THE THOMS SUNDAY TRAVEL SECTION.
To cruise guests, Fairbanks is the red-headed stepsister. You go there before or after visiting Denali.
If you ask me, Fairbanks has much more to offer than Denali Park. That is unless you travel out to Kantishna at the back of the park.
After numerous trips to Denali, I have yet to see that hiding mountain in its entirety.
That photo on the front of all travel brochures seems only to happen a few times a year.
Most people get to see the bottom of the mountain. When flying to Kantishna, I see the top. But there have always been clouds in between.
Then there is the wildlife sighting. I have yet to see a bear, moose, or other large animals up close along the park road. It’s either mountain goats or “see that spot way over there…?”
Fairbanks, on the other hand, has places closer to town for potential animal sightings. And it does not require a butt-breaking eight hours on a school bus.
And, it has a whole lot more than potential wildlife.
Let’s see why you might like to visit Fairbanks.
Visit Fairbanks Downtown.
The town is not large, although there are close to 90,000 in the borough (like a county.)
It certainly retains some of its early-day feelings.
Moose Antler Arch.
Just outside the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center, near the river, is this arch. It consists of more than 100 moose and caribou antlers. Think Instagram time. The arch leads to Griffin Park.
Chena River Viewpoint.
Also in Griffin park is one end of this pedestrian bridge over the Chena River. In the summer it offers views of the river. You can also watch the dogsleds race across the ice in February during the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race.
Chena Riverwalk.
This 3.5-mile paved path along the river is a great way to stretch the legs, possibly see some wildlife. Or use it to get from one place to the other. Stretching from Pioneer Park to downtown, it runs past the six sites listed above.
Fairbanks Ice Museum.
On second Avenue, a block from the river is this unique Museum. Inside the old Lacey Street Theatre building, tour ice carving displays. An award-winning ice sculpturing artist also does demonstrations during the summer months.
In addition to the river walk area, there are several museums near each other.
Pioneer Park Area.
This 44-acre city park is 8 minutes by car (40-mins walking) west of the visitor’s center along the Chena. The park features many museums and displays depicting early Alaskan history.
Park admission is free, but several sites within the park have admission fees. Some of the sites include:
S.S. Nenana Sternwheeler Riverboat.
The centerpiece of Pioneer Park is this 1933 sternwheel passenger boat. It is one of only three passenger sternwheelers still in the U.S. under steam power. Today, it is a National Historic Landmark. She was in use until 1955, carrying supplies and people into Alaska’s interior.
Tanana Valley Railroad Museum.
Adjacent to the museums is this train museum celebrating the Tanana Valley Railroad and its history. Engine No.1, the oldest working steam engine from the railroad, is on display alongside other vintage vehicles. Short train rides take place on select days in the summer.
Kitty Hensley House Museum.
Now a gift shop and visitors center in Pioneer Park, this is a traditional house from the early 1900s. The home museum includes many traditional artifacts from that period.
James Wickersham House.
Another house in the park is this one, the oldest home in Fairbanks, once belonging to Judge Wickersham. The house resides on the National Register of Historic Places and is managed by the Tanana-Yukon Historical Society.
Across the Chena.
Friends of Creamers Field at Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge.
This 2,200-acre bird sanctuary is a 10-minutes drive from downtown or 5-minutes from the Auto Museum. On the grounds once belonging to the Creamer family Dairy, since 1910, migratory waterfowl have been visiting. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game manages the area. The Friends of Creamer’s Field, a nonprofit organization, provides educational and interpretive programs. They also operate the Visitor’s Center in the original farmhouse. The spring migration begins in late April. The fall migration can begin in mid-August.
U.A. Museum of the North.
The museum collection on the campus of the University of Alaska Fairbanks dates from the university’s charter of 1917. Today, the museum is the largest repository of artifacts and specimens from across Alaska.
They include paleontological, ethnographic, and archaeological artifacts. The museum also includes an art gallery, gift shop, and temporary exhibits.
Visit Fairbanks Outside of Town.
Gold Dredge 8.
Today, Gold Dredge 8 is on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and a National Engineering Landmark.
But between 1928 and 1959, it would be a non-stop workhorse uncovering buried veins of gold.
A replica of the Tanana Valley Railroad takes you from the visitors center to the dredge. A mining museum stop follows the dredge visit. The site is approximately 20 minutes north of town. I recommend hiring a car.
