Top 10 things to do in Sitka, Alaska

1. Spot otters, whales, seals and eagles on Sitka Sound

There’s a good chance that part of the reason you’re visiting Alaska is for the wildlife. Sitka does not disappoint. Whether your tastes lean more towards marine mammals that make icy arctic waters look like the most comfortable place in the world, terrestrial heavyweights like brown bears (and their smaller neighbors the Sitka black-tailed deer, mountain goats and minks) or eagles and other airborne locals, this corner of Alaska is plenty lively. 

One of the easiest ways to experience all of this is on a wildlife cruise built specifically for seeing the creatures that rely on Sitka’s sheltered waterways and surrounding areas. The Sea Otter & Wildlife Quest excursion with Princess brings you out into the Sound accompanied by naturalists who know exactly where animals like to spend their day. You’re not just scanning the waters or the hills; you’re learning the habits, feeding grounds and quirks of the wildlife you encounter, making this outing as informative as it is adventurous.

2. Visit the Alaska Raptor Center

Wait, what was that we said about birds? If your interests lean more towards the feathered persuasion, the Alaska Raptor Center gives you a chance to see eagles, owls and other birds of prey from a perspective you simply don’t get in the wild. These are birds recovering from injuries — some are temporary guests, others are permanent residents — and the center’s specialists work daily to get as many as possible back into the sky. There’s even an ‘adopt-a-raptor’ program, which would be a really bad idea if this were Jurassic park, but is actually a chance for you to help provide much-needed funds for the care and recovery of these amazing animals.

This stop is included in the Alaska Raptor Center, Totem Park & Tlingit Performance excursion with Princess. You’ll walk through forested pathways, step into open-air viewing spaces and possibly even observe training sessions where handlers help birds strengthen their wings. Seeing a bald eagle this close feels almost unreal (especially when you notice the size of its talons).

3. Explore Sitka National Historical Park

Sitka National Historical Park offers rainforest trails lined with totem poles that rise from the forest floor so naturally you’d think the trees just decided to start telling stories of their own. Follow the Totem Trail and you’ll pass carvings that reflect clan histories, migrations and legends, with each pole effectively doing the work of a library, museum and Indigenous storyteller all at once.

This is the place to go if you want to get to know the people (and environments) that predate European colonization. Interpretive signs and carving exhibits deepen your understanding of Tlingit traditions, while the surrounding forest looms above with towering hemlock, spruce and cedar filtering the sunlight into soft greens. It’s your chance to get away from it all while you’re already away from it all; the whole place feels far removed from town even though it’s only a short walk away. 

Sitka National Park is featured in multiple Princess excursions, including the Alaska Raptor Center, Totem Park & Tlingit Performance and the Easy Sitka: Historic City Highlights excursions.

4. Discover Russian and Tlingit heritage

Sitka’s past is shaped by two distinct cultural influences that still echo through the city today. At the Russian Bishop’s House (one of North America’s best-preserved examples of Russian colonial architecture) you can step into rooms that look like they were lifted right out of the mid 1800s. Walk a few minutes in the other direction and you’ll arrive at Tlingit cultural sites that speak to centuries of presence, artistry and resilience — a reminder that Sitka’s story didn’t begin with Russian architecture… and certainly doesn’t end with it.

The All About Sitka – Russian & Tlingit Heritage Discovery excursion ties these threads together, giving you a clearer picture of how two very different worlds collided, negotiated and continued to evolve together. It’s history you can stand inside, walk through and actually feel.

5. Meet rescued bears at Fortress of the Bear

With a name that would make anyone’s testosterone levels spike, The Fortress of the Bear is awesome before you even step inside. And it only gets better. This rescue facility provides a permanent home for orphaned bears that can’t be released back into the wild, offering large naturalistic habitats and elevated viewing areas where guests can watch the bears explore, forage and interact. If you’ve ever wondered what a brown bear looks like when viewed from above (hint: huge, and surprisingly agile), Fortress of the Bear gives you the perfect vantage point.

Families tend to love this stop, thanks in no small part to how easy it is to get close to bears without heading into untamed wilderness or risking a lifetime ban from the zoo. The Best of Sitka: Otters, Raptors & Bears excursion bundles this visit with other wildlife highlights, giving you a full picture of the animals that define this region.

