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Downtown | Midtown | Spenard | Greater Anchorage
Stock up for your travels around Alaska in Anchorage, where there’s no sales tax. The weekend markets are packed with Alaskan-made products of all types, and you’re likely to meet local artisans.
Downtown
Art
The Anchorage First Friday Arts Walk is a popular monthly (and year-round) event, with dozens of galleries, coffee shops, and restaurants offering a chance to sample hors d’oeuvres while looking over the latest works by regional artists. The Anchorage Press prints a “First Friday” map the first Thursday of every month.
4th Avenue Market Place.
Several shops selling Alaska Native art and crafts, including exquisite handwoven baskets and delicately beaded jewelry, are housed in the 4th Avenue Market Place. Don’t miss Two Spirits Gallery: many artists work on site, so it’s a go-to place for anybody interested in meeting the people behind the crafts. | 411 W. 4th Ave., Downtown.
Artique.
One of Alaska’s oldest galleries (if not the oldest), Artique sells work such as paintings, pottery, and jewelry by prominent Alaskan artists, including painters Byron Birdsall and Ayse Gilbert. | 314 G St., Downtown | 907/277–1663, 800/848–1312 | www.artiqueltd.com.
International Gallery of Contemporary Art.
Anchorage’s premier fine-arts gallery, the International Gallery of Contemporary Art has changing exhibits monthly and features some of Alaska’s most forward-thinking work. | 427 D St., Downtown | 907/279–1116 | www.igcaalaska.org.
Food
Fodor’s Choice | Anchorage Market and Festival.
On weekends throughout the summer the Anchorage Market and Festival opens for business (and loads of fun) in the parking lot at 3rd Avenue and E Street. Dozens of vendors offer Alaskan-made crafts, ethnic imports, and deliciously fattening food. Stock up on birch candy and salmon jerky to snack on while traveling or as perfect made-in-Alaska gifts for friends back home. The open-air market runs from mid-May to mid-September on weekends from 10 to 6. | 3rd Ave. between E and C sts. | 907/272–5634 | www.anchoragemarkets.com.
Gifts
Circular.
Score eco-conscious dresses, weekend wear, and accessories at this forward-thinking women’s clothing boutique. | 320 W. 6th Ave., Downtown | 907/274–2472 | www.circularstore.com.
David Green Master Furrier.
Although furs may not be to everyone’s taste or ethics, a number of Alaska fur companies have stores and factories in Anchorage. One of the city’s largest and best-known furriers is David Green, whose family has been in the fur business in Alaska since 1922. | 130 W. 4th Ave., Downtown | 907/277–9595 | www.davidgreenfurs.com.
Laura Wright Alaskan Parkys.
Started in 1947 in Fairbanks by Laura Wright, this family business is now owned by Wright’s granddaughter, Sheila Ezelle. The store sells distintinctive Alaskan Inupiaq “parkys” (parkas), and she will custom-sew one for you. | 411 W. 4th Ave., Downtown | 907/274–4215.
Oomingmak.
The Native-owned cooperative Oomingmak sells items made of qiviut, the uber-soft and warm undercoat of musk ox. Scarves, shawls, hats, and tunics are knitted in traditional patterns. | 604 H St., Downtown | 907/272–9225, 888/360–9665 | www.qiviut.com.
Shuzy Q.
If you ask a stylish Anchorage gal where she got her shoes, Shuzy Q is the most likely reply. This shoe boutique specializes in cute-but-comfy styles in everything from waterproof rubber boots to peep-toe heels. | 737 W. 5th Ave., Ste. C, Downtown | 907/743–2953 | www.shuzyq.com.
Malls and Department Stores
Anchorage 5th Avenue Mall.
Occupying a city block at 5th Avenue and A Street, Anchorage 5th Avenue Mall contains dozens of stores, including nationally known brands like Sephora, Banana Republic, JC Penney, Apple Store, and Michael Kors. You’ll also find the local store Alaska Wild Berry Products, which is perfect for one-stop gift shopping. | 320 W. 5th Ave., Downtown | 907/258–5535 | www.simon.com.
Nordstrom.
Just across 6th Avenue, and connected by a skywalk to the 5th Avenue Mall, is Alaska’s only Nordstrom. A Nordstrom Rack is slated to open in Midtown in 2015. | 603 D St., Downtown.
Midtown
Books
Barnes & Noble Booksellers.
Anchorage’s largest bookstore offers free Wi-Fi and stays open late, with some author booksignings and children’s events. | 200 E. Northern Lights Blvd., at A St., Midtown | 907/279–7323 | www.bn.com.
Title Wave Books.
Easily the largest independent bookstore in Alaska, Title Wave Books fills a 30,000-square-foot space in the Northern Lights Center, a strip mall that also houses REI. The shelves are filled with nearly half a million used books, CDs and DVDs across more than 1,600 categories, including a large section of Alaska-focused books; the staff are very knowledgeable. TIP Anyone can bring in used books and trade them for store credit. | 1360 W. Northern Lights Blvd., Midtown | 907/278–9283, 888/598–9283 | www.wavebooks.com.
