10 of the Best Things to Do in Sitka Alaska

*~Off the Beaten Path~*

Sitka is an incredibly dynamic and complex place, both geographically and culturally. So although there are too many wonderful things in Sitka to do to list, we have compiled this short collection for visitors to get an idea of Sitka, Alaska. In our humble opinion, these are Ten of the Best Things to Do in Sitka Off the Beaten Path.

In no particular order: 

1. Walk in the Alpine on Gavan Hill 

   For those looking for a day-long mountain adventure: 

Gavan Hill is a steep mountain rising above the town on Sitka. From the north end of Baranof Street, follow signs on the cross trail for the Gavan Hill trail. The well maintained trail will take you through rugged valleys carved by the innumerable mountain streams on Gavan’s face. The Tongass Rainforest will rise all around you, sometimes misty and rainy, sometimes bright and sunny. Hemlock, cedar and spruce trees can all be seen. Look out for banana slugs. Take the trail for as long as you’d like, turn around when it feels good. If you go about 3 miles up there is a lookout with a great view of the Sitka harbors. Athletic hikers can hike the 10.9 mile in-and-out trail up to the alpine, where they are rewarded with stunning views of Sitka, the harbors and the fishing grounds, and Harbor Mountain. The trail continues along the alpine, winding between alpine lakes, laurel, wildflowers, and miniature trees. If you are lucky there may be some alpine blueberries out, don’t forget to slow down to pick them and try their distinctive pine flavor. Be sure to pack plenty of water, snacks, extra layers, rain gear and a well-charged cell phone. Waterproof hiking boots recommended. 

2. Visit the Octopus at the Sitka Science Center

For those interested in marine biology:

Sitka Sound Science Center is a hub for marine science and research, housing various labs, classrooms, and offices. The Sitka Sound Science Center is also home to a pink salmon hatchery, and in summer months you can see hundreds of fish swimming through the infrastructure of the hatchery. Inside, for a very low price (5$?), visitors can walk among a beautiful aquarium exhibit, featuring animals brought from our very own Sitka Sound. A great place for small children, you can tough sea cucumbers, anemones, and other animals in the large touch tanks. Above hangs a perfect killer whale skeleton, and you can see the little baby fish fry from the hatchery. Stealing the show, however is the Science Center’s Giant Pacific Octopus named Pearl. 

3. Look for berries and totem poles in Totem Park 

For those who love slow walks among tall trees: 

Totem Park is truly a gem in the town of Sitka. A large forest dotted with immaculately preserved Totem Poles lies just south of downtown. Walk among towering hemlock and spruce trees, and walk out on the tide flats and say hello to the resident seagull flocks there. The park is lovely at all seasons, but in summer there are wild salmon berries, blueberries and red huckleberries, which are all special fruit that are incredibly delicious. Take some time to wander among the bushes and eat berries, and keep a wary eye and ear out for bears who also might have the same idea. 

4. Take a stroll along the docks 

For those who are unhealthily obsessed with boats: 

Sitka is a working port, with hundreds of fishing boats of all sizes, charter boats, yachts, small skiffs, and strange hand-made boats that defy categorization. The docks are more like a combination of a train station, a car shop, and a rowdy neighborhood than simply a parking lot for boats. Take a walk along any of the four harbors in Sitka, and you are bound to encounter beautiful and strange boats of all kinds and sizes, as well as strange and interesting people as well. Who knows, you might end up being hired as a fishing deckhand and starting your new career! Take care when walking the docks; lots of people live on the docks in summer months, so be polite and don’t stare inside portholes or knock on hulls. The main harbors in Sitka are Crescent Harbor, A&B Harbor, Thompson Harbor, and Eliason Harbor. 

5. Attend a traditional dance by the Naa Kahidi Dancers

For those with a sense of rhythm and an interest in local culture: 

Sitka is home to vibrant and thriving Traditional cultural traditions, including those practiced by Tlingit and Haida people. The Naa Kahidi Dancers carry on these essential traditions. Experience the unique musical and dance world of Alaskan culture carried forward since time immemorial by attending a dance in a traditional Tlingit Clan House. For more information visit https://sitkatours.com/pages/Dancers.html.

