20 Things Everyone In Alaska Should Avoid At All Costs
All throughout the Last Frontier, people who live in Alaska have a deep sense of pride for all things wildly-caught, locally-grown and sustainably-sourced. We are immensely proud of our local small businesses, and it is our responsibility to be educated on the products we can buy in order to keep our money with local, hardworking people throughout the great 49th state. We love Alaska, and we love sharing it with others! We also enjoy being one with nature, exploring the backcountry, and outfitting ourselves with the warmest and most durable Alaska Native clothing attire in the entire world. With that being said, you also need to check out these 20 things to avoid in Alaska. Alaska history has taught us that some things can be downright foolish!
1. Farmed seafood.
![](https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/20-Things-Alaska-1.jpg?w=720)
2. Or buying fish in general, honestly.
![](https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/9303557076_1b5125d170_c.jpg?w=720)
3. Even feeding your dogs farmed fish.
![](https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Facebook-Yummy-Chummies.jpg?w=720)
4. Eating hot dogs.
![](https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/20-Things-Alaska-3.jpg?w=720)
5. Camping without a view.
![White and orange tent on a beach in Alaska](https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Flickr-Christopher-Griner.jpg?w=720)
6. Snacking on chips from the lower 48.
![](https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Facebook-Alaska-Chip-Company-LLC.jpg?w=720)
7. Shopping at big corporate box stores.
![](https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Facebook-Three-Bears-Alaska-Inc..jpg?w=720)
8. Drinking wine that isn’t from Alaska.
![](https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Facebook-Alaska-Berries.jpg?w=720)
9. Or drinking beer that isn’t from Alaska.
![](https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Amber.jpg?w=720)
10. Who are we kidding... spirits too!
![](https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Facebook-Port-Chilkoot-Distillery.jpg?w=720)
11. Combat fishing.
![](https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Flickr-Susan.jpg?w=720)
12. Giving away secret secluded fishing spots to those visiting Alaska.
![Scenic mountains and river in Alaska](https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Fishing-spot-secret-Flickr-Bureau-of-Land-Management.jpg?w=720)
13. Buying produce without an ‘Alaska Grown’ label.
![](https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Alaska-Grown-1b.jpg?w=720)
14. Seasoning your meat with a product that isn’t made in Alaska.
![](https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Facebook-Alaska-Seasoning-Company.jpg?w=720)
15. Or buying meat in general.
![](https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Hunting-Flickr-Warren-Hoflich.jpg?w=720)
16. Shopping for name-brand winter gear.
![](https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Flickr-Larry-Eiring.jpg?w=720)
17. Heck, don’t even think about breathing air that’s not from Alaska.
![](https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Facebook-Sample-Alaska-LLC.-Birch-Syrup-Gourmet-Food.jpg?w=720)
18. Going into the backcountry unprepared.
![](https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Flickr-James-Brooks.jpg?w=720)
19. Staying inside when the Northern Lights are dancing.
![](https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/36634377925_25ec272da2_c.jpg?w=720)
20. Uttering the words “I am bored" in Alaska.
![](https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/5427078006_8df15833c6_k.jpg?w=720)
Want to show off your love for Alaska? Check out this fantastic Denali National Park poster from The Landmark Project.
If you really can’t get enough of The Last Frontier, here’s an amazing high-definition video with footage from plenty of Alaska landmarks:
Can you think of anything else that everyone who lives in Alaska should avoid? What advice would you give to someone who’s considering visiting? We’d love to know what Alaskan cities to visit you recommend to outsiders. Let us know in the comments!
Now that you know what to avoid, dive into what we LOVE about Alaska! Pack up some of those Alaska Grown snacks and beverages and check out these amazing Alaska day trips.
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More to Explore
Alaska: Off The Beaten Path
What are some things I should know about living in Alaska?
If you plan on visiting Alaska, you may just fall in love. Now if you decide that living in Alaska is for you, you’ll have to be prepared. Some things, for example, are a whole lot more expensive in Alaska. (You’ll likely discover, however, that all of that natural beauty is well-worth the extra cost.) Get ready to pay a lot more for everyday items – from milk and ice cream to frozen pizza and olive oil. Alaska is mighty expensive if you want to live there, and you’ll also pay high prices for rent, going to concerts, and shipping. Ever notice that a lot of companies offer free shipping to everywhere except Alaska and Hawaii? If you move to Alaska, you’re saying goodbye to free shipping. On the upside, did you know that Alaska is one of the happiest states in America? Yep – and for good reason. We’re able to get outdoors and explore Alaska’s many hiking trails, which helps us stay healthy. We have delightfully fresh air, and the scenery? The absolutely gorgeous landscape? How could we not be happy in a place that’s so much like paradise?
Is Alaska safe?
As with any state, you’ll find good places and not-so-good places in Alaska. However, if you’re seriously considering relocating, you might want to think about heading to one of the safest places to live in Alaska. With a population of under 10,000, Sitka ranks as the safest place to live in Alaska, followed by Palmer and Seward. If you’re looking at a well-known Alaskan city that’s safe, head to Juneau. The gorgeous state capitol is home to just under 33,000 and had only 134 violent crimes in 2013. One of the most peaceful places to live in Alaska is also one of the safest – Ketchikan.