You will find that most of the items you want or need can be
obtained in the local area. Although we do not have a large shopping
mall, there are several strip malls available. Most of the department
stores are names you will find familiar.
Shopping
In downtown
Fairbanks, you will find several shops displaying and selling Alaskan
jewelry, paintings, furs, books, Eskimo arts and crafts and much more.
A
Touch of Gold easy walking distance from Alaskaland. 2034 Airport Way,
Fairbanks, AK 99701. 907-451-7965. All jewelry is individually
designed and handcrafted of natural Alaskan gold nuggets. Editor's note: The
goldsmiths at A Touch of Gold are great and will custom design your
order.
Alaska Mint. Commemorate your adventure to Alaska. See the
Official Alaska Goldrush Mediallion at fine gift shops in Fairbanks and
throughout Alaska. The perfect gift designed and manufactured right here in
Alaska. Alaska Mint is th e Official mint for the State of Alaska Goldrush
Committee, Alaska Railroad and Iditarod. While in Anchorage visit the mint and
watch the skilled artisans create gifts of glittering silver and gold. 429 West
4th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501; 1-800-770-6468. For more information
see the link below.
Pioneer Park, midway between downtown and the
airport, contains several small shops that are housed in log cabin buildings at
Gold Rush Town, a unique Alaska style shopping center.
Santa Claus House
14 miles/22 km from Fairbanks, in the community of North Pole, Alaska. Each
year, the Miller Family plays the part of Santa, answering letters from
thousands of children. Fronted by a giant Santa Claus, the gaily decorated,
ginger-bread-type house contains one of the largest gift shops in Alaska and is
a must stop while you are in the Fairbanks area. 907-488-2200. For more
information see the link below.
Steamboat Landing. Home of the Riverboat
Discovery and Discovery Trading Post. Visitors can while away the time between
Discovery III arrivals and departures browsing among one-of-a-kind souvenirs,
Alaskan clothing and gifts. Next door, the Susan Butcher Gallery is
filled with the four-time Iditarod winner's memorabilia as well as an
exclusive line of Susan Butcher clothing. Open 8am to 7pm daily. Wheelchair
accessible. Editor's note: This is an interesting and well-stocked gift
shop.
The Artworks an outlet for Alaskan artists, features tasteful and
high quality work from all over the state. They can be found in a small shopping
center on the corner of University Avenue and College Road, 3677 College Road,
Fairbanks, AK 99709; 907-479-2563. Editor's note: The Artworks is a favorite of
mine. There is a great selection of gifts and art at very reasonable
prices.
Pioneer Park, Fairbanks 44 acre, historical pioneer theme park
and family recreation area, was built in 1967 as the center for Alaska's
celebration of the 100th anniversary of the state's purchase from Russia. Now
operated by the Fairbanks North Star Borough, the park has been renovated and
the facilities improved to become one of the state's top man-made
attractions.
Open all summer long, Pioneer Park offers a lengthy list of
things to see and do. Perhaps the best place to begin is the visitor
information center located in the log cabin just inside the Park entrance. This
is also where you register for RV parking. It is for self-contained vehicles
only. A fee is charged.
Alaska Salmon Bake serves an excellent buffet
featuring salmon from the icy waters of Southeast Alaska. These troll caught
King Salmon reach dining perfection over glowing alder coals in an
open pit fire. They also offer BBQ ribs and delicious golden halibut. All meals
come with vegetables, rolls and salad bar, and its served all-you-can-eat style!
16 oz Porterhouse steaks cooked over wood to order are also
available.
Civic Center is a year round community building offering
facilities for parties, conventions, seminars, and meetings. On the top level of
the Civic Center is the Bear Art Gallery, free and open to the public from 11am
to 9pm daily, Memorial Day to Labor Day, and noon to 8pm the remainder of the
year. Operated by the Fairbanks Arts Association, it features revolving shows by
local artisans as well as from those around the state.
Crooked Creek and
Whiskey Island Railroad, an authentic replica of early 1900's, 30 gauge Iron
Horse Train, is available to ride (for a small fee) around the
perimeter of the park. Children, adults and train enthusiasts will enjoy
this.
Gold Mine Valley contains working models of gold mining equipment.
See how the water cannon works, the old steam dredge that was used in the
building of the Panama Canal and many other interesting mining
artifacts.
