Fairbanks, Alaska

●Fairbanks is the largest city in the Interior region of Alaska, and the second largest in the state behind Anchorage. According to the 2010 census, the population of the city was 31,535.

●Average winter low temperatures range from -15 degrees F to -25 degrees F.

●The Alaskan Railroad goes north from Seward to Fairbanks.

What to do:

1.       Ice Museum The ice museum is the world’s largest year-round ice environment in the world. The ice museum contains many ice sculptures including jousters on horses, Sarah Palin, animal chess set, an ice bar, an igloo, a xylophone that you can play, a polar bear, ice beds, and many more. They provide you with a jacket since it is 20 degrees F inside. If you pay extra, you can get an appletini in a martini glass. You get to keep the ice glass! The museum is located at the Chena Hot Springs Resort 60 miles from Fairbanks. The museum is open every day of the year.

2.       Chena Hot Springs Chena Hot Springs is located in the same area as the Ice Museum. There are also goats, hiking trails, sled dogs and a campground. During the winter you can hike up to a small hut to watch the northern lights. There is an outdoor hot springs rock lake for adults 18 and up. There is also an indoor family pool.

3.       Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge This national wildlife refuge has a 2 mile trail that lets you see Alaska’s plant and animal life. It is located on the north side of College Road about halfway between the University of Alaska, Fairbanks and Steese Expressway. The visitors center is open Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

4.       Georgeson Botanical Garden The gardens are located on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus. This is a five acre garden that is open to the public during the daylight hours, May through September.

5.       Pioneer Park This is Alaska’s only historic theme park. It is free to get in. There are many shops, restaurants, museums, and attractions including mini-golf, railroad, carousel, dance hall and theater.

6.       Riverboat Discovery Climb on board an authentic Alaskan sternwheeler, the Riverboat Discovery. Take a tour with native Alaskans in a traditional village and meet some of the pioneers who call this land home.

7.       University of Alaska Museum of the North

Seward, Alaska

Kyle and I went to Seward, Alaska for my 22^nd birthday. Seward is absolutely gorgeous! Seward is one of Alaska’s oldest and most scