Fairbanks - afternoon suggestions?

[azmtnman]

We're taking pre-cruise land excursion starting August 9. Any suggestions for afternoon we arrive in Fairbanks? Any tour company suggestions? THANKS!!!

- Lianne & John

[tinydancer21]

You could walk around downtown and look at the shops, or Pioneer Park is fun, it's a big park set up like old Fairbanks, each cabin is a gift shop, it's relaxing and fun.
How late are you going to be here? If your going to be here overnight you should eat at Turtle Club, it's a short drive out of Fairbanks, you pass the pipeline and the food is the best in Fairbanks by far!
Here is a really good web site they just created about Fairbanks:
[url="http://www.cometofairbanks.com"]www.cometofairbanks.com[/url]
If you rent a car you should drive out to North Pole and visit Santa Clauses house, it's a twenty mile drive (only about 20 minutes) and the gift shop is really cute and the drive is pretty, on a clear day you can see the Alaska Range to your right.
You could go on the Riverboat Discovery too, it's a great tour down the river.
(My best girlfriend lives in Scottsdale now! She is home for the summer and works at Pikes Resturant, which is also a great place to eat!)

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=8b0000&cdt=2004;9;5;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
9/04 Pride Second Anniversary, First Honeymoon!

[Budget Queen]

A major question- will you have a car. It is VERY difficult to tour Fairbanks without one. The above suggestions are excellent. Pioneer Park also has an excellent salmon bake and I always enjoy the show at the Palace Theater. You may also want to consider Fairbanks University, the botanical gardens are beautiful, the museum interesting and with a car you can have a look at the musk oxen. If downtown early enough- the Ice Museum and the Public Lands building. I second the Turtle Club but also an always do for me is Chatanika Lodge.

[tinydancer21]

Chatanika is cool, it's a pretty drive too. I think a car is a really good idea too. There is a really good shuttle service in town, it's called Airlink, that dosen't charge to much but if you want to see more a car is a must (don't worry you can't get lost). Oh, if you go out to North Pole you can drive about 20 miles more and go to the Knotty Shop, its a really cool gift store with all locally made stuff.

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=8b0000&cdt=2004;9;5;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
9/04 Pride Second Anniversary, First Honeymoon!

[Genessa]

we used Airlink shuttle several times and found them to be very entertaining as well as prompt and reasonable.
If you wanted to, you could arrange an impromtu tour with them.
We especially enjoyed the museum at the University. I could visit it once a month, easily.

[azmtnman]

[B]THANKS [/B]for Fairbanks suggestions! Our party of six is arriving 2-3 pm and have the rest of the day free. Next day we're going on the riverboat excursion with RCCL land package and then on to Denali Park. I'll look into Airlink shuttle or perhaps our party can take a taxi to see the sights that you all suggested.
Thanks again!!!!!
- Lianne

[tinydancer21]

You'll love the Riverboat Discovery, it's very informative and relaxing, a lot of people think it's like a Disneyland ride or something from the discription but it's not it's a pretty long ride on a real paddle boat, the coolest part is seeing the two rivers merge together one is pretty blue and the other is dirty, very interesting site! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] FYI: if your traveling with smaller kids the night show at the Palace Saloon is an adult show. It's a really great show just not really for the kidies! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=8b0000&cdt=2004;9;5;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
9/04 Pride Second Anniversary, First Honeymoon!

[azmtnman]

TinyDancer - There's six adults in our party so we just might take in the Palace Saloon. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

- Lianne

[boten]

Tiny / BQ,

Do you know which time is LESS crowded on the Discovery boat, The morning or the afternoon sailing?
we'll be in Fairbanks "independent" with a rental, July 26 -27 & July 29-30 (doing Barrow on July 28).
We want to use the TourSaver coupon for the Discovery.

NBP [7²=49]
[I]Boten, you're always good for a laugh[/I] - newtocc
[I]Boten, I want to speak with Mrs. Boten. NOW[/I] - brigittetom

[Budget Queen]

The cruise tours- occupy all times on the Discovery. So I doubt it will make a significant difference when you go?? With only an afternoon- I still say a car rental is the BEST option- you will see much less with public transportation. I was at the Knotty shop in March- wonderful wildlife exhibit and GREAT ice cream. Bought a nice diamond willow walking stick. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] Supposed to be one of the best places for gold jewerly purchases too.

[Yukon]

The Knotty Shop is one of the most expensive gift shops in Alaska - certainly in Interior Alaska. They pay the cruise lines to stop their land excursion buses there, and those commissions are apparently added on top on everyone else's regular retail. They have some great Alaska arts and crafts, but other than the stuffed ptarmigan, there doesn't seem to be anything there that you can't get in lots of other places.

Murray

[Budget Queen]

Hey Murray- I WAS happy with my walking stick purchase. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] But it was the only place I found them. I did feel the price was fair- but what do I know? [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] Thanks for your comments. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]


(the ice cream was cheaper there than at my corner ice cream stand though)

[tinydancer21]

I stop at the Knotty Shop almost every weekend in the summer on my way to the lake and I think it's a cool store even for a local, most everything is locally made and people spend all winter making their goods to sell there so I think paying a little extra for well made local stuff is worth it. (The ice cream is the best too! Rootbeer Float is the best flavor then straweberry cheesecake!) [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

As far as the Riverboat goes, BQ is right, it's busy all the time, it's a nice tour though, the last time I went on it was 1998, I had to go for a field trip in travel school. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] There was a fund rasier on it two summers ago but they didn't do the regular tour it was like a dinner and music thing.

