Buying Alaska souvenirs is a great way to commemorate a trip to the Last Frontier. In this article, I share the best souvenirs to bring home and the location of souvenir shops in each cruise port.
Traveling by cruise ship, each port offers many local stores and Alaskan gift shops. Always check for authenticity to support local artisans and avoid mass-produced offshore items.
Here are the most popular Alaskan souvenirs to look for.
1. Qiviut Items
Qiviut clothing items in Alaska are luxurious and warm. These authentic Alaska gifts include sweaters, hats, scarves, and mittens. Locals make the items from muskox wool, which is softer than cashmere, insulating, and doesn’t shrink.
Due to its rarity and quality, qiviut garments are expensive but highly valued for their durability and lightweight warmth. Muskox shreds its underwool every spring, making it a renewable natural material.
In Anchorage, purchase ready-made items from Oomingmak on 604 H Street. Crafters who prefer to knit their own Qiviut hat can buy yarn.
2. Ulu Knives
Traditionally, Inuit women used Ulu knives to prepare animal skins and slice meat and vegetables. Look for a locally made all-purpose knife that captures the essence of Alaskan culture.
The price of a knife will vary depending on the workmanship and materials. Those with hand-carved antler handles will command the highest prices.
In Icy Strait Point, we thought Brenner’s Fine Clothing & Gifts had the most comprehensive collection of unique Ulu knives. Choose one with a walrus jawbone, caribou antler, or moose antler handle.
3. Birch Syrup
Alaska offers a unique twist on traditional Canadian maple syrup. Birch trees provide the sap for Alaska birch syrup, a local delicacy. Unlike the maple, birch sap creates a bolder, spicier, more complex syrup.
Located in Talkeetna, Kahiltna Birchworks produces the Alaska Birch Syrup & Wild Harvest product line. They are the world’s largest producers of birch syrup.
If you’re taking a cruise and land tour, stop by their Mile 1.1 S Talkeetna Spur Road shop to sample it. During evaporation, the sap provides birch water, which is sold as a refreshing drink.
4. Alaska Christmas Ornament
For those who travel frequently, buying a Christmas ornament from the destination documents your travels. I know many who cruise and purchase a cruise ship ornament and only decorate their tree with cruise ships.
We found many shops selling ornaments. In Denali, the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge stands out with its dedicated Christmas shop. The Christmas Cabin has ornaments and trinkets to celebrate the festive holiday.
5. Caribou Skins
Caribou or reindeer skins are a by-product of harvesting caribou for meat. Alaskans use the whole animal, reflecting a respect for wildlife. When buying animal skin, ensure it’s a by-product, as owning fur is discouraged.
We found fox, coyote, and wolf pelts for sale in Fairbanks. The availability of each skin reflects both the hunting seasons and indigenous practices.
Regarding utility, caribou skin is durable and can be used as a floor covering. However, its suitability depends on tanning and preparation to ensure longevity and proper maintenance.
6. Salmon
The “Salmon Capital of the World” sign welcomes visitors to Ketchikan. Salmon, especially smoked, is lightweight and easy to pack if you’re looking for food items.
Multiple stores near the Ketchikan cruise port offer canned, smoked, and candied salmon. You can choose from Chinook, Coho, or Sockeye varieties.
Alternatively, if you go on a fishing excursion, many places will clean, package, and ship your fresh-caught wild salmon home.
7. Totem Poles
Alaska’s miniature totem poles are more than just replicas of the larger monuments. They’re a window into the rich cultural heritage of the native Alaskan tribes, symbolizing family lineage, stories, and events.
While traditional totems are left natural, we found many painted ones throughout Ketchikan, Sitka, and other ports. Each one tells a different story, adding a splash of color and culture to your visit.
Like the Ulu knives, prices vary from mass-produced items to hand-carved specimens made by native Alaskans. To support the locals, purchase a souvenir made in Alaska.
8. Alaska Sea Salts
Sitka is home to many unique gift stores, but none more unique than Alaska Pure Sea Salt & Co. This store offers an exceptional tasting experience with its range of handcrafted salts.
The sea salt flakes include Sitka Spruce Tip, Lemon & Lime, and Spicy Hot Pepper. These salts are made from the clean, pristine waters surrounding Sitka, ensuring a pure and elegant product.
Make sure to try the Alder Smoked. It is my favorite and the top-selling flavor among their salt products. Alaska Pure Sea Salt & Co. sells sample packs and salt bowls.
9. Kelp Pickles
Alaska has an abundance of kelp, so pickling it makes sense. Its slightly chewy texture resembles pickles but with a distinct oceanic flair.
Alaskans pride themselves on using renewable ingredients; kelp is a shining example. Kelp farming is sustainable, requiring no fertilizer, fresh water, or land. It helps clean the water by absorbing nutrients and carbon dioxide.
Its popularity is growing among both locals and tourists seeking authentic Alaskan flavors. Barnacle Foods makes kelp pickles, spruce tip jelly, kelp salsa, and bullwhip kelp hot sauce. The kelp pickles and spruce tip jelly are our family favorites.
10. Devil’s Club
Devil’s Club, a member of the ginseng plant family, is indigenous to Alaska and has been used by natives for generations as a medicinal plant. In the state, Devil’s Club products are sold in various forms, such as soap, salve, oil, and lotion, with the salve being the most popular.
