Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest
Sitka, Alaska is a wonderful destination choice for families. It is located on Baranof Island on the outer waters of Alaskas Inside Passage. The exciting thing about Sitka is that it is only accessible by air and sea, but dont worry. Daily jet service is provided, as well as ferries that are large enough to transport your car or RV. Sitka has been called the Pearl of the Pacific, and once there, it is easy to see why. Sitka is gorgeous! The town is located right on the water, and is surrounded by a tall forest of towering spruce trees. The climate is mild, and the population is small and friendly.
Historically, Sitka was the home to the Kiksadi Clan of Tlingit Indians, until the Russians arrived for the fur trade. Alexander Baranof settled Sitka. the first governor of the Russian American Company. The culture of Sitka is an interesting mixture of Tlingit, Russian and American. Because of this, there are plenty of historical sites and museums to visit while in town, and most are within walking distance.
A good place to start is the Isabelle Miller museum. It has artifacts and history from all three cultures, and provides an ideal look at how those cultures have combined. This is a good way to allow kids to soak up some history while looking at interesting and informative displays. Other places to visit in town include the St. Michaels Cathedral, which contains beautiful Russian Orthodox art, the Alaska Raptor Center, which functions as both an emergency veterinary hospital for injured birds that can be returned to the wild, and a home for birds that cannot. It is a great chance to see these great birds of prey up close and personal.
The Sitka National Historical Park is 107 acres of forest, with several sites, including a fort complete with Tlingit totems, and some self-guided walking tours to view some of Sitkas wildlife in their natural habitat. There is also a Tribal Community Center located near Totem Square in town, which features local tribal dances, storytelling and other cultural events. Located a few miles out of town is a whale park, where you can see whales swimming in the ocean from the boardwalk. The best times for whale watching from the sore are late fall and early spring.
When you are ready to get out and see the area around Sitka, boat charters and tours abound. Trips are available from a few hours to several days. Most of them are very child-friendly and your entire family can fish for salmon and halibut, learn the basics of kayaking while supervised by an experienced guide, or simply take a small boat cruise around the area in comfort and style. While touring the ocean, it is possible to see whales, sea lions, bald eagles and other sea life up close.
Another way to see the abundant wildlife of Sitka is from the air. These tours are conducted by people who have been raised in the area and know where to go to see brown bear, black-tailed deer and the top of a snow covered volcano. Many of these tours are done is small Cessna floatplanes, so the tour numbers are limited. Often, the planes land on a lake to give you a better look at Alaskas wildlife.
Being bored while in Sitka is impossible. There are so many activities and things to do that will interest every member of the family. The accommodations are reasonably priced for all incomes. There are many great opportunities to shop, and the shops and galleries feature a variety of wares, from Tlingit silver jewelry to Russian lacquer boxes to Alaskan sculpture and art. Dining out with the family is also easy. Most restaurants are family-friendly, and the Alaskan seafood is delicious. So, consider a trip to Sitka. You wont be disappointed.
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