Chances are if you’re a fan of cruising or romantic comedies, you’ve heard of Sitka, Alaska. Most recognizable as a cruise stop or the setting for the movie The Proposal, this charming seaside town tucked at the base of glacially carved mountains needs more appreciation. Especially as a destination for families traveling with kids.
Having recently returned from exploring Sitka with our toddler, we can confidently say it is an INCREDIBLE spot for families. The wildlife alone is reason to visit, but pair that with a variety of kid-friendly activities and good food, and you’ll have some happy campers.
A view of downtown Sitka from above
What a sunset!
Check out the Russian Orthodox church. Stunning!
This lighthouse is actually a vacation rental that sleeps 6. Next time we’re staying there :)
Here are some of our must-do’s when you go to Sitka:
Wildlife
If you go to Alaska and don’t see eagles, bears, or whales, did you even go to Alaska?!
One of our first stops during our stay was the Alaska Raptor Center, a rehabilitation center that treats over 200 birds each year. You’ll see eagles, owls, falcons, and other species around the center, and you may even spot some wild eagles hanging out just outside the grounds.
Another incredible experience just a short drive from downtown Sitka is Fortress of the Bear. The team here protects and cares for orphaned brown and black bears, and has an amazing facility for the bears. You can get within 25 feet of these beautiful giants and will enjoy learning about each of the bears from the staff. It was most definitely one of the highlights of our trip!
If you want to explore out on the water, take a day trip with Captain John from Alaska Wild Coast. Regardless of where you’re traveling from (coastal California like us or landlocked central USA), a day on the Sitka Sound will be a rejuvenating experience you won’t soon forget (And we say that having done it with a toddler!). As Captain John finds the best spots to view whales, sea otters, and other Alaskan species, be sure to soak in the snow-capped peaks and dormant volcano Mount Edgecumb as you cruise along. Our adventure had us out on the water for a couple hours followed by picnicking on our own private island. It was magical in every way!
Beary good friends :)
Exploring our own private island!
Family-Friendly Activities
While all of the above would qualify as family-friendly, they are so wildlife focused that we figured they needed their own section. If Jude were writing this blog, all he would care to tell you is that Crescent Harbor Park in Sitka is the greatest place on earth. Although Sitka experiences rain nearly 250 days a year, this park is built for it. We were there daily and Jude would bounce from the slides to the musical instruments to the swings… and we all burned a ton of calories chasing him. (Win/win!)
Speaking of burning calories, just past the Crescent Harbor Park is the Sitka National Historic Park where you can stroll the Totem Trail Loop. This 1 mile loops features 18 replica and original totem poles carved by Alaska Native carvers. You can meander through at your leisure, chase your child from pole to pole like we did, or join a ranger-led talk where you can learn the history of the poles and carvers.
While Jude was a little too young on this trip, the Sitka Sound Science Center would be a huge hit for kids. Also near the Crescent Harbor Park, the science center boasts an aquarium, salmon hatchery, and research center. The aquarium will allow kids to touch a variety of tidal critters and learn about all the animals that live in Sitka’s surrounding oceans. You can also visit the Sheldon Jackson Hatchery, which is the oldest operation salmon hatchery in Alaska. You could spend the whole day here and your kids may leave wanting to be a marine biologist, or a salmon dinner :)
The final activity we wanted to highlight was probably the most entertaining, and that was Sitka Checkered Tours with Jeff. Jeff is a certified Southeast Alaska naturalist that guides tours of Sitka from his 1973 Checkered Marathon car. He drove us the full length of Sitka (14 miles) on a one-hour tour and shared Sitka’s history along with hilarious anecdotes about local culture. His warm and kind demeanor will have you wondering if the tour will end with dinner at his house. We hope to drive with him again!
Jude was a big fan of Crescent Harbor Park
Jude made some friends in Sitka :)
Food
For a small town in Southeastern Alaska, we were very impressed by Sitka’s food scene. From tasty acai bowls to Russian dumplings, these are the spots you need to hit while you’re in town:
Fisheye Cafe - Tasty coffee, fresh juice, smoothies, and acai bowls… we don’t need much more than this. Except that they also have incredible lunch options that we didn’t get to try!
Bayview Pub - Too many burgers to only visit once, but if you must choose one get The Wade (because bacon and garlic aioli.)
Mean Queen - Go for the oysters and stay for the pizza (Fortress of the Pigs, please)
Ludvig’s Bistro - This needs to be near the top of your priorities. Two words: clam chowder. Make it happen.
Mangiare - A perfect spot for the whole family with tasty Italian food. And if you know the movie “The Proposal”, a cocktail server that works there (named Ramon) is who Oscar’s (from The Office) character is based on. IYKYK.
Beak Restaurant - An ideal date night spot that serves fresh, local Alaskan fare. If you look at their menu, you’ll want to be transported there now. Take us back for the Alaskan vegetable barley soup and the seared Sitka salmon. This was one of our favorite meals of the trip!
Our server Ramon at Mangiare
The salmon was SO fresh. And amazing.
As we’ve transitioned from literal traveling newlyweds to traveling parents, we’re always on the lookout for places like Sitka. A spot where we know Jude will have plenty of places to get his wiggles out and have fun, but that we’ll enjoy ourselves too (and get to eat good food). Whether you’re traveling with toddlers or teens, Sitka has a wide range of adventures and activities that will be everything you need in a family vacation!