Shopping Guide: What to Buy in Juneau That’s Truly Alaskan

Juneau offers shopping that reflects Alaska Native heritage, layered histories, and contemporary artistry. Because the city isn’t connected to the road system, its arts economy is especially shaped by local communities and makers. Knowing what to buy in Juneau means distinguishing Alaska-made work from mass-produced souvenirs and prioritizing purchases that support local and Alaska Native artists.

What Local Art Can You Discover in Juneau?

Juneau’s creative community is deeply shaped by the land, the peoples who have lived here for millennia, and the artists who continue to interpret Southeast Alaska through their work. From Alaska Native artists whose formline designs carry ancient stories, to contemporary painters and printmakers inspired by glaciers and wildlife, the city’s art scene reflects the full depth and diversity of this place.

Art Rooted in Place, History, and Innovation

The Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian peoples have created art in Southeast Alaska for thousands of years, with distinctive formline designs, totem poles and carvings, and storytelling traditions that remain vibrant today, not just as heritage, but as living, evolving practices. Many Alaska Native artists blend ancestral knowledge with contemporary techniques, producing work that speaks to both tradition and innovation. 

Verification matters. Look for the Silver Hand tag, which certifies work made by an Alaska Native artist. For non-Indigenous goods that are still locally produced, the Made in Alaska mark indicates the item was crafted in Alaska. These certifications help you avoid mass-produced imitations and ensure fair compensation for artists.

When shopping for authentic pieces, look for:

• Silver and gold jewelry featuring traditional and contemporary formline motifs (ask about the artist and permissions for specific motifs)
• Textiles and regalia-inspired work (note: ceremonial regalia itself is not appropriate to purchase or wear)
• Bentwood boxes crafted using traditional steam-bending techniques
• Prints, paintings, and mixed-media pieces by Alaska Native and non-Native artists alike
• Carvings including masks, paddles, and poles created within cultural protocols

You can explore this range of work at galleries like:

• Sealaska Heritage Store downtown specializes in Alaska Native art from regional artists. Each piece includes artist information and cultural context, ensuring your purchase supports Indigenous artists directly. Prices reflect the time and skill invested in techniques passed down through generations.
• Annie Kaill’s Gallery on Seward Street has championed Alaska artists, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, for over 40 years. Operating for more than 40 years, the gallery maintains strong relationships with creators and upholds clear standards for authenticity.
• Caribou Crossings on South Franklin Street offers affordable prints, cards, and small works from Juneau-based artists, which is ideal for gifts or starting a collection.

Photography of glaciers, wildlife, and the aurora provides a way to bring home vivid memories from your trip. Many photographers sell their work in galleries and at the Saturday Market (held weekly in summer), where you can meet the maker and hear the stories behind the images. After exploring Mendenhall Glacier or photographing Alaska’s wildlife, bringing home professional images helps preserve those memories.

Whether it’s a carved bentwood box rooted in centuries-old technique or a bold contemporary print inspired by the Tongass landscape, buying art in Juneau connects you directly to the people, places, and living traditions that define Southeast Alaska.

Note on cultural property & permissions: Some clan crests, songs, stories, and names are the intellectual and cultural property of specific clans or families and are used with permission. Always ask the artist or gallery about provenance and appropriate use, especially before reproducing designs in photos or social media posts.

Treetop Tees: Wearable Art from a Local Shop

If you’re looking for t-shirts that actually capture the spirit of Southeast Alaska and happen to be the softest shirts you’ll ever wear, stop by Treetop Tees on North Franklin Street. Owner Camille runs this year-round shop where every design tells a story about Juneau’s landscape and outdoor life.

What sets Treetop Tees apart is the authenticity. Camille works with local artists to create original designs, then screen prints each shirt herself using eco-friendly water-based inks. The designs range from wildlife and wilderness scenes to playful takes on Alaska living, all inspired by the same mountains, glaciers, and coastlines you’re exploring during your visit.

The shop opened in 2016 to offer t-shirts that reflected the real Alaska that locals experience every day, not generic tourist graphics. Whether you’re looking for a shirt featuring Mendenhall Glacier, Alaska wildlife, or designs that locals actually wear on the trails, you’ll find something that connects to your Juneau adventures.

Treetop Tees stays open year-round at 110 North Franklin Street in downtown Juneau. The shop also carries sweatshirts, kids’ apparel, hats, mugs, stickers, and fleece blankets, all featuring those same original, Alaska-inspired designs. Be sure to check out Treetop Tees during your Juneau visit to snag some fun merch and support a local business.

What Alaskan-Made Food and Beverages Should You Try?

Edible souvenirs let you extend your Alaska experience after returning home. Juneau’s local food producers create products using regional ingredients and traditional preservation methods.

Taku Smokeries operates as Juneau’s premier smoked fish producer, processing locally-caught salmon using traditional smoking techniques. Their products appear in shops throughout downtown, though purchasing directly from their facility ensures the freshest options. Smoked salmon vacuum-sealed for travel maintains quality through checked luggage, and TSA allows it in carry-on bags.

