Shopping in Alaska

An Alaska shopping experience is not like your typical mall excursion. Shopping in Alaska is more like a discovery tour into the state’s history and culture. Wherever you go, you will find a diverse selection of unique products and crafts. These may include:

• Beautiful gold nugget jewelry and other small items carved from jade.

• Unique handmade Alaskan clothing and toys.

• Intricately woven baskets composed of beach grass, bark or baleen.

• Sumptuous Alaskan delicacies such as canned and smoked salmon and wild berry products.

• Native seal oil candles, beaded mittens and miniature hand carved totem poles.

When you are shopping in Alaska, be sure to look for the “Made in Alaska” logo, which will confirm the authenticity of the product you are considering buying. On your Alaska shopping excursion, you might find products that display a sliver logo. This indicates that the item is an authentic Alaskan handicraft.

If we were to review every Alaska shopping opportunity, we would have to write a book! So, for your convenience, we’ve highlighted some of the most interesting Alaska shops.

Simply Sterling

Simply Sterling designs sterling jewelry that is inspired by petroglyphs. They are located in Wrangell Alaska

Blue Heron

The Blue Heron in downtown Ketchikan features a variety of typical Alaskan food products. These include syrups, Alaskan vinegar and salmon.

Lynch and Kennedy

Lynch and Kennedy in downtown Skagway describes itself as a store for those who are looking for “something different.” They feature fine gold quartz and gold nugget jewelry, Native arts and crafts, collectibles, handmade women"s clothing and home items.

Picture Alaska Art Gallery

The Picture Alaska Art Gallery in Homer features paintings and crafts by local artists and craftsman. If you like wearable art, the Upstairs Boutique above the gallery has an interesting selection.

Juneau Alaska Shopping

Many of the items you may find on a Juneau Alaska shopping expedition have been inspired by the area’s magnificent coastline and skyline. On a walk through the streets of downtown Juneau or the Mendenhall Valley shopping districts, you will find a variety of gifts that are unique and typically Alaskan.

There is no telling what you might find on a Juneau Alaska shopping excursion. There are a variety of shops that display limited edition designer jewelry and beautiful Native Alaska design jewelry. Native carved silver bracelets with totemic designs are popular items from Juneau. These distinctive bracelets often bear the animal representation of the wearer"s moiety and clan house.

Sculpture and carved totem poles are popular pieces for collectors of Alaskan artwork. The totems were originally created to tell the stories of Alaska"s Native people. Sometimes, totemic designs are also featured on bent wood boxes as well as ceremonial paddles and Tlingit halibut hooks.

No matter where you go in Alaska, you will find items that will become cherished memories of this special vacation.