Fairbanks has a few good shops downtown. The Arctic Travelers Gift Shop, at 201 Cushman St. (tel. 907/456-7080; www.arctictravelersgiftshop.com), specializes in Native art and crafts, carrying both valuable art and affordable but authentically Alaskan gifts. The staff is knowledgeable about what they sell. Right next door, at 215 Cushman, If Only . . . a fine store (tel. 907/457-6659; www.ifonlyalaska.com) is a charming gift and stationery shop with items to hold locals' as well as visitors' interest -- not just tourist stuff.
Near the airport, at 4630 Old Airport Way, the Great Alaskan Bowl Company (tel. 800/770-4222 or 907/474-9663; www.woodbowl.com) makes and sells bowls of native birch -- salad bowls, of course, but also bowls for many other purposes. Some of these bowls are simply amazing. They can carve up to seven nested bowls from one piece of wood and even laser-engrave a photo inside one. The workshop also produces cutting boards of birch, bird feeders, serving utensils, and a variety of other items. Through a glass wall looking into the shop, you can see workers cutting the bowls from raw logs. It's hard to depart without buying a bowl. The shop is open daily all year.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
