Alaska's Interior city of Fairbanks started as a gold rush boom town, built on the dreams of early prospectors hoping to strike gold. Today, locals and visitors alike have plenty of choices and activities to explore Fairbanks year round.
Nicknamed the Golden Heart City for its historic beginnings and the warmth of its residents, Fairbanks is the northern terminus of the Alaska Railroad and serves as a gateway to Alaska's Interior. As one of the largest cities in the state, this community offers a wide range of activities and outdoor adventures.
Visitors are entertained with music, festivals, culture, fine dining, art and the opportunity to escape to the rugged Alaska wilderness just minutes away from town.
Upon arrival in Fairbanks, stop at the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center for easy trip planning and information about local tours and events in the city. Train passengers bound for Fairbanks can also book tours and excursions in advance through the Alaska Railroad.
Visitors on the Alaska Railroad's 10-day Alaska By Daylight itinerary enjoy the chance to explore Fairbanks though a historic riverboat tour on the Riverboat Discovery.
The riverboat tour is three hours long and includes a floatplane demonstration with a takeoff and landing on the Chena River, and the opportunity to observe dogs at Trailbreakers Kennel, the home kennel of late four-time Iditarod champion Susan Butcher. Another stop allows passengers to visit an Alaska Native village.
Fairbanks is surrounded by a vast wilderness that offers a wealth of outdoor adventures. Just four hours south of Fairbanks is Denali National Park and Preserve, home to North America's tallest peak, Denali. On clear days, the mountain can be seen from Fairbanks, rising high above the Alaska Range to scrape the sky. Visitors can take a day trip to the park from Fairbanks aboard the Alaska Railroad's Denali Star Train.
Alaska's warm summer days and midnight sun beckon visitors to make the most of long days.
Another popular and unique day trip available from Fairbanks is the Arctic Circle Adventure. Visitors can choose from the ground or air travel, overnight or one-day travel packages. No matter how you get there, watching the midnight sun circle over the top of the earth is not an experience you'll soon forget.
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