Fiarbanks and surrounding area - things to see and do

[Fluffy Terry]

We are starting our cruise tour in Fairbanks on July 13 and are intending on flying in on Friday July 12, renting a car and seeing the area. Help, need suggestions on what there is to see and do in the area for the Saturday. We wont be getting in on Friday till around 4 in the afternoon, and probably will be tired so it be only for the Saturday. But I am sure there is probably things close that we could do in a day?

 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

[Northern Aurora]

Hello Fluffy Terry: The Fairbanks Convention & Visitor's Bureau website is a great place to start looking at options in Fairbanks (http://www.explorefairbanks.com). Do you have any specific interests? Any activities in Fairbanks included in your cruise tour (ie: the Riverboat Discovery, Gold Dredge #8)? Do you know where you will be staying?

[Fluffy Terry]

We are staying at Pike's Waterfront Lodge, want to drive to North Pole (yeah do the tourist thing, but we figure it would be fun, there are couple of museums we want to see, but was wondering what else there is in the area. Also looking to buy native arts and crafts (not at tourist stores, but hopefully from the people who actually do the work). Thanks for the website will check it out

 

Hello Fluffy Terry: The Fairbanks Convention & Visitor's Bureau website is a great place to start looking at options in Fairbanks (www.explorefairbanks.com). Do you have any specific interests? Any activities in Fairbanks included in your cruise tour (ie: the Riverboat Discovery, Gold Dredge #8)? Do you know where you will be staying?

[mapleleaves]

In addition to the city's web site, perhaps borrow an Alaska travel book from your library to get some ideas.

I like Fairbanks and think it gets short-changed. In additon to the gold panning and riverboat excursions included in most cruisetours, you can visit: Morris Thompson Cultural Center, Pioneer Park, Antique Car museum, the pipeline exhibit, UofA Museum of the North, Creamers Field for birding and walk. Drive out to Chena Hot Springs for some moose viewing along the way. (recently there was a lengthy trip report that included photos of the hot springs). OR visit North Pole.

 

p.s. here's the report from twinkD

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1708676&page=5

[Goldiedog]

Check what time your cruise tour starts, we had to be up at 6.00am for an 8.00am start at Fairbanks, you may not have enough time to do anything yourself.

[Northern Aurora]

Since the OP only has one day in Fairbanks I don't think I would waste it by driving to North Pole. Is your plan to visit the Santa Claus House? And the OP certainly won't purchase native arts and crafts at the Santa Claus House, which is filled with overseas manufactured Christmas stuff and tourist trinkets.

 

The OP is also arriving in Fairbanks early in the tourist season. The museums and shops at Pioneer Park don't officially open until the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend.

 

However, the Museum of the North will be open (it is open all year long), and is, in my opinion, nicer than the Alaska State Museum in Juneau. They also have a nice gift shop.

 

The Tanana Valley Farmer's Market may be open for the season that weekend (check their website), and they actually generally have a nice selection of local crafts.

 

The Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum is fantastic, but be sure to check their website to ensure they will be on summer operating hours.

 

The Morris Thompson Cultural Center is open year round, and has very interesting displays on Athabascan culture.

 

If the OP wants to see the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, it can be viewed a few miles north of Fairbanks on the Steese Highway.