Taste of Sitka Sea Walk Tour is a two plus hour tour of historic Sitka's Castle Hill and Lincoln Street. Tour focus is on the indigenous peoples, the Tlingits, and Russian occupation during the early 1800's. Your tour begins at Castle Hill, site of the transfer from Russia in 1867. There you will learn of the purchase, transfer and of two major battles between the Tlingits and Russians.
From Castle Hill, you will proceed to walk down Lincoln Street to Sitka National Historic Park, known locally as Totem Park; stopping at historical important and other sites along the way. These sites include: Sheet'ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi, Pioneer Home, St. Michael's Cathedral, the Lutheran Church, first Protestant church on the West Coast, Russian Bishop's House, St. Peters Episcopal Church, Sheldon Jackson College and the Sitka Sound Science Center and Hatchery.
Bob Purvis, your guide, is a retired University of Alaska, Southeast Professor. Upon retirement in 1989, he became a licensed charter boat Captain and operator. He moved to Sitka in 1995 and for many years led hiking tours in the Tongass National Forest before creating Taste of Sitka in 2016.
Sitka is a small community of about 8,500 on the Western shores of Baranof Island in Southeast Alaska. Southeast Alaska has a rich indigenous and cultural history, dating back to time immemorial.
As a longtime resident of Alaska and Sitka, Bob enjoys sharing the uniqueness of this small community with visitors. He considers Sitka to be the 'jewel' of Alaska. Tour guest meet Bob at the Harrington Centennial Building, location of the Sitka Historical Museum, before proceeding to Castle Hill.
Sitka has many excellent locally owned stores and art galleries. Several local merchants create products that tour guest will learn about and even taste. These include; Theobroma Chocolate bars; your first 'taste' of Sitka, a Sweet Sisters Caramel, Devil's Club soap and salve and Alaska Pure Sea Salt. Tour guests will also have an opportunity to meet some of these creative artisans. At tours end, guests will receive an envelope with a map of Sitka, two-page information sheet outlining tour points of interest. A discount card is also included if guest wish to return and shop these locally owned stores.
Bob will say "goodbye" to his guest at the Sitka National Historic Park. Tour guest can proceed on their own to visit the Park, go on to the nearby Raptor Center, or return to further explore any of the tours previous points of interests.
Join Bob, on a Taste of Sitka tour and learn about Sitka's rich history from a knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide. Bob is visually impaired with AMD and designed the tour to be accessible to those who may be vision or mobility 'challenged'. In order to personalize the tour experience, Bob likes to limit tour groups to six guests. He will take more than six if the group is traveling together.
Tour fee is $65 per person, payable at end of tour. Children under 12 are free.
Tour fee includes admissions to Sitka Historical Museum, the Sitka Sound Science Center and Hatchery. Fee also includes a locally made chocolate bar, caramel and 6% city sales tax. Payment is via credit card or cash at end of tour.
For more information: Call Bob at 907-738-6574. Book Tour or inquire at: robert@tasteofsitka.com.
Trip Advisor Reviews
Several Recent Guest Emails:
Hi Bob,
Alex and I would like to thank you for a wonderful tour of Sitka! It was so kind of you to share your knowledge and expertise. What a wonderful way to start our trip to Alaska! I have you to thank for winning a trivia game with a group of fellow passengers. The way you presented the history of the area made it come alive!
E.
Bob, your tour was the highlight of our cruise.
Dennis
Owners Ken & Rachel Fate along with sweet dog Olivia, run this charming shop offering locally made artwork, jewelry, apparel, cards, soaps & salves, mugs, magnets, stickers, ornaments, artisanal statuary, and more.
