Sitka AK

Be on deck as the ship enters Sitka Sound, especially on a sunny day, because the views towards town are beautiful.

Sitka Council plans to reduce cruise-ship visits and is even considering one cruiseless day each week.

Cruise vessels use a floating dock about 6 miles north of downtown. The port provides a free shuttle between the dock and central Sitka, dropping off and collecting passengers at Harrigan Centential Hall. The journey takes 10 to 15 minutes, with buses leaving every 10 minutes.

Other cruise vessels anchor and tender passengers into downtown.

The terminal building contains large toilets, the usual gift shops, high-speed WiFi and a covered outdoor terrace overlooking activity in the neighbouring boat yard.

Visitor information is available from the desk at Harrigan Centennial Hall near Crescent Harbor, one block from O'Connell Bridge. When cruise ships are present, help is also provided by the Sitka Convention and Visitors Bureau at O'Connell Bridge.

Sitka is a beautiful, picturesque little fishing village, backed by Mt. Edgecomb and a harbour scattered with tiny jewel-like islands. It is simply spectacular, with strong Russian charm and a clean, friendly atmosphere.

New Archangel Dancers perform lively, authentic Russian folk dances at Harrigan Centennial Building whenever cruise ships are in town.

Bring a printable map ashore.

Ideas for sightseeing in Sitka:

Sitka, the only major city on the USA's Baranof Island, benefits from three distinct cultures: Tlingit Indian, Russian and American. Evidence of all three appears throughout the area. Alongside Sitka Sound's spectacular natural beauty, a fascinating history, distinctive totem park and Mount Edgecomb, a dormant volcano above the harbour, make Sitka a true treasure in the American wilderness.

Sitka National Historical Park is at 106 Metlakatla St., telephone 907-747-0110.

The Visitor Center opens year round: daily from mid-May through September, 8AM-5PM; October through mid-May, M-Sa 8AM-5PM. It closes on Federal holidays during winter. Admission is $4 for anyone over 12 years old and free below that age. The building is wheelchair accessible and contains the Southeast USA Indian Cultural Center, totem poles and museum displays depicting traditional Tlingit life. A short video outlines Sitka's history.

Russian Bishop's House opens daily from mid-May through September, 9AM-5PM, with ranger-led tours every 30 minutes. From October through mid-May it is available by appointment only. Admission at 12 years old is $4, with younger visitors free. Built in 1843, this original log structure is one of the final surviving buildings from Russia's colonial period. It is not wheelchair accessible.

Everything lies within comfortable walking distance.

Public Transport provides another useful option:

The Red route follows Halibut Point Road on a 1 hour loop; the Blue route travels Sawmill Creek Road on a 1 hour loop; and the Green Route goes through town and across the bridge on a 1/2 hour loop. A one way ride costs adults $2.00 and seniors or people with disabilities $1.00.

Most cruise companies sell a combined coach and walking excursion featuring the Raptor Center, Sitka National Historic Park, a New Archangel Dancers performance, a drive past Castle Hill and a stop at St. Michael's Cathedral.

At the downtown dock, skippers sign visitors up for boat trips. Join one to experience remarkable wildlife, including many sea otters, seals, porpoises, whales, puffins and other seabirds. Bears may even appear on land, and the skippers know where to search.

United States dollar (symbol: $) is the official U.S. currency, and ATMs are found everywhere.

Major cards such as Visa and MasterCard are widely used and accepted, even for purchases worth only a few dollars. In some cases, a card may be the sole way to complete a transaction. Overseas visitors should note that goods and services always seem less expensive than they really are because tax and gratuities are seldom included.

Most states levy sales tax from 2.9% to nearly 10% of the retail price, with 4-6% typical. Posted prices almost never include sales tax, except for gasoline and, in most states, alcoholic drinks consumed on-premises. Instead, it is calculated and added when payment is made.

The U.S. has no official federal language, though English is overwhelmingly standard in daily use. Several states have designated English as their official state language. Spanish is also official and widely spoken in New Mexico; French is official in Louisiana and Hawaiian in Hawaii. Neither approaches English usage, and both are official mainly for historical reasons.

Call 911 in an emergency.

In large metropolitan areas such as New York and Los Angeles, many pharmacies and supermarkets routinely open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Department stores, shopping centres and most other large retailers typically trade Monday–Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., often with shorter Sunday hours, generally 11 a.m. or noon until 5 or 6 p.m. Shops tend to remain open on holidays except the most important, such as Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, when they are generally closed.