Treat yourself to a leisurely self-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
The walking tour brochure will take you on an hourlong stroll around Fairbanks' historical 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, over 80 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 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.
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.
El Dorado Gold Mine Tours 907-479-7613,
Fox, Alaska. Catch the fun and keep the gold!! Join 4th generation
Alaskans right on their own claim in the heart of one of the Interiors'
earliest gold producing fields. Ride an original narrow-gauge train
to a permafrost tunnel that depicts the way mining was done in the
early days. You then travel 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
you are given your own chance to pan and you can keep the gold you
are guaranteed to find. The tour takes approximately two hours and
operates daily. Wheelchair accessible. Take the Steese Expressway
to Fox then continue straight ahead on the Elliott Highway for 1.3
miles. Free shuttle service call 907-479-7613 for pick-up locations
and times.
Gold Dredge #8 at mile 9 of the Old Steese Highway is the only dredge still open to the public in Alaska. This is a Gray Lines' exclusive attraction in Fairbanks. Discover
the Gold Tour, 4-hours (mid-May through mid-September) departures 9am & noon. Tour
includes Historic downtown Fairbanks, The University of Alaska, The Alaska Pipeline, and an extended visit at the Gold Dredge. The tour includes a great family style lunch at the Goldstream Mining Camp. The giant gold dredges found throughout the North are possibly the best example of what men will do to recover the fabled gold. The intricate working of these "monsters" is explained on one of the best tours of its kind in Alaska. You will pan for guaranteed gold, and if you don't know how, the knowledgeable friendly staff will show you. There is time to explore Warehouse Row and Railroad Loading Dock. You will be amazed at how much material and supplies were necessary to run a gold mining operation here. Open 9 to 6 daily Tickets available from GrayLine of Alaska in the Westmark Inn 1980 S. Cushman, Fairbanks, AK 99701. 907-451-6835 or toll free 800 544-2206. The Gold Dredge is also open to independent travelers with ample parking for RV's.This is an excellent opportunity to see the inner workings of these giant dredges.
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.
North Star Golf Club 330 Golf Club Drive, Fairbanks. 907-457-4653 Golf the northernmost USGA course under the Midnight Sun. This is a great experience as it is a good course and offers new meaning to the word hazard as last summer I watched a fox steal my golf ball from the green.
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 towel.
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.
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 touring coaches, flight seeing aircraft,
& enclosed riverboats. 907-474-8600 or 1-800-474-1986.
Pioneer Park, Fairbanks' 44-acre,
historical and entertainment center, boasts a collection of authentic
gold rush cabins and buildings, the restored SS Nenana, the Harding
Car shops and much, much more.
University of Alaska Museum is rated
in Alaska's top 10 visitor attractions. Innovative exhibits on Alaska's
five geographical regions focus on the state's rich natural
and cultural history.
Highlights include the state's largest display of gold, a 36,000-year-old
mummified steppe bison, and special sections on the northern lights
and Trans-Alaska pipeline. Don't miss the perennial summer favorite muti-media shows- Dynamic Aurora and Winter. The Museum Store offers a fine selection
of handmade Alaska merchandise, as well as books, posters and educational
materials. All proceeds support the Museum's programs. Admission
charged. Even
if you are not a museum person don't miss this one. Located on the
West Ridge of the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus. For 24-hour
information, call 474-7505.
Riverboat Discovery, 907-479-6673.
1975 Discovery Drive Fairbanks, AK 99709. Captain Charlie Binkley
first arrived in the north in 1898. Having worked as a young man
on the Ohio River, he ventured to the Yukon with dreams of piloting
sternwheelers on the great river systems of Alaska and the Yukon
Territories. A great family tradition was founded and over 90 years
later his descendants still continue to carry passengers on Alaska's
rivers aboard the only remaining authentic sternwheelers left in
the state. Charlie's grandsons Skip, John, Jim Jr and even some of the grandchildren
operate the Discovery fleet on daily tours.
Every day at 8:45am and 2pm, the "Discovery III" riverboat departs for a half-day cruise on the Chena and Tanana Rivers. Drive out Airport Road,
turn right at Dale Road, and watch for the sign indicating directions to the "Discovery" landing. Then, prepare yourself to experience one of Alaska's most memorable adventures. Reservations are required as this is one of Alaska's most popular trips.
For the first leg of the trip, the "Discovery III" winds its way down the meandering Chena River. You'll see old homesteads and modern homes lining the riverbanks, and bush planes on floats and river
craft of every description secured to river docks. Cripple Creek, a tiny gold rush stream that yielded $100 million of the precious metal, merges and blends with the Chena. On the way down a short stop is made at the home of Dave Monson and Susan Butcher, four time Iditarod Champion. Susan quite often takes a break from her training to give an informative and entertaining talk
about her dogs and life on the trails in Alaska.
