Discover Unalaska: History, Nature and Coastal Roads

Unalaska combines the history of the Aleutians with impressive memorial sites, diverse natural scenery and routes along the coast. Those who would like to plan a trip combining culture, landscapes and historical discoveries will find various points of interest here to incorporate into their daily itinerary. When searching for a vacation rental or holiday home in Unalaska, you can therefore consider which of these experiences should be the focus of your stay.

Island Museum and History

A good introduction to the history of the region is the Museum of the Aleutians. It offers permanent and temporary exhibitions; the permanent collection includes archaeology, ethnography, history, art, archives and natural sciences. The museum also offers a guided, 1.5-mile walking tour through Unalaska. The route runs along paved and gravel roads and connects the history of the town with a specific walking tour.

The military past is also present in the townscape and at the historic sites. Fort Schwatka was built in 1940 to protect the Dutch Harbor Naval Operating Base from an invasion by sea. At 897 feet above sea level, it is the highest coastal battery built along the coast of the United States. The visitor center of the Aleutian Islands World War II National Historic Area is located in the historic Naval Aerology Building on Unalaska Island.

Other memorial sites explore this topic in greater depth. The former Burma Road Chapel is the only surviving military church from the World War II era on Unalaska Island and Amaknak Island. On June 4, 1942, the site of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Hospital in Unalaska was hit by a Japanese bomb next to the hospital. Unalaska Memorial Park beside Unalaska Cemetery features memorial plaques dedicated to people from Unalaska who lost their lives at sea, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Unangax̂, and military personnel who died in World War II.

Nature Experiences and Trails

Unalaska is also interesting for birdwatching: more than 100 bird species can be found on the island, including parakeet auklets and crested auklets. Foxes, seals, porpoises and numerous seabirds can also be observed along the Bunker Hill Trail. Those who would like to combine nature and history can hike to the summit of Bunker Hill via a gravel road and view military remains there.

The Museum of the Aleutians also offers a two-hour guided hike to the summit of Bunker Hill, also known as Hill 400. The tour explores the remains of a World War II battery command station and four Panama gun emplacements. The round trip is two miles long and climbs more than 400 feet. This information helps you develop a suitable daily itinerary without considering the museum visit and the landscape separately.

For a drive with coastal views, Summer Bay Road, approximately seven miles long, is available north of Unalaska. It passes Summer Bay and Humpy Cove and ends at Morris Cove. The route is suitable as a standalone excursion, while the guided town walk and the Bunker Hill tour offer other ways to explore the area.

Sacred Sites and Travel Planning

The island's cultural diversity also includes its churches. The Holy Ascension of Our Lord Cathedral was built in 1896. The Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Ascension of Christ contains nearly 700 works of art. For visitors interested in sacred architecture and art, these sites offer another perspective on Unalaska.

The Aleutian Islands World War II National Historic Area can be reached from Anchorage by limited scheduled or charter flights. This travel information is just as relevant when planning a trip as selecting the experiences you want. A vacation rental in Unalaska provides a base for a trip whose itinerary can alternate between museums, historic sites, nature observation and coastal roads. As another destination in the overview, you can also access St. Paul.

For the higher-level travel overview: Aleutians West Census Area.