What did you buy in Alaska?

[DVC Mary]

Don't forget to send for your Destination Alaska coupon book!!
I can't tell you how handy this was, and how many coupons I used. I was able to go through the book ahead of time, to get an idea of what souvenirs I wanted, and which port/store had the best prices.



http://destinationalaska.com/contact.shtml

I saw this mentioned elsewhere too. They're supposed to be free. I don't have enough time to get one by mail. Do they hand them out at the port in Vancouver?

DH & DSs main shopping destination is a rock shop in Skagway:

http://www.backalleyrockshop.com/Products.html

Yep! I've got 3 boys who like rocks: 1 big & 2 medium sized ones. They've dragged me all over on vacations hunting for rocks normally not buying them, but finding places that it's legal to dig for them.

 

[Inkmahm]

After living in Alaska the last ten years we have learned that there are MANY items being sold within the tourism industry that are not even made in Alaska including ULU's, jewelry etc. In our state items must have a Square Sticker with a bear on it that says Alaska. If it does not have this marking...it is not truely in Alaska. Just thought it might help for those who are looking at authentic items to return home with. Enjoy our beautiful state!

Excellent point!

My favorite item purchased in Alaska in 2008 is my fur jacket from David Green. http://www.davidgreenfurs.com/ I should have had a jacket this warm years ago since I live in WI.

Also we buy fossilized ivory carvings made by native Alaskans each trip. Usually a bear in some pose but also the dog sled and dogs.

Last trip we purchased earrings for me and a ring for my husband with Alaska gold nuggets (tiny ones) made by a jeweler in Glitter Gultch outside of Denali park. They are beautiful and NOT from the chain jewelry stores in every port.

Our Ulu knife is from the shop in Anchorage and is used quite often at home to shop tomatoes, etc.

I don't buy the canned salmon etc anymore in Alaska because the same items are available much cheaper from my grocery stores at home.

Tshirts in Alaska are cheap, by the way. So are jackets, gloves, etc.

 

[DisneyBasket]

we visited a Russian shop in Juneau, and found some beautifully painted carvings that we loved.

I found nice kitchen tea towels in the big souvenir shops

Do you remember the name of the shop in Juneau and where you bought the kitchen towels?

I am trying to budget my shopping money with my christmas shopping list...so TIA!

The Russian Shop is on the main shopping street in Juneau. It is on the right hand side, about a block or so towards the center of town, walking from where the shuttle bus will drop you off. I believe it's called The House of Russia. I understand that NONE of the items are Alaskan made, that many may not be Russian made either, and that many are overpriced for the tourist market. We went in with our eyes open.

I spotted the towels in the big souvenir stores in both Skagway and Juneau. One is the Alaska Shirt Company, the other is a similar large souvenir store further down the street towards the center of town, I'm sorry, I don't recall the name of that shop. It didn't have much that was different from the Shirt Company.

I saw this mentioned elsewhere too. They're supposed to be free. I don't have enough time to get one by mail. Do they hand them out at the port in Vancouver?

DH & DSs main shopping destination is a rock shop in Skagway:...

We saw this rock shop!! I didn't know what I was looking at, but I enjoyed looking! We have friends who are into lapidary and rock polishing, we thought about buying them something there, but since we didn't know what we were looking at, we decided to pass!

Another interesting store I found in Skagway that was just off the main drag is "The Rushin' Tailor," a quilt shop with interesting patterns and materials. If you quilt, it might be worth a look. The proprietor seemed quite knowledgeable. I found some small pins for my daughters there, but I wouldn't go out of my way looking for stuff like that there. The quilting looked wonderful.

The coupon books were handed to us as we entered the port in Vancouver to check in for the cruise. They are free.

 

[plutojudy]

After living in Alaska the last ten years we have learned that there are MANY items being sold within the tourism industry that are not even made in Alaska including ULU's, jewelry etc. In our state items must have a Square Sticker with a bear on it that says Alaska. If it does not have this marking...it is not truely in Alaska. Just thought it might help for those who are looking at authentic items to return home with. Enjoy our beautiful state!

What do you suggest as the best Alaskan souvenirs?

 

[spacecanada]

Local-made mini totem poles will have the sticker on them as well as a colourful ribbon around their neck with a description of the design, the wood, story, etc.

Local-made ulus are far superior to the 'made in China' ones sold at most gift shops. You'll have to go off the beaten path to the lesser busy stores to find them. We bought a nice one at the Blue Heron (?) in Ketchikan. Expect to pay $70+ for one. And they're worth every penny - we use ours all the time. The good ones can even be sharpened; cheap ones not so much.

Talk to the people running the stores - you'll lear a whole lot about culture and how things are used in the traditional way. Most ulu 'cutting boards' sold in the shops are uncommon in homes; a large wooden bowl is what most Alaskans use. You can find said hand-carved bowls at a shop along the boardwalk.

If you are a Girl Guide or Girl Scout, there's a Girl Scout headquarters in Juneau. It's a fairly long walk from the pier but it's not far from the walking tour and you can pick up some local Alaska badges and things. It's pretty neat. (Call ahead to make sure they are open.)

 

[jilljill]

I think you should just go pan for one yourself.

We are, I'm just hoping for something more than a 'speck of gold'.

 

[justmestace]

Can you give me an idea of what kinds of coupons are in this book? I have to order it and pay $5.00 shipping since I'm leaving from San Francisco and would like to know if it will be worth it. Thank you.

Karen

I saw this mentioned elsewhere too. They're supposed to be free. I don't have enough time to get one by mail. Do they hand them out at the port in Vancouver?
http://

They used to hand them out at the port & airport in Seattle and Vancouver, but the last I heard, they weren't doing that anymore. It might say on the website if they're available once you get to Vancouver.

EDITED TO ADD: If you're leaving out of Seattle, you can get them free at the port. If you're leaving out of Vancouver, you have to order one.

The coupon book has coupons for every item people have mentioned here. Clothes, food, jewelry, art.....and it has locations of the stores, things to do & see.....it was worth WELL over the $5 I paid. I probably saved $50 using those coupons.....and would have saved more, but I was on a tight budget & had DH looking over my shoulder!

 

[justmestace]

We are, I'm just hoping for something more than a 'speck of gold'.

I still have my container of "gold" from our last panning expedition.