Sitka Alaska Free Download Latest Photo of Beach 2012 A free Visit by Ship
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| Sitka, Alaska A free Visit by Ship |
Nestled on the west side of Baranof Island, it is flanked on the east by majestic snow-capped mountains, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean. Our climate is mild, but we do get more than our fair share of "liquid sunshine"!
Our most valuable natural resource is, without a doubt, the people of Sitka, who share a pride in their home and a love of life in all its small-town splendor!!!
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| Sitka, Alaska A free Travel |
Sitka Alaska is located on Baranof Island along the outer coast of the Inside Passage and only accessible by plane, ships, or boats. Vacationers who travel to Sitka find an abundance of outdoor activities that include fishing charters, hiking tours, visiting wildlife centers, camping, and kayaking. Many of the local area points of interest are located in the downtown district and within walking distance of each other, making this an easy town to explore.
Large cruise ships arriving in Sitka Alaska are not able to dock in the harbor; they must dock farther out and have passengers transported to the city on small boats. This can be a minor inconvenience for passengers who travel to Sitka, but it is more than offset by the many activities available in the city. Points of interest for vacationers to Sitka Alaska include the Russian Cemetery, Sheldon Jackson Museum, Mt Edgecumbe, the Raptor Center, and St Michael's Cathedral.
Mt Edgecumbe is an inactive volcano located on nearby Kruzof Island and can be accessed only by helicopter or boat. The 3,200-foot snow-capped cone is a 6.7-mile trek from the baseline to the top where the scenic views are unsurpassed.
Visitors who are interested in more hiking trips, and in local history, can visit the Russian Cemetery in Sitka Alaska, which is 200 years old and located on a hillside accessible by hiking along narrow trails through a densely forested area. More than 1,600 headstones mark the cemetery.
Things to Do in Sitka during 2012 and 2013
- Hiking: Trails of varying difficulty are a stones through away, several accessible from town. Check with the Forest Service Office for more information and maps.
- Wildlife Watching: There are several options for wildlife watching, many from the water. Check with the Sitka Visitor Center for a list of tour operators.
- Kayaking: Sitka is perfect for kayaking, due to its open, calm waters and hundreds of islands to explore. Operators offer half, full or multiple day tours, as well as rentals for individual exploration.
- Charters: Several operators offer fishing and sightseeing charters.
Things to See
- Sitka National Historic Park and Totem Park: The park was created to commemorate the Tlingit and Russian experiences in Alaska. It features a temperate rain forest with traditional Tlingit totem poles that line the park’s coastal trail. It also features the Russian Bishop’s House, one of the last remaining buildings, recently restored, from the Russian colonial period in North America. A few of the small ship cruise lines offer this as an included tour/activity.
- Alaska Raptor Center: This center is responsible for the rehabilitation of sick and injured eagles, hawks, falcons, owls, and other birds of prey which are brought in from all over Alaska. The center hosts two dozen resident raptors that could not be returned to the wild.
- Sheldon Jackson Museum: Sheldon Jackson was a Presbyterian missionary who drove a movement to ensure the spiritual, educational, and economic well being of the people of Alaska. This meant Americanizing the culture, while discouraging indigenous languages and traditional culture. Understanding that these actions would wipe out their history, he began to collect artifacts from those cultures.
- St. Michael’s Cathedral: A prominent icon of Sitka and a National Historic Landmark since 1962, its significance is as primary evidence of Russian influence in North America.
- Sitka Tribe Dance Performances: The Naa KahÃdi Dancers perform traditional songs and dances with visitors.
- Sitka Historical Museum: Formerly named the Isabel Miller Museum, this little museum is a treasure–the only museum in Sitka featuring all of Sitka’s history.
