A place where bears reside and whales glide, with ice-coated mountains and beautiful waters, this city is ready to mesmerize.
Priyasha Goswami
Snow blanketed mountains and an expanse of water ahead, Sitka is situated on the west side of Baranof Island and south half of Chichagof Island.
Sitka
Interesting Fact...
Sitka was a part of Russia until 1867.
The Sitka we see today has a lot to do with its history. There are more than 22 historical buildings documented in the National Register of Historic Places.
If you are planning your next travel visit to Sitka, here's all you need to know.
Weather
Being near to the ocean, Sitka has Oceanic/ Maritime climate.
However, the weather varies from cold, rainy, and summer months.
Temperature varies between 33°F to 62°F throughout the year.
The best time to visit Sitka is during summer months around June, July, and August. They are pleasant and mostly cloudy.
A peek into how the weather looks like through months - 1. The coldest month - January
2. The rainy month - October
3. The warmest month - August
4. The snowfall months - January through April & then October through December
Amazing Fact...
It almost rains for 235 days in Sitka!
Places to Visit in Sitka
Let's check out the places where you can go, being in Sitka.
Alaska Raptor Center
If you are a bird-watching enthusiast, then Alaska Raptor Center is an excellent place to visit.
The Alaska Raptor Center, established in 1980, aims to protect eagles and other wild birds. They rehabilitate, rescue, and release the cured birds.
They have a team known as 'Raptors-in-Residence' that looks after the birds that cannot be released. They teach public and school children about the habitat of raptors to spread awareness.
Fortress of the Bear
Les Kinnear is the person behind creation of Fortress of the Bear. To preserve brown bears and provide them a habitat to live is the founding stone of it.
You can watch the bears and experience the joy of being so close to them. You can click photographs and enjoy the time in the petting zoo nearby.
Sitka Sound Science Center
The objective of the Sitka Sound Science Center is to spread awareness about terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. This non-profit science center is interestingly an aquarium too!!
It also has three large touch tanks to let you experience the wonders of undersea. Moreover, they also explain the complete lifecycle of Salmon fish, which is quite fascinating.
Quick Travel Tip
Sitka Sound Science Center is on the way to the Raptor Center and the Sitka National Historical Park. You can incorporate these together on your trip to visiting places in Sitka.
Sheldon Jackson Museum
Established in 1888, this museum has the collection of artifacts of paramount importance to Sitka. Founded by Dr. Sheldon Jackson, this museum has its name listed in the National Register of Historic Sites.
Take a walk in the history of Sitka. Sheldon Jackson Museum houses incredible items. You can find Tlingit and Eskimo tools, Tlingit dugout canoe, Aleut baidarka, and more articles from other cultures as well.
The good thing is you can pre-book your tickets to visit the museum. It will save all hustles.
Sitka National Historical Park
Sitka National Historical Park, also known as Totem Park earlier, memorializes Tlingit and Russian battle fought in 1804. The best time to visit would be mid-July through September.
You can explore the park and gather information about the Battle of 1804. Totems have their significance. You can even learn about them through a guided tour.
Russian Bishop's House
Russian Bishop's House is one of the living examples of the Russian-American times in North America. Sitka was known to be the Russian colonial capital.
The National Park Service took the responsibility of restoring the building to its original appearance by acquiring it. Russian Bishop's House is also a National Historic landmark.
The list is endless. You can pick some other places too, like...
Sitka Historical Museum
St. Michael's Cathedral
Baranof Island Brewing Company
Castle Hill, Sitka
Fun Activities to Do in Sitka
Why not create some memories on adventure trails? Or maybe enjoy kayaking. You can visit the Sitka Whale Fest too. Isn't it fun as you even read!
Sitka Whale Fest
Some of the famous trails to consider in Sitka: 1. Harbor Mountain Trail 2. Herring Cove Trail
Beautiful Trails
You will be in luck if you happen to plan your trip around fall and winter times, as you can get a chance to be awestruck with Northern lights.
Northern Lights
City and Borough of Sitka
Surrounded by serene and raw nature, glimpses of glaciers, and self-sufficient way of life, Sitka is more to define. With less populated and close-knit communities sharing family values, you immediately fall in love with this place.
The beauty of Sitka lies in the way it welcomes you not as a traveler but as a family member. Being a small city, yet fulfilling all dreams, is the way of Sitka, Alaska.
Enjoy the local food, explore the city's downtown, and engage in the community get-together.
How to Get to Sitka, Alaska
Well, interestingly, Sitka is only reachable by air or sea. Yes, you read it right. Another adventure just added to your travel trip.
Sitka offers a prominent port. You can book your dream liner cruise ticket to reach to Sitka. And of course, Sitka Airlines and many others also schedule their daily to and fro trip to Sitka. So, book your air ticket and hop right in!!
Don't you want to know some other ways of reaching Sitka? Enjoying the fresh breeze, watching whales play along, you can take a ferry or a yacht too!!
For more insight on how to reach Sitka, refer the given link.