Treat yourself to a leisurely self-guided tour of Fairbanks' pioneer past. You will find the pioneer presence still evident along the city streets. Driving/walking
tour brochures are available at the
Visitor's Center.
The self-guided walking tour of the downtown area. It provides lively commentary about Fairbanks' early-day events and people. Among other things, you'll locate
and learn about the site of Captain Barnette's landing, the First Avenue bathhouse, the "Row" of prostitution houses on First Avenue and the fire of 1906, which destroyed most of the town in one night. The
driving brochure is of the outlying area for those who have transportation. Both brochures can be picked up at theThe Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center located at 101 Dunkel Street; 907-456-5774.
Chena Lake Recreation Area17 miles east of Fairbanks. The US. Army Corps of Engineers and the Fairbanks North Star Borough are partners in the development and management of
recreation facilities in the 2,178 acre park. The major features of the park are Chena Lake, a 259 acre rehabilitated barrow pit whose bays, peninsulas and islands give it a natural appearance, and the Chena
River, one of the largest clear water streams in Interior Alaska.
The recreation area is managed as two units, the Lake Park and the River
Park. Each has two campground loops, 86 campsites, some pull throughs for RV's, with water, bathrooms, dump station. Handicap accessible Each park also has a boat launch ramp and extensive picnic areas, which include covered pavilions. Chena Lake also has a designated swimming area and boat dock. There are two changing rooms/warm-up huts at the swim beach and one at the River Park. Three volleyball courts and a basketball court have been placed at strategic locations and a children's playground has been built at the Lake Park. Camping and picnic units are available on one of the islands. There is also a nature trail along the river.
Chena Lake is stocked with silver salmon and rainbow trout; now reaching 10"-14" in length the State of Alaska has also added Arctic Char to the lake. The Chena River harbors grayling, northern pike,
whitefish and burbot.
Directions from Fairbanks: Head south on Richardson Hwy (14 miles from Mitchell Expressway). Exit at Dawson St. Turn left, under Richardson Hwy. Right on Mistletoe Dr. Left on Laurance Rd. Go 3.5 miles to the entrance of Chena lake Rec Area.
Directions from Eielson: North on the Richardson Hwy. Turn Right at Laurance Rd
Gold Dredge 8. After viewing the TransAlaska pipeline ride an original narrow-gauge train a short distance to the mine where you will see various types of mining equipment ranging from the old style to the most modern. After a short course in gold panning and an explanation of the dredge you are given your own chance to pan and you can keep the gold you are guaranteed to find. There is an excellent Gift Shop where you can find unique souvenirs of your visit. The tour takes approximately two hours and operates daily. The tour is Wheelchair accessible. Take the Steese Expressway then take a left onto Goldstream and a left onto Old Steese Highway. Shuttle Service. Call 907-479-6673 for pickup locations and times. 1755 Old Steese Highway. 1-866-479-6673
Wedgewood Resort houses a world-class collection of over 70 early American cars, ranging from horseless carriages of the late 1800s to opulent classic cars of the 1930s. Steam automobiles, electric carriages, cyclecars, a 1917 gas-electric hybrid car, midget racers and American’s first mass-produced front-wheel drive automobile are just a few of the highlights. On most summer evenings, one of the automobiles is fired up and driven around the resort so visitors can hear what the old cars sounded like, take a peek under the hood and speak with the driver.
The museum also showcases the lively heritage of the automobile during Alaska’s early territorial days and features several vintage Alaska vehicles. Entertaining videos and the large-format historic photographs that cover the walls depict challenges faced by Alaska’s automotive pioneers. One gallery includes a replica of the Sourdough Roadhouse as part of an exhibit about the historic Valdez-Fairbanks Trail. Here visitors can don period clothing, climb into an old car parked at the roadhouse and have their photo taken.
Other museum attractions include a wide range of memorabilia, on-going projects in the automotive shop, interactive exhibits and small gift shop. Dining and lodging are available on-site at Wedgewood Resort 907-450-2100
North Star Golf Club 330 Golf Club Drive, Fairbanks. Golf the northernmost USGA course under the Midnight Sun.
They have a visitor special for a 9 or 18 hole package that includes everything needed (cart, greens fee, club rental, balls etc) plus a yardage book, certificate of play, logo ball and hat or towel. Tee times can be booked on their website.
Exit Steese Highway at Chena Hot Springs Road, turn left on Chena Hot Springs Road then right on Old Steese and left on Golf Club Drive. 907-457-4653
Northern Alaska Tour Company is Alaskan-owned and based in Fairbanks. It specializes in unique sightseeing excursions throughout Alaska’s Arctic, utilizing a fleet of first-class touring vans, 25-passenger coaches and flight seeing aircraft. 907-474-8600 or 1-800-474-1986
Pioneer Park, a free 44-acre, historical thematic park, boasts the Alaska Centennial Center for the Arts, a carousel, a working, restored steam locomotive, a collection of authentic gold rush cabins and buildings, the restored SS Nenana, the Harding Rail Car, shops and much more.
Riverboat Discovery Captain Charlie Binkley first arrived in Fairbanks in 1898 with dreams of piloting sternwheelers on the great river systems of Alaska and the Yukon.
A great family tradition was founded in Fairbanks and over 90 years later his descendants still continue to carry passengers on Alaska’s rivers. The Discovery Sternwheelers are the only remaining authentic sternwheelers left in the state.
