Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Alaska Things to do in and around Fairbanks

Finally, going to visit my son and was wondering if there are must see and do in the area? I have a week to plan so there's no rush from one thing to another. Any help is appreciated, thanks.


Mac

Fountainhead Antique Auto museum, if you're into old (I mean very old) cars. Not 1950's Fords or anything close to that 'new': I am talking Model Ts and even its precursors.

Denali is kind of neat and doable on a day trip, but it is stupid crowded this time of year. Eagle and 12-Mile Summits are day trips as well. Nothing special, but a nice drive and a good view from up there.

Unfortunately Fairbanks proper isn't the most scenic part of Alaska. It is just trees, trees and more trees with lots of junkyards thrown in.

Turtle Club...

Head over to Skinny Dicks Halfway Inn.

Chena hot springs
Canoe upper Chena river
Riverboat Discovery
Enjoy a meal andbeverage on the Chena Pumphouse deck on the river
Go up the Steese Hwy a bit and see the Alaska Pipeline and gold dredges
UAF Museum

The auto museum is world class, if you're into old cars, some pretty unique stuff.
Great on a rainy day.

The riverboat and gold dredge are worthwhile if you're into rubber tomahawks. The riverboat ride is pretty cool, lots family history. The Binkleys did actually ply the river's back in the day. I think one of Jims granddaughter is a cap'n these days.

UAF has a museum that use to be worth a look.

Ruth Burnett fish Hatchery is right in town, and they have tours.

Golden eagle in ester is the only real "saloon" left.

Alaska land is worth a look and last time I was at the salmon bake it was good.

Turtle club in fox for prime rim.

Chatanika lodge is the real deal.

Skinnys isn't the same since they hooked up to the grid, use to love it when the juke box sped up and slowed down when he was on the witte.


Mighta been a lister...?

I live 300 yards from the Turtle Club. It has good prime rib but it is always crowded, dark, hard to see and you have to yell to have a conversation. I'd rather hit up Silver Gulch if it is open. The 7 layer chocolate cake is sometimes worth the hassle though.

UAF Museum of the North is worth a look.
I used to stop by the Chatnika Lodge every time I checked traps or was up the Steese for whatever reason. Nice owners (Ron and Shirley) but the food is pretty generic. Last I saw of Ron, he wasn't doing well at all. The River Boat discovery thing is kind of neat no doubt. Chena Hot Springs is way too crowded and touristy for me.

If a guy has a couple days, I'd drive to Valdez, spend the night somewhere ad come back. Any motel would likely be both expensive and out of vacancy, so grab a sleeping bag and a tent. Find a somewhat high area to (sort of) get away from the mosquitos.

Avoid Delta at all costs. No one sane in that area.

Does that include you Vern? I assume you don’t want the tourist crowd gawking around…

The car museum is a must. There isn’t a single car in there that isn’t mint and every one still runs…

The collection is so large that they don’t all fit in the museum. Cars are rotated in and out.

I don’t know about that but I do understand your logic. 😀

I really fell in love with Delta because the people I met were first rate! It’s a beautiful area but too cold for me. I know what my temperature limits upper and lower are so Texas and Delta are out

Park is closed at 42 mile...don't do it ...the car and uaf museum and the riverboat d , gold dredge 8 and t club are what to hit... The t club needs a 6pm/ 1st seating to enjoy it well be full when u leave. Got a day drive fbks to cantwell to Paxton to Delta (say hi to vern ) and back to fbks. Fairbanks has a lot to offer besides trees...Robert service didn't write about Anchorage ya know...lol

Ps... I can tell you when the mountains out evening or early morning, and where you could run and see it ...

That is right, but he did not write about Fairbanks either! Skagway or bust!

Art..that was mean.......

I have earned worse!

Fact.

Found some neat gun shops when I was there a couple years ago. Go climb Donnelly Dome.