Recommendations for Fairbanks

There are sled-riding options around, even in the summer... seems like there were some in the Wasilla area - the name escapes me... ST

Thank you all for the wonderful suggestions. We have done most all of them. The museums were great as was the mine tour. The El Dorado is closed, but Dredge 8 took its place. I think the Binkleys must own this as well. The business model is identical to the Discovery tour, but uses a train as opposed to the boat. We felt it was a good value, especially since we bought the Tour Saver book. The Pump House was delightful, food was great, thanks again for all your help! Took in the Farmer's Mkt., as well, great fun! Loved hearing about the dogs, mushing, and the races. Now, just want to come back and ride on the sled!

Go to Pioneer Park. There is a great little mining museum and aircraft museum. Walk thru the shops too.

There is also an all you can eat buffet in the park. It opens at 5 pm. The food is great!

Cherry

When we visited Fairbanks in 2010 we went downtown to the Yukon Quest Sled dog race museum which is situated on the start/finish line for the annual race.
There is a small museum and souvenir store, but most interesting when we were there was actually a sled dog owner and some of their dogs. The lady musher that we talked to that day was very interesting and while explaining all of the Facets of sled dogging she also was very informative about the actual sled dog culture, different competitors, owners, breeders, etc.
Well worth the time if you are interested.

In addition to the excellent above suggestions and if you are interested in antique cars I suggest visiting the Fountainhead museum in the Wedgewood Resort. It is top tier, I spent two days there and will go back next time I'm in Fairbanks. Ladies enjoy the antique clothing displayed with the cars.
Robert
PS: Last year it was in the Toursaver booklet.

One of the fringe UAF offerings is a tour of the "Large Animal Research Station" - see http://lars.uaf.edu/tours - very much worth it! Like seeing musk ox up close and listening to reindeer "click" when they walk! You mentioned the Discovery riverboat - did you go to the El Dorado Gold Mine, too? ST

We are aware of the evacuation order on the road to Chena Hot Springs. We smell and see the smoke from either that or other fires from time to time. We also see overhead the planes and choppers with fire retardant. Thanks again for your help!

Chena Hot Springs is not a good spot right now (3 July) ... there is a raging forest fire along the road that is threatening residents. Many are on evacuation alert!

7/2 Evacuation Watch for MP 14-30 Chena Hot Springs Road

Stuart Creek 2 Fire (#280) – The Fairbanks North Star Borough has issued an Evacuation Watch for those living in the area from Mile 14 to Mile 32 of the Chena Hot Springs Rd. An Evacuation Watch is intended to inform those living in the affected area that there is a possibility that an evacuation may occur. Those who need extra time to evacuate livestock, sled dogs, or have other special needs may want to consider leaving the area before an evacuation order is issued. A Type 2 Incident Management Team will take over management of fire operations this evening and a Type 1 Team has been ordered. The fire, burning on Eielson Air Force Base, has grown to 45,000 acres. Smokejumpers, retardant tankers and water-scooping aircraft are attacking the fire. Military helicopters, dozers, and crews are also included in the operation.

PA12DRVR wrote:
As others have mentioned, Chena Hot Springs is a neat place.

Lavelle's (?) Bistro is a nicer restaurant.

Pike's Landing is a cool place to grab a buffet weekend breakfast

Chena Pump House is also a good casual spot.

The UAF Museum is a great place to visit.

Chena. Pump house UAF museum X2

http://www.pajbcooper.com/What%20to%20do%20in%20Fairbanks.htm

Here is some verbiage from our web site about Fairbanks and what I like to do. Most of the 25+ years that we lived in rural Alaska, Fairbanks was our place to shop, to see the bright lights, to get aircraft maintenance done, see a doctor or dentist, or to store our RVs.

Fairbanks doesn't appeal to everyone though. It takes someone that can be self entertained for the most part, as it isn't a tourist town, but is the service center for the vast area of the Interior of Alaska. It is the history of Alaska, the Alaska of Jack London and would have been of Robert Service, had he ever visited Alaska. LOL
Many things for tourists to do, but you have to search them out, as the OP is doing.