6. Visit Fin Island Lodge

Fin Island Lodge feels like the kind of place that should be waiting at the end of a treasure hunt. And, if you value remote locations and best-of-the-best Alaska-style feasts, then ‘treasure’ is exactly what you’ll find. Accessible by boat and typically only available through local tours and cruise lines, this cozy timber lodge is Alaska’s ultimate exclusive destination.

As part of the Wildlife Quest & Fin Island Lodge excursion, you’ll take a boat out to Fin Island to enjoy an unforgettable meal that leans hard into the best local flavor. It’s immersive without being strenuous, offering an experience that blends coastal beauty and local heritage with sea spray and wind-blown hair.

7. Take a marine expedition through coastal waters

If you’ve ever wondered what Alaska looks like from the ‘employees only’ side of the landscape, a marine expedition is your chance to find out. Sitka’s outer coast is rugged, winding and just remote enough to feel like you’re getting a sneak peek at something usually reserved for wildlife and weather systems.

The Marine Expedition Cruise & Fin Island Lodge excursion brings you into places you won’t reach on foot, weaving between cliffs and coves where sea lions sprawl and puffins rocket past with impressive confidence for birds shaped like footballs. You’ll be guided by a captain who knows all about how to get close to the various animals while keeping everybody safe. And once the expedition is over you end at the Fin Island Lodge — how’s that for bucket-list efficiency?

8. Kayak the Sitka coastline

Sea kayaking in Sitka is one of those activities that sounds intense until you actually dip your paddle and realize the water is calm, the setting is ridiculously serene and you’re way better at this than you might have thought. Sheltered coves and tiny islands help keep things smooth, and guides are there to make sure you stay on track instead of drifting off toward Russia.

The Wilderness Sea Kayaking Adventure excursion sets the pace to ‘comfortable exploration,’ delivering you to a secluded cove and letting you glide past kelp forests, quiet beaches and the occasional curious harbor seal. You’ll see details you’d never notice from a larger boat: sea stars in the shallows, birds nesting on cliff ledges, the subtle shapes of mountains reflected on the glass-like surface. You might even catch the curious attention of migrating whales. It’s active, refreshing and just the right amount of adventurous.

9. Bike and hike Sitka’s rainforest

If you’ve been saving your energy for something more active than calm kayaking and lodge-centered lunches, this is your moment. Sitka’s rainforest is unbelievably green — the kind of green that makes you wonder if someone turned up the saturation. Biking gets you along coastal paths with ease, while hiking lets you slow down and take in the textures of the forest itself.

Once you’re geared up, the Sitka Bike & Hike Tour leads you into parts of the island most guests miss. You’ll ride through gentle hills to a forest trail where a short hike brings you to a waterfall and a quiet lake tucked between the trees. Then it’s back on the bikes toward Whale Park, a seaside overlook where you can scan the water or explore the tidal zone for hints of marine life. The whole outing strikes a nice balance between movement and scenery, leaving you comfortably tired and maybe more than a little proud of yourself.

10. Taste Sitka’s local flavors and shopping

Downtown Sitka is small enough to explore in an hour but interesting enough to keep you occupied for days. The storefronts range from galleries filled with Tlingit artwork to shops featuring jewelry, furs and handmade pieces that make perfect take-home reminders of your time here.

If you’re more motivated by your taste buds than your shopping list, the Taste of Sitka – A Food Lover’s Tour excursion is your chance to eat your way through town without having to choose a single restaurant on your own. You’ll visit local spots for small bites and deep sips of craft beer, seafood specialties and probably a few treats you didn’t know Alaska was famous for. It’s leisurely, flavorful and a fun way to get to know Sitka through its kitchens and creators. By the end, you’ll know the names of all the taste sensations you’re going to miss back home.

Plan your Sitka adventure

If your first few minutes in Sitka felt like someone hit ‘shuffle’ on every Alaska highlight at once, just wait until you start really exploring. This port lets you jump from rainforest to Russian architecture to otter-filled coves to indigenous art and culture without breaking stride, and Princess excursions help stitch it all together into something more structured than just wandering.

Sitka is a highlight on Alaska cruise itineraries for good reason — it delivers variety without a lot of hassle. So when you’re ready to choose how best to spend your time in port, Princess is ready to make it happen.