Unalaska Day Tours & Attractions
Visit historical sites, visit wildlife viewing spots, check out the hiking trails, local attractions & more.
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Day Tours & Attractions
Fairs & Festivals View All
Framed by green mounÂtains on three sides, KelÂty field is the perÂfect setÂting for an end-of-sumÂmer parÂty – a celÂeÂbraÂtion of AleutÂian life and the peoÂple who make UnalasÂka their home (whether year-round or just for the sumÂmer). CoorÂdiÂnatÂed by the city’s Parks, CulÂture and RecreÂation DepartÂment, the Heart of the AleuÂtians FesÂtiÂval is a famÂiÂly affair, where artists and their crafts, small busiÂnessÂes and non-profÂits fill the comÂmuÂniÂty tent with ...more
Unalaskans are ​“always ready” for music, a traÂdiÂtion that goes back to the 1920s. Back in those days, there was just one piano on the whole AleutÂian Chain, and it was used by Bering Sea Patrol comÂmanÂder CapÂtain Frances Van BoskerÂck (along with friends Alfred NannesÂtad and Joseph Fournier) to write a catchy tune that became UnitÂed States Coast Guard’s anthem ​“SemÂper ParaÂtus” (“always ready”). Today, there are plenÂty more pianos, along with plenty ...more
One of the best ways to view the true spirÂit of a small comÂmuÂniÂty is to take part in its annuÂal Fourth of July parade. This is true for the City of UnalasÂka, where you’ll see a numÂber of unique floats put togethÂer by local busiÂnessÂes, comÂmuÂniÂty groups and indiÂvidÂuÂals. The spirÂit of patriÂoÂtism runs high in this wind-swept AleutÂian island, whose hisÂtoÂry includes an attack by JapanÂese bombers durÂing World War II.
Unalaskans turn out for an active running/​racing schedÂule most of the year no matÂter the weathÂer. In fact, the seaÂson offiÂcialÂly gets startÂed with the 5K Polar Bear Run in late FebÂruÂary, when the averÂage temp is still hovÂerÂing around 32 degrees. Events range from mild to techÂniÂcalÂly chalÂlengÂing, and most also offer shortÂer verÂsions for the kids. Come to UnalasÂka, and join a race FebÂruÂary — November!
Fall in UnalasÂka brings coolÂer air, rich colÂor to the tunÂdra, and a plethoÂra of berries. While locals can be pretÂty secreÂtive about their favorite pickÂing spots, they are genÂerÂous with the fruits of their labors – at the annuÂal BlueÂberÂry Bash. Here you’ll find an amazÂing array of blueÂberÂry dishÂes – table after table loaded with variÂaÂtions on tasty pies, cobÂblers and tarts, along with jams, vineÂgars, chutÂneys, salÂsas and everyÂthing in between. ...more
One of the most unique golf outÂings you could ever expeÂriÂence takes place every August, on the AleutÂian tunÂdra thouÂsands of miles from any estabÂlished golf course. This is a place where you can (and perÂhaps should) wear knee high boots as you advance along a 9‑hole course windÂing through the PyraÂmid ValÂley of UnalasÂka Island.
Whether you land a record-breakÂer or not, the HalÂibut DerÂby in UnalasÂka is a full day’s worth of exciteÂment. Held on a sinÂgle day in late June or earÂly July, you’ll have just ten hours to land the largest halÂibut you can – and a $1,000 cash prize is on the line.
Visitor Information Centers
The Unalaska/​Port of Dutch HarÂbor ConÂvenÂtion and VisÂiÂtors Bureau is estabÂlished to proÂmote and encourÂage tourism and to supÂport the develÂopÂment and susÂtainÂabilÂiÂty of tourism infraÂstrucÂture in the Unalaska/​Dutch HarÂbor Region. They are MonÂday through FriÂday 8am to 5pm. Feel free to drop in, call, or email them with any quesÂtions about the region. The UnalasÂka / Port of Dutch HarÂbor CVB is a great resource; proÂvidÂing maps, visÂiÂtor guides, ...more
Whether or not you’re a World War II scholÂar, the stoÂry of the AleutÂian Islands’ role in the secÂond great war is fasÂciÂnatÂing. The milÂiÂtary buildup, the batÂtles, the removal and evenÂtuÂal return of Aleut resÂiÂdents. It’s all detailed at the AleutÂian World War II Visitor’s CenÂter, locatÂed in an hisÂtoric AerolÂoÂgy OperÂaÂtions BuildÂing that has been renÂoÂvatÂed to its origÂiÂnal 1940s-style façade.
