Fairbanks is Alaska's second largest city and is located just north of Denali National Park, home of Mt. McKinley. Getting up to twenty-one hours of daylight in the summer months, it is an excellent place to experience the Midnight Sun.
Fairbanks was born out of the Alaskan
Gold Rush. Gold-fever victims rushed North, congregating on
Fairbanks and building the many gold mines that still surround the
city. Stop by the El Dorado Mine to try
your hand at panning for gold or to ride the train through the
original gold mines. And if you come in July, partake in the
Golden Days Festival, which celebrates the Gold Rush.
Interested in learning more about Fairbanks' unique history? Try visiting the Alaskaland Theme Park. It offers a replica of a Gold Rush town, original log cabins, a museum, and rides on the restored stern-wheeler SS Nenana.
Or stop by the University of Alaska Fairbanks museum. It has a huge collection of Native art and the largest gold exhibit in the State. Other attractions are the wooly mammoths and bison mummy - remnants of the last ice age.
Fairbanks is also rich with beautiful
scenery and wildlife. Take a tour down the Chena or Tanana
rivers on the Steamboat Discovery. As part of the tour, you
get to visit the Chena Indian village and view the champion sled dog
kennels.
Stop by the Alaska Bird Observatory for a bird walk or workshop. It overlooks Creamer's Field where geese, swans, and cranes migrate each spring and fall. Or visit the Georgeson Botanical Garden. In addition to their lovely flowers and huge vegetables, they provide short courses such as cooking with herbs and making jams.
Another must on this tour is a quick
side-trip to the Chena Hot Springs Resort. Located just sixty
miles north of Fairbanks, this Alaska's premiere mineral hot
spring. And it provides one of the best views of the Northern
Lights in the state.
