On many Alaskan cruises, one place that you’ll most likely spend some time is the state’s capital, Juneau. While this city may not be the largest you’ll ever see, it’s definitely bustling with activity during the summer months. The second you step off the ship there are dozens of places to shop and find interesting souvenirs. A little further up the hill from the docks, you’ll find stores that cater to the year-round community and sell many authentic Alaskan Native arts and crafts.
The staff at CruiseExperts.com put together this list of the best places to shop in Juneau. Some are near the docks, others are deeper in the city. We hope you take the opportunity to check out at least a few!
Interested in bringing home some freshly-caught Alaskan seafood? Then Taku Store is the place to visit. Even if you’re not a fan of fish, you may want to take a peek inside. There, you can watch workers filet, smoke and pack salmon. If you’re unsure about what you’re looking at, Taku Store has you covered. So many tourists come in to watch that the owners have put up signs in different parts of the store and processing areas explaining each step of the work and its purpose. After spending so much time inside you may be convinced to take home a filet or two! No need to bring anything back to the ship, though. Taku Store will ship fish to anywhere in the United States.
Photos courtesy of theTaku Store
Many visitors to Juneau consider The Observatory to be one of the most interesting shops that they’ve ever visited. Upon walking inside, you may think that it’s just a bookstore, but it offers so much more. Here, you’ll find an extensive collection of rare maps, books and antique engravings that tell the exciting story of Alaska’s unique history. One draw for many tourists is The Observatory’s group of oversized charts of Alaska’s coastline drawn by 18th-century explorers from Europe and the United States. If you get a chance to meet the store’s owner, Dee Longenbaugh, she’ll be happy to talk to you about all things related to Alaskan history.
You’ll love Dee’s wonderful collection of old maps.
At William Spear Design you’ll find beautifully designed handmade enamel pins and zipper pulls in a variety of shapes including fish, birds and airplanes. Depending on when you visit, you may catch a glimpse of William Spear himself, hard at work creating these objects that people from all around the country come to buy.
Photo courtesy of William Spear Design
Call a CruiseExperts.com agent today to get started on planning your 2014 Alaskan vacation. We’re here not only to help you with your travel arrangements, but also to provide you with tips for enjoying your time in cities like Juneau. Call 1-888-804-CRUISE (2784) or visit our website at www.CruiseExperts.com.
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