Sitka Travelers Recommend

From grizzly bears to the forest canopy, Alaska’s natural wonders are some of the best in North America. Three days in Sitka give you time to discover the area by both land and water. Whether you’re looking for active adventures or a cultural immersion, use these tips to plan a 3-day trip to Sitka.

Day 1: Leave Land Behind

The humpback whales that arrive in Sitka between July and December aren’t the only marine life to call Alaska home. On your first day, take to the sea by small boat, sea kayak, or sailboat to increase your chances of encountering minke whales, orca whales, grey whales, puffins, sea otters, and more. Tours that explore by small boat grant you access to some of the sheltered coves and inlets that surround Sitka. These range from 2-hour outings to all-day wildlife tours, and should be booked in advance as the popular excursions are likely to sell out. In the evening, join a local crowd at Pioneer Bar, a favorite with the Sitka fishing fleet. You might just hear tall tales of life at sea as you sip an Alaska craft beer under a wall of fishing snapshots.

Day 2: Essential Alaska Wildlife

See grizzly bears from just 25 feet (7.6 meters) away at Fortress of the Bear, a non-profit conservation center on the edge of Tongass National Forest. Onsite naturalists share stories of the rescued and orphaned grizzly bears that live here, while regular feedings offer the chance to see the bears dine on their favorite foods. Options include bear-only and combo tours that cover nearby totem poles and wildlife highlights such as the Alaska Raptor Center, a rehabilitation site for bald eagles, golden eagles, snowy owls, and more. Only those birds that cannot be rereleased into the wild stay on as permanent residents so you’ll encounter a constantly-evolving roster of species. 

To complete your wildlife experience, make a final stop at the nearby Sitka Sound Science Center, whose salmon hatchery, touch tanks, and aquariums are a glimpse of animals that are often hard to spot in the wild.

Day 3: Sitka History and Culture

Delve deeper into Sitka history at Sitka National Historical Park, where hiking trails pass a lineup of exquisite totem poles—the park is roughly a mile from the cruise port and downtown, but the pickup and drop-off service that many tours offer is great insurance against unpredictable Alaskan weather. The Tlingit Fort tells the story of the people who once defended the site against an invasion from the East, while the Russian Bishop’s House offers a unique glimpse of historic Russian architecture. There’s plenty to see in the 113-acre (45-hectare) national park; many tour options include orientation by car and time to walk along park trails. Next, head to the Sheldon Jackson Museum, whose small collection features treasures from a wide range of Indigenous tribes in Alaska, including tools, canoes, and ceremonial dress.

From grizzly bear country to totem poles in Sitka National Historical Park, exploring Sitka is all about big landscapes, traditional culture, and Alaska wildlife. You can experience the highlights with one day in the compact island community, soaking up Sitka’s quirky culture along the way. Use these tips to plan the perfect day. 

Morning: Visit the Fortress of the Bear

Pay your respects to Sitka’s original residents at Fortress of the Bear, a nonprofit grizzly bear conservation organization that offers a home to orphaned and rescued bears. It's possible to get within 25 feet (7.6 meters) of the resident bears, but Fortress of the Bear is not a zoo. Instead, you see naturalists interacting with the bears, and learn about the challenges they face in the wild—Tongass National Forest comes right to the edge of the .75-acre (.3-hectare) preserve. Covered viewing areas make this a favorite stop in any weather, and the bear sanctuary is a featured stop on many shore excursions and Sitka tours.

Afternoon: Sitka National Historic Park Totem Poles

Northwest coast totem poles line the walking trails at Alaska’s oldest national park, which commemorates the 1804 Battle of Sitka. Tours and excursions may feature guided walks of the park, which is a great chance to spot salmon and other wildlife, so take advantage of your time with the guide to learn about Sitka’s fascinating nature. Other sites inside Sitka National Historic Park include the battlefield and the Tlingit Fort, which withstood a 6-day siege by Russian and Aleut forces. Some tours may offer these as included stops on park visits.

Night: Go Whale Watching off the Sitka Coast

Humpback whales flock to Sitka between July and December, and you can watch for their dark-blue silhouettes while cruising the coast here. Options for whale-watching in Sitka range from small-boat excursions to sailing trips aboard vessels with enclosed cabins and spacious decks. Most trips feature onboard crew that help spot humpbacks, as well as orca whales, minke whales, and grey whales.

With two days to explore Sitka, branch out beyond must-see sites to discover the wild coast, soak in some history, and experience larger-than-life Tongass National Forest. Choose from tours and excursions that are tailored to you, taking care of adventure planning well in advance. Here’s how to make the most of your trip.

Day 1: Wonders of Nature

**Morning:**Start the day on the water, where you can watch for whales, sea otters, puffins, and other marine wildlife as you explore the coast. Options include kayak trips, sailing excursions, small-boat whale watching tours, and more, so you can find a coastal trip that’s a good fit for you.

**Afternoon:**Go eyeball-to-eyeball with a grizzly bear—almost—at the Fortress of the Bear, a nonprofit bear rescue next to Tongass National Forest. On-site naturalists feed the bears, share info on the challenges they face in the wild, and introduce orphaned and rescued bears living the good life in the conservation center.

**Night:**If Sitka seems quiet at night, that’s because the locals are packed into Pioneer Bar, a local institution lined with faded photos of fishing trips. Choose from a wide selection of craft beers made in Alaska, and perhaps stay for a meal of hearty pub food.

Day 2: Culture and History

**Morning:**There’s more to Sitka than wildlife, so kick off your second day on a tour that highlights the area’s fascinating history, from Indigenous culture to battles with Russian troops. Local landmarks include St. Michael’s Cathedral, the Russian Bishop’s House, and Baranof Castle Historic Site.

**Afternoon:**After a hearty salmon lunch, head to Sitka National Historical Park to stroll past totem poles from all around the northwest coast. Join a tour or excursion for a guided intro to the park’s trails and wildlife-watching opportunities.

**Night:**To experience the living culture of the Indigenous Tlingit people, spend your final night in Sitka at a Sitka Tribe Dance Performance, a demonstration that’s held in a reconstructed Tlingit Clan House. Listen for the sound of traditional box drums as the dancers perfume the room with burning cedar.

Despite the cruise crowds and lively downtown shops at this popular port, the wilderness surrounding Sitka is unadulterated and raw. You’ll find bears, bald eagles, and more wildlife in this Alaskan town that’s tucked between the rainforest and the sea. Here are some tips for spotting native fauna.

• Observe orphaned brown bears in their sprawling naturalistic habitat at the Fortress of the Bear.

• Learn about Sitka’s winged inhabitants at the Alaska Raptor Center, where birds of prey are rehabilitated and released.

• Head out on a whale-watching cruise in search of humpbacks, gray whales, seals, sea otters, and porpoises.

• Zip along the shores of Tongass National Forest on an OHV tour, keeping your eyes peeled for Alaska coastal brown bears, bald eagles, and Sitka blacktail deer.

• Watch for spawning salmon during a walk along the Indian River.