No trip to the Inside Passage is complete without a tour of the downtown shopping districts. In many ports of call, you'll find shops located in historic buildings dating from the turn of the century. Be sure to take the time to explore these wonderful shops and world-class galleries for unique gifts and mementos of Alaska. To make your trip truly memorable, discover the wonderful rewards of shopping Alaska.




Native Alaskan Arts

If Native Alaskan art sparks your interest, you'll find a range of work that showcases traditional, time-honored skills and talent from every region of the state. Alaska's Native peoples are widely recognized for their creative use of natural materials. Ceremonial regalia and other traditional handicrafts are tooled from roots, grasses, wood, gold, silver, ivory, and soapstone (a soft stone found in western Alaska).

Absolutely Positively Made In Alaska
	These symbols insure an article is an authentic Alaska handicraft. Items displaying the native symbol are made of natural materials. The Polar bear icon identifies an Alaska crafted item by an Alaska resident artist.

The Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian artisans of southeast Alaska are known for their distinctive totem poles. From the abundance of local spruce and cedar, carvers create boxes, rattles, and masks depicting human and animal images. This totemic art is symbolic representing supernatural beings, ancestors and history. The work of the best traditional carvers is highly valued.

The Athabascans of Alaska's interior create highly prized beadwork: clothing, T-shirts, moccasins, and jewelry. The motifs are often traditional designs that have been incorporated into wearable art.

The Aleuts of the Alaska Peninsula and the Aleutian Islands weave intricate baskets of great beauty and utility. The weavers work rye grass into miniature tightly woven baskets that display the distinct style of culture.

Yupik Eskimos of the southwest coast produce ivory carvings and hand-knit items made from qiviut (ki-vee-oot), the cashmere-soft wool of the musk ox. Each spring the traditional knitters create scarves, stoles, hats and sweaters in the unique designs of their villages.

Inupiat Eskimos from northern Alaska specialize in skin sewing and ivory carving. Intricate scrimshaw is an ancient method of carving ivory and whale baleen.

Jewelry

If jewelry is more your passion, the Inside Passage has no shortage of dazzling boutiques. The biggest names in fine watches and designer jewelry can be found here, along with uniquely Alaskan items like "Glacier Ice" (blue topaz), "Alaskan Black Diamond" (hematite), and fossil ivory and jade. Jade is the official state gemstone of Alaska and has long been a token of good luck and prosperous health.

Practically nothing says Alaska more authentically than real gold nugget. Nuggets average 22 kt (90% pure) and are sold based on their shape, size, and rarity. Experts consider a large, 1 Ounce nugget to be more rare than a 5 kt diamond. Natural Gold-in-Quartz jewelry, cut to enhance the natural flow of the gold, is also a popular item for those seeking beautiful commemorative keepsake.

Fine Art, Collectibles, Gifts, and Souvenirs

The Inside Passage is home to a community of prolific contemporary artists whose work is on display in every port of call. Both casual and serious collectors will delight in bronze sculptures, prints, and watercolors by some of Alaska's best-loved artists. Other prized items include pottery, glasswork, and hand-carved sterling silver in wildlife motifs, which are emblematic of Alaskan art.

The gift shops of the Inside Passage abound with collectibles--everything from ivory and whalebone miniatures to Christmas ornaments and wildlife collector plates. Russian art objects appeal to collectors and to all those interested in Alaska's Russian heritage. To learn more about the 49th state and its history, turn to the Inside Passage's bookstores.

You'll have no trouble locating souvenirs for all the folks back home. T-shirts, hats, and stuffed animals are good choices. Small children love fitting together matryoshka, or Russian nesting dolls.

Alaskan foodstuffs are the delicious and healthful choice. These include smoked salmon products and fresh-frozen fish sent home by overnight mail. Salmon contains high levels of beneficial polyunsaturates. Its savory oil-rich flesh has kept Native Alaskans healthy for centuries. Modern research has proven its benefits to the heart and circulation. Be sure to try the low-fat jams, jellies, teas, and candies made from blueberries, salmonberries, and huckleberries.

Then there is the Alaskan ulu (oo-loo), an item sure to delight cooks everywhere. This uniquely shaped knife has been used for centuries by Arctic peoples. Today's ulus are made of stainless steel and are perfect for kitchen chopping and slicing. Professionally produced videotapes will remind you of Alaska's magnificent beauty and after your trip has ended. You will find great tapes on Alaska for young and old alike throughout the Inside Passage and Gulf of Alaska.

Refer to the map pages and lists to locate shops and galleries with the gift items, fine art, and collectibles mentioned above.

Be sure to check the Best Buys coupon section of Desination Alaska for discounts and huge savings on gifts and suvenirs.

With Best Buys coupons, you'll save money while exploring Southeast Alaska. The coupons offer incredible savings at the most popular shops, galleries and studios in each port of call and allow you to stretch your vacation dollars.

The majority of retailers in the historic towns of Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway honor our Best Buys coupons and offer incredible savings on a wide variety of products.

With Destination Alaska in hand, you're ready to make the most of each shopping stop along the way. But remember, to fully capitalize on the bargains in Southeast Alaska, you'll have to carry your copy everywhere you go!

Hard to believe, but aggressive shoppers can save literally thousands of dollars on authentic Alaska merchandise.

If stores along the Inside Passage are your gold mine, then think of Best Buys coupons as your pan. There are plenty of nuggets to be found!