Places to visit in Sitka, AK.
If you’re looking for some fun things to do in Sitka, Alaska, you’ve come to the right place. Several museums and attractions include the Sheldon Jackson Museum, the Sitka National Historical Park, and the Fortress of the Bear. In addition, there is also the Alaska Raptor Center and the Whale Park.
Sitka is a fantastic place to visit. The city itself has a lot of history, and it’s beautiful. There are a lot of things to do, and there are many bars and restaurants. If you want to go to the beach, there are several options.
Sitka National Historical Park in Sitka, Alaska
Sitka National Historical Park is located on Baranof Island in the Alexander Archipelago. It is the smallest national historical park in Alaska and is a great place to learn about the history of Tlingit and Haida culture.
The park is home to 20 totem poles, a variety of natural areas, and a cultural center. Visitors can explore the park on foot or a ranger-led tour.
One of the most exciting features of Sitka National Historical Park is its historic Russian Bishop’s House. This building is a National Historic Landmark and was built in 1842. Today, the installation commemorated Sitka’s history of Russian colonialism in the 19th century.
Another interesting site in the area is the Sheldon Jackson Museum, which displays Tlingit and Alaskan natural history. The museum also has many historic photographs.
Alaska Raptor Center in Sitka, Alaska
The Alaska Raptor Center is a raptor rehabilitation and education facility that aims to save birds of prey, teach them to fly, and help them reintegrate into the wild. Located in Sitka, the facility boasts a state-of-the-art flight training enclosure and an impressive outside deck habitat area. It also offers educational programs and tours.
While visiting the facility, guests can expect to see several bald eagles and ravens swooping over parking lots. In addition, visitors can get a bird’s eye view of other raptors in a free tour and learn about their habits and ecology in the Raptor Discovery Center.
The Raptor Center is the largest of its kind in Alaska. This is partly thanks to innovative veterinary treatments and a dedicated team of caring volunteers. As the name implies, the organization’s most important mission is the rehabilitative care of injured birds. They provide medical treatment to as many as 200 raptors each year. As a result, several patients are rehabilitated and released back into the wild.
Fortress of the Bear in Sitka, Alaska
The Fortress of the Bear is a non-profit animal sanctuary in Sitka, Alaska. It’s not a zoo but a rescue facility focusing on rescuing and rehabbing bears. Founded by Les Kinnear, the Fortress of the Bear offers a glimpse into bear life in the wild.
At the center of the Fortress is a new and improved welcome center. It features a raised viewing platform, a gift shop, larger washrooms, and more.
Another impressive feature is the ample water clarifying tank sourced from a local pulp mill. Its walls are 17 feet high, and 14 feet deep, and the water is cleaned with a state-of-the-art water clarifier.
A new addition to the facility was a larger indoor viewing area. Visitors can now take a peek at bears up close and personal.
Whale Park in Sitka, Alaska
Sitka Whale Park is one of the most popular attractions in Sitka. It offers whale viewing, sea lions, and other marine life. The park is also home to a sheltered picnic area.
A short hike leads to the viewing platform. You can also climb a life-size humpback whale sculpture. This is the best place to spot humpback whales between September and January.
Another attraction at Whale Park is the hydrophone, which allows visitors to hear the whales sing. Visitors can also enjoy the scenic view of Sitka Sound and Mt. Edgecumbe from the Harbor Mountain Trail.
There is a small sheltered picnic area, free spotting scopes, and a steep staircase that leads to the ocean. These features make the park perfect for families and nature enthusiasts.
Sheldon Jackson Museum in Sitka Alaska
The Sheldon Jackson Museum in Sitka, Alaska, is one of the oldest museums in Alaska. It has been collecting and preserving Native artifacts since the late 1800s. Today, the museum has a collection of over 5,000 objects from Alaska’s Tlingit, Aleut, and Athapaskan tribes. In addition to the artifacts, the museum features a gift shop.
The museum is part of the Alaska State Museum. This state agency aims to preserve and interpret Alaska’s cultural and natural history. As such, the museum is a valuable resource for educating visitors about the state’s rich cultural heritage.
Located on the former campus of Sheldon Jackson College, the museum features an extensive collection of Alaska Native ethnographic materials. The collection includes many items, from carved rock sculptures to totem poles.
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