Fairbanks for Solo

[Naturluvr]

I will be by myself in Fairbanks on the last day of my cruise tour. I have already found out that the hotel will hold my luggage for me until I am picked up to go to the airport. My flight doesn't leave until early evening, so I will have several hours on my own there.

I am looking for ideas for something to do while I'm there. How is the public transportation? Or is it easier to take taxi cabs??

Is there a shopping area and someplace decent to eat lunch?

Any ideas would be helpful. I haven't had much luck on the website for Fairbanks. Much of the information for events, etc. is very outdated.

[AAL]

The answer to your question depends in part on your cruisetour activities in Fairbanks. It probably includes the Riverboat Discovery, which is a must-do. (They also have a large gift shop.) There are several interesting activities at the University of Alaska, especially the museum, another must-do (and another good gift shop). The Large Animal Research station (aka LARS or the musk ox farm) is also very interesting, as is the botanical garden, especially later in the summer when flowers are blooming.

 

http://www.uaf.edu/lars/tours_2006.html

 

http://www.uaf.edu/summer/activities/tours/index.html

 

The transportation depends on where you are staying. If your hotel is downtown, there is a public bus to the university, which has campus shuttles. However, if I were trying to do a lot of sightseeing on one day, I'd probably rent a car rather than take buses or cabs. Or your hotel may be willing to shuttle you to the museum.

 

If you want to remain in the downtown area, the Public Lands Information Center is worth a visit. There are several gift shops and restaurants downtown.

[Naturluvr]

Thank you for the suggestion of the University. I checked out the links you posted and it looks like an interesting way to spend the day. I will have time to figure out transportation once I get there, but it is nice to know the university has so much to offer.