Alaska is America's final frontier — a vast wilderness state where glaciers calve into fjords, brown bears fish alongside bald eagles, and the aurora borealis paints the night sky in emerald and violet. The largest US state by area covers 1.7 million square kilometres yet holds fewer than 750,000 people, making it one of the least densely populated places on Earth. From Anchorage's urban sophistication to Denali's soaring summit, from the Inside Passage's towering rainforests to the Arctic's endless tundra, Alaska offers unmatched natural grandeur.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Wild Alaskan Smoked Salmon
Price: $15-30 for 4-6oz vacuum-packed
Where: New Sagaya Market (900 W 13th Ave, Anchorage); Anchorage Saturday Market; Alaska Seafood Exchange (535 W 4th Ave, Anchorage)
Alaska Native Art (authentic)
Price: Carvings $50-500+; Ulu knives $20-80; Beaded work $30-300+
Where: Alaska Native Arts Foundation Gallery (333 W 4th Ave, Anchorage, 907-258-2623); Oomingmak Musk Ox Producers Co-op (604 H St, Anchorage, 907-272-9225); Hummingbird Wholesale (Juneau)
Qiviut (Musk Ox Wool) Products
Price: Scarves $150-300; hats $100-200
Where: Oomingmak Musk Ox Producers Co-op, 604 H St, Anchorage, AK 99501 (907-272-9225, qiviut.com)
Bear Paw or Salmon Ulu Knife Set
Price: $20-80 depending on size and handle material
Where: Ulu Factory (211 W Ship Creek Ave, Anchorage, 907-276-3119); most gift shops statewide
Alaska Craft Beer (6-pack)
Price: $12-20 per 6-pack
Where: Any supermarket (Carrs/Safeway, Fred Meyer, New Sagaya) or direct from Midnight Sun Brewing (8111 Dimond Hook Dr) and Glacier Brewhouse growlers
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Anchorage Saturday Market
Locally smoked salmon, wild berries, Alaska Native crafts, fresh produce
Where: Anchorage
Hours: Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 10am-5pm (May-September only)
New Sagaya City Market
Best fresh seafood selection in Anchorage; fresh king crab, halibut, salmon; international foods
Where: Anchorage
Hours: Mon-Sat 9am-8pm, Sun 10am-7pm
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Downtown Anchorage — 4th Ave & 5th Ave
The main tourist shopping corridor. Concentrated with Alaska Native art galleries, gift shops, outdoor gear stores, and smoked salmon purveyors. Walk the 4th Avenue blocks between A and I Streets.
Anchorage Saturday Market (Ship Creek)
The largest outdoor market in Alaska. Open Saturdays 9am-6pm and Sundays 10am-5pm, May through September, at 330 E Ship Creek Ave. Fresh produce, locally smoked salmon, Alaska Native crafts, arts, and live music.
Juneau — South Franklin Street
The main cruise ship shopping district. Jewelry stores (Foggy Mountain, Platinum Collection), Alaska Native art, and smoked salmon. Note: many shops cater heavily to cruise passengers; prices reflect it.
Ketchikan — Creek Street
Alaska's most picturesque shopping district — wooden boardwalk buildings on stilts over Ketchikan Creek. Galleries, Native art, gifts. The historic red-light district (1903-1954) is now boutiques and galleries.
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Dimond Center
Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 11am-7pm
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Prices are generally fixed at Alaska retail stores — do not expect to bargain as in some other countries
For large purchases of Alaska Native art, politely asking 'Is there any flexibility on the price for this piece?' is acceptable
Buying at the Anchorage Saturday Market direct from makers is often 20-30% cheaper than gift shops for the same quality
Tax: Alaska has no state sales tax; however, municipalities levy local taxes (Anchorage has 0% sales tax; Juneau, Ketchikan add 5-7.5%)
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Items:
- Custom
- Alaska Native Art Authentication
- Guidance
- Look for the 'Made in Alaska' silver hand logo (products hand-crafted in Alaska) or the 'Authentic Native Handicraft' silver hand on a polar bear logo on Alaska Native-made items. These are state-certified marks. Avoid stores selling items labeled 'Alaska-style' or 'Native-inspired' without these certifications.
- Custom
- Negotiating
- Guidance
- Price negotiation is generally not practiced at retail stores in Alaska. Artists at markets may offer small discounts on multiple purchases. Fishing charter prices are firm.