6. Watch the sunset on Harbor Mountain 

For romantics and those who have access to a hardy vehicle: 

Drive north out of town on Halibut Point Road for 3 miles and you will see the Harbor Mountain turnout on the right. This steep, windy gravel road leads up Harbor Mountain to a high altitude parking area. From there you can walk around on the beautiful alpine landscape above tree level, and you can see for miles and miles across Sitka Sound, where hundreds of islands sparkle in the dark water. If you come up for sunset, be prepared for colors you haven’t seen before. Make sure to bring warm clothes though, no matter the weather at sea level; it can get cold quickly. 

7. Buy some fresh seafood from Sitka Sound Seafoods 

For seafood snobs: 

Here is a hot tip: Instead of (or in addition to) ordering seafood at a fancy restaurant, you can buy seafood directly from fish processing plants in Sitka. Sitka Sound Seafoods has a small retail store in their main building on 329 Katlian Street. If you go during the correct hours, you can be rewarded by buying black cod, scallops, crab, salmon, halibut, and many other kinds of sea food for a great price. Take some to ship home! 

8. Experience the trinity of the local bar scene (Mean Queen, Ernies, P Bar) 

For anthropologists and those who have a karaoke portfolio: 

Sitka has a very small collection of places to grab a beer after the days’ work. However each of the few establishments in town has a unique flair and clientele, and all are worth visiting. A great bonus is that they are all within 1 minute walk of each other, so it’s easy to visit all of them even if you’re only in town for a short while: 

The Mean Queen is a large building with a cozy lounge downstairs that is used for concerts and private events. Upstairs there is a lively restaurant with an amazing pizza, wings and cocktail menu. Keep an eye out for the Mean Queen’s monthly drag shows, they are not to be missed! 

Ernies is nearby to the Mean Queen, on Lincoln Street. Ernies has unmistakably Alaskana decor; you can see a taxidermied monster that is half deer, half giant chinook. Don’t miss out on Ernie’s Thursday night karaoke, it is a complete riot, but you might want to bring your earplugs. 

The Pioneer Bar: we saved the best for last. This essential Sitka establishment, lovingly called the P Bar by locals, sits directly across from A&B harbor and it seems like fishermen walk across the street and hang out there on a regular basis. Come in during the morning for a free coffee and trade fishing stories with local fishermen. Or come at night when the deckhands are in town and partake in a rowdy bar night complete with __ music that oscillates wildly based on who chose the last song. If you’re not into bars or drinking even a little bit, stop in just to look at the amazing installation on the walls; the bar is covered floor to ceiling with an archive of local fishing photos. Beware, the clock at the P Bar runs around 30 minutes fast, which helps us get home on time to our wives. 

9. See the salmon spawning at Indian River 

For anyone with a heart in their body! 

It is hard to put into words the poetry of the salmon returning to spawn.. if you have never seen it, we urge you to get over to Indian River right away. Salmon, of course, are born in a freshwater stream, and then when they are large enough they swim into the open ocean where they spend their adult lives. One day, when the time is right, rainwater on the surface of the ocean reminds them that it is time to return to their natal stream to spawn. They begin the journey back… and swim great distances upstream in order to spawn and die in the same place where they were born. Salmon are amazing creatures that feed the whole ecosystem of Sitka Sound, not just the ocean but also the forest and the rivers. Go walk the Indian River trail and contemplate the meaning of life while watching the pink salmon schools swim slowly upstream. 

10. Of course… go on a snorkel with Selkie Snorkels!

For those with a sense of adventure! 

We are biased! But we do think that a snorkel tour in Sitka is an experience like no other. Please explore the rest of our site to see what is in store for those who are not afraid to get wet. 

Thank you for reading, and please enjoy your visit to Sitka.

best,

the Selkies