Visit Sika Magazine 2022-2023 | Page 25

TOURING SITKA
Sitka locals love to share their community with visitors . No matter how you like to explore , Sitka has a tour option to fit your needs . A popular way to explore Sitka is by escorted bus , van , and car tours . Join a group of like minded visitors with an expert guide from Sitka Tours or Sitka Wildlife Tours for guided tours of historical destinations and attractions . Stops may include popular locations such as the Sheldon Jackson Museum , a Victorian-era octagonshaped structure that houses an exceptional collection of Alaska Native art , jewelry and other artifacts . Tours may also visit St . Michael ’ s Russian Orthodox Cathedral , Sitka National Historical Park , local photo stops , dance performances by local dance troupes and more .
If private touring is more your style take a ride from one end of Sitka ’ s road to the other in a classic 1973 Checkered Marathon car while the owner of Sitka Checkered Tours gives local insight on the past and present of Sitka . Offering chauffeur services by the hour or the day , Martin ’ s Taxi & Tours can help you experience the Sitka of your dreams .
Sitka ’ s compact downtown is perfect for exploring on foot . Join a guided walk of downtown to learn about Sitka ’ s history and locally made products on A Taste of Sitka Seawalk Tours . Visitors can learn about Sitka ’ s maritime history with history buffs at Sitka Maritime Heritage Society Walking Tour . For the more adventurous join Haunted Sitka to explore the grim and ghastly tales of Sitka ’ s history through the back passages of town .
CULTURAL LANDMARKS
Walk the streets of downtown , and you ’ ll be greeted by cultural landmarks , like St . Michael ’ s Russian Orthodox Cathedral , an iconic building that houses rare art and treasures . Masterfully carved Tlingit totem poles that line the walking path at the Sitka National Historical Park tell a story of the people , places , and culture that have long called this rainy island home .
CULTURAL EXPERIENCES
For a deeper exploration of Sitka ’ s cultural elements , visitors can book a tour led by knowledgeable guides with Sitka Tribal Tours . A stop by the art studio adjacent to the Sitka National Historical Park offers front row seats to Alaska Native artists expertly working on their craft . Tickets to a Naa Kahidi Dancers performance allow tourists to experience powerful drums and multigenerational songs ringing throughout the cedar walls of the Sheet ’ ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi-Tribal Community House as each dancer traces the footsteps of generations before them . Visitors can also enjoy a New Archangel Dancers performance at Harrigan Centennial Hall , which pays homage to Sitka ’ s Russian heritage through folk music and choreographed routines .
MUSEUMS AND HISTORICAL SITES
Additionally , many of Sitka ’ s museums and historical sites are just a quick walk from downtown . Browse the Sitka History Museum , which hosts an assortment of historical photos and artifacts , or rest your legs on the lush lawn of the Sitka Fine Arts Campus , which once served as a boarding school and then a local college . Wherever your visit leads , Sitka ’ s past and present are sure to captivate you .
Memories for a Lifetime
With expert local guides and curated tours , you can immerse yourself in educational experiences that will leave you with lasting knowledge and lifelong memories . Which adventure will you choose first ?
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