how to get around sitka, alaskahow to get around sitka, alaska

When theyre scared they make a stinky smell, Ross said. The Sitka Sound Science Center has tanks where you can learn about the marine life in Sitka Sound, as well as a fish hatchery that helps manage the salmon stock thats critical to the ecosystem and economy here. Explore the Historic District on Foot 2. At low tide you can access Magic Island and look for sea creatures. The last armed conflict with the Tlingits in Sitka and the beginning of Russian rule, this battle is memorialized with aplaque installed in 2011. We made copies for all of our friends so they can pass them out. Please let us know if you need advice for other town combinations. Discover the optimal month due to daylight, temperature, and rain. Let me know in the comments! Boutique, small ship adventure cruises in Alaska's Inside Passage, Cruises depart from Whittier, a 1 hr drive from Anchorage. Attend a book signing with acclaimed Alaska author, Jamey Bradbury. #natgeoyourshot The best way to see the heart of the collection is by walking Totem Trail, where you can see almost 20 poles on display. This is Sitka. Anice one-mile loop trail winds through the parkits agood place to stretch your legs. For $25 to $35 per person, he offers a tour of Sitka's Russian and natural history, including a scenic stop where he pulls out his guitar and performs. Note: While these articles are written as if you are traveling in one direction (such as from Anchorage to Denali), the advice applies equally in the opposite direction (such as Denali to Anchorage). AT - the streets are flat along the main areas too :), Walking around Sitka is beautiful and easy! Get out in the fresh Alaskan air and go for a scenic hike! And its an important placethe site of the first Russian settlement on Baranof Island. Thanks for reading, Elizabeth! Meeting him and his family was one of the highlights of our trip, and was well worth the long drive! Designated by President Benjamin Harrison on June 21, 1890, Totem Park actually predates Yosemite, and is the only remaining national park unit in Alaska that predates Denali (established in 1917). 1. Harbor Mountain Trailhead can take you to the summit of Harbor Mountain, but you have to drive up to 1,800feet. From the trailhead/parking area, the trail follows aridge with great views in all directions. Many of Sitka's hotels, restaurants and businesses are centrally located in a convenient, walkable downtown. Since 1963, Rusts has been safely carrying anglers far away from the crowds. If you only have one day in Sitka, you, unfortunately, wont be able to tick off all the things to do in Sitka. Here are some of the best things to do in Sitka, Alaska: Visit Sitka National Historical Park: This park is home to the Tlingit people's ancestral homeland, and visitors can explore the totem poles and the cultural center. Ferry: Sitka is also easily reached by the Alaska Marine Highway ferries. I can just reference this post when I need them! Let us simplify it for you, How much does an Alaska summer vacation cost? The trail starts easily, with araised boardwalk that takes you through open meadows and then aforest of big hemlock and spruce to asteep trail, with stairs and steps. Heres what I recommend for an itinerary with him: Since Sitka Checkered Tours are private, you can work with him to come up with a specific route that makes sense but this is what we did with him, and if you remind him you know Valerie the travel writer, that should spark his memory to take the same route! Or are shuttles available? Location: On Japonski Island joined to Sitka by a bridge, 2 km/1 Mile WSW of Sitka town center. Head out of town the other direction, to Fortress of the Bear (more on that in a second), After Fortress of the Bear, have Jeff drop you off at dinner (more on that a little further on). Our "Getting Around" articles below demystify the best ways to get from one destination to another. You can climb this for 1.6 To wrap up your day after all that sightseeing and wildlife viewing, its time for a hearty meal. Purchas a tour ahead of time or visit Harrigan Centennial Hall to buy a same day tour. Bike rental makes a good deal of sense in Sitka. It leads through stunted forests to aboardwalked section of the trail near Beaver Lake. Alaska offers some of the world's most spectacular rail journeys on the two railroads operating in the state: the Alaska Railroad and the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad. And also, do you recommend booking the excursions through private individuals/companies, rather than the cruise ships? We have 12 and 15 year old boys and I want to make sure to do things that they will likely enjoy. Parents in Anchorage have dozens of camps to choose from. The classic Alaska Cruise, offered by such companies as Holland America, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. The average daily temperature is usually above freezing in Sitka, even in the winter, though they certainly have some days below freezing and get snow. Shriner said that after last summer, parents asked for a week of camp centered around insects. The settlement traded hands a few times: from the Tlingit to the Russians, back to the Tlingit and again taken by the Russians, before America purchased Alaska in the 1860s and assumed control of Sitka and the whole rest of the Last Frontier. Your email address will not be published. ), Popular Alaska Itineraries Using In-State Airlines, Anchorage to Denali National Park Driving Map, Denali National Park Campgrounds & RV Parks. The area was first home to rich, sophisticated Tlingits, who put up quite a fight after the Russian Alexander Baranof established a headquarters here 1799 to grow even wealthier in the trading of sea otter fur. #sonyalpha Sitka was Alaskas first official Bike-Friendly Community, and it shows. Traveling to McCarthy / Kennicott? This riverside terrain makes it agood place to look for birds and other wildlife like deer. and definitely thanks for the phone numbers attached! Air travel includes jet service to Alaska's major airports of Fairbanks, Anchorage, and Juneau. They have a variety of outdoor camp offerings for kids from ages five to 15 that run through the first week of August. By Shuttle Van: Sitka Tours Airporter Bus meets all Alaska Airlines Scheduled flights and runs into town (Hotels & Ferry terminal) for $6 one way, $8 return. If youre excited for Sitka and it turns out you have more time to spend here (this means youre probably not on a cruise, as they typically ony have a few hours in Sitka), here are some other ideas for spending a few more days in town. For those who love road trips, driving to Alaska is a one-of-a-kind opportunity full of unfolding vistas of magnificent landscapes, Indigenous cultural experiences, rich history, and diverse wildlife. #roamtheplanet Want to know more? I was born on the East Coast and currently live in the Midwest but my heart will always be out West. Go see glaciers, Denali, and the Alaskan wilderness from above when you go flightseeing with family-owned Regal Airout. The most intimate multi-day cruise option. Its also great for families, despite being alittle steep at points, thanks to fun trail features and fishing platforms at alake stocked with grayling. Hell pick you up in his 1973 Checker Marathon and take you on a private tour of all the spots you want to see. Get my 55-page ebook for just $9.99! Ravn Alaskas network offers flights to major Alaska cities such as Anchorage and Fairbanks, K2 Aviation offers once-in-a-lifetime flightseeing tours among and above the Alaska Range. The U.S. Forest Service manages the area, andthe #beautifuldestinations Naval Air Station and other installations. This video explores Sitka, Alaska and explains how to get to downtown Sitka on your own and enjoy the sights and sounds of the quaint pedestrian only area, a. #travelalaska Unless you need to do shopping or want to visit both ends of town, which are about 13 miles apart. Departing in the evening, youll pass over the stark terrain of northern Alaska and land at the Athabascan village of Fort Yukon. This one-of-a-kind flightseeing operator makes it easy to see up close to the Great One without spending agreat deal oftime. But its abeautiful hike anytime, because the views from up topfacing Mount Edgecumbe and overlooking Sitka Soundare awesome. The Complete Sitka Guide will give you all the info you need to plan your Sitka trip in one convenient place. Travel like the locals and hop on amail plane flight. The classic Alaska Cruise, offered by such companies as Holland America, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. Watch bears digging for clams, wandering the sedge grass, or nursing their young all in ashort flight. About six miles out from the city's downtown, Old Sitka Dock is where most large cruise ships tie-up; from Grand Princess to NatGeo expedition ships. Flightseeing tours of Wrangell St. Elias National Park. Choose a round-trip Inside passage or one-way Gulf of Alaska Cruise. He corrects Cecelia, and teaches her that she is actually holding a Birch Shield Bug technically not a part of the stink bug family Pentatomidae but they still release an odor when they are squished. Book entire boat for your family or group, or opt to bunk with other guests. How to get to Sitka, Alaska Sitka is located on an island in Southeast Alaska, so you can only get there by boat or flying. Instead, youll need to choose a few experiences and supplement them with shorter activities and meals around them. The two block walk introduces visitors to shops selling Russian collectibles, Tlingit handcrafted items as well as the usual tourist souvenirs. Locally known as The Glacier Landing Company, TAT has been flying climbers and sightseers to the Alaska Rangeand. Its an interpretive trail with aself-guided brochure, and youll travel through prime examples of the dominant forest ecosystems in the area: forest and muskeg. Campgrounds, RV Parks & Public Use Cabins. She said parents want to send their kids somewhere they can stay unplugged in the woods all afternoon. Wow, thanks for the links!! #wrangellsteliasnationalpark Read more, Travel times between towns by car, train, and bus in central Alaska 800/230-4898 or 907/966-2404; www.avis.com) and North Star Rent-a-Car (tel. more, Starting at the National Park Service Visitor Center, this trail system takes you through rich coastal forest and along asalmon stream, then opens to views of the shoreline and coastal mountains. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. HIKING Sitka offers superb hiking with dozens of trails that begin in the lush rainforest that surrounds the city and often end up high in the mountains. ), Popular Alaska Itineraries Using In-State Airlines, Anchorage to Denali National Park Driving Map, Denali National Park Campgrounds & RV Parks, you need advice for other town combinations. Not only that, hes won 4 humanitarian awards for the care and treatment of his dogs. Use our calculator to find out, Stay casual, dress in layers, and get proper footwear, View All Southcentral & Interior Towns on a Map, Cruises depart Juneau or Sitka. See our top recommendedtours, Set sail in Sitkas waters, then stop off for some fishing, ahike up Mt. The fare is $5 round-trip or $10 all day. All rights reserved. During World War II, Sitka was the hub of military activity in Southeast Alaska, with aU.S. You need many of the same items to visit Sitka as youll need in other parts of Alaska, so be sure to check my general guide on what to pack for Alaska; if youre visiting in winter, check that list instead. Its popular with locals and state ferry travelers, since it can be linked via trail to the ferry terminal, the Forest and Muskeg Trail, and the Estuary LifeTrail. Focus on Denali & Kenai Fjords. Read more, Whether you go by car or train, make sure youre ready for the Whittier Tunnel! Thank you so much for any help you can provide! Only runs May-September. Travel Alaska is a registered trademark of Alaska Travel Industry Association. Read more, Seward, Girdwood, Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali, Fairbanks &more Family-owned and operated, Destination Alaska Adventure Company, has apassion for showing people Alaska. Find how many days you need based on what you want to see and do in Alaska. We like the idea of knocking several things out in a 3.5 hour timeframe so we'll be doing that. This is abig climb: youll gain 2,550feet en route to the summit. My blog posts likely contain affiliate links, including for the Amazon Associates program.If you click, book, or buy from one of these links, I may earn a commission. Some operators offer shuttles to and from the Fortress. Is it an easy walk or need to take a shuttle or cab? #alaska Once the administrative headquarters for an empire stretching from Asia to California and Hawaii, Castle Hill today is little more than agrassy hill with afew interpretive signs, amodest stonewall, several old cannons, and afew flagpoles. Read more, Located on Kupreanof Island, Kake is accessible by ferry or airplane On the way, enjoy awindow-seat view and pilot narration. St Micahel's Cathedral It's easy to tour Sitka on your own. The summer camps and other programs put on by the Botanical Garden go toward keeping the space available for Alaskans year-round. And theres an interesting modern totem pole, carved by Tommy Joseph in remembrance of 7 Tours & Activities Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises 27 Tours & Activities Why you are seeing these recommendations Simply Amazing Sitka Tour: Fortress of the Bear, Alaska Raptor, & Totems 81 Reviews Sitka, United States Share Save to Wishlist Likely to Sell Out From $89.00 Lowest Price Guarantee Select Date and Travelers Check Availability The insect safari camp is a new option on the schedule this year. Your must-have activity guide + map while in Alaska. Quickly learn major transportation options, how long each takes, whether you need a car in certain destinations, and what the experience is like for each mode of travel. Luckily, getting to Sitka is relatively easy. We are interested in the Raptor Center and Baranof Island Brewing Co. and we are staying at the Super 8. Buses depart every ten to fifteen minutes - skip the six mile walk to downtown and take a twelve minute shuttle instead! more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. You may even spot bears, who show up here to feed on young grasses in early summer and return in mid-July to the end of September for the pink and silver salmon runs. The driving distance from Seattle to the Yukon Territory/Alaska border crossing is about 1,800 - 1,900 miles, depending on which route you take. The Park Service originally sought to collect and preserve these totems in one place a major feat for several reasons: this meant moving totems from their original locations across the region, and totems are not typically preserved in a modern sense. 4 Home Destinations Sitka Alaska A century before the Klondike gold rush made Alaska world famous, Russian fur traders quietly settled the Sitka area as a colonial outpost of Russian America. ACCESS WILD ALASKA WATER TAXI SERVICE. Decide what to pack. Fairbanks to Deadhorse/Prudhoe Bay: 1 hour. Once you have reached the lake, there is aboat available for public use. #nationalpark Find details to help plan for a seamless Alaska adventure! Neff said she hears all about what her daughter Vivian learned about each day when she comes home from camp. Get Out on the Water With wildlife, islands, and WWII history, the waters around Sitka make for a fascinating exploration by kayak. Hank's a good blues/folk musician with two CDs out, and he can really sing. Browse available tours, dream up an adventure of your own, or let the pros at Destination Alaska help you createone! Theres Alaskas Inside Passage and then theres Sitka. Independent travelers will enjoy traveling to and around Alaska by car or RVfor the ultimate road trip, but there are lots of options for getting around Alaska without a car. Cecelia Ross is 6 years old and made a wanted poster for a stink bug as part of their lesson about helpful and harmful insects. Monthly travel tips, highlights, and savings! No need to plan logistics: Entrance fees are included for all stops on the itinerary. Have a great trip and I hope you love visiting Alaska and Sitka as much as I loved visiting New Orleans! Read more, Heres what youll pay if you want to ride the ferries on Alaskas Marine Highway They wont be released, but that gives us all a chance to gain a greater appreciation for these incredible Alaskan animals. Anchorage to Nome: 1.5 hours. All words and images 2013-2023 The Kolibro Group LLC. Watch fishing boats come and go, have apicnic at one of the covered shelters, or go tidepooling with the kids. #earthfocus One new option on the schedule this year is an insect . Overwhelmed by choices? Choose a round-trip Inside passage or one-way Gulf of Alaska Cruise. I share travel resources and stories based on my personal experience and knowledge. The most intimate multi-day cruise option. #AlaskaEnglishAdventures #KenaiPeninsula2022Adventure #Anchorage, Mushing is a popular winter activity in Alaska as it is home to the world famous Iditarod race (that ended a couple days ago!) #unalaska #dutchharbor #aleutianislands #ilovealaska #alaskalife #midnightsunset, Are the roads sketchy in the wintertime? Since 1992, Wrangell Mountain Air has been offering safe and fascinating tours of this remote kingdom, which boasts North Americas largest assemblage of glaciers as well as its largest collection of peaks above 16,000feet. Trips available from Whittier, Homer, Seward, Juneau, and Sitka. Have any other questions about how to spend one day in Sitka (or longer)? Since we experienced serious Sitka rain during our trip, Ive got first-hand knowledge of what it takes to stay dry! Big ship or small ship? Smokey Bays bear tours last about five hours totalincluding flights and about three hours on the ground. One of the best ways to enjoy this trail is to park at Old Sitka State Park located just mile north of theFerry Your email address will not be published. Tim Rockey, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage, The Hklea canoe has a special connection to Hydaburg, its last Alaska stop, Behind the scenes of plastic lumber production on the Kenai Peninsula, Anchorages less-than-sunny summer is likely to continue through July, Popular Anchorage dog park remains closed after oil spill, Its not right: Aniak residents share pain of spiking power bills with regulators. It is situated on Sitka Sound, facing the Pacific Ocean which means it experiences different weather than other parts of the region. Hike the Harbor Mountain Trail 7. We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip. Locals call it Totem Park, but its official name is Sitka National Historical Park and its the oldest of the national park units in Alaska! Getting around is a snap. Delicious. Find how many days you need based on what you want to see and do in Alaska. Book your shore excursions independently. Use our calculator to find out, Stay casual, dress in layers, and get proper footwear, View All Southcentral & Interior Towns on a Map, Cruises depart Juneau or Sitka. Read more in my Privacy Policy. From there, you'll travel along the Alaska Highway through Whitehorse and then on to the border crossing, where your Alaska adventure will officially begin. How cold does it get in Sitka Alaska? Which is your favorite among the images 1 to 8? #recreateresponsibly, The journey is the destination And how cute is Emmett (first dog) the lead dog of the pack! Options are limited but you do have choices: Additionally, there are some vacation rentals available on VRBO if youre looking for a local option or have a bigger group that wont fit in a hotel. Specifically, the weather is often more dramatic in Sitka due to its ocean exposure. If you want to get atrue sense of the 13 million acres within Wrangell-St. Elias National Parkwhich has amere 100miles of roadwaysstart with an aerial view. Focus on Denali & Kenai Fjords. 4 helpful votes Transportation around Sitka? Plan your journey with this gorgeous printed map. You can hike up to the replica Russian Blockhouse for a strategic view of the town, or explore the Russian Orthodox cemetery in the trees; graves here date back to the late 19th Century but include modern members of the Orthodox community in Sitka too. Alaskas vast landscape bigger. Car, train, or group tour. This spot is easy to miss but super popular with locals and visitors, so you may have to wait for a table especially on weekends. Finally, heres a fun activity for the whole family that focuses on a different aspect of life in Sitka: marine science. This is abeautiful hike in June and July, when the alpine wildflowers are at their peak. Book entire boat for your family or group, or opt to bunk with other guests. Totem poles and information placards can only do so much! Which one is right for you? Sitka National Historical Park was established to protect the incredible carved totems that were present throughout Southeast Alaska in Native Alaskan communities as American pioneers and settlers came into the region in the late 19th Century. Short on time? As a kid, my family visited Sitka by ferry; most recently, I visited Sitka at the end of my Alaskan Dream Cruises experience. Plan your journey with this gorgeous printed map. Read more, With stops in 33 Alaska communities, here is why people love taking theferry more. 907/747-8888; www.hankstours.com), can drive you around, like any taxi driver, but, if you ask, he offers something more. She was very excited.. If you make it to these peaks, youll be rewarded with big views and abeautiful alpine environment. , Mountains are just steps away. Pass back through town, getting oriented to any sights you havent seen from a new perspective. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. There's also a tour that takes you to the National Historical Park and explains the totem poles, then you can see a Tlingit dance and also go to the Raptor Center- $70 each for the whole she-bang. To get into town, you could try calling a taxi, but I recommend just walking back; its 1.3 miles to reach the restaurant I recommend, Beak Restaurant. 907/747-8888; www.hankstours.com), can drive you around, like any taxi driver, but, if you ask, he offers something more. Joo-noo? With respect, I make a formal land acknowledgment, extending my appreciation and respect to the past and present people of these lands. You can certainly visit Sitka in the non-summer months, as its more temperate than other parts of Alaska. As a Sitka local and former educator, guide Bob Purvis is a wealth of knowledge about some of the top sights in Sitka, and the route includes stops at historic sights as well as local businesses where you can sample local flavors (hence the Taste part of the name!). Year-round air service from Glennallen, Alaska. Say hi to Chance and Janet (Ms. Clarke) for me if you see them working during your visit. Rusts experienced guides will fly you into to the Alaskan backcountry to discover world-class fishing for kings, silvers, grayling,. more. Start by heading out of town to visit Old Sitka State Historic Park, where Russians first settled on Baranof Island in 1799. This road was originally built during World War II to provide access for military installations. Experience the thrill of flightseeing in areas that most tours cant reach. Focus on Denali & Kenai Fjords. Read more, From Juneau Floatplane: 1hr 15mins Boat: custom charter And theres a lot to pack in during a short time like that! Read more, Take the (very) scenic route by car or motorcoach, or cut down on time with aquick flight from Anchorage If you have the opportunity to see a Tlingit performance at Sheetka Kwan Naa Kahidi Clan House during your time in Sitka, I highly recommend it. Are the views pretty enough to make the drive worth it? Relax and take in the views in your own private cabin in Sitka. https://www.alaskaenglishadventures.com/ Go with Golden Eagle Outfitters and enjoy fully customized flightseeing tours from Kotzebue or Delta Junctionor take advantage of their air-taxi drop-off and pickup service to access some of the most beautiful and remote parts of Alaska. Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. 800/722-6927 or 907/966-2552; www.northstarrentacar.com). Or, connect from other Alaskan cities like Anchorage, Juneau, Ketchikan, or Fairbanks. #fall #alaska #anchoragealaska #anchorage #alaskalife #fallcolors #aspen #birch #thealaskalife #onlyinalaska #alaskascenery #travelalaska #nikon #sharingalaska #hikingbangers #shotonnikon #roadtrip #roadshot, Day 8 and 9 of the Kenai Peninsula 2022 Adventure ~ Some of the plastic bugs will begin a game that campers play, and others are just to help campers lose their fear of insects. Free personal GPSdriven travel guide to Alaska. During your visit, you can see the Bald Eagle Flight Training Center, where eagles can practice flying and landing before release (or be identified if the issue that brought them to the Raptor Center means they may not survive in the wild) and see demonstrations with live birds like Spirit, a female bald eagle we saw during our visit. Things to Do Sports & Activities Read more about Sitka Topics include Background, Dining Scene, United States: For Foreign Visitors & more! Get up close and learn about Alaska wildlife at these awesome animal rehab and education centers! First Russian Settlement on Baranof Island. Located on the Pacific side of the islands and waterways that comprise Southeast Alaska, Sitka was Alaskas first capital according to the Russians who displaced Native Alaskans from the area in the late 18th Century. Read more, From Juneau Floatplane: 1hr Ferry:7hrs Explore There are 2 ways to get from Juneau to Sitka by car ferry or plane Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner. Join me for a walk around Sitka seeing the town, totem park and meeting some of the locals. 7-10 days is the most common. Highlights plus less visited destinations. The bears have their own trailon Its important to book as early as you can 12+ months if possible! Let us simplify it for you, How much does an Alaska summer vacation cost? Highlights plus less visited destinations. (I recommend the blended option you can sip, rather than the layered option which you have to shoot.).