Locally Made Alaska Souvenirs Ideas to Remember Your Alaskan Vacation By

So much of what enchants travelers about Alaska is intangible—the smell of salt and pine on the breeze, or the sense of scale and awe that sets in when you realize you’re surrounded by endless, pristine wilderness.

Sure, a photo album jam-packed with vacation snapshots can help you conjure up some of that magic once you’re back home (all the more so if you hone your technique on a photography-centric itinerary.)

But there’s something especially meaningful about shopping for just the right souvenirs from Alaska to carry with you: objects you can reach for daily, gaze at idly, or gift to a loved one that offer a tiny transportive escape to that marvelous expanse of mountains, forests and glaciers.  

Alaskan Souvenirs to Remember Your Trip By

No matter where in Alaska your travels take you, how long you linger or when you choose to go, nature is guaranteed to be a starring player in your experience of this vast, untamed state.

 

Alaska is a favorite among adventurers looking for a passport-free getaway where they can spot bears and moose, eagles and orcas, the heights of Denali and the iridescent icebergs that dot the frigid waters of the Arctic Ocean.

But the fascinating melange of cultural influences in the Last Frontier often takes visitors by surprise. The Alaska Natives who’ve made their homes here for millennia, as well as Russians, Canadians, and Americans, have all left their mark on this place.

That’s why it’s key to search for meaningful, Alaska-made gifts that support and reflect the communities who live here. Instead of grabbing a mass-produced tchotchke or plastic keyring—the kinds of cheap, throwaway souvenirs that don't benefit the community and can harm the environment—keep an eye out for local, handmade, and edible products that will enrich and support the people and ecosystems that make this place so special.

 

But just because you’re keen to support local businesses doesn’t mean you’re out of luck if you miss the chance to shop while on the ground—should perusing the gift shops in one of Alaska’s cruise ports not be on the immediate horizon, you can still find locally made gifts from Alaska online that capture the state’s dynamic culture. 

 

Ahead, here’s a look at some of the best souvenirs to buy in Alaska.

 

Ulu Knives

An ulu, a traditional wedge-shaped knife with a curved blade that’s been used by Alaska Natives for thousands of years, is perhaps the most quintessential souvenir from Alaska. Modern versions usually feature a steel blade and a caribou-antler handle and make an ideal kitchen workhorse for chopping veggies and herbs, prepping meat and even slicing pizza. You can even find a matching wooden cutting board to pair with your purchase.

 

Mukluks

Also known as kamik, these cozy, soft boots were historically made by indigenous Alaskan tribes out of sealskin or caribou hide, and designed to provide maximum comfort, warmth and water resistance in harsh Arctic climes. Today, there's a wide range of options to pick from, whether you're looking for a durable hard-soled version or a pair of gorgeous hand-sewn boots made using traditional methods.

Alaskan Jewelry   

With options such as handmade gold earrings and intricately beaded necklaces, silver statement bangles and bold stone rings, Alaskan jewelry comes in every style and price point. Items made from natural Alaskan gold nuggets are also very popular. Look for pieces tagged with the bear and cub logo, which signifies a piece Made in Alaska by local artisans.

 

 

Kuspuks 

 

Originally created and worn by Native Alaskan groups such as the Yupik and Inupiaq, the ultra-comfy kuspuk, an oversized, hoodie-like garment with a large front pocket, has now caught on for Alaskans and visitors of all stripes. Look for kuspuks made and sold by Native-owned brands—they come in a ton of quirky prints and unexpected styles (think animal patterns or with a flared flounce skirt), utilitarian fabrics (a moisture-repelling raincoat, perhaps?), and more understated, everyday-friendly options. 

Salmon 

As much as 98 percent of the wild salmon caught in America is sourced in Alaska, according to the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute. If you’re looking to stock your suitcase, grab one of the many shelf-stable canned and hot-smoked salmon products available in gift shops and you'll be the hero of your next cocktail party. If you’d prefer to buy fresh fish, look for one of the many Alaskan retailers that will ship wild-caught salmon directly to your door.

