sitka, Alaska Cruise Port
Sitka, Alaska is known for its stunning natural beauty and abundance of outdoor activities. Visitors can explore the lush forests, rugged coastline, and majestic mountains that make up the landscape. There are plenty of opportunities for wildlife viewing, fishing, kayaking, and hiking. The city also offers a variety of cultural attractions, including museums, galleries, and historic sites. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of festivals and events throughout the year. With its stunning scenery and abundance of activities, Sitka is a great destination for those looking for an unforgettable experience.
Downtown Sitka
While Sitka is the largest city in the U.S. in terms of area, the Downtown Sitka area is small enough to explore in an afternoon. Your tender will drop you off in the heart of the action. The city’s main commercial activity areas are all accessible by foot. You’ll find shops, historic landmarks, and museums to explore.
Wildlife Viewing
Wildlife viewing is another popular activity for cruise passengers visiting Sitka. The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including bald eagles, sea otters, whales, and more. There are plenty of opportunities to get up close and personal with the local wildlife, whether you’re taking a boat tour, a guided hike, or just exploring on your own. You’re sure to have a memorable experience watching the wildlife of Sitka.
Fishing
Fishing is one of the most popular activities for cruise passengers visiting Sitka, Alaska. With its abundance of salmon, halibut, and other fish, Sitka is a great place to cast a line. There are plenty of charter boats and guides available to help you find the best spots and teach you the local techniques. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced angler, you’re sure to have a great time fishing in Sitka.
Get Active
Enjoy the fabulous scenery while also getting that heart rate up. You’ll have many excursion options to get active while experiencing Sitka’s sights. Whether hiking, kayaking, rock-climbing, zip-lining or biking, you’ll earn that cruise ship buffet once you return.
Historic Attractions
Sitka has a surprisingly rich history. From its Native American roots to its status as a Russian territory, Sitka has seen some stuff. It was once even the capital of Alaska. You can learn more about this journey from a number of museums nearby your cruise port. We’re surprised they haven’t made a major motion picture on this place yet.
The Home of the Sitka SpruceSitka is home to the Sitka spruce, a species of evergreen tree that is native to the area. The Sitka spruce is the largest species of spruce tree in the world, and it is often used in the construction of boats and aircraft. It is also a popular choice for Christmas trees, and it is the official state tree of Alaska.Shopping near Sitka, Alaska Cruise Port
Sitka, Alaska is known for its unique selection of Native Alaskan art, jewelry, and crafts. The Sitka Historical Museum and the Sheldon Jackson Museum both offer a wide variety of traditional and contemporary Alaskan art and crafts. Additionally, the Sitka Fine Arts Camp offers a variety of handmade items from local artists.
Russian-American Company-Random House
Museum-quality Russian lacquer boxes and matryoshka nesting dolls are two highlights of our shops. As direct importers, we also offer a large and affordable selection of unique Russian folk art and handcrafts, such as amber jewelry and Zhostovo floral painted trays, brooches, boxes, porcelain and hair clips. Hand painted nesting dolls are priced from under $10 up to $3,000. Authentic Russian lacquer boxes, handcrafted from papier mache and hand painted by the specially trained artists of Fedoskino, Palekh, Mstera, and Kholui, are available from $69 to over $10,000. The Russian American Company is an authorized dealer of contemporary Faberge jewelry.Also offer large selection of Alaskan Native Art - Ivory, whalebone, baleen baskets, scrimshaw, totemic plaques and masks.
Alaska Fur Gallery
Alaska Fur Gallery is a great place to find unique souvenirs from Sitka. They specialize in fur and leather products, including hats, mittens, and coats. They also have a wide selection of jewelry, carvings, and other items made from local materials. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and they offer a variety of payment options.
Island Artists Gallery
Sitka's local artist co-op including 25 different artists offering a wide selection of locally produced art. Ref: Wikitravel - Sitka, Alaska
Alaska Native Arts
Alaska Native Arts is a great place to find unique souvenirs from Sitka. They specialize in traditional and contemporary Native American art, including carvings, jewelry, and clothing. They also have a wide selection of books, postcards, and other items related to the culture of the area. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and they offer a variety of payment options.
Sitka Historical Museum Gift Shop
The Sitka Historical Museum Gift Shop is a great place to find souvenirs from Sitka. They have a wide selection of books, postcards, and other items related to the history of the area. They also have a variety of locally made items, such as jewelry, carvings, and clothing. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and they offer a variety of payment options.
Beaches in Sitka, Alaska
The World's Largest Totem PoleSitka is home to the world's largest totem pole, standing at a whopping 165 feet tall. It was carved from a single cedar tree and was erected in October of 1972. The totem pole was created to honor the Tlingit people, who have lived in the area for centuries. It is a popular tourist attraction and a symbol of the city's rich cultural heritage.Attractions in Sitka, Alaska
Sitka, Alaska is a popular cruise port destination for travelers looking to explore the natural beauty of the area. Excursions include activities such as wildlife viewing, fishing, kayaking, and hiking. Visitors can explore the local culture and history by visiting museums, galleries, and cultural centers. There are also opportunities to take a scenic boat tour, visit a nearby island, or take a guided tour of the area. With so many options, visitors are sure to find something to enjoy in Sitka.