Consistently rated as one of the best tours in Alaska by international travel writers, the Riverboat is one tour that you must be sure not to miss. For shuttle service call 479-6673 for pickup locations, times and prices. 1975 Discovery Drive 1-866-479-6673
Wedgewood Wildlife Sanctuary at Wedgewood Resort features 1.5 miles of walking trails that wind through a forest and around Wander Lake, a model wetlands-reclamation project. The trails are suitable for wheelchairs and strollers and include resting benches, an observation deck and photography blinds. More than 100 bird species, 15 mammals, three types of fish, one amphibian and a wealth of plants have been recorded in the sanctuary. Interpretive signs located along the trails explain how the boreal forest’s flora and fauna have adapted to Alaska’s extreme climate.
This private sanctuary is adjacent to Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge. Trailheads are located near Laurel Building and the Alaska Bird Observatory at Wedgewood Resort. No entrance fee. Dogs and fishing are prohibited. 907-458-6112.
Alaska Public Lands Information Center located in the Morris Thomson Cultural & Visitors Center. offers scheduled films and special events & programs throughout the year. A variety of educational programs are available. Summer hours daily 9 to 5 from Memorial Day to Labor Day.Call 459-3730
A Monument to E.T. Barnette is found
near the Log Cabin Visitor Information Center. While traveling to
Tanacross to establish a trading post, Barnette convinced his captain
to let him off the riverboat Lavelle Young, when the route he picked
proved to be too shallow. As its founding father, he became the
richest man in town as he owned most of the prime land. Barnette
left town in 1911 after he was accused of embezzling money from
the Washington Alaska Bank. He was later acquitted, but never returned
to the town.
Chena
Hot Springs Resort 907-451-8104 is located at the center
of a 40 square mile geothermal resource area. Water flows from the
hot springs at 156 degrees Fahrenheit and must be cooled before
bathers can take advantage of its invigorating properties.
Accommodations vary from new bedroom units to rustic cabins ’s
RV parking and tent sites The main lodge features fine dining, intimate
surroundings and cozy fireplace, a full-service coffee shop and
lounge.
Chena River State Recreation Area on the Chena Hot Springs Road (30 minutes east of Fairbanks). The 250,000-acre recreation area has camping, picnicking, canoeing, rafting, fishing for grayling, wildlife viewing and sunbathing by the Chena River. There are three well-developed hiking trails. Two main campgrounds are at 27 & 39 mile Chena Hot Springs Road; toilets, water, picnic tables. There is also a picnic site (day-use only) at mile 42.8 Chena River State Recreation Site, on University Avenue in Fairbanks, is a 29 acre park and a campground bordering the Chena River. There are 58 campsites, water, restrooms, and dump station. Other facilities include a boat launch, picnic sites along the river, a playfield with a volleyball court and a riverside walking trail. 5-day camping limit.
Creamer's Field a waterfowl refuge
is located on the site of a historic dairy farm, and is now operated
by the Alaska Department of Fish & Game. Guided nature walks are offered during the summer,
call Friends of Creamer's Field at 452-5162 for
times. The farmhouse visitors center
on the property has exhibits and refuge information. A parking area
off College Road also provides an opportunity to view the geese,
ducks and sand hill cranes that gather at the refuge.
Fairbanks Ice Museum, the coolest
show in town! In the Historic Lacey Street Theater. The World Ice Art
Championships are held each March. The Ice Showcase is a glass fronted,
8,000 cubic foot walk-in display case that maintains a constant
temperature of -20 degrees. In this chilly environment sculptors
have transformed over 40,000 pounds of ice into colorful crystal
wonders. Come view these cool creations in the warm comfort of the
auditorium. 500 2nd Avenue, 907-451-8222.
Great Alaskan Bowl Company 4630 Old
Airport Way, 907-474-9663 or 1-800-770-4222. Visit the factory and
watch skilled craftman as they create solid wood hardwood bowls
ranging in size from 7” to 22”.
Immaculate Conception Church, 115 N Cushman, across
the Cushman Street Bridge near the railroad station, was built in
1904 and is included in the National Registry of Historic
Places.
Libraries abound in the Fairbanks area. Fairbanks North Star Borough
Noel Wien Public Library at 1215 Cowles St. Call 907-459-1020 for
more information. North Pole Library at 601 Snowman Lane; 907-488-6101.
University of Alaska Rasmuson Library. 907-474-7481.
Large Animal Research Station on Yankovich
Road is a geat place to view up-close the wondrous musk-oxen, caribou,
and reindeer that call the research station home. Learn about the
natural history and biology of these fasinating arctic mammals.
Tours available June to September, call 907-474-7207 for more information.
Gift shop has many items including unique handmade qiviut products.
Picnic Areas There are several day picnic areas in and around Fairbanks. No overnight camping, however, is permitted at any of these areas.
Pioneer Park is on Airport Way between downtown Fairbanks and the airport. Picnic shelter, tables.
Growden Memorial Park is on Second Avenue between Crosson and Wilbur Streets near Pioneer Park. Old fashioned baseball park and home of the Alaska Goldpanners.
Chena Lakes Recreation Area Picnic area and campground at mile 346.7 on the Richardson Highway, 15 miles outside of Fairbanks next to North Pole. Two campgrounds 80 sites, water, restooms. Day-use fees collected Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Chena River Wayside Camping Drive out Airport Way and turn right on University Ave. RV sites with 30 amp power & water, tent sites, restrooms, picnic area. Dump station and water.
Boat landings include Pioneer Park (just off Peger Road), Pike's Landing (on Airport Road between University Avenue and the airport) and Graehl Landing (Front Street and Forty Mile).