   

Bone Art 

 

Though bone art is banned—and with good reason—in many parts of the world, including stateside, Alaska Natives are among the few legally allowed to produce works from walrus, mammoth and mastodon tusks, with regulations that ensure ethically, sustainably made artworks. You’ll find intricate hand-carved art pieces in some Alaskan gift shops, and while they can be spendy, these sculptures offer a singular way to honor an Alaskan adventure.          

 

Wood Decor 

Woodworking is one of Alaska’s most booming craft industries, and taking home a made-in-Alaska bowl, decorative carving, or household object is a no-brainer if you’re after both beauty and function. In particular, look for wood souvenirs from Alaska made of birch, such as bowls or birch-bark baskets.

 

 

Native Art 

 

Shopping for pieces by Native artists—be it a carved figurine or a complex embroidered piece—is a great way to invest in the long-term health of Native communities. Pick up a piece that recalls a wildlife sighting, such as a willow ptarmigan print (Alaska’s actual state bird, though the mosquito is often jokingly claimed to hold the title), a mask or sculpture, or a textile adorned with a traditional pattern. 

 

Musk Ox Knitwear 

 

If you see a product made with qiviut—the soft underlayer of a musk ox’s wool that’s shed and combed out each spring, a fiber rarely found in stores outside of Alaska—don’t hesitate. The humanely harvested wool is both lightweight and warm, and a sweater, scarf, or beanie knit with qiviut yarn is sure to become a winter-weather staple .

 

Birch Syrup 

Sugar maples don’t grow this far north, but your pancakes needn’t go naked.  In Alaska, you’ll find birch syrup, a deeper, rounder answer to its mapley cousin that makes a delicious hostess gift from Alaska. Or look for other birch-based consumables, such as mustards, candies, and birch-infused jams.

 

 

 

Favorite Local Alaskan Made Gift Stores  
 

As a small-ship expedition cruise company, Lindblad Expeditions has been bringing travelers into the authentic heart of Alaska for more than 40 years. If you travel to Alaska aboard one of the ships in the National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions fleet, you’ll have access to the shipboard Global Gallery, where you can peruse a curated selection of gifts—from Alaskan jewelry and natural soaps to Native art—all made by local artisans.

 

Be sure to leave extra room in your suitcase: the Global Gallery is a souvenir hunter’s dream. (For a full rundown of what to bring—and what to leave at home—check out this Alaska packing guide.)

 

But if you happen to be traveling solo or with another company—or simply searching for souvenirs from Alaska long after you’ve returned home—a judicious eye will ensure you wind up with a unique piece that’s locally made, sustainably produced, and helps support Alaskan communities.  

Ahead, here are just a few local gift shops where you can snag a special piece and relive your travel memories for years to come.  

 

Shops for Alaskan Souvenirs in Anchorage

 

• Alaska Native Heritage Center: 8800 Heritage Center Dr., Anchorage, AK 99504
• Dos Manos: 1317 W Northern Lights Blvd. #3, Anchorage, AK 99503
• Tiny Gallery: 706 W 4th Ave., Anchorage, AK 99501

 

Ketchikan Stores for Gifts 

 

• The Captain's Lady Boutique & Gifts: 28 Creek St., Ketchikan, AK 99901
• Ketchikan Dry Goods: 219 Stedman St., #6525, Ketchikan, AK 99901
• Woodlands Clothing: 712 Water St., Ketchikan, AK 99901

 

Fairbanks Gift Shops for Souvenirs 

 

• Expressions In Glass: 1922 Peger Rd., Fairbanks, AK 99709
• The Great Alaskan Bowl Company: 4630 Old Airport Rd., Fairbanks, AK 99709
• Mark Knapp Custom Knives: 1971 Fox Ave., Fairbanks, AK 99701

 

Places to Find Locally Made Souvenirs in Juneau

 

• Trove: 497 S Franklin St., Juneau, AK 99801
• Kindred Post: 145 S Franklin St., Juneau, AK 99801

 

Local Souvenir Shops in Skagway 

 

• Lynch & Kennedy: 350 Broadway, Skagway, AK 99840
• Aurora Jewelers: 300 Broadway, Skagway, AK 99840