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Sitka Alaska Travel and Sitka Alaska History Information
You have selected one of Alaska's most scenic, pristine, historic communities to visit. Sitka is absolutely beautiful and offers nearly all of the amenities and conveniences available elsewhere including an Alaska Marine Highway ferry terminal and an airport served by Alaska Airlines, a major west coast airline home based in Seattle.
Baranof Island is one of three major islands in the Tongass National Forest, a temperate, coastal, rain forest blanketed with: dense, lush vegetation; Sitka spruce and hemlock forests; rugged, majestic mountains with granite, snow capped peaks, fifty-two named glaciers and abundant wilderness and wildlife where the rare Alaska brown bear and bald eagle reign. The brown bears on Baranof Island are known as the "ABC Island Bears" (Admiralty, Baranof and Chichigof Islands) home to the highest density of bears in the world. This large bear is a distinctly special. Although related genetically to all browns and grizzlies in the world, which are genetically divided into two groups, the ABC Island bears in one group and all of the others in the second group, the ABC Island brown bear's DNA also has a relationship to polar bear DNA, which sets them apart. In other words, this is the only place in the world this magnificent bear exists. Sitka history is rich and exciting. Once the Russian capitol of Alaska and the first headquarters for Alexander Baranof, Sitka was known in the early days as the "Paris of the Pacific," and served as port of call for many trading vessels from around the world. Today it is a favorite port for travelers who wish to enjoy the spectacular scenery, rich history, nature trails and abundant wildlife. Sitka, the land of rainbows, is a photographer's, painter's and artist's paradise. The majestic beauty of Mt. Edgecumbe, a snowcapped, dormant volcano on Kruzoff Island dominates Sitka Sound. And neighboring island, St. Lazaria, a federal bird sanctuary, is a popular bird watching destination where thousands of seabirds such as tufted puffins, petrels, rhinocerous auklets and murres who spend their lives at sea come to land only to nest. Sitka's waters are teeming with whales, steller sea lions, sea
otters, harbor seals, porpoises, seabirds, halibut and salmon·to the delight of wildlife
enthusiasts. The local pristine, peaceful water with enchanting islets is a kayaker's dream and a diver's
playground. Come discover the history of Sitka, Alaska and enjoy the
spectacular scenery of the Alaska Ocean View. Sitka Travel Information Area Links Theobroma Chocolate Factory Tour: Take a tour of this delightful little chocolate factory and you may be offered a free sample of their deliciously decadent chocolate truffles. www.theobromachocolate.com Sitka Summer Music Festival: In June gifted musicians from around the world perform gather in Sitka to perform the best in professional chamber music in at scenic Harrigan Centennial Hall with its glass backdrop showcasing majestic snow-capped mountains, soaring bald eagles, and gliding fishing vessels; the setting is as unforgettable as the music. For information and tickets contact the Sitka Summer Music Festival's website at: www.sitkamusicfestival.org Whale Festival: Whales have been sited in the Sitka area every month of the year but in the fall their numbers peak as they prepare for their journey to Hawaii. They feed on the dense populations of herring hanging out near Sitka's shore line. Therefore, typically, the first weekend in November, noted marine biologists gather in Sitka to share their latest data with each other and with the public in an outstanding three day whale symposium, which typically includes a sea chanty concert, banquet, market at whalefest, whale watching excursions in addition to the educational slide show presentations. Sitka Whale Festival's link: www.sitkawhalefest.org Sheldon Jackson Museum: Alaska's oldest museum is said to be housing the world's oldest collection of Alaska native artifacts gathered from all regions of the state. Plan to allow extra time to view this outstanding collection and don't forget to peek into the drawers and cabinets. Sheldon Jackson Museum: http://www.museums.state.ak.us/Sheldon%20Jackson/sjhome.html Sitka National Historic Park and Cultural Center: This beautiful 107 acre rainforest park is a preservation of the site of a Tlingit Indian Fort and an important battle fought between the Russians and the Tlingits in 1804. A fine collection of Totem Poles dot the oceanside trail as it meanders through the forest, hence, also known as Totem Pole Park. The park offers an outstanding culture center and small museum. Sitka National Historic Park: www.nps.gov/sitk/index.htm Isabel Miller Museum: Located downtown in Harrigan Centennial Hall is packed with treasures from Sitka's rich past. You'll enjoy the realistic diorama of the Russian Fort during Sitka's Russian era. Isabel Miller Museum: www.sitka.org/historicalmuseum/aboutus.html Alaska Marine Highway Ferry System: Traveling by ferry to Sitka is absolutely breathtakingly beautiful along the scenic Inside Passage. You can pick up a ferry at any town in Southeast Alaska but the main ports that are also tied to the road system are Bellingham, Washington, Prince Rupert, BC Canada, Haines, Alaska, and to a lesser degree, Skagway and Hyder. Small business have been set up to garage your vehicle if you decide you do not want the expense of having it travel on the ferry with you. Most of the ferry's have staterooms, and dining facilities as well as car decks. For information on how to travel the Inside Passage using Alaska's Marine Highway contact the website: www.alaska.gov/ferry Sea Life Discovery Tour: Explore four different ocean floor habitats with interpretations by a certified naturalist and a diver. All seating is one story below the surface of the water on this fascinating Sea Life Discovery Tour: www.sealifediscoverytours.com Kayaking: Baidarka Boats Sea Kayaking: rentals, lessons, guided tours: www.kayaksite.com Bike Rentals and Tours: Guided 1 day climb to the rim of a spectacular volcano, Mt. Edgecumbe, or mountain bike across Kruzoff Is. through amazing forests and meadows to the remote Pacific Ocean beaches and sea lion cove on the other side or rent bikes for riding in town: www.sitkaadventures.com Fly Fishing: Sitka has excellent fly fishing opportunities in nearby lakes, streams and estuary and the fly away fly shop has everything you'll need. So bring your own or rent, the folks at Fly Away Fly Shop can enhance your Alaskan fly fishing adventure. www.alaskanflyshop.com Tlingit Dance Performance and Tours: The Sheet'ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi Tlingit Native Dancers invite you to sit around the fire pit inside their beautiful community traditional clan house to hear the steady drumbeat of their grandfathers' songs. Take a Sitka Tribal Tour and explore the rich Tlingit culture and historic sites: www.sitkatribe.org Bike Rentals: Comfortable upright seating bikes for rent by the day or by the week also mountain bikes for the more adventurous: www.yellowjerseycycles.com Alaska Raptor Center: Dedicated to the making a life-or-death difference on Alaska's injured birds of prey (raptors). Visitors are welcome to tour the center; attend educational presentations and visit the gift shop where the proceeds go to support bald eagles. Learn how you can adopt a bald eagle. Alaska Raptor Rehabilitation Center www.alaskaraptor.org Rental Car: An important bit of Sitka travel information, guests should note that rental cars are conveniently located at the airport, but if that won't fit into your schedule Northstar rental car agency will also deliver a car to you at the bed and breakfast. www.allstarsitka.com
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