Sitka's history is Alaska's richest, and there's more of real interest in this town than any other you might visit. Historic photographs bear a surprising resemblance to today's city. The National Park Service protects buildings and grounds of major historic significance -- places where the pioneers spoke Russian, with ways much more European than those of the rest of the American West.

Sitka has retained a friendly, authentic feel. The city remains picturesque, facing Sitka Sound, which is dotted with islands and populated by feeding eagles, and Sitka's own residents remain the center of the business and cultural world. Even beyond the town and its rich history, Sitka is a gateway to a large, remote portion of Southeast Alaska, in the western coastal islands. This area contains some of Tongass National Forest's least-used outdoor opportunities. The ocean halibut and salmon fishing are excellent and not overexploited, and the bird- and wildlife-watching is exceptional.