Page 94 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Alaska

92  ALASK A AREA B Y AREA

SHOPPING IN ANCHORAGE

Anchorage is arguably the best place in stores, such as Fred Meyer outlets, to large
Alaska to pick up gifts and souvenirs that are shopping malls and the more upmarket
unique to the state. Throughout downtown, Nordstrom store. Due to its position as a
numerous small shops sell inexpensive gifts jumping-off point for adventure activities,
and mementos, while a range of higher- the city is also an excellent place to pick
quality shops and art galleries offer Alaskan up outdoor supplies, and several local
art and photography, furs, local foods, Native outlets sell camping, hiking, cycling, boating,
arts and crafts, and antiques. Mainstream hunting, and fishing gear to help prepare
shopping ranges from warehouse-like box for outdoor adventures.

Trail Store sells official Last authentic knives. Other gifts
Great Race patches, dog include baskets made of grass,
booties, posters, and other bark, and baleen (also called
memora bilia. A legacy of the whale bone), beaded purses
Gold Rush, Alaskan gold makes and belts, and fine scrimshaw
excellent jewelry, souve nirs, art on ivory and bone. The
and investment items. The Alaska Native Medical Center
Alaska Mint sells Alaskan gold Craft Shop sells high quality
and silver coins and medallions. Native objects from all over
The gift shop at the Anchorage Alaska. At the Alaska Native
Museum has a fine selection Heritage Center (see pp76–7),
of works by Alaskan artists, visitors can watch artists at
including traditional pieces. In work and purchase gifts from
the summer, local artists have the on-site shop. One People
their wares on display in the Gifts is a cooperative shop
atrium. In addition, fine art selling authentic Native arts
galleries are dotted throughout and crafts.
Soapstone carvings on display at downtown Anchorage. While shopping for Native
Anchorage’s Weekend Market art, especially soapstone carv-
ings, it is best to be careful, as
Markets and Fairs Native Arts and Crafts
items mass-produced abroad
Every Saturday and Sunday, Alaska’s most unique product are occasionally sold as Native
between mid-May and mid- is clothing made of qiviut, the art. The state-run Silver Hand
September, the Anchorage fine underwool of the musk ox, program guarantees that
Market and Festival (see p74) sold at the Oomingmak Musk products tagged with the
fills the parking lot downtown Ox Producers’ Co-operative. Silver Hand label were made
at 3rd Avenue and E Street, sell- Ulus, rounded knives used by Native Alaskans using
ing Alaskan crafts, souvenirs, by Native women, are also Alaskan materials. However,
freshly cooked food, and cloth- popular. Most gift shops sell the program is not universal,
ing. From June to August, at the them but the Ulu Factory and plenty of legitimate crafts
Northway Mall grounds in East has the largest selection of do not carry the label.
Anchorage, the Wednesday
Market sells similar items
from 11am to 5pm. The Center
Market inside the Sears Mall
offers gourmet and farm foods
every Wednesday and Saturday
year-round. The ultimate infor-
mal shopping experience is
undoubtedly the annual Alaska
State Fair (see p48) in Palmer.

Alaskan Arts and Antiques
One of the best ways to find
unusual Alaskan photography,
art, and original creations is to
attend the First Friday openings
of art galleries. The Iditarod Pottery and wood-crafted ducks for sale in an Anchorage shop

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