Sitka's history is deeply rooted in its Alaska Native heritage and influenced by its time as a Russian colonial outpost. The two stories meet in Sitka National Historical Park, where you can explore the restored 19th-century Russian Bishop’s House and walk a scenic coastal trail lined with Tlingit and Haida totem poles. Other notable landmarks include St. Michael’s Cathedral, an outstanding example of Russian Orthodox architecture, and the Baranof Castle State Historic Site, where Alaska was officially transferred from Russia to the United States in 1867. Beyond the town’s rich cultural heritage, the wilds of Tongass National Forest invite exploration on a hiking, kayaking or flightseeing expedition. You might combine land and sea adventures with a boat ride to a nearby island, watching for whales, sea otters and sea lions along the way. Drive an ATV to the top of a volcanic crater on Kruzof Island, where you can observe brown bears and Sitka black-tailed deer in their natural habitat, or enjoy a feast of freshly caught fish and crab on Fin Island. Charter a downrigger to secure your own fresh catch in the salmon-rich waters of Sitka Sound.