Museums & Cultural Centers
Whether or not you’re a World War II scholÂar, the stoÂry of the AleutÂian Islands’ role in the secÂond great war is fasÂciÂnatÂing. The milÂiÂtary buildup, the batÂtles, the removal and evenÂtuÂal return of Aleut resÂiÂdents. It’s all detailed at the AleutÂian World War II Visitor’s CenÂter, locatÂed in an hisÂtoric AerolÂoÂgy OperÂaÂtions BuildÂing that has been renÂoÂvatÂed to its origÂiÂnal 1940s-style façade.
Spend just a few hours at the MuseÂum of the AleuÂtians and you’ll walk away with a broad underÂstandÂing of this remote island chain, its hardy and invenÂtive UnanÂgan peoÂple, and its comÂpelling World War II history.
Day Cruises
An UnalasÂka Bay cruise is highÂly recÂomÂmendÂed for close up views of sea mamÂmals in their natÂurÂal habiÂtat, birdÂing, delÂiÂcate waterÂfalls and prisÂtine, uninÂhabÂitÂed islands.
Parks & Trails View All
A driÂve or walk up Mt. BalÂlyÂhoo is interÂestÂing for both birdÂers and those interÂestÂed in World War II hisÂtoÂry. It’s such as good view that you might even catch sight of whales in the disÂtance. The view from the 1,634-foot mounÂtain gives you an idea of how birds might see the area (that is, if you can imagÂine the view with a lot more colÂor and super-sharp clarity)
Mt. BalÂlyÂhoo is a lure for hikÂers wantÂiÂng a modÂerÂate climb and an outÂstandÂing vista. Both the airÂport and city dock are locatÂed right at its base, so the south face of BalÂlyÂhoo is the first thing you’ll notice when you get here. Its 1,634-foot-peak is the highÂest point on AmakÂnak Island, with a panoramÂic view that helps oriÂent you to Unalaska/​Dutch HarÂbor geography.
JutÂting half a mile into the cenÂter of UnalasÂka Bay, the Dutch HarÂbor Spit offers a short, sea-levÂel hike for all ages, with beach access, wildlife viewÂing and birdÂing. The trail folÂlows an old roadbed, which makes for an ideÂal hikÂing surÂface. You’ll want to stop freÂquentÂly with a ready camÂera for close-up views of marine mamÂmals on either side of the spit.
If your travÂel group includes a WWII enthuÂsiÂast, a wildlife devoÂtee, a birdÂer, and a kid who enjoys rolling around on the tunÂdra, Bunker Hill is the perÂfect spot. Plus, it has the best phoÂto ops, with a 360-degree view of the entire area: CapÂtains Bay, AmakÂnak Island, UnalasÂka Bay and IliÂuliuk Harbor.
For thouÂsands of years, being able to surÂvive in the AleuÂtians has dependÂed on the abilÂiÂty to use what the land and sea proÂvide. The rugged, remote and stunÂning landÂscape conÂtinÂues to inspire – and chalÂlenge – locals and visÂiÂtors alike. UnderÂstandÂing this priÂmal conÂnecÂtion with the land is best done by explorÂing on foot. HikÂing the UgadaÂga Trail – reportÂedÂly in use for more than 9,000 years – allows the imagÂiÂnaÂtion to wanÂder, and wonÂder, about ...more
The Agamgik Bay trek is a bit longer than the othÂers, has some difÂfiÂcult spots not easy for the very young or the very old, and offers access to an even longer hike over to EngÂlish Bay, where CapÂtain Cook arrived in 1778. As a longer, more difÂfiÂcult trail, it is also less freÂquentÂed, a bonus for those who yearn for a more soliÂtary journey.
Take in many dimenÂsions of UnalasÂka in just an hour on a 2‑mile hike around a spot called ​“LitÂtle South AmerÂiÂca.” Watch boats in the harÂbor, look for whales, spot birds (includÂing puffins nestÂing in the cliffs), walk the beachÂes, search tideÂpools, and talk with locals who are also hikÂing or enjoyÂing a beach party.
The mild stroll around StrawÂberÂry Hill offers great views, wildlife and some hisÂtoric flaÂvor. Old milÂiÂtary roads covÂer the area, proÂvidÂing easy walkÂing. AdvenÂturÂers can bushÂwhack or scramÂble short disÂtances for betÂter views of the surÂroundÂing area or get up close to WWII-era trenchÂes and the remains of old bunkers.
