Fairbanks Westmark

[Ladyaruba]

we are arriving a day early for our Alaska land/sea trip so that means two nights at the Westmark in Fairbanks.

1. Any suggestions on what not to miss in Fairbanks? We have the steamboat as part of our package.

 

2. Have heard lots of bad things about this hotel. Is it really that bad?

 

Thanks

[Sacto Rick]

We stayed there one night. It was after a full day on the bus from Denali and an excursion on Dredge #8 ( which we enjoyed even though it's a major tourist trap). The hotel is a little distance from downtown and there is little around it. We ate in the little diner next door. The food was good.

At any rate, we were flying out for Dawson City the next morning. We were tired from a long day so we ate, and retired for the evening.

It was very uneventful.

 

It's not the Ritz but the hotel itself will be okay. There just isn't much near there that interested us but then again, we were tired and only stayed for the night.

[wolfie11]

It’s not a bad hotel, but you’ll need a car. Th UAF museum is a must. Also at UAF is the botanical garden and musk ox farm. Chena Hot Springs, the Native heritage center and the farmer’s market are all interesting. Check out local events for your time frame.

[Budget Queen]

www.explorefairbanks.com Essential you have a car in Fairbanks, in my opinion. Alternative- would be if you were doing a fly/road combo tour up to Coldfoot/Wisemen (I don't recommend the RT road trips :) )

 

Figure out - first- what you want to see and do with your time, then go from there with the way to do it.

[Northern Aurora]

The Westmark Fairbanks is located in a rather odd neighborhood. The neighborhood seems to be transitioning from residential to something else, and I am not quite sure it is commercial. That being said, friends were on a HAL land tour and stayed there. They were of the opinion that the Westmark Fairbanks was nicer than the Westmark Anchorage.

 

The only attraction within walking distance is the Morris Thompson Cultural Center. Fairbanks is rather spread out, and we have lost a compact downtown area.

 

Budget Queen has given you the Fairbanks Visitors and Convention Bureau website. I also suggest looking at the Visitor's Guide on the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner website (http://www.newsminer.com). Scroll down to "Special Sections." The 2018 guide has yet to be published, but the 2017 one is posted.

 

And the Riverboat Discovery is not a "steamboat" but a paddlewheel. Paddlewheeler's were used throughout the waterways of Interior Alaska during our goldrush era.

[NEWLKAT]

There is the Fountain Head Antique Auto Museum if you are into Antique cars.

[oaktreerb]

we are arriving a day early for our Alaska land/sea trip so that means two nights at the Westmark in Fairbanks.

1. Any suggestions on what not to miss in Fairbanks? We have the steamboat as part of our package.

 

2. Have heard lots of bad things about this hotel. Is it really that bad?

 

Thanks

I think there was a comment last season about the Westmark in Fairbanks but it was probably related to the road construction in the area around the hotel.

 

This is a large hotel and convention center and during the season it handles an amazing number of tourists on HAL Denali and Yukon cruisetours. The rooms are nice, clean, with good beds, coffeemaker, etc. Some rooms are updated more recently and have a convention center feel. If you don’t like the room you are assigned ask for another room.

 

 

Mornings are hectic with groups of people preparing to board busses going in many directions. The dining room is just off the large lobby and provides a very busy full breakfast buffet. You have a coffeemaker in your room. You may be able to purchase a muffin in the gift shop the night before if you want a light breakfast. The muffins may sell out. For dinner I prefer eating from the bar menu rather than in the dining room.

 

 

You can walk to the scenic downtown area on the Chena river and to the Morris Thompson Cultural Center and visitor’s center. You can walk to Lavelle’s Bistro for dinner. Last year we were fortunate to be able to walk to the Midnight Sun Festival near the city center. Lots of college, military, and young families enjoying the longest days of the year.

 

 

For a two night stay, rent a car to see more of Fairbanks.

[donaldsc]

There is the Fountain Head Antique Auto Museum if you are into Antique cars.

 

+100 on this recommendation. I have been there 3 times. A world class car museum.

 

Also the Museum of the North is a great place.

 

If you are into great blues music, check out the Howling Dog Saloon - http://www.howlingdogsaloonak.com/ - to see what is playing. You do need a car to get there however as it is a bit out of town. However, you do need a car in Fairbanks anyway as things are spread out.

 

Another out-of-the-way place that is certainly different is the Golden Eagle Saloon - http://www.alaska.org/detail/golden-eagle-saloon - in Ester which is about 12 miles south of Fairbanks. It is a funky local bar where you get to cook your own burgers.

 

DON

[Ladyaruba]

The Auto museum looked interesting as did the Ice Museum!

Not far from the Westmark and will give us something to do that extra day.

Thanks