Gold Rush Town within Pioneer Park, is composed of historical
buildings moved from the city. The cabins replicate
turn-of-the-century Fairbanks. Many of the log cabins have been turned into
shops offering a wide range of items from uniquely Alaskan gifts to
old-fashioned ice cream. All are open daily 11am to 9pm
Kitty Hensley
House in cabin #11 was built in the early 1900's. Captain Smythe, an
admirer of Kitty's, remodelled the structure you see today in 1914. Kitty
Hensley was a true eccentric and an information sheet describing her activities
can be found in the cabin.
Native Village and Museum offers artifacts of
local native culture that are symbolic of all Alaskan Natives. A self-guiding
interpretive trail through the Village. Information 456-1586.
Palace
Theatre & Saloon in the heart of Gold Rush Town presents a musical comedy
revue about life in the last frontier. The fun begins with the founding of
Fairbanks and romps through local history to present-day adventures. The
creators of this popular show insist that it's all-true! It plays 7 nights a
week from mid-May to mid-September. Call 456-5960 for reservations and times.
The unique, old-time saloon is open daily.
Pioneer Aviation Museum opened
in 1992 featuring artifacts of Alaskan aviation including historic aircraft,
engines and photos. See Alaska through the eyes of a pioneer
aviator.
Pioneer Museum offers a unique look at the past. Local residents
and pioneers donated many of the artifacts to the gallery. An extensive revue of
many famous Alaskan residents is on display from Sam White to Billy Mitchell to
the famous Noel Wien.
President Warren G. Harding Railroad Car "Denali"
recently underwent complete restoration and is open to the public for
viewing.
The Big Stampede in Pioneer Hall in Gold Rush Town offers a
narrated pictorial program depicting the many who came to this area in search of
gold. Alaskan artist C. "Rusty" Heurlin did the 15 paintings. The narrator is
Rueben Gaines, Alaskan radio commentator and storyteller. The
presentation is seated on a revolving platform and will delight any
history buff. It's a most informative show that relates to the historical
development of Interior Alaska. Editor's note: This is very well done
presentation.
Riverboat Nenana, a National Historic Landmark, next to
Gold Rush Town, was once a sternwheeler of the Yukon River Fleet. It rests on a
permanent grid dock. On the cargo deck is a diorama of the Tanana and Yukon
Rivers. Over 330 feet long this diorama is one of the best displays of its kind
in America. Guided tours are available daily. For more information see the
article in Things to Do or call 907-456- 8848.
Wickersham
House displays authentic furniture to duplicate the way it looked when the
famous Judge Wickersham, first Territorial Judge in Alaska, and his wife lived
there.
Wilderness Park and Boat Docks offers you a chance to enjoy a
quiet walk. There is an interactive playground system that will
provide many hours of entertainment for your children. Editor's note: An
excellent place to get rid of all the excess energy that develops while
traveling.
Dining
The Pump House(a National Historic Site) is on
the Chena Pump Road near the Chena River. Once part of a goldfield dredging
operation, this historic landmark has been reconstructed as a
turn-of-the-century Fairbanks restaurant. Most of the furnishings are antiques.
Fresh Alaskan seafood is the house speciality. The original house was
a part of the vast system of pumps, sluiceway, ditches and flumes constructed by
the Fairbanks Exploration Company. In 1933, the pump house began
pumping water from Chena River up 400 feet to Chena Ridge and through a
three-mile ditch to provide pressure for the hydraulic giants used to wash away
the overburden and thaw the gravel in preparation for the dredging of Cripple
Creek Valley near Ester. The historic location as well as great food
makes this one of the more popular restaurants in the Fairbanks area. If you
enjoy the long Alaskan afternoon the deck at the Pumphouse is the place to be.
The Pump House is a proud recipient of the DiRona award designating it as one of
500 distinguished restaurants in North America.
For more
information on The Pump House see the link below.
Regency Fairbanks
Dining room, cocktail lounge. 95 Tenth Avenue, Fairbanks,
AK 99701. 907-452-3200 or toll free 1-800-348-1340. Editor's note: This is a
great hotel with an excellent restaurant. For more information please
see the link below.
River's Edge Resort Cottages 4200 Boat St. Chena's
Fine Dining & Deck opened in May 1998 making this a full service
resort with banquet, convention facilities and group meeting rooms. Tour booking
desk 1-800-770-3343, 907-74-0286 fax 907-474-3665. See the web link
below for more information on the River's Edge Resort Cottages.