We didn’t know what to expect from Sitka. Of the three Alaska ports on our itinerary it was the one we knew least about going in but the one I was most excited about. It turned out to be the one that surprised us most — and the one that left the biggest impression on all of us.
Sitka is unlike anywhere we have ever been. A small island city — technically the largest city by land area in the United States, since the entire Tongass National Forest on the island is considered part of the city, a fact our guide shared that stopped us all mid-step — with a local artist feel, extraordinary wildlife, a deeply welcoming community, and more pride flags flying per square block than almost anywhere we’ve ever visited.
We had a sunny day. Our guide told us that is genuinely rare in Sitka. We felt lucky from the moment we stepped off the shuttle.
Getting Into Town
The ship docks at a pier outside of town and a free shuttle runs regularly between the ship and downtown Sitka. This is the best way to get into town unless you have an excursion booked that picks you up at port.
Best of Sitka Tour — Bears, Raptors and Totem Poles
We booked the Best of Sitka — Bears, Raptors and Totem Poles tour and it was guided by Riley who was one of the best guides we’ve encountered anywhere. Born and raised in Sitka, knowledgeable about everything, and genuinely wonderful with our kids — he let Easton and Milo ask every question they had, answered each one with patience and enthusiasm, and never once made them feel rushed. That matters more than people realize when you’re traveling with young kids.
Alaska Raptor Center
Our first stop was the Alaska Raptor Center — a rehabilitation facility for injured birds of prey. The mission is clear: rehabilitate and release wherever possible. For birds that cannot safely return to the wild the center provides lifetime care. We were there for feedings which Milo absolutely loved — watching the raptors respond, seeing the eagles and owls up close in a way that feels completely different from any zoo or enclosure. The eagles especially. Milo was transfixed by them and by the owls, standing as close as he was allowed and taking in every detail.
Fortress of the Bear
Next was Fortress of the Bear — a sanctuary for orphaned brown bear cubs. Under Alaska law, orphaned cubs taken into human care cannot be re-released into the wild and must be cared for life. The bears at Fortress of the Bear are large, healthy, and clearly well loved. Watching them from the viewing areas — playing, swimming, being completely themselves — was extraordinary. Milo was captivated in the way he gets around animals he connects with. Quiet and fully present.
The Beach and the Eagles
Our final stop was the totem pole area and we opted for a beach walk. What we found on that beach was one of the most breathtaking wildlife moments of the entire trip — over 30 bald eagles. In the trees. On the beach. Circling the sky directly above us.
Milo found a piece of kelp and spent a long stretch throwing it back into the water, completely in his element — a kid who grew up near the ocean finding the ocean again somewhere completely different and knowing exactly what to do with it. Watching him in that moment, in that place, with eagles overhead — that’s the kind of thing you travel for and can’t fully explain when you get home.
Riley hung back with us on the beach and talked about Sitka — what it’s like to grow up there, what the eagles mean to the place, what stays the same and what changes. It was one of those quiet travel conversations that you don’t plan for and don’t forget.
This tour costs $130 per person – The cost may seem high, but if you visited all 3 museums and took transportation too and from each one, you will probably end up spending more and it taking up much more time. Plus you miss out on learning about Sitka from your guide!
Shopping in Sitka
Our guide shared something that changed how we approached the afternoon: every store in Sitka is locally owned. In many cruise ports the cruise lines own significant portions of the retail. Not here. Every shop supports a local business owner and many carry work from local artists. We leaned into that fully and did most of our Alaska gift shopping in Sitka. Prices felt more reasonable than we expected for a remote island tourist destination.
Vegan in Sitka
The first thing we encountered after stepping off the shuttle was a tamales cart with vegan tamales. One left — the vegan option sells out early to locals, we were told — and we got it. Outstanding. The kids got corn tortillas heated up since only one remained. Matt and I grabbed coffees from a local shop downtown proudly displaying pride flags – Misfit Island Cafe which hit the spot with their offerings of plant based milks for some lattes.
Sitka felt surprisingly vegan aware for a small remote Alaskan town and we left pleasantly impressed.
LGBTQ in Sitka
We have visited a lot of places as a two dad family. Sitka stands out. For a small island city in Alaska — not the first place that comes to mind for LGBTQ visibility — the pride presence was remarkable. Flags in shop windows throughout downtown. Pride month event calendars posted publicly. Our tour guides wearing safe space buttons. A community energy of genuine celebration and welcome.
It was one of the most visibly LGBTQ friendly places we visited on the entire trip and we want other LGBTQ families to know that specifically.
Is Sitka Worth It?
It is one of the most genuinely special places we’ve visited anywhere in the world. The wildlife, the community, the local feel, the LGBTQ visibility, the extraordinary luck of a sunny day — Sitka delivered everything and more. If you’re on an Alaska cruise and Sitka is a port, do not skip it. And if excursions are in your budget the Best of Sitka tour with a guide like Riley is worth every cent.
We’d go back and stay longer. That’s the truest thing we can say about any place.
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