Food
Modern Dwellers Chocolate Lounge.
Chocolate junkies can get their fix at the fun-loving Modern Dwellers Chocolate Lounge. Decadent traditional truffles like hazelnut are available, but don’t leave without trying one of the many whimsical creations. Eating local takes on new depths with the Salmon Surprise truffle: bittersweet honey, black pepper ganache, and just a smidge of Alaskan smoked salmon combine for a salty-sweet melty mouthful. You may be quite popular when you get home if you bring back a custom gift set featuring a margarita truffle made with tequila and lime zest. On a cold Alaska winter day, warm up with an espresso or, better yet, a cup of spicy Mayan drinking chocolate. | 530 E. Benson Blvd., Midtown | 907/677–9985 | www.moderndwellers.com.
Quick Bites: Kaladi Brothers Coffee.
Kaladi Brothers Coffee, between Title Wave Books and REI, will caffeinate you and provide free Wi-Fi access to boot. | 1340 W. Northern Lights Blvd., Ste. 409, Midtown | 907/277–5127 | www.kaladi.com.
Gifts
Alaska Fur Exchange.
In a large Midtown store, Alaska Fur Exchange sells both furs and Native artwork. | 4417 Old Seward Hwy., Midtown | 907/563–3877 | www.alaskafurexchange.com.
Sports and Outdoor Equipment
Mt. View Sports Center.
If you’re looking for brand names like Abel, Simms, Filson, Patagonia, and Mountain Hardwear, this locally owned store is your place. It is pretty much fly-fishing central in Anchorage, and you can find expert advice and guidance for your prospective fishing and hunting adventures. There’s also an excellent book section that covers all sorts of outdoor activities in Alaska. | 3838 Old Seward Hwy., Midtown | 907/563–8600 | www.mtviewsports.com.
Spenard
Gifts
Dos Manos.
Buy souvenirs for the hipster in your life at this laid-back gallery that features individually screen-printed T-shirts, leather satchels, silver jewelry, quirky knit caps, and affordable wall art (check out Lance Lekander’s retro robot prints). Most items don’t say “Alaska” on them, but everything here is handmade in the state by established and emerging artists. | 1317 W. Northern Lights Blvd., Ste. 3, Spenard | 907/569–6800 | www.dosmanosgallery.com.
Metro Music & Book Store.
You’ll find a well-thought-out inventory of fiction and nonfiction at Metro Music & Book Store, but the main draw is the impressive collection of CDs. You can listen to any of them before buying. | 530 E. Benson Blvd., Spenard | 907/279–8622.
Sports and Outdoor Equipment
Alaska Mountaineering & Hiking.
This Alaskan-owned store is the go-to specialist for any gear having to do with, yep, mountaineering or hiking. Whether you’re setting out on a series of day hikes or you’re planning a serious climb, the knowledgeable staff can help you choose the right equipment for the task. Take the time to chat them up and you’ll hear some amazing Mt. McKinley war stories. | 2633 Spenard Rd., Spenard | 907/272–1811 | www.alaskamountaineering.com.
REI.
If you get to Alaska and discover you’ve left some critical camping or outdoor recreation gear behind, REI rents camping, skiing, and paddling equipment. It also gives weekly seminars on season-specific outdoors subjects, and the salespeople are very knowledgeable about local conditions and activities, and the gear required to get you out and back safely. | 1200 W. Northern Lights Blvd., Spenard | 907/272–4565 | www.rei.com/stores/anchorage.html.
Greater Anchorage
Gifts
Alaska Native Heritage Center.
Find Native art and crafts at the Alaska Native Heritage Center gift shop. | 8800 Heritage Center Dr., Glenn Hwy. at Muldoon Rd., East Anchorage | 907/330–8000, 800/315–6608 | www.alaskanative.net.
Alaska Native Medical Center.
Several downtown shops sell quality Alaska Native artwork, but good buys also can be found in the gift shop at the Alaska Native Medical Center, which is open weekdays from 10 to 2, and from 11 to 2 on the first and third Saturday of the month. It doesn’t take credit cards. | 4315 Diplomacy Dr., at Tudor and Bragaw rds., East Anchorage | 907/729–1122 | www.anmc.org.
Malls and Department Stores
Dimond Center.
The city’s largest shopping mall, the Dimond Center is on the south end of town at Dimond Boulevard and Old Seward Highway. In addition to dozens of stores, including Best Buy, Gap, and Foot Locker, the mall has a movie theater and an ice-skating rink. Nearby are several big-box discount stores, including Costco and Target. | 800 E. Dimond Blvd., South Anchorage | 907/929–7108 | www.dimondcenter.com.
Sports and Outdoor Equipment
Sportsman’s Warehouse.
This big-box outdoors store has all manner of fishing, hiking, and camping gear. Prices are lower than at most places in town, and the selection is great, but you won’t find the personal attention and knowledgeable staff that the more high-end places specialize in. | 8681 Old Seward Hwy., South Anchorage | 907/644–1400 | www.sportsmanswarehouse.com.