Alaska Sausage and Seafood Company produces various game meat products, including reindeer sausage that’s become an Alaska staple. The company ships nationwide, but purchasing in Juneau eliminates shipping costs. Reindeer sausage requires refrigeration, making it better for visitors with coolers or those departing Juneau at the end of their Alaska trip.

Wild berry preserves from Alaska Wild Berry Products use foraged salmonberries, nagoonberries, and highbush cranberries that grow throughout Southeast Alaska. These tart, intensely-flavored preserves taste nothing like commercial jams. They’re available at the Saturday Market and local grocery stores.

For those interested in experiencing Juneau’s culinary scene beyond takeaway products, exploring the best seafood restaurants in Juneau offers opportunities to taste fresh Alaska salmon, halibut, and king crab prepared by local chefs.

Alaskan Brewing Company operates in Juneau, producing widely-distributed beers and special releases available only in their tasting room. Bottles and growlers work for local consumption, though glass bottles add weight to luggage. The brewery offers tours that explain their process and commitment to sustainable brewing practices.

What Functional Outdoor Gear Has an Alaska Connection?

Living in Juneau means spending time outdoors, and local shops carry gear that works in Southeast Alaska’s wet, unpredictable conditions. Some items make more sense to buy here than bringing from home.

Xtratuf boots, sold at Nugget Alaskan Outfitter, have become Alaska’s unofficial footwear due to their waterproofing, traction, and durability. What started as commercial fishing gear has evolved into everyday footwear for Alaskans in every profession. Local prices often beat online retailers, and you can wear them immediately for Juneau hiking or kayaking activities.

Alaskan-made wool socks, hats, and gloves provide warmth in damp conditions common to Southeast Alaska. Qiviut (musk ox wool) represents the ultimate luxury fiber, softer and warmer than cashmere. Qiviut products command premium prices but last for decades with proper care.

Local tackle shops stock lures and gear specifically effective for Alaska salmon and halibut fishing. The staff know what’s working right now and where fish are biting. Even if you don’t fish, Alaska-specific lures make unique decorative items or gifts for anglers back home.

What Books and Maps About Alaska Are Worth Buying?

Literature provides context for understanding Alaska’s complex history, ecology, and culture. Juneau’s bookstores stock titles difficult to find elsewhere, including works by Alaska authors and small press publications about Southeast Alaska specifically.

Hearthside Books downtown carries extensive Alaska sections covering natural history, Alaska Native culture, historical accounts, and contemporary fiction set in the state. Staff recommendations help identify books matching your interests or experiences during your visit.

Field guides for Alaska birds, marine mammals, wildflowers, and trees enhance outdoor experiences and provide ongoing reference after returning home. Quality field guides, such as resources from Alaska Department of Fish and Game, include range maps and seasonal information specific to Alaska’s ecosystems.

Historical accounts, memoirs, and Alaska Native writings offer deeper understanding of the places you’ve visited. Reading these after your trip often reveals connections or context you missed while exploring.

How Should You Plan Your Shopping Strategy?

Juneau’s compact downtown makes shopping walkable from cruise ship docks or downtown hotels. Most shops cluster along South Franklin Street and adjacent blocks, though venturing slightly off the main strip reveals better values and less crowded stores.

Cruise ship schedules impact downtown shop crowding significantly. Mornings before ships arrive and late afternoons after passengers return offer easier browsing. Shops remain open during cruise ship hours, typically 8 AM to 5 PM in summer. Some galleries and specialty shops maintain different hours, so verify before making specific plans.

The Saturday Market operates weekly from May through September at the Juneau Arts & Culture Center. This market features local artists, craftspeople, and food producers selling directly without gallery commissions. Prices often beat retail shops, and you can meet creators while shopping.

Set shopping budgets before entering stores, as Alaska prices for quality items surprise visitors accustomed to mainland pricing. Shipping heavy or fragile items home costs less than excess baggage fees for most airlines. Many shops offer shipping services that package and mail purchases, though this adds to the total cost.

How Can You Make Your Purchases More Meaningful?

The most valuable Juneau purchases connect to specific experiences during your visit. A piece of art depicting locations you explored by kayak, jewelry with designs you learned about during museum visits, or food products made from species you observed in the wild all carry memories attached to their physical presence.

Supporting local artists and craftspeople directly ensures your Alaska spending benefits the communities you visited. Ask shop staff about artist backgrounds, where items were made, and how purchases support local economies. Most business owners in Juneau eagerly share these stories, proud of their connections to regional creators.

How Can You Extend Your Juneau Experience?

Shopping represents just one way to connect with Juneau’s culture and natural beauty. Explore what makes Juneau worth visiting through wilderness adventures that showcase the landscapes and wildlife inspiring local artists and craftspeople.

Above & Beyond Alaska operates tours from May through September that take you beyond typical tourist experiences. Whether you’re exploring glaciers up close, paddling with whales, or viewing bears in their natural habitat, these wilderness encounters provide context that makes your Juneau purchases more meaningful.

The art, food, and crafts you purchase in Juneau carry pieces of your Alaska adventure home. Choose items that support local communities, represent authentic Alaskan culture, and remind you of specific experiences during your visit. That intentional approach to what to buy in Juneau Alaska ensures your souvenirs maintain their value and meaning long after your trip ends.