Best Shops for Souvenirs in Alaska?

[Stinkerbe11]

I would like to find authentic items made in Alaska and skip the made in China dime a dozen stuff. I have heard about the sign in the window in these types of places, but I wanted to know if anyone has a shop that they really liked, or any particularly awesome souvenir that they found?

I'm thinking things like the glacier soap in Juneau, native carvings, ...basically things that one can only find in Alaska.

Thanks!

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

I would like to find authentic items made in Alaska and skip the made in China dime a dozen stuff. I have heard about the sign in the window in these types of places, but I wanted to know if anyone has a shop that they really liked, or any particularly awesome souvenir that they found?

I'm thinking things like the glacier soap in Juneau, native carvings, ...basically things that one can only find in Alaska.

Thanks!

I do not know the name but in Skagway you walk off the pier then to the town follow the rail lines and opposite the diesel engine that is permanently there is big shops that were good.

 

[xlxo]

I like the souvenir prices and options further away from the docks. When I see "outlet", I definitely get interested. I have to give them credit for imagination on those fridge magnets and back scratchers.

I'll let others speak on the jewellery and ULU shops.

 

[SeattleSuz]

There were plenty of good, fun shops in Juneau and Ketchikan, but Skagway seemed super touristy to me. Get some chocolate covered Oreos in Ketchikan at Ketchikandies, they are soooo yummy!!

On our AK cruise (not DCL) we went to a place called Metlakatla, where they had a cool local "flea" market of all handmade, native AK merchandise, that was really neat.

 

[Chuckaluck]

Hmmm authentic Alaska...I'm from SouthCentral Alaska so when I'm in Juneau I race for the fudge shop, YUMM! Alaskan beer hoodies and pint glasses and a super great cup of coffee from Heritage coffee. If I'm buying something and I want to ensure it's "authentic" I look for the Silver Hand designation. It's a special designation that native artists can apply for the the State Council on the Arts that certifies their products are handmade by a native person.

Hope that helps and enjoy the ride

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I found that a lot of the bigger souvenir shops in every port sold the same things and the majority of the items were made in China. Bleh!

There are a few smaller shops that claim to have only Alaskan made items. They will have special signage in their windows. I bought a couple of Alaskan made ornaments in Skagway.

 

[snarfieca]

Unless you have really deep pockets, stay away from jewelry shops. The stuff is so pretty but... The sales people start off being nice but quickly turn on the hard sell when you first say No. It was hard to get out without being really rude. Our tablemates had the same experience at a different store, so it wasn't just me.

I really enjoyed looking in the gift stores; really nice stuff in there. There was beautiful art in a gift store at the top of Juneau tramway (I think that's where it was)

Brenda

 

[wdwwishes]

There's a cute little place that sells the glacier soap in Juneau. We loved it. They have other bath/body type products as well. I need some more

 

[Dug720]

Fish Creek Co. on Creek Street in Ketchikan has a bunch of handmade jewelry and carvings and stuff, all done by locals. I got a chain-saw carved bear there this summer.

 

[queenofeverything]

I liked the Skagway Mining Company. It is right across the street from the train station and if I remember correctly, is locally owned. They have the usual collection of t-shirts and hoodies, but also some things I didn't see anywhere else. I got a really pretty ceramic coffee mug that has a moose on it and says Alaska, but does not look touristy at all. I don't know where it was made, but it looks handthrown and does not say "made in china"

 

[EeyoreIsMyName]

I would like to find authentic items made in Alaska and skip the made in China dime a dozen stuff. I have heard about the sign in the window in these types of places, but I wanted to know if anyone has a shop that they really liked, or any particularly awesome souvenir that they found?

I'm thinking things like the glacier soap in Juneau, native carvings, ...basically things that one can only find in Alaska.

Thanks!

I have information about souvenirs in my trip report:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=49148678#post49148678

Skagway-
William & Anthony
Christmas store

Juneau-
Caribou Crossings

Ketchikan-
Christmas in Ketchikan

 

[SoozCruise]

In Skagway, we liked Alaska Artworks at 555C Broadway. Lots of locally-produced stuff, and I bought a photograph taken by one of the sisters who run the shop. My eight-year-old was telling them about a summer class she was taking about the Ice Age, and was very surprised and pleased to be given a small piece of a wooly mammoth tusk. Really nice folks, and beautiful things for sale.

 

[jennlindsey]

The jade store in Ketchikan is lovely and reasonably priced. I also bought a few things (matryoshka dolls and pottery) from the Russian store in Skagway -- there is also one in Juneau. Hubby just wanted Harley T-shirts from every port, haha.

I also second the rec for Ketchicandies -- yum! Ketchikan also has a wonderful bookstore with a strong Alaskan lit and travel section. And for the crafty amongst us, lots of fabric and quilting stores -- I got wool hand-dyed in Sitka.

 

[DISGRL13]

You mentioned Glacier Soap in your original post....I have to say that the soap from the Glacier Soap Company in Juneau is AMAZING!!!!! We bought some when we were there in 2011 and LOVED it. We gave it as gifts and it was easy to transport home. Since then I had to order more on line. Definitely buy some Glacier Soap!! Enjoy!

 

[Tenkawa]

Glacier soap was closed due to a family emergency when we were in Juneau this last friday.

We had a lot of trouble finding alaskan works, most of it was made in china, or made in Canada (for native art).

What I found (and bought) was a Dennis Sims scrimshaw knife (on bone), like shown here: http://www.scrimshop.com/shopcart/items/knives_small_pocket1.html amazing work.