In anticipation of an August award trip, I requested and received the 80-page "Official Visitors Guide" from http://www.explorefairbanks.com. Lots of fun-sounding activities are listed, too many for my mere 2 day visit. Can someone comment on any of these?

Riverboat Discovery -or- Tanana Chief -or- Greatland River Tours -or- Pike's Riverboat Cruises
El Dorado Gold Mine -or- Fort Knox Gold Mine
Alaskaland Theme Park
Tales of the Trail With Mary Shields -or- visit to Susan Butcher's place
Ester Gold Camp -or- Gold Rush Gold Camp
Fairbanks Ice Museum
University of Alaska Museum
Pioneer Air Museum

Also, is there a way to get discount coupons for any of these before arriving?

Thank you!

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Middle_Seat

Having exhausted the tourist opportunities in Healy a few years back, we headed to Fairbanks for the day.

With all due respect, Fairbanks is something less than a major tourist destination. The downtown tourist office has a nice little display, and several shops with semi-interesting jewelry and knick-knacks can hold one's attention for a few hours.

We headed for AlaskaLand, which is a mile or two from the downtown epicenter. "Theme park" is a bit of a stretch: there were several small shops, a museum, and a few would-be exhibits that appeared to have gone to seed. The museum was moderately interesting (lots of artifacts, not much organization). I don't recall being charged admission for AlaskaLand, but I might be mistaken about that.

Back from Fairbanks, let me answer my own question:

1. The Riverboat Discover trip is top notch. Lots of fun, educational, with interesting stops. There were probably 300 to 400 folks aboard, almost all having arrived at the dock via charter buses. We saw a private plane take off from a grass runway about a city-block long, saw sled dogs, 2 very-different rivers and a native Alaskan village re-creation.

2. AlaskaLand, now renamed Pioneer Park, was almost deserted. It has interesting old stuff, including a riverboat, Pullman car and airplanes. They also have all-you-can-eat salmon in the evening.

3. The university campus and museum was worth the stop. The aurora show was good...they have auroras 200 nights of the year, but none in the summer because it never gets dark. Fairbanks is right under the auroras...if you go north you have to look back south to see them.

4. A public viewing site for the Alaska pipeline is about 7 miles out of town. You can actually go up and touch the pipe (if you are tall enough) at a visitor center which evidently is sometimes staffed.

5. I asked a local if the town/city shuts down in the winter. No, he said, winter is when all the Japanese tourists come. He thinks they choose Fairbanks for two reasons: First, for bragging rights at having gone to an exotic location while all their friends went to Hawaii. Second, because any Japanese child conceived under the auroras is destined to be lucky.

6. I marveled at all the large aircraft arriving and departing FAI. A local told me that mostly they are cargo aircraft between the Far East and the US. He said that landing and fueling costs at FAI are less than at ANC, so the cargo jets all choose FAI.

I was in Fairbanks for two full days and enjoyed it.

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Middle_Seat

For future reference...

You can also eat at the Northernmost Denny's In The World, and at the cash register pick up a card attesting to this fact. Certainly Fairbanks is home to the Northernmost A Lot Of Other Things In The World as well.

It never truly gets dark during most of June and July. Just being outside after midnight and doing stuff such as driving around town without headlights is kinda fun.

If you think you have extra time, go hiking in Chena Hot Springs State Park and/or spend a night at the lodge there to bathe in the springs. The vegetation around Fairbanks is surprisingly like that in the Rockies (lots of big aspens) and not at all like that on, say, the Kenai Penninsula.

I believe LH runs a weekly FRA-FAI flight in the summer. When I was there I saw lots of tourist-oriented material written in German as well as Japanese.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Frequent Freak:
...It never truly gets dark during most of June and July. Just being outside after midnight and doing stuff such as driving around town without headlights is kinda fun...</font>

OTOH, the fireworks display on the closing night of the Tanana Valley "State" Fair was held at 11 PM, at which time it was still plenty light enough to read a newspaper http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/frown.gif

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Middle_Seat

Found this old thread with search.

We're trying to use up my old Delta frequent flyer miles before they get devalued, so are looking around for interesting distant places that we haven't spent much time at, and I found 2 SkySaver F seats to FAI in August, so we're thinking about going, and would really appreciate any updates on the above. We're interested in fishing, hiking, nature, rivers etc. as well as the best possible food and accomodations. (We've previously done Denali via the railroad.) Also thinking about a daytrip to Nome? Thanks for any advice.

