Fairbanks AlaskaFairbanks is Alaska's "Golden Heart City" and is located to the north of Denali National Park and south of the Arctic Circle. Located on the Tanana and Chena Rivers, Fairbanks is Alaska's second largest city. Fairbanks enjoys the summer's Midnight Sun and is famous for seeing the winter's Northern Lights. Average temperatures range from -19 below to the mid 80's. The summer of 2004 saw tempertures nearing 100 degrees. A small town atmosphere in a city of about 82,000 people makes Fairbanks a great visitor destination. Riverboat Discovery- This is a 3 1/2 hour cruise on a historical paddle boat. Meet Iditarod Champion Susan Butcher and learn more about the Athabascan Indian Culture by visiting a Chena Indian Village. This is a first class tour and highly recommended. Riverboat Discovery At the Pioneer Museum- you will get a taste of Frontier Alaska, where Sourdoughs carved a livelihood from the wild, beautiful, and sometimes harsh land. Preserved and displayed here are artifacts and photos demonstrating their hard work, daily life, and recreation. Along with prospecting and mining tools and equipment. Also enjoy "the Big Stampede Show", featuring paintings of Alaskan artist C. R. "Rusty" Heurlin and narrated by Poet Laureate Ruben Gaines. A uniquely Alaskan show documenting Alaska's gold rush years. Pioneer Museum Chena Hot Springs-Chena Hot Springs Resort is Alaska's premier natural mineral hot springs. The 440-acre resort is also known for its healthy outdoor opportunities in the pristine wilderness of Alaska's great Interior. Hike, bike, raft, canoe, ride horseback, flightsee, fish, snowshoe, cross-country ski, ride snowmobiles, see America's only ice hotel, get a massage, eat, drink, relax and revitalize your spirit. Selected in 2001 as the Alaska's Best Hot Springs by Alaska Magazine readers. Chena Hot Springs El Dorado Gold Mine- Travel professionals have called this "the best 2-hours you will spend in the state." Ride the Tanana Valley Railroad in the interior's original gold fields and pan for gold. They guarantee you'll find gold. Highly recommended. El Dorado Gold Mine Georgeson Botanical Garden-See what grows under the midnight sun. This is an University of Alaska, Fairbanks supported garden featuring giant vegetables, flowers and more. Located on the University campus. PhotoSymphony Productions-See the aurora borealis even in the summertime. The only panoramic Aurora show in the world. Palys nightly in the summer months. PhotoSymphony Santa Claus House- Thirteen mile outside of Fairbanks in the community of North Pole, is Alaska's official Santa Claus House. Originally a trading a trading post, this is a shoppers paradise. Visit Santa's Reindeer. Open year round. Large Animal Research Station-Veiw Muskoxen, Caribou, and Reindeer up close. Learn about the history and biology of these unique arctic mammals. 1-hour tours available Memorial Day thru Labor Day. Large Animal Research Station Alaska Bird Observatory-A nature center with information, exhibits, and programs on Alaska's Birds. Guided bird walks and local birding information available. Alaska Bird Observatory |