Ghosts of Historic Sitka – Walking Tour

Sitka, Alaska offers a unique opportunity to explore its haunted past on the "Ghosts of Historic Sitka" walking tour. For one hour, visitors can journey through the city’s infamous Red Light District and visit the eerie Rose Hill House, all while the guide shares chilling tales of ghostly sightings and mysterious shipwrecks. Operating rain or shine, this atmospheric experience provides a deeper understanding of Sitka’s shadowy history. What dark secrets might this tour uncover?

This experience made our article of Sitka’s 2 Top Historical Tours (With Prices).

Tour Overview

The "Ghosts of Historic Sitka" walking tour is a 1-hour exploration of Sitka’s darker past. Priced from $60, this tour takes visitors through the city’s haunted sites led by a storyteller guide in 19th-century costume.

Groups are limited to 20 travelers, with free cancellation available up to 24 hours before the experience. Guests will visit notable locations like the Rose Hill House and former Red Light District, learning about Sitka’s haunting history and mysterious shipwrecks.

The tour operates rain or shine, so appropriate dress is required. Confirmation is provided at booking, though the tour isn’t wheelchair accessible.

Meeting Information

Where does the tour start? The Ghosts of Historic Sitka – Walking Tour begins at 330 Harbor Dr, Sitka, AK 99835, USA.

Visitors should gather outside Harrigan Centennial Hall and look for the guide in a 1860s costume holding a "Ghosts of Historic Sitka" sign. The tour ends back at the meeting point.

The key meeting information includes:

• Meeting point: 330 Harbor Dr, Sitka, AK 99835, USA

• Location: Outside Harrigan Centennial Hall

• Look for guide in 1860s costume holding "Ghosts of Historic Sitka" sign

Haunted Sites

What haunting tales does the Ghosts of Historic Sitka – Walking Tour reveal about Sitka’s darker past?

The tour explores Sitka’s notorious Red Light District, once home to saloons, brothels, and shady dealings.

Visitors learn about the Rose Hill House, a former brothel rumored to be haunted by the restless spirits of its former residents.

The tour also visits the sites of mysterious shipwrecks, where ghostly sightings have been reported.

Through captivating storytelling, the guide in 1860s costume brings Sitka’s haunted history to life, leaving participants with a deeper understanding of the town’s shadowy past.

The Red Light District

Sitka’s notorious Red Light District was once a vibrant, if seedy, part of the town.

The district was home to various establishments that catered to the desires of sailors, loggers, and other visitors.

• Brothels, saloons, and gambling dens once lined the streets, offering a range of illicit activities.

• The area was known for its rowdy atmosphere and attracted a diverse crowd seeking entertainment and vice.

Despite its unsavory reputation, the Red Light District played a significant role in Sitka’s economy and social fabric during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Shipwrecks and Mysteries

Although Sitka’s coastline has witnessed its fair share of shipwrecks over the years, a few mysterious cases stand out.

Guides share the story of the S.S. Curacao, a steamer that vanished without a trace in 1929 while transporting passengers and cargo.

Another enigma is the fate of the A.J. Fuller, a four-masted barque that sank in 1910, its crew and passengers never to be found.

The tour also explores the wreckage of the SS Northwestern, a passenger ship that hit a reef in 1935, leading to a dramatic rescue operation.

These eerie incidents add an air of mystery to the walking tour.

Atmospheric Experience

As guests embark on the "Ghosts of Historic Sitka" walking tour, they’re immersed in an atmospheric experience that transports them back in time.

The storyteller guide, dressed in 1860s costume, captivates the group with tales of Sitka’s haunted past.

The tour’s eerie ambiance is heightened by:

Visits to sites like the former Red Light District, where guests can almost hear the whispers of the past. Accounts of mysterious shipwrecks that haunt the town’s shores. The shadowy streets and buildings that seem to hold secrets within their walls.

• Visits to sites like the former Red Light District, where guests can almost hear the whispers of the past

• Accounts of mysterious shipwrecks that haunt the town’s shores

• The shadowy streets and buildings that seem to hold secrets within their walls

This unique tour offers an immersive and spine-tingling look at Sitka’s darker history.

Post-Tour Activities

After the "Ghosts of Historic Sitka" walking tour, guests can explore Sitka’s local establishments like Ernie’s for drinks. The tour’s positive reviews highlight the friendly and knowledgeable guides, making it a memorable experience. To continue the day, visitors may wish to check out these post-tour activities:

| Activity | Description | Duration | Cost |

| — | — | — | — |

| Ernie’s Bar | Local watering hole with Alaskan brews and cocktails | 1-2 hours | $10-$20 |

| Downtown Shops | Browse unique local stores and galleries | 1-2 hours | Varies |

| Sitka National Historical Park | Explore trails, totem poles, and the Russian Bishop’s House | 2-3 hours | $10 |

| Fortress of the Bear | See rescued Alaskan bears in a naturalistic habitat | 1-2 hours | $25 |

| St. Michael’s Cathedral | Visit this historic Russian Orthodox cathedral | 30 mins | Free |

The Sum Up

The "Ghosts of Historic Sitka" walking tour offers a captivating exploration of Sitka’s haunting past. Participants will journey through the infamous Red Light District, visit the haunted Rose Hill House, and learn about ghostly sightings and mysterious shipwrecks, all while the guide shares chilling tales. This immersive experience promises a deeper understanding of Sitka’s shadowy history, set against an atmospheric backdrop.