These products are marketed to alleviate conditions like arthritis, psoriasis, fibromyalgia, eczema, and other skin problems.
Some people also use them for muscle pain. Devil’s Club can be purchased without a prescription, and many stores in Alaskan ports stock these products.
11. Alaskan Jewelry
Shops in Alaska carry a lot of Alaskan-themed jewelry. Alaskan jade, mammoth ivory, and walrus ivory are some materials incorporated into designs.
Julie’s Fine Jewelry & Gifts, my favorite shopping venue in Ketchikan – offers something for every budget.
Here, they carry necklaces, earrings, and bracelets featuring bears, salmon, and the ever-popular whale’s tail.
12. Gold Nuggets
Much of Alaska developed out of the Gold Rush, and much of its history is preserved today. Many port cities offer gold panning tours where you can experience the life of a gold prospector. We did the Gold Dredge Tour in Fairbanks and enjoyed panning for gold.
When we panned, we could keep the gold we found. If you prefer not to pan for gold, many jewelry stores sell gold nuggets and flakes in honor of the Gold Rush.
In Ketchikan, a store on Creek Street has a gold section filled with items for every budget.
13. Reindeer Sausage
Reindeer sausage makes a great savory gift choice. These sausages combine reindeer meat with beef and pork and are seasoned with spices like white pepper and coriander.
The reindeer summer sausages are alder smoking, preserving the meat, so refrigeration isn’t required.
Tanner’s Alaskan Seafood offers hot and spicy summer sausage from 100% Alaskan reindeer. The reindeer sausage has a nice kick, which I prefer, and is the ideal complement with cheese and crackers.
14. Native Carvings
Native carvings make great souvenirs if you don’t have a budget. These carvings often represent local wildlife, such as bears, eagles, and whales, or depict cultural and spiritual symbols.
Prices vary depending on the carving material. Wood and soapstone provide the cheapest option. For more exclusive pieces, look for pieces carved from walrus ivory or woolly mammoths.
Indigenous people also work with bone from moose, caribou, and whales.
15. Alaskan Ale
When in Alaska, consider buying local beer or ale as a gift. Alaskan Brewing Co., based in Juneau, is a top choice. Their Alaskan Amber is a must-try, renowned for its rich, malty flavor.
Midnight Sun Brewing in Anchorage offers unique ales like the Arctic Rhino Coffee Porter. My husband, Brian, tried the Chuli Stout from Denali Brewery. We liked that its microbrewery provides valuable employment to those in Talkeetna.
Fairbanks’ HooDoo Brewing Co. specializes in German-style beers, including the popular Kolsch. These local brews capture Alaska’s spirit, making them perfect gifts for beer enthusiasts.
16. Alaskan Soap
Handmade soap makes great gifts for friends and family members. The Great Alaska Soap Company in Haines makes classic scents like Alaska Fisherman’s Bar, Forest Blend, or Spruce Tip.
In Anchorage, Denali Dreams has a line of soap, salve, and bath bombs. Beautifully packaged selections include Alaskan Lager Beer, Fireweed Alaska Fireflower, Arctic Breeze, and Aurora soap. I purchased a few as gifts since they smelled so good.
Since all cruise ships dock in Juneau, look for Glacier Silt Soap, which is made locally. Each bar contains a bit of glacier silt, which gives the soap a distinct texture and feel. They have won numerous awards from Tripadvisor, the BBB, and readers’ choice.
17. Wild Berry Products
Buying products made from wild Alaskan berries offers a unique taste of the region. Handpicked in the wild, these berries create delicious jams, jellies, and syrups. Choose from lingonberry, fireweed, wild blueberry, and salmonberry, to name a few.
Each jar captures the essence of Alaska’s pristine nature. They’re a must-try for anyone wanting to savor Alaska’s natural bounty. Wild salmonberry syrup, tart and vibrant, is my favorite.
Wildberry teas blend local flavors for a refreshing experience. Additionally, wildberry-scented candles fill your space with the sweet, natural scents of the Alaskan wilderness.
18. Alaskan Jade
Jade is Alaska’s state gem and makes a great souvenir. It is distinct from other jades and is prized for its green color and tough composition. It mainly comes from the Kobuk River in Alaska.
Unlike softer jade varieties, Alaskan jade’s durability makes it ideal for intricate carvings. Prices vary based on craftsmanship and size.
While you’re more likely to find green, it comes in other shades. Black, red, yellow, white, and lavender jade are available, with the latter being the rarest.
19. Alaska-Themed Books
When visiting Alaska, consider buying books to remember your trip. Look for titles about the Gold Rush, capturing the era’s adventurous spirit. Alaskan cookbooks offer recipes for culinary enthusiasts showcasing local seafood and wild game.
The Bering Sea Crab Fishermen’s book also offers insights into this challenging and unique occupation. These books highlight the fishermen’s bravery and resilience.
20. National Park Stamp
The National Park stamp book is a collectible item for visitors to U.S. National Parks. Collect stamps in popular locations such as Denali, Glacier Bay, and Kenai Fjords National Parks.
In Glacier Bay, park rangers board vessels and accompany them through the bay. The ranger has a wealth of information about the park.
Remember to ask for a stamp. Each park has a unique stamp, making it a special souvenir from your Alaska visit.
