Sitka is a city of about 9,000 on the Pacific Ocean coast of Baranof Island in Alaska. First settled by Tlingit Aboriginal people, Sitka also has history as a Russian settlement, established in 1799 by Alexander Baranoff of the Russian American Company, which became the Russian capital of Alaska. In 1867, when Russia sold Alaska to the US, the transfer ceremony took place on Castle Hill at Sitka on October 18, a day celebrated as Alaska Day. Sitka now attracts about a quarter million visitors a year.
The downtown area of Sitka can be explored by foot. A walking map , with two suggested loops, one westward to the Sitka Channel, the other eastward to the Alaska Raptor Center, may be obtained from the Summer Information Desk in the Harrigan Centennial Hall near the Crescent Harbor Lightering Facility. Bring your mobile devices to help you get around downtown; Sitka has a free municipal Wi-Fi system paid for by the cruise ship docking fees. The Ride ☏ +1 907 747-7103. Founded by the Sitka Tribe of Alaska, Sitka Community Ride has been serving Sitka's Community since 2002. Operates three bus lines – Green, Red, and Blue – M–F 6:30AM to 6:30PM.
1 Sitka National Historical Park, 106 Metlakatla St, ☏ +1 907-747-0110. Open year-round: mid-May through September daily 8AM–5PM; October through mid-May: M–Sa 8AM–5PM; closed on Federal holidays during the winter months. There is no food service or lodging in this park. The visitor center is wheelchair-accessible. The Southeast Alaska Indian Cultural Center, totem poles, and museum exhibits are in the building. Exhibits depict traditional Tlingit life. A short video reviews Sitka's history. Over 12 years old $4, under free. The Russian Bishop's House open mid-May through September daily 9AM–5PM. Ranger-led tours are offered every 30 minutes.
Tongass Troll, Tours & Taxi LLC, 617 Katlian St, ☏ +1 907-738-2458. Go saltwater sport fishing with a friendly local instead of with an over-priced 'monster' lodge. Alaska Seaplanes, ☏ +1 907-789-3331. A floatplane flightseeing trip is a good way to get an overview of Baranof Island. Sitka Tribal Tours, 204 Siginaka Way, ☏ +1 907-747-3207, toll-free: +1-888-270-8687. Tribal Tours provides a variety of cultural coach tours including a 2½-hr cultural tour and 3½-hr cultural tour w/Alaska Raptor Center. Both tours feature authentic Tlingit native dance performed in classic clan-style house with cedar fire pit.
There are a nice mix of restaurants in Sitka including: Mediterranean, Mexican, Japanese, and Chinese. Despite the town being relatively small, there are about 17 restaurants and a dozen or so other places serving food. The only franchises are McDonald's and Subway. Ludvig's Bistro (Ludvig's), 256 Katlian St, ☏ +1 907-966-3663, ludvigsbistro@hotmail.com. Tu–Sa noon–9PM. Mediterranean. Dinner: $18–28. (updated Oct 2019)
Ernie's Old Time Saloon, 130 Lincoln St, ☏ +1 907-747-3334. M–Sa 8AM–2AM, Su noon–2PM. Chips, peanuts, pool table. Live music F Sa nights. Cash only. Pioneer Bar (Known locally as "The P."), 212 Katlian St, ☏ +1 907-747-3456. Maritime themed fisherman's bar. Highliner Cafe, 327 Seward St (backside of Seward Square Mall). Internet cafe with gourmet espresso drinks and freshly roasted coffee, full line of bagels, freshly baked breakfast stuffed croissants, Scandinavian cookies, other pastries. Channel Club, 2906 Halibut Point Rd, ☏ +1 907-747-7440. 5PM–9PM. $14–42.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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