Fortress of the Bear (Brown Bear Education and Viewing Center)
Fortress of the Bear is a non-profit education and rescue center with a three-quarter acre habitat for orphaned Brown Bear cubs complete with covered viewing areas. Also home to the Sawmill Farm. The Fortress has two resident brown bears and may have additional cubs or other bears as rescues occur. Bear cubs are usually housed temporarily at the Fortress until permanent homes are found.
Saint Lazaria National Wildlife Refuge (by boat)
St. Lazaria is a rugged island with limited and difficult access -- ideal for birds to inhabit and to nest. On the island, one can find Fork-tailed Storm-petrels , Leach's Storm-petrels, Thick-billed Murres, Tufted Puffins, Rhinoceros Auklets , Pigeon Guillemots, Glaucous-winged Gulls, Bald Eagles, Peregrine Falcons, and Black Oystercatchers.
St. Michael's Cathedral
St. Michael's Cathedral is a Russian Orthodox cathedral located in Sitka, Alaska. It is a popular tourist attraction for cruise ships and features a variety of beautiful architecture and artwork. Visitors can explore the cathedral's grounds and learn about the history of the area and the cultures of the indigenous people of Alaska.
Alaska Raptor Center
Bald eagles and other raptors from all over the Western United States are treated at this 17 acre facility bordering the Tongass National Forest. See the eagles, hawks, falcons and owls up close.
Sheldon Jackson Museum
Offering a superb exhibit and collection of Alaskan Native cultural and historical artifacts. The Rev. Dr. Sheldon Jackson was the moving force behind the construction of the Sheldon Jackson Museum and the collector of many of its artifacts. If there were a museum for museums, the Sheldon Jackson Museum in Sitka would be part of the collection. It is the oldest museum in Alaska and is in the first concrete building in the state. Construction began in 1895 and it has been occupied since 1897. The building was placed on the National Historical Register in 1972. While the building may be as old as some of the items in its collection, its exhibits reflect recent renovation and a dedication to professional museum standards. The Museum's collection has been called a jewel in the crown of Alaska ethnographic collections.
St. Michael's Russian Orthodox Cathedral
Constructed 1844-1848, the Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel was the principal representative of Russian cultural influence in the 19th century in North America, as the Seat of the Russian Orthodox Diocese of North America, and then as the Seat of the Diocese of Alaska. Although the original was burned down in 1966 and reconstructed, the artifacts inside including the icons were largely preserved from the fire.
Sitka Sound Science Center
The Sitka Sound Science Center is a science center located in Sitka, Alaska. It is a popular tourist attraction for cruise ships and features a variety of interactive exhibits and activities. Visitors can explore the center's exhibits and learn about the marine life of the area, as well as the importance of conservation and protecting the environment.
Castle Hill
In 1867 when Alaska was transferred from Russia to the U.S., the Russian flag was lowered and the American flag officially raised here. In 1959 when Alaska became the 49th State, the first 49-star American flag was officially raised here. Once the site of a two-story log mansion known as Baranof's Castle, which overlooked Sitka Sound during the Russian fur trading era. A fully accessible walkway leads visitors to the top of the hill and provides outstanding views of downtown Sitka and waterfront. Interpretive panels provide opportunities to learn more about the history of this site.
Sitka National Historical Park
The Visitor Center is open year round. The Southeast Alaska Indian Cultural Center, totem poles, and museum exhibits are located in the building. Exhibits depict traditional Tlingit life. A short video reviews Sitka's history. You’ll also find the Russian Bishop's House. A ranger-led tours are offered every 30 minutes. This original log structure built in 1843 is one of the last remaining buildings from the Russian colonial period. While at the park, explore the many park trails. Walk in a temperate rain forest under towering trees, observe migrating salmon, explore the intertidal zone, and study wildlife. A pleasant walk through the Alaska woods with interesting totem poles interspersed. The Village Watchman, the Raven in Human Form, the Raven and a Bear are some of the figures displayed.
Best cruise excursions in Sitka, Alaska
We've analyzed tens of thousands of cruise tours to find your ideal attraction while in port. Based on these reviews, here are the Best Cruise Excursions in Sitka, Alaska
Sitka, Alaska cruise port map
The City of New ArchangelSitka was once known as the City of New Archangel, a name given to it by Russian settlers in the late 18th century. It was the capital of Russian America until 1867, when the United States purchased Alaska from Russia. The city was renamed Sitka in 1868, after the Tlingit word for 'people on the outside of Baranof Island.' Sitka, Alaska Cruise Port Terminals
Cruise ships dock at the Sitka Small Boat Harbor, located at the corner of Katlian Street and Harbor Drive.
Alaska Cruise Ship Terminal
The Alaska Cruise Ship Terminal is located in Sitka, Alaska and is a popular port for cruise ships visiting the area. It is a modern facility with a large dock and plenty of parking for visitors. The terminal also offers a variety of services, including a gift shop, a restaurant, and a lounge.
Harbor Master Cruise Ship Terminal
The Harbor Master Cruise Ship Terminal is located in Sitka, Alaska and is the main port for cruise ships visiting the area. It is a modern facility with a large dock and plenty of parking for visitors. The terminal also offers a variety of services, including a gift shop, a restaurant, and a lounge.
Sitka Cruise Ship Terminal
The Sitka Cruise Ship Terminal is located in Sitka, Alaska and is a popular port for cruise ships visiting the area. It is a modern facility with a large dock and plenty of parking for visitors. The terminal also offers a variety of services, including a gift shop, a restaurant, and a lounge.