I don't have any updates for summer travel, but I did go there in early March a couple of years ago. The reason was to see the aurora (success from airplane window on the inbound flight, but it was overcast most of the time I was there on the ground).

Be careful of the riverboat cruises...there was one really good company and one crummy one.

I really enjoyed Fbnks in both summer and winter! Have fun!

Found this old thread with search.

We're trying to use up my old Delta frequent flyer miles before they get devalued, so are looking around for interesting distant places that we haven't spent much time at, and I found 2 SkySaver F seats to FAI in August, so we're thinking about going, and would really appreciate any updates on the above. We're interested in fishing, hiking, nature, rivers etc. as well as the best possible food and accomodations. (We've previously done Denali via the railroad.) Also thinking about a daytrip to Nome? Thanks for any advice.

If you are at all interested in the Pipeline, head up to Prudhoe. The Dalton highway is famous, the scenery is spectacular. Not the cheapest trip in the world, but well worth the money. There is one company in Fairbanks that will rent cars for the dirt road. Otherwise, this tour is probably the best of the many available. http://www.northernalaska.com/arctic-ocean.htm

We have been to Prudhoe twice and the second time we chartered a plane to ANWR. Had to see what all the hullabaloo was about.

Another tour that I recommend is this one: http://www.northernalaska.com/anaktuvuk.cfm

Depending on how late in August you are going, there MAY be polar bears in Barrow. I saw them in 2003-August 30. They just seemed to show up one day.

Found this old thread with search.

We're trying to use up my old Delta frequent flyer miles before they get devalued, so are looking around for interesting distant places that we haven't spent much time at, and I found 2 SkySaver F seats to FAI in August, so we're thinking about going, and would really appreciate any updates on the above. We're interested in fishing, hiking, nature, rivers etc. as well as the best possible food and accomodations. (We've previously done Denali via the railroad.) Also thinking about a daytrip to Nome? Thanks for any advice.

I you want to go from Nome from FAI, you would have to backtrack to ANC and fly out of there. If you've got the wanderlust to go north of the Arctic circle, Alaska Airlines flies from FAI direct to Barrow. There you can see life on the edge of the Arctic sea. Alaska used to, and might still do a tour package including the flight, tour of Barrow and dance session with native Alaskan Indians.

I lived in Fairbanks for three years in the early 90s. My tips:

1-Mosquitos, mosquitos, mosquitos. Bring or buy repellant.
2-The pipeline display just north of the city is free and is very informative. They have a pipeline cleaning 'pig' on display.
3-Take the obligatory trip south to North Pole, AK and go to Santa Claus house.
4-The riverboat trip is a good idea.
5-UAF museum is another thumbs up.
6-There's not too much in the way of shopping. No real malls, but Fred Meyers store is a welcome break from Wal-Mart.

Have fun.

On my trip to Alaska from which we just returned, we did the El Dorado Gold Mine and enjoyed it. Kitschy as hell, but fun. :)

North Pole is a complete and utter waste of time.

Dinner at The Pump House was very good.

We stayed at the Best Western and it was cheap and not bad, with free wifi.

...North Pole is a complete and utter waste of time....I didn't find anything to do there, either. I did park my car next to the "North Pole" itself, set camera on the roof of the car, and take a photo using the self-timer...PROOF that I've been to the North Pole :D

Somewhere between Fbnks and North Pole was an airport for ultra-lights, and they were all flying that day so I stopped for awhile to watch. That is the only place where I encountered many mosquitos.

OK, OK. North Pole is kind of campy, but it is something to see, even if only for a half hour or so. The drive to N. Pole is pretty, although not quite as nice as the section between Delta Junction and Tok. But that is a really long drive.

I also used to go down to Anchorage to sightsee, and of course Denali park. Fairbanks does not have that many really interesting sights to see and the terrain is nowhere near as dramatic as Anchorage. I love those mountains, and coming into ANC is usually breathtaking.

...although not quite as nice as the section between Delta Junction and Tok. But that is a really long drive.

This part of the drive from Fairbanks to Valdez is probably the single best scenic drive I've ever taken. Incredible jaw-dropping mountain scenery...

