Alaska is a land of rugged beauty, wild landscapes, and rich cultural heritage. Whether you’re exploring glaciers, spotting wildlife, or cruising through breathtaking fjords, you’ll want to take a piece of the Last Frontier home with you. From handcrafted treasures to delicious local treats, here are the best souvenirs to bring back from Alaska!
Ulu Knives – A Cut Above the Rest
An Ulu knife is a traditional curved blade originally used by Indigenous Alaskans for everything from skinning fish to chopping vegetables. These knives make fantastic gifts and come in a variety of sizes and styles, often with beautifully carved wooden or bone handles.
I bought a handful of what I call the “cheap souvenir version” of ulu knives when I was in Alaska back in 2008. Many times, I have wished I invested a few dollars more to get one of the nicer versions. But really, even the cheapo version is one of the best souvenirs I have ever purchased on any trip. After almost 17 years, I still use it all the time! And my Dad, who is in charge of all chopping when Mom cooks, uses theirs almost every day!
The number one item on my Alaska shopping this year? A larger ulu knife so I can use it for even more stuff!
Where to Buy
Anchorage: Ulu Factory – Watch artisans make them on-site!
Ketchikan: Tongass Trading Company
Juneau: Alaska Knife Works
Wild Alaskan Halibut & Salmon – A Taste of the Wild
Nothing says “Alaska” quite like wild-caught halibut and salmon. We had all the halibut and salmon Mike caught filleted, frozen, and shipped to us upon our return home. That was the best fish ever. In fact, it was so good, I have agreed to fish with Mike on two days just to double our catch this year!
If you don’t fish you can still go to one of the many seafood outlets or smokeries to purchase your taste of the wild. Sometimes tourists want the experience of fishing without the expense of keeping their catch, so the fisheries sell it to others. There is nothing wrong with shipping home another fisherman’s catch.
You might also opt for smoked salmon instead of having fresh fish shipped home. You can even find unique flavors like maple-glazed or peppered varieties. No matter what you choose, it will be a delicious reminder of your trip.
Where to Buy
Ketchikan: Salmon Market
Juneau: Taku Smokeries (near the cruise docks)
Sitka: Sitka Sound Seafoods
Homer: Homer Fish Processing
Xtratuf Boots – The Alaskan Uniform
Want to dress like a true Alaskan? Pick up a pair of Xtratuf boots! These waterproof, slip-resistant boots are a staple for fishermen, outdoor workers, and adventure seekers. They’re stylish, practical, and built for Alaska’s unpredictable weather. Bonus – they make a great conversation starter back home!
My sister and brother-in-law visited Alaska last year and made the Tongass Trading Company in Ketchikan one of their first stops. They knew they wanted Xtratuf boots to keep their feet dry and warm and they knew they wanted them direct from the source! So, they bought their boots at their first port and wore them the entire trip. And now that they are home, they are reminded of their Alaskan adventure every time they put them on.
Where to Buy
Juneau: Alaska Industrial Hardware (AIH)
Ketchikan: Tongass Trading Company
Anchorage: Big Ray’s
Alaskan Jade – A Rare Gem
Did you know that Alaska’s state gem is jade? You’ll find gorgeous jade jewelry, carvings, and decorative pieces made from this vibrant green stone, sourced from the rugged mountains of the state. What better souvenirs from Alaska than jewelry to remind you of your trip!
Where to Buy
Skagway: Taiya River Arts
Ketchikan: Fish Creek Co.
Anchorage: Alaska Mint
Birch Syrup – A Sweet Treat Unlike Any Other
Move over, maple! Birch syrup is a uniquely Alaskan delicacy with a rich, caramel-like flavor. It’s perfect for drizzling over pancakes or using in marinades and glazes. Food items make for great souvenirs for your friends, family and office- mates. Not to mention yourself! Pick up a bottle for a one-of-a-kind taste experience.
Better yet! Pick up some yummy birch syrup chocolate toffee bars or caramels made with birch syrup. How about birch almond brittle? Don’t forget your birch caramel ice cream topping! Can you get any tastier than that?
Where to Buy
Anchorage: Polar Bear Gifts Outlet Store
Ketchikan: Fish Creek Company
Talkeetna (if on a land tour): Kahiltna Birchworks/Alaska Birch Syrup & Wild Harvest Products
Musk Ox & Qiviut Wool – The Warmest Souvenir
Qiviut, the ultra-soft underwool of the musk ox, is one of the rarest and warmest fibers in the world. Clothing items made from these fibers are lightweight, yet incredibly warm. That makes them perfect for cold Alaskan nights.
