Advice for Sitka
 

Looks like I am going to have a couple of nights that I may spend in Sitka Alaska.
A few questions:

1) Where would you stay, if you had 2 nights there?
2) Is there enough to keep you buys for 2 days there?
3) Any recomendations for things to do in Sitka?

This will be a side trip of a trip for 10 days in Anchorage.

Just saw your post. When are you going or have you already gone?

Just got back :D Of course!

We eventually decided to pass on Sitka, as we could not find hotel rooms until the absolute last min.

What were rooms in Sitka going for this time of year?

As I recall, it was like $169 / night for the first week of June.

B&B's 129 & up
Westmark Sitka 145 & up
Super 8 sold out

very little available until mid August though. You need to book very early for summertime.

What to do in Sitka
 

I just got back from a day trip in Sitka, and will try to offer suggestions for those who search SIT or Sitka, Alaska, ideas, what to do, :D:

Sitka is a fishing town, I thought it was the equivalent of a larger Homer. Thankfully its all walkable, and it took me 25 minutes from the airport to downtown. (Walking - FREE ^)

From there, there are several National Park sites one can explore. I thought the Bishop House tour was really cool, as there was only 3 of us seeing the top floor of the canary yellow house, with much of its original furnishings, and the Bishops private chapel. Its construction was impressive as well... built by Finnish shipbuilders, it was basically a big ship ^. $4 for the 'private' tour.

Their other area is a cultural center for the Native people of the southeast, with displays, a 14 minute video, and native people working on their trades, such as carving, basket weaving, and metalworking. There is also a nice walk in the park with totem poles displayed. $4 for inside exhibits.

St. Michael's Cathedral is also a mainstay in Sitka, so stop by and check it out. Yes, its reconstructed as the original burned down in the 60's... but still worth a stop. Requested donation of $2.

Castle Hill is designated as a State Park, but has played host to various structures over the years, initially as a visual outpost for the Tlingit... then the headquarters for the Russian America company for Baranof. Then, after his retirement, Baranof's Castle (Big building for Russian America Company), and finally (these kept burning down) an Agriculture building for the govt of USA, being removed in 1950's... Its significance other then having a good view of the city itself is that's where Alaska was officially passed over to the USA. This is celebrated apparently each year in October on Seward's Day...

There are other things to do there as well that I didn't do on my 8 hour trip...

The Raptor Center proves to be interesting (they take care of injured birds)

Myriad of hiking trails

Beachcombing

And of course, if you are interested, take a boat for either sightseeing, or fishing. And since this is called Flyertalk... there is the option for fly in too on a float plane :cool:

So depending on what you want to do, and how fast you walk, (especially if you add on a day of fishing) there should be plenty to do for two days or more.

And stay tuned... Sitka 2.0 will happen tomorrow...in the winter :eek:

Scouting for the Panhandle DO?

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Not much has changed since your last post. Baranof Island Brewing is now a local mainstay for beer lovers.

Also check out Fortress of the Bear at the end if Sawmill Creek Road.

This won't apply in December, but if you're there on a good day in summer, drive up to the top of Harbor Mountain and hike around above treeline. Views are magnificent.

Last but not least, Ludwig's Bistro is one of the best restaurants in Alaska.

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Sitka National Historic Park is also a great place to visit.

Long story short, there is plenty to do to keep busy in Sitka for two or three days, especially if you factor in fishing. It's a neat town...one of my favorite places in Alaska.

Perhaps.

I did pick up some er incentives today ;)

Didn't make it to the brewery. Had some excellent rockfish & chips at The Pub. Amazed there are 3 different Asian restaurants- had some good noodles earlier in the day at one. (same owners too)

Apparently there are a limited number of taps that The Pub has open at once and Baranof Island was not included. Needless to say this was rather upsetting as I've heard good things about this place.

Walked by Ludvig's but was closed. Was good last time, but a bit more $$$.

Walked around the Bishop House today. Closed as well.

Rant:

It seems for some odd reason SIT decided to have a non-traditional 5 day workweek in the winter. So... most everything of cultural interest is closed on Mondays. And guess what day I came? Its ok- I made it to the A/C and walked many miles in the mist- but over half the restaurants were closed, as was the Orthodox Cathedral (next week would have Christmas Services though with starring) and a lot of shops too. I asked about this at the Chamber of Commerce and they said that most folks are open Tues-Sat and closed Sun-Mon in the winter months. /Rant

Still a fun trip aside from AS' limited NYE schedule, requiring me to catch a 6 AM flight to ANC- or RON in JNU, as NYD doesn't have any connections that get me home to ANC from SIT. :(

Can see SIT working well as a starting point for next year's event ^