If you’re on a vacation in Sitka, Alaska on a tight budget, you shouldn’t fret. There are tons of things that you can do without having to make a hole in your pocket. One great example is by substituting wildlife tours with a visit to the Whale Park.

The Whale Park was created in 1995 to provide a venue for people who want to go whale watching from the boardwalk. It is located on a coast where you can see whales (on specific times of the year) swim near the shore. Sometime during the fall and early spring months are the best days to visit, as there will be a great amount of wildlife, especially humpback whales around.

The best thing about the Whale Park is that they have some sheltered picnic areas and free viewing scopes. They also have a hydro phone where folks can listen to the “songs” of the whales.