Sitka, Alaska

Situated on Baranof Island on the west side of the Inside Passage, Sitka, Alaska preserves a mix of native Tlingit culture and Russian heritage. Its small downtown area is easily explored on foot. If you can walk a half dozen blocks from the cruise ship dock, you won't need a shore excursion to see most of the sights in town.

Sitka, Alaska Points of Interest

See It Now: Sitka Photo Tour and Inside Passage Photo Tour

Local Sitka tour operators offer wildlife boat tours, kayak tours, bus tours, walking tours galore. Other points of interest in Sitka include:

• St. Michael's Cathedral: This rebuilt structure is filled with Russian religious icons and works of art. It's included on some shore tours, but unless you want to see other destinations on the tour, you can walk there easily from the dock.

• Alaska Raptor Center: This Sitka-based conservation organization's Raptors-in-Residence include bald and golden eagles, hawks, falcons and owls.

• Sheet'Ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi Tribal House: Featuring native Tlingit dances, storytelling and a gift shop selling handmade goods. If you've seen the Cape Fox Dancers in Ketchikan, or if you plan to see them later on your tour, you may want to skip this performance.

• Sitka National Historic Park: Established in 1910 to commemorate the 1804 Battle of Sitka, the park is better-known for it totem poles. It also preserves the Russian Bishop's House, an exmample of Russian colonial architecture. This site is most easily-reached by bus.

• New Archangel Dancers: An all-female folk dancing troupe that enthusiastically preserves Sitka Russian heritage. They perform their colorful, energetic show at Harrigan Centennial Hall.

Best Time to Visit Sitka, Alaska

You'll have plenty of time to see Sitka, Alaska in the summer, when it gets up to 18.5 hours of daylight each day. High temperatures in Sitka range from 37 F in January to 60 F in July. Winter days are as short as four hours. It's no wonder 1,500 of its 8,900 residents go somewhere else then.

Getting to Sitka, Alaska

Sitka, Alaska is accessible only by air or water. Alaska Airlines offers daily flights. By water, you can get to Sitka via the Alaska Marine Highway.