Sitka--tours in town?

[KKB]

We are now thinking we'd like to see the totem poles, raptor center, "bear experience"?

How do we get to the park? 

Could we use electric bikes? In the park?

Can we walk & see all of this on our own?

If not, do we need to buy tour ahead of time or are they available in town?

Thanks

Edited August 27, 2023 by KKB

[Northern Aurora]

Ships dock at a private dock outside of Sitka proper.  Shuttles (free) are provided to the downtown area.  Shuttles drop off folks at the Harrigan Centennial Center.  There are tour folks at the HCC selling excursions for the day, but be aware that Sitka is receiving more and more ships so don't count on getting what you want as a "walk up" customer.

 

From the HCC it is a very easy walk to the Sitka Historical Park (locals call this the "Totem Pole Park) which has a lovely visitor's center and walk among old totems.  The walk along the waterfront passes the Sheldon Jackson Museum (an auxiliary of the Alaska State Museum in Juneau) and also the Sitka Sound Sea Life Center.  From the SHP we have no issues walking to  the Raptor Center.  Fortress of the Bear is further out of town; most folks take tours.  

 

Downtown Sitka has the Russian Bishop's House and the St. Michael's Russian Orthodox Church.  The Bishop's House is administered by the US National Park Service.  St. Michael's is an active Russian Orthodox church.

 

Sitka is very easy to DIY.

[KKB]

12 hours ago, Northern Aurora said:

Ships dock at a private dock outside of Sitka proper.  Shuttles (free) are provided to the downtown area.  Shuttles drop off folks at the Harrigan Centennial Center.  There are tour folks at the HCC selling excursions for the day, but be aware that Sitka is receiving more and more ships so don't count on getting what you want as a "walk up" customer.

 

From the HCC it is a very easy walk to the Sitka Historical Park (locals call this the "Totem Pole Park) which has a lovely visitor's center and walk among old totems.  The walk along the waterfront passes the Sheldon Jackson Museum (an auxiliary of the Alaska State Museum in Juneau) and also the Sitka Sound Sea Life Center.  From the SHP we have no issues walking to  the Raptor Center.  Fortress of the Bear is further out of town; most folks take tours.  

 

Downtown Sitka has the Russian Bishop's House and the St. Michael's Russian Orthodox Church.  The Bishop's House is administered by the US National Park Service.  St. Michael's is an active Russian Orthodox church.

 

Sitka is very easy to DIY.

Thx--we just walked around town last year so looking to do a bit more this year.