I think renting a car is a really good idea though. I'll check around and see if their is anything going on it town special the day's your here! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

**Well I just checked the FCVB's calendar: [url="http://www.explorefairbanks.com"]www.explorefairbanks.com[/url] and it looks like the only thing going on in town is Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival, might be some good shows and art? It's held at the University. To bad your not coming in a day earlier cuz July 25th is Golden Days, it's a big celebration downtown, there's a parade and everything. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=8b0000&cdt=2004;9;5;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
9/04 Pride Second Anniversary, First Honeymoon!

[boten]

Thank you Tinydancer & BQ & Yukon,

We are planning to do the following in Fairbanks (not in any particular order):
Ice museum, University museum, Discovery boat, Eldorado goldmine, Pioneer park (look around, salmon bake, maybe evening show), Creamer field, Steese hwy to at least the pipe display but probably thru the paved 40+ miles.

We'll try to fit North Pole and the Knotty Shop into the day of arrival (July 26) coming on the Richardson from Copper Center.

All this will be packed into about 2.5 days (27, half of 29, 30 July).

Anything else we shouldn't miss?

Too bad it's not the time for the "lights" [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]


BTW, Yukon, we plan to drive from Skagway to Carcross on July 19.

NBP [7²=49]
[I]Boten, you're always good for a laugh[/I] - newtocc
[I]Boten, I want to speak with Mrs. Boten. NOW[/I] - brigittetom

[This message was edited by boten on 05-27-04 at 06:16 AM.]

[tinydancer21]

Those all sound like fun things to do. I wouldn't drive up the the haul road though with a rental car, even the paved part is crappy the permafrost is really bad up that way so the road is heaved up everywhere, there is not much to see either. I'd drive out to see the pipeline and maybe go past to eat at Turtle Club if you want or if you drive up the Steese past the pipeline view site when you come to the first intersection make a right and go out to Chatinika, it's a pretty drive, the road is better and you can eat at the Chatinika Lodge then come back. Unless you just want a relaxing drive or a place to eat though there is really not much to see out that way once you pass the pipeline view site. There is more to do and see out the North Pole way and it's a pretty drive to (and it's on the highway so it will be more rental car friendly [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img] )

You definatly won't see any Aurora right now! haha In fact if you can't sleep with lights on you might bring one of those eye masks! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] It is full on summer here now and the sun hardley sets! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

You might want to check with the visitor center when you get here about the Ice Museum downtown, I don't know if they are going to open it again this year?

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=8b0000&cdt=2004;9;5;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
9/04 Pride Second Anniversary, First Honeymoon!

[boten]

Tiny, thanks for the additional advice. Note taken.

NBP [7²=49]
[I]Boten, you're always good for a laugh[/I] - newtocc
[I]Boten, I want to speak with Mrs. Boten. NOW[/I] - brigittetom

[tinydancer21]

No probelm! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] We have to drive up that road every summer because we go on a family fishing trip to the Yukon River, the drive is the worst part, it's over 200 miles of dirt road with huge trucks passing you headed back to Fairbanks from the Slope going like 80 miles/HR, it totally sucks! We won't even take our truck up there because your garrenteed a chipped up window and if that's all that happens to your vehicle, your lucky. We still go every year though because the pike fishing is really good.

Oh, I just got a part time summer job at the Riverview RV Park so if you need anymore help when you get here it's half way between Fairbanks and North Pole on Badger Road, you can't miss it just take the Highway out toward North Pole and take the first exit to go under the overpass (that's Badger Road) it's just a few miles down. My real name is Angie! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Have a really great time in Alaska, I know you'll love it!

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=8b0000&cdt=2004;9;5;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
9/04 Pride Second Anniversary, First Honeymoon!

[Budget Queen]

Coming up the Richardson- you will pass right by the Knotty Shop on the left and North Pole. I always go to Chatanika Lodge and usually stay there. But the Northern Lights are my priority. Good food too. Also none of the major rentals will allow Haul Rd driving on the unpave section.

[boten]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Budget Queen:
...Also none of the major rentals will allow Haul Rd driving on the unpave section.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I thought the Haul Rd refers to the Dalton Hwy, I didn't realize Steese was Haul rd. Is it paved all the way to the lodge?

NBP [7²=49]
[I]Boten, you're always good for a laugh[/I] - newtocc
[I]Boten, I want to speak with Mrs. Boten. NOW[/I] - brigittetom

[Budget Queen]

Originally posted by Budget Queen:
...Also none of the major rentals will allow Haul Rd driving on the unpave section.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


I thought the Haul Rd refers to the Dalton Hwy, I didn't realize Steese was Haul rd. Is it paved all the way to the lodge?


They aren't the same. The Dalton is off the Elliott not Steese. Chatanika Lodge?- yes- paved to there. 28 miles up the Steese.