Shopping

Galleries

Be sure to check out the monthly First Friday Art Walks, with art openings and snacks at local galleries. Wm. Spear Designs (upstairs at 174 S. Franklin St., 907/586-2209, www.wmspear.com [5]) has the complete collection of colorful enameled pins by this local artisan with an international reputation. A former lawyer, Spear’s work covers the spectrum from UFOs to dinosaurs. It’s definitely worth a stop.

Rie Muñoz Gallery (2101 Jordan Ave., 907/789-7411, www.riemunoz.com [6]), near the airport, features works by several of Alaska’s best-known artists. Muñoz’s works are famous for their bold colors and fanciful designs of Alaskans at work and play.

The cooperatively run Juneau Artists Gallery (175 S. Franklin St., 907/586-9891, www.juneauartistsgallery.com [7]) features a wide range of artwork, including paintings, pottery, jewelry, and photography.

Annie Kaill’s Fine Art and Craft Gallery (244 Front St., 907/586-2880, www.annieandcojuneau.com [8]) is packed with whimsical gifts, pottery, jewelry, and fine art.

For Native Alaskan and other fine Alaskan art—plus changing exhibits in the back rooms—visit Alaska State Museum Gift Shop (124 Seward St., 907/523-8431).

Native Alaskan Arts

Juneau [9] is a good place to purchase Native Alaskan artworks, and one of the best is downstairs at the airport: Hummingbird Hollow Gift Shop (907/789-4672, www.hummingbirdhollow.net [10]) has fair prices and authentic Alaskan work, with a big choice of Tlingit, Haida, Yup’ik, and Eskimo pieces. Raven’s Journey (439 S. Franklin St., 907/463-4686), across from the tram, is another reputable shop with authentic Native Alaskan and Canadian art.

Scads of other galleries and gift shops sell artworks and trinkets. The quality varies widely, but much of it is overpriced, particularly anything by a Native Alaskan artisan. Unfortunately, the romanticized paintings, carvings, and sculpture depicting these original Alaskans hunting seals in kayaks or carving totem poles meets head-on a much sadder picture of inebriated Native Alaskans leaning against the windows of downtown Juneau bars.

The Literary Scene

Juneauites enjoy several fine public libraries. Located on the top floor of the parking garage on South Franklin Street, the award-winning Juneau Main Library (907/586-5249, www.juneau.lib.ak.us/library [11], Mon.–Thurs. 11 a.m.–9 p.m., Fri. noon–6 p.m., Sat.–Sun. noon–5 p.m.) provides a wonderful view of all the activity in Gastineau Channel from the outside walkway. Visitors may want to stop by the freebie shelves near the entrance for a trashy novel to read.

Over on the 8th floor of the State Office Building [12], the Alaska State Library (907/465-2921, www.library.state.ak.us [13], Mon.–Fri. 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.) is a good place to track down historical documents and photos.

Hearthside Books (254 Front St., 907/586-1726, www.hearthsidebooks.com [14]) is a packed downtown bookshop; it also has a larger store (907/789-2750) in the Nugget Mall near the airport. The Observatory (299 N. Franklin St., 907/586-9676, www.observatorybooks.com [15]) sells used books—including the largest collection of out-of-print Alaskana—plus first editions and antiquarian maps.

Also worthy of a visit is Rainy Retreat Books (113 Seward St., 907/463-2665, www.juneaubooks.com [16]), with over 10,000 used and rare titles.