What should I know about Skagway shopping?

If you’re visiting Skagway for the day, you probably want to buy a few things. This is by no means a comprehensive Skagway shopping guide, but it may help direct you to some of the basics. Whether you’re looking for a snack, medicine, or a souvenir, we’ve got you covered.

Finding exactly what you’re looking for isn’t always easy in a small town

Before going on your Alaska cruise, it may be a good idea to make sure you have things you really need. Skagway is a small town with a population of only 930 people, so the local grocery store may not have many of the things you can buy at a supermarket in the Lower 48. There is also no pharmacy, no Walmart, and no Home Depot.

Where can I get medicine?

If you’re looking for prescription medicine, your only option is the Dahl Memorial Clinic, which is the local Skagway healthcare facility. However, this is not a real pharmacy so they likely don’t have what you’re looking for. If it’s an emergency, you can definitely try, but you may have better luck on the cruise ship.

If you’re looking for ibuprofen, cold medicine, and other over-the-counter medicine, the local IGA is your best bet. They are located on 4^th Ave. and State St. We highly recommend checking the expiration date on anything you buy here because the last thing you want while on vacation is to get horribly sick from taking expired medication.

This is it. The place where all of your dreams will come true.

Where can I find snacks and food items?

The local IGA is one place to try but they may be out of food on certain days of the week. The local gas station has a small selection of snacks and bottled beverages. They are located on 2^nd Ave. and State St. Right next door is another good place for snacks. It’s called Cruise Ship Services and it’s easy to find because there is a lighthouse above the sign. While this store caters to cruise ship employees, there is a large assortment of affordable snacks and drinks. They even have shrimp crackers, which sound good but we don’t recommend them unless you enjoy gagging.

Skagway has another grocer called You Say Tomato. This store has organic produce and a cooler with healthy drinks. They also have a good selection of snacks. Reaching it requires a short walk from Downtown Skagway, but if you’re into healthy snacks, the walk probably won’t bother you.

Where can I buy souvenirs?

There are countless places to buy souvenirs in Skagway. You can find just about anything related to Alaska. However, as year-round Skagway locals, we like to recommend local businesses that are open during the winter months. Skagway Brewing Company is known for their local beer and good food, but they also have a large selection of merchandise. What better souvenir than something uniquely Skagwegian that you cannot buy anywhere else?

Nice place for locally made jewelry!

There are numerous jewelry stores in Skagway, but the appropriately named “the Local Jeweler” opens for locals during the winter months. They also have a great selection of items made from authentic Klondike Gold, making them an easy choice for anyone that likes a little bling.

There are a number of local Skagway artisans that make quality merchandise, including carvers, jewelry makers, and sculptors. A future blog will highlight some of these amazing artists and their work.

At M&M Tours, we encourage every tourist to shop local and support the people who actually live and work in Skagway. If you have any questions, stop by the tour booth and ask a tour salesperson. You’ll find that they are knowledgeable, good looking, funny, and humble.