On the way back up the river a stop is made to visit Old Chena Indian Village, there you will meet Dave Monson and see Susan's champion Iditarod dog team in action. All of the guides aboard the Discovery are representative of the Indian and Eskimo cultures of Alaska. They will show you a how a fish wheel operates, along with a tour of the smokehouse where the salmon is smoked
and dried.
There is a stop to take pictures of the moose hides and to hear how the Athabascan Indians turn the hides into clothing. Included is a walk through an authentic trapper's cabin and viewing of a cache with furs displayed.
This trip was rated one of the top attractions in North America and is a real Alaskan experience, one that you will not soon forget.
Denali Outdoor Center Mile 238.5 Parks Hwy. Box 170 Denali Park, AK 99755; 907-683-1925
or 1-888-303-1925. Rafting, mountain
bike tours and kayaks!
Denali’s adventure company with 2-hour and 4-hour excursions
daily. Whitewater and scenic river trips, guided tours, rentals
and instruction for all ages and abilities. Professional, experienced
and friendly staff. Discounts for AK residents, military, groups
and children. Dry suits for all river runners. Free local shuttles.
Alaska Flying Tours. 705 Cranberry
Ridge Drive, Fairbanks, Alaska 99712; 888-326-4424. Custom
flightseeing tours to the Arctic Circle and Mt. McKinley are also
available with Alaska Flying Tours. Open year round!
Alaska Public Lands Information Center is a great way to be introduced to Alaska. On the corner of Third
Avenue and Cushman Street - in the old federal building - in downtown
Fairbanks The center features natural history and cultural exhibits,
and has a fish tank full of fish native to Alaska. They also have
regularly scheduled films on a variety of natural history and cultural
topics. They also have extensive information on planning a boating,
hiking or driving trip in the Interior. Summer hours are 9 to 6;
7 day's a week. Call 456-0527
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 There’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 state. Guided nature walks are offered during the summer,
call Friends of Creamer's Field at 452-5162 or 459-7301 for
times. The walks are 1 to 2 hours long. 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.
Ester Gold Camp is known for its bountiful
buffet and entertaining shows at the old-time Malemute saloon.
Tucked away in the complex is a small campground, handy for visitors
to the historical mining community of Ester. 907-479-2500.
Mile 351 Parks Highway; 907-479-2500, 800-676-6925.
Fairbanks Ice Museum, the coolest
show in town! In the Historic Lacey Street Theater, watch Freeze
Frame, a dynamic large screen multi-image presentation that journeys
through the start-to-finish process of Ice Art. 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.
Downtown Fairbanks - one block from
the Log Cabin Visitors Information Center. 500 2nd Avenue, Fairbanks,
AK 99701, 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”.
They specialize in one of a kind gift ideas by custom photo engraving
your personal photos on these beautiful wood products. The perfect
gift for every occasion.
Greatland River Tours Join
us aboard the sternwheeler Tanana Chief for a delicious Prime Rib
dinner cruise while you take in the sights along the historic Chena
River. Departing nightly at 6:45pm. Located where the Parks Highway
crosses the Chena River. 907-452-8687 or toll free 866- 452-8687
for reservations.
Immaculate Conception Church, 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.
Malemute Saloon in Ester is one of Fairbanks' leading visitor attractions. Found at the Ester Gold Camp, the Malemute Saloon has nightly entertainment, which features the poetry of Robert Service.
NOAA Command and Data Acquisition Station. mile 13.5/km 21.7 Steese Highway. The station is one of two in the U.S. responsible for tracking and commanding the nations' environmental and weather satellites. Several large antennae are employed to downlink environmental data, which provides the nation with information for its weather forecasts, search and rescue capabilities, and ozone monitoring. Visitors can learn about the methods and equipment used to operate the satellites, as well as look at how and why the data is distributed. Tourists who call ahead can coordinate their visit to the tracking schedule in order to watch the whole process in action. Tours are available daily from 8am - 4 pm. Call 907-451-1200 for more information.
SS Nenana and Tanana-Yukon Rivers Diorama. The authentic structural restoration of the Nenana provides us with
a visual conception of craftsmanship, which created the stately
elegance of the "Last Lady" of the River. Tours
aboard the SS Nenana are available between 11am and 9pm. 907-456-8848.
University of Alaska Library, houses the Skinner Collection of books on Alaska and the polar region.
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 Park is on Second Avenue between Crosson and Wilbur Streets near Pioneer Park. Picnic shelter and tables, firepits, playground.
Chena Lakes Recreation Area Picnic area and campground at mile 346.7 on the Richardson Highway, 15 miles outside of Fairbanks. See Nearby Attractions for more complete details of this multi-use facility.
Chena River Wayside Camping Drive out Airport Way and turn right on University Ave. Picnic area.
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).