The 2,300-foot PyraÂmid Peak is surÂroundÂed by PyraÂmid ValÂley, CapÂtains Bay and miles of popÂuÂlar hikÂing trails, includÂing a cirÂcuit around the peak. This locaÂtion is for the birdÂer who wants to get out of the city and indusÂtriÂal areas of town to lisÂten for birdÂsong while sitÂting among the wildÂflowÂers or berries of the AleutÂian tundra.
A hike to the windy, northÂernÂmost point of AmakÂnak Island proÂvides a good uphill workÂout, a peek into World War II hisÂtoÂry, and a breathÂtakÂing panoramÂic vista of the Bering Sea and the islands around you.
Beaver Inlet, on the othÂer side of UnalasÂka Island, was an hisÂtoric portage for the native UnanÂgan peoÂple who lived in the vilÂlage of BiorÂka just across on SedanÂka Island. You can only get there by boat or by foot, but the prisÂtine views away from the more popÂuÂlatÂed areas of UnalasÂka are worth the effort. One popÂuÂlar and accesÂsiÂble route is the Peace of Mind Trail, a three-mile round-trip trek that showÂcasÂes a range of topogÂraÂphy and winds ...more
Historic Sites View All
When the UnitÂed States milÂiÂtary left UnalasÂka Island at the end of World War II, it also left behind buildÂings and equipÂment that would become war relics and reminders of the area’s imporÂtance durÂing the AleutÂian camÂpaign, often called the ​“ForÂgotÂten War.” The buildÂings have deteÂriÂoÂratÂed over the years and some have been torn down. But hisÂtorÂiÂcal plaques markÂing the locaÂtion of sevÂen World War II points of interÂest were erectÂed in 2007 to ensure ...more
The bow of the sunken SS NorthÂwestÂern points to the sky in CapÂtains Bay, a fifty-foot-high symÂbol of Alaska’s role in World War II. The NorthÂwestÂern had a fasÂciÂnatÂing hisÂtoÂry even before JapanÂese warÂplanes bombed her on June 4, 1942. After transÂportÂing pasÂsenÂgers, troops and bananas on the East Coast, she logged more than thirÂty years in northÂern waters, carÂryÂing pasÂsenÂgers between SouthÂeast AlasÂka and Seattle.
In the 1940’s more than 100 buildÂings pepÂpered the hillÂside here, makÂing up U.S. Army Base Fort SchwatÂka and BatÂtery 402. This coastal outÂpost was conÂsidÂered cutÂting edge for its time. The Battery’s posiÂtion high on UlakÂta Head gave lookÂouts a strateÂgic view and its 8‑inch, 21-ton guns boastÂed a range of 22 miles.
CapÂtain James Cook saw much of Alaska’s coastÂline durÂing his trouÂbled third voyÂage in search of a NorthÂwest PasÂsage. Prince William Sound, Prince of Wales Island, NorÂton Sound, and BrisÂtol Bay are just some of the places he named durÂing his travÂels. EngÂlish Bay, on the eastÂern side of UnalasÂka Island, refÂerÂences the two landÂings Cook and crew made there in 1778 (just months before his death in the HawaiÂian Islands).
MemoÂrÂiÂal Park was built in 1992 in honÂor Coast Guard and Navy perÂsonÂnel that lost their lives durÂing WWII.
If your travÂel group includes a WWII enthuÂsiÂast, a wildlife devoÂtee, a birdÂer, and a kid who enjoys rolling around on the tunÂdra, Bunker Hill is the perÂfect spot. Plus, it has the best phoÂto ops, with a 360-degree view of the entire area: CapÂtains Bay, AmakÂnak Island, UnalasÂka Bay and IliÂuliuk Harbor.
World War II buffs will want to check out remainÂing World War II defenÂsive forÂtiÂfiÂcaÂtions like eleÂphant-steel magÂaÂzines and the base-end staÂtion that overÂlook SumÂmer Bay and Humpy Cove.
The strikÂing Holy AscenÂsion RussÂian OrthoÂdox Church – with its red-shinÂgled roofs and green onion domes – has become an inteÂgral part of the UnalasÂka skyÂline over the last cenÂtuÂry. It is both an oddÂiÂty (archiÂtecÂturalÂly difÂferÂent than anyÂthing else in the AleuÂtians) and a symÂbol of RussÂian influÂence on Aleut culÂture and religion.