jrask

So much for rhetorical questions.

Do most shops take credit cards or do they want cash? Trish

Its the US. Credit cards are fine.

Shopping in Juneau and Ketchikan starts across the street from the dock and Ketchikan's Creek Street (with lots of interesting shops) is easily within walking distance. The dock for Skagway is a bit outside of town itself ... a pretty easy walk and they have shuttles. Once in Skagway itself, shops are up and down Broadway - the main street.

I have read all the suggestions and they are all great! Did anyone see a store that sold native knitted items? I saw a special on the travel channel and now can't remember where it was.

Bobbi

Ooh. Are you talking about items made of quivet (inner hair of the musk ox)? Its expensive, but really amazing ... incredibly warm and so soft and light that it feels like the garment is made of smoke. Travel channel often goes for the amazing, so I figured it was possible. We're in California, so its hard to justify $245 for a scarf, but the shop is in Anchorage. http://www.qiviut.com/store/index.cfm?target=home&CFID=324700&CFTOKEN=82678248

Wonder what the government does with its extensive collection of confiscated ulu knives.

I can't believe I forgot to mention food! We picked up some great jellies/jams (salmonberry, huckleberry, spruce tip, etc.) But our best food buy was syrups from Birch Boy (sold in Haines and Skagway). I'm about to order some more of there blueberry.

I'm not much of a shopper. Unless I'm really moved to buy something, my favorite souveniers are brochures and postcards that I put in a scrapbook with photos. Alaskan shops were pretty touristy, so that didn't help things. That being said, we bought these salmon treats for the pets (they loved them) and an ulu knife (which is great for chopping vegetables). There is some great native art (particularly in Ketchikan), but our purchases were smaller in this area. Our bigger purchases were things associated with our excursions (t-shirts from S.E. Alaska Kayaking and a vest from Northstar Trekking).