If you’re looking for a great place to visit in the beautiful state of Alaska, consider exploring Sitka. The city is a borough near Juneau that spans Baranof and Chichagof Islands. The city was once part of Russia but became independent in 1867. It’s home to a large Russian church with an onion dome, and the Russian Bishop’s House. Visitors can also visit Sitka National Historical Park, which is dotted with totem poles.
Russian Bishop’s House
The Russian Bishop’s House is one of the oldest buildings in Sitka, Alaska. It’s made of Sitka spruce and is one of the few remaining examples of Russian colonial architecture in North America. The building originally served as a Russian Orthodox chapel, school, and residence for the bishop. Today, it is a museum showcasing the Russian heritage of the town.
The Russian Bishop’s House is located in downtown Sitka. It is a National Historic Landmark, and features old Russian colonial architecture. It was completed in 1848 and was one of the city’s religious centers. It was later destroyed by fire in 1966, but has been restored to its former glory.
The Russian Bishop’s House is one of the top places to visit in Sitka, Alaska. The two-story log structure was built in 1842 by the Russian American Company and later served as a chapel, school, and residence for the Russian Orthodox Bishop. Due to its size, the building survived the ravages of time. In 1972, the National Park Service purchased the property and turned it into a museum. Today, the building is open to the public for guided tours.
While the Russian Bishop’s House is one of the top attractions in Sitka, Alaska, there are many other interesting attractions that you can visit during your stay in this beautiful city. While you’re there, don’t miss out on the Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi Tribal Community House and the Sheldon Jackson Museum, which provide an in-depth look into the history of the town’s Tlingit residents.
Sitka National Historical Park
Sitka National Historical Park is a state park that is home to many interesting and educational sites. You’ll discover the history of Sitka and the Tlingit people who inhabited this area long ago. You can explore the totem poles, giant Sitka Spruce trees, and ferns and flowers. You can also see the Russian Bishop’s House, which honors Sitka’s 19th century history of Russian colonization. And don’t miss Japonski Island, which served as the headquarters of the Sitka military during WWII.
Sitka is home to many other attractions, including the Russian Orthodox St. Michael’s Cathedral, the Bishop’s House, the Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi Tribal Community House, and the Sheldon Jackson Museum, which showcases Tlingit history and culture.
The park features authentic Native Alaskan totem poles, which can be studied on a self-guided tour through the National Park Service app. You can also take a hike along one of the four trails in the park. If you’re feeling energetic, try taking a kayak tour in the bay or a whale watching trip. You’ll be glad you did.
Sitka National Historical Park is home to several historical sites, including the Russian Bishop’s House, which was the capital of a Russian-American colony until 1867. The Bishop’s House is an excellent example of 19th century missionary efforts, and you can take free guided tours to learn more about its architecture and art. Another historic site in the park is the Old School, which was built in 1897 and is the oldest school in Sitka.
Sitka Sound Science Center
If you’re looking for some fascinating science, visit the Sitka Sound Science Center in Sitka, Alaska. This non-profit organization is dedicated to conducting research in the region. You can find them on Lincoln Street, across from the old Sheldon Jackson Campus.
The center features an aquarium, salmon hatchery, and field station. Taking a tour of the hatchery is a great way to learn about the local ecosystem. The center is also home to a 60-foot-deep tank where you can touch and feel different species of fish.
Another place to visit in Sitka is the Sheldon Jackson Museum, which features a collection of historical artifacts from Alaska. Its galleries feature items such as ancient Native American and pioneer clothing, weapons, and whale bones. The museum’s collection comes from the collection of Rev. Dr. Sheldon Jackson, who served as a Presbyterian missionary in the region in the late 1800s. His collection contains more than five hundred items.
While the Sitka Sound Science Center is an excellent spot for nature enthusiasts, you may also want to hike the nearby Sitka Mountain Trail, a challenging yet rewarding hike that will give you a spectacular view of the Sitka Sound. The hike starts out easy, but becomes more difficult as you go.
Sitka’s premier art gallery
Sitka’s premier art gallery, Island Artists Gallery, is owned by a group of 25 local artists and features a wide selection of local fine art. You can find anything from jewelry to handmade pots and bowls to large clay sculptures.
While you’re in Sitka, take the time to visit the Sitka Historical Museum. It has been around for over sixty years and showcases more than 8,000 artifacts and 25,000 historic photographs. You’ll also find more than 100,000 archival documents.
The Sitka Fine Arts Camp is a high-quality arts camp where local children and young adults can get training in the arts. The camp also has concerts and events throughout the year. During the summer, the camp hosts the Sitka Fishing Derby, a fun event for the whole family. You can also check out the annual quilt show in May. The show is a great place to spend a day and enjoy the beautiful quilts and quilted wall hangings. The auction proceeds benefit community-based projects.
Another of the best places to visit in Alaska is the Alaska Native Brotherhood, founded in 1912. Founded by Native people to protect their culture from racial discrimination, the brotherhood and sisterhood are actively involved in preserving their heritage. The building is a National Historic Landmark and is open for community events. It is a wonderful place to visit if you love architecture, history, or art.
Sitka’s largest bird center
Visit Sitka’s largest bird center for the opportunity to see majestic raptors. The center is a private nonprofit organization that focuses on the conservation and rehabilitation of wild birds. Its goal is to rehabilitate these birds for release back into the wild. Visitors can see bald eagles, owls, falcons, and more.
The Center also has a 20,000 square-foot flight-training aviary where visitors can watch the birds in action. The viewing corridor is soundproof and features one-way glass, which makes it easy to observe the birds without disturbing them. You can watch rehabilitating eagles as they fly, preen their feathers, and bathe in streams. This will give you a unique perspective on how the birds live and what they like. Visitors can also learn about the various injuries eagles experience. The Center treats eagles in a variety of situations, including collisions, starvation, and poisoning.
Visitors can observe raptors from an educational perspective at the Alaska Raptor Center, located in Sitka, Alaska. This 17-acre campus is bordered by the Tongass National Forest and is a 20-minute walk from the city center. You can take a guided tour or learn more about the bird population at the center.
The center also has outdoor observation areas, outdoor bird checklists, and an educational map of the park. It also has a hummingbird garden and a water feature. There are free daily tours of the sanctuary’s resident birds that are led by members of the Amos W. Butler Audubon Society.
Sitka’s salmon hatchery
The Sitka Sound Science Center offers an aquarium and a salmon hatchery for visitors to observe. There are also tidal-pool touch tanks and an interactive experience called the Salmon Bubble, where visitors can see the ocean from a fish’s perspective. There is also a 60 Feet Deep tank, which features sea creatures from the area such as eels and rockfish. Visiting the hatchery is a great way to learn about the process of hatching salmon.
One of the best ways to understand the hatchery process is to watch the eggs being harvested. Visitors can watch as salmon swim up a 450-foot fish ladder and into a sorting mechanism to unzip their eggs. A guide will also be on hand to provide information about the hatchery’s processes. The hatchery also hosts seals, which often feed on salmon returning to the sea from the hatchery.
Another good place to go fishing in Sitka is the nearby Beaver Lake. The lake contains salmon, primarily rainbow trout, but you can also catch king salmon here. There are float tubes available for hire on the lake, and the lake is located near the Sawmill Creek Campground.
If you love the outdoors, you’ll also want to visit the Sitka National Historical Park, which is full of history and natural beauty. The park also preserves the location of a Tlingit fort and tells the story of the Battle of 1804. You can also take a daily ranger-guided walk through the park’s temperate rainforest and see the site of the Tlingit fort.