Attractions

The Sitka Tribe of Alaska's Community House is a good starting point, where you can watch dance performances, join walking or bus tours, or sign up for kayaking or other outdoor activities, including trail hikes. A 2-hour walking tour includes the town and national historic park. The house is at 200 Katlian St. (tel. 888/270-8687 or 907/747-7290; www.sitkatours.com). Sitka Tours (tel. 907/747-8443) also offers tours, taking more of the Russian perspective. Prices for each choice of tour range from about $20 for a brief downtown tour to $57 for a longer town tour that includes most of the attractions and dancing; the type of dancing -- Native or Russian -- depends on which firm you go with. Russian folk dance is performed by the women of the New Archangel Dancers (tel. 907/747-5516) in the Harrigan Centennial Hall at 330 Harbor Dr., next to the Crescent Boat Harbor. Performances are scheduled when cruise ships are in town, and most of the audience comes from Sitka Tours.

Walking Downtown

The grassy park at Lincoln and Katlian was the site of the Russians' barracks and parade ground. Just north on Marine Street is a replica of a Russian Blockhouse; across Lincoln Street to the south and up the stairs is Castle Hill, a site of historic significance for the ancient Tlingits, for the Russians, and for contemporary Alaskans. The first American flag raised in Alaska was hoisted here in 1867. There are historic markers and cannons. As you walk east past the cathedral and Crescent Harbor, several quaint historic buildings are on the left. My favorite is St. Peter's by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, a lovely stone-and-timber chapel with a pipe organ, consecrated in 1899.

At the east end of the harbor is a public playground and the Sheldon Jackson Aquarium, in the Sage Building on the ocean side of Lincoln Street. All the tanks contain local marine life. It's eye opening to realize what's down below. Best of all are the large touch tanks where visitors can handle animals from three different seafloor habitats. The aquarium and associated fish hatchery were part of a college of the same name that closed. Sitka donors and volunteers are struggling to keep it alive. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated, and hours cannot be predicted at this point.