Grab yourself and someone you care about a scarf, hat, and gloves made from qiviut. They will keep you warm and cozy all year long, making them a perfect Alaskan keepsake. Want to knit or crochet your own qiviut wool items? Yarn makes a fabulous souvenir!
Where to Buy
Anchorage: Oomingmak Musk Ox Producers’ Co-op
Fairbanks: Large Animal Research Station (LARS) Gift Shop
Ketchikan: Untangled Yarn and Fiber
Fireweed Honey & Jam – Alaska’s Floral Flavors
Again, food items make some of the best souvenirs for friends and family. Fireweed is a bright pink wildflower that is a staple of Alaska’s summer landscape.
Check out Fireweed honey and jam. The sweet, floral essence makes for a tasty and unique souvenir. Don’t just treat your friends and family. Remember to get some for yourself as well!
Where to Buy
Anchorage: Alaska Wild Berry Products
Ketchikan: The Salmon Market
Fairbanks: The Great Alaskan Bowl Company
Glacier Silt Soap – A Spa Day, Alaskan Style
I love to bring my girlfriends special soaps and bath salts I discover as I travel. Glacier Silt Soap perfectly fits that bill. Made with fine glacier silt, these handcrafted soaps offer a mineral-rich exfoliation experience. So what exactly is glacial silt? It is pretty much what it sounds like.
As glaciers move and erode the surrounding landscape, they grind rock into tiny particles known as glacier silt or glacier flour. While this sounds like something you might want to keep far away from your skin, it actually provides a gentle exfoliating and skin polishing effect. It removes dead skin leaving smooth and radiant skin.
Glacier silt soap is known for its refreshing scents. Inspired by the fresh, crisp air of Alaska, the mineral rich soap provides a unique cleansing experience. Pick some up for all the special women in your life. Not only are they great souvenirs but they are good stocking stuffers!
Where to Buy
Juneau: Glacier Smoothie Soaps
Ketchikan: Fish Creek Company
Anchorage: Denali Dreams
Daderot, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Handcrafted Native Art – A Piece of Alaskan Culture
From Tlingit, Haida, and Inupiat carvings to authentic totem poles and handwoven baskets, Alaska’s Indigenous artists create stunning works of art.
If you’re looking for a truly unique piece, consider an intricately carved or sculpted caribou antler or moose antler. Many Alaskan artists create breathtaking sculptures and jewelry from naturally shed antlers.
Look for items with the “Silver Hand” seal, which guarantees authenticity and supports Native artisans.
Where to Buy
Ketchikan: Arctic Spirit Gallery & Scanlon Gallery
Sitka: Alaska Native Brotherhood Hall, Sitka Tribal Tours gift shop, & Russian American Company
Juneau: Trickster Company & Mt. Juneau Trading Post
My Alaska Souvenirs Shopping Philosophy
Let me be honest. I am not a huge souvenir collector. I love to look at everything on offer, but I no longer buy a lot personally. When I first started traveling I thought I had to have something to help me remember every place I went. I also thought I had to bring something back for everyone I knew.
I have since learned that a one perfectly chosen item that I will truly use and enjoy are better than a whole bunch of junk from everywhere. And if I return from a trip with nothing but my photographs and memories – that is ok too. I would rather travel more and never purchase a souvenir, than travel less and get “stuff” everywhere I go. Because honestly, “stuff” rarely makes me happy, but “experiences” always do.
Now, all that is well and good. But sometimes you just really want stuff! Or a friend or neighbor puts pressure on you to bring them back a such and such (if they only knew how hard that can be). In these cases I have one steadfast rule which I learned from the shopping expert on my very first cruise, “You see it, you like it, you buy it!”
This sounds absolutely crazy and totally goes against my normal protocol of pricing every item within a 10-mile radius to see if I can save a dollar. But that woman was not deemed an expert without reason. When you are traveling, you do not always have the luxury of circling back to the place you originally saw the wonderful one-of-a-kind “whatever.” So if you don’t get it the first time around, you may just find yourself out of luck! Also, who wants to spend their entire trip looking for the one stupid t-shirt they should have bought at the first stop?
Therefore, If you SEE IT, and you LIKE IT, you should BUY IT, so you don’t have to spend the rest of your trip looking for it and never finding it again!
Bring Home a Piece of Alaska with the Perfect Souvenirs!!
No matter what you choose, the best Alaska souvenirs capture the state’s untamed spirit, rich history, and natural beauty. Whether you’re after handcrafted art, culinary delights, cozy keepsakes, or a collection of experiences, you’ll find plenty of treasures in the Last Frontier.
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