Trans-Alaska Pipeline Viewing Point.
Nearby the dredge is a pull-off from highway 2, where you can easily see a section of the pipeline. The pipeline runs 800 miles and is 4 feet in diameter. There are a few signs with more information.
Large Animal Research Station.
L.A.R.S. is a 134-acre research station and part of the University of Alaska Fairbanks. In addition to studying the behavior and domestication of muskoxen and reindeer, they also offer visits.
Tours are daily in the summer and only a few days each week in the winter. Make reservations.
There are many other activities for tourists in Fairbanks. A modern sternwheel riverboat offers river cruises. Musher kennels offer dog cart tours as there is little snow for sleds in the summer.
In addition, there is rafting, helicopter flights, visiting reindeer, fishing, and more.
Visit Fairbanks in the Winter.
Aurora Borealis.
The Northern lights are actually taking place year-round. However, to see them, you need a dark, clear night.
In June – August, when the majority of travelers visit, this is almost impossible. With sunrise around 3:00 am and sunset not until midnight, the sky never gets dark enough.
The “season” in Fairbanks takes place between mid-September and late April.
On extremely clear nights, you can see the lights from Fairbanks. However, like stargazing, light “pollution” really dims the show. So, either with a tour company or on your own, get out of town.
World Ice Art Championships – Ice Alaska.
This ice sculpting contest is the largest globally and attracts more than 100 sculptors from multiple countries. The contest has several competitions ranging from a single block to multiple block creations.
Taking place over several weeks in March, it attracts large crowds.
Dog Sledding.
If you want the “sledding experience” in the summer, you sit in a cart or find a glacier.
However, snow is not a problem in Fairbanks from the end of September until April. By October, they usually measure in feet, not inches.
Unfortunately, the high temperature (before windchill) between December and February is usually below 6°F. There are several mushing operators near Fairbanks.
Yukon Quest.
Taking place every February, when weather conditions can be their worst, this international dog sledding race starts in Canada’s Yukon.
Then, 10 to 16 days later (on average), it ends in Fairbanks 1000 miles via sled, to the west.
Planning and reservations for this are essential months in advance.
Way Outside of Fairbanks.
Denali National Park and Preserve.
Although not my favorite National Park, if you are visiting Fairbanks…
Denali is much closer to Fairbanks than Anchorage, and you can reach it by car in approximately 2+ hours. The Alaska Railroad also offers passenger service to the park, which takes approximately four hours each way.
Once you reach the park, you must take the park’s tour via school-bus-like vehicles. Make reservations.
The full-day programs can run for 8 hours or more. You may want to overnight the night before or after just outside the park’s entrance.
For a real Denali experience, check out Kantishna.
The Arctic from Fairbanks.
When you visit Fairbanks, you can drive five hours each way to step foot in the Arctic Circle. The circle begins approximately 198 miles to the north.
The Geographic North Pole is an additional 1650 miles from the Arctic Circle.
The town of Utqiaġvik (once known as Barrow) is a four-hour flight each way from Fairbanks. This is the most northern community in the United States. However, it is still 1,122 nautical miles south of the North Pole.
Potential polar bear sightings can happen near Utqiaġvik in the spring and fall.
Igloos are rarer.
Visit Fairbanks Summary.
As you can see, Fairbanks, like many Alaska towns, has something to offer and acts as a gateway.
A Four Seasons or St Regis resort will probably never happen in Alaska due to its seasonal attraction. However, there are many clean, nice accommodations. They replace the missing health club with hospitality.
And that’s part of the Alaska experience as well.
If you are not ready to venture outside the United States, why not check out Alaska?
And while you are doing that, visit Fairbanks.
Want to read more about Fairbanks? Click here.
Would you please scroll down to the “Hey Explorer, what are your thoughts?” section below?
Then, please comment or tell me your thoughts on:
“Do you see yourself visiting Fairbanks in the summer or winter?
Would you mind helping me spread the news by rating, commenting, and sharing this blog below? – THANKS!
“See the World” Continued on Page T3. “Taste the World” Continued on T11.
Winter is my favorite season – Alaska would be a magical place to visit for me! Ice sculptures, sled dogs, snow capped mountains – what’s not to like?!
I would like to visit Fairbanks in the Summer when there is access to walking and hiking to explore the wildlife and nearby parks. But, the Aurora Borealis would be a thrill to witness someday.