I live in Fairbanks and here's what I suggest to visiting relatives and friends:

* Riverboat Discovery; first-class operation and extremely popular
* Chena River Recreation Area; take a hike or just drive through - you almost always see moose and other wildlife - hike the Granite Tors Trail which is about 3 miles long and has a great view of the valley from the Tors.
* UA Museum of the North - recently renovated and expanded, this is aa research museum full of artifacts and art.
* UAF Georgeson Botanical Garden - full of beautiful flowers and vegetables, though it might not be very impressive in August
* Tanana Valley Fair; usually takes place the first or second week of August, lots of great food, some OK entertainment, and giant vegetables
* Rent a kayak/canoe and float down the river; a great way to experience Fairbanks
* Chena Hot Springs Resort; indoor and outdoor thermal pools and the ice hotel.
* Farmer's Market; Wednesdays and Saturdays - vegetables, baked goods, food booths, handicrafts

Here are the Best Restaurants from a Fairbanksan's perspective:

* Beef/Seafood - You can't beat the Turtle Club in Fox (7 miles north), fabulous prime rib, consistently good. This is where Fairbanksans take visitors to eat.
* Italian - Gambardella's on 2nd Avenue. Good food, nice atmosphere.
* Thai - For some reason, there are 8 or 9 Thai restaurants in the Fairbanks area, but the best of the bunch is Thai House on 5th Avenue.
* Best Deck - there are a number of restaurants on the river that have decks but I like the deck at Pike's Restaurant the best. The food's OK, the service can be slow, but spending a few hours watching the river flow is a nice way to spend an afternoon.
* Best Tourist Trap food place; the Salmon Bake at Pioneer Park, pricey but the salmon, halibut, steak and ribs are good. Even locals go there once a summer.

So, that's all I can think of at the moment. I'd be glad to supply further information if you need it. Have a great trip!

Thanks so much for all of the advice.

What would you recommend for lodging, as nice as possible? Maybe a lodge with hiking etc.

Also, I see that AS offers either a day trip or overnight trip from FAI to Barrow. Any thoughts on that? Thanks

Thanks so much for all of the advice.

What would you recommend for lodging, as nice as possible? Maybe a lodge with hiking etc.

Also, I see that AS offers either a day trip or overnight trip from FAI to Barrow. Any thoughts on that? Thanks

Barrow is a once in a lifetime experience that will leave you in awe. You fly in on the back of a half cargo / half pax 737. The airport itself is tiny (or was in 1994, back when Alaska and Mark Air had seperate trailers.

If Alaska still offers the day tour, it is worth it. Overnight, I think there is only one hotel up there, so ensure if you do that, you book in advance. There is a Mexican restaurant (go figure) that was not bad at all. I enjoyed just walking around town, going into the grocery store, etc. It is amazing how isolated these folks are, and yet they seem content with it.

Personally, I would do the day trip, but if you want to stay overnight in Barrow, go for it. I will just always cherish the trip I took to Barrow.

Well, if anybody's interested, we're now at the end of our Fairbanks trip with some spare time waiting for the midnight flight to SLC.

Stayed at the centrally located Springhill Suites, same as any other Springhill, except they have a nice restaurant (Lavelle's Bistro) with an extensive wine list and extensive menu. The food was good but not great (Frommers gives them 3 stars, but I wouldn't). With a menu that extensive, it's hard to do much great. Also ate at Pike's and the Pump House. They are on opposite sides of the river near the airport. Decent food, adequate wine selection, nice views.

The Thai House was recommended. After walking all over, we finally found them. They've moved twice over the past 2 years, but currently don't serve wine, so we passed.

We did the Discovery Riverboat tour, which was not bad, but you really don't see that much of the river. We stopped several times to see pre arranged presentations from the shore as well as planes taking off and landing.

Chena Hot Springs Road is scenic, and offers various hikes. We encountered a car that had just encountered a moose that caved in the front window, leaving some blood and hair. The moose was long gone, and the occupants of the car were shaken but not hurt. No cell phone reception so we drove ahead to call the police. Also saw a live female moose munching vegetation along the side of the road.

We did go to Barrow for one night. Stayed at King Eider Inn, which is very nice. Walked around the entire town, and had chinese takeout for dinner.

We were lucky with excellent weather throughout. Over 80 degrees at some points in FAI, and a high of about 40 in Barrow. For our full day there, no rain, but on the day of departure the rain had returned.

Pioneer Park (formerly known as AlaskaLand) was excellent. There are dozens of shops and places to get food, and several historic exhibits, including an aviation museum. There is no admission charge to the Park, but a few of the larger exhibits ask for a few $.

We're going to stop by the museum at the University before we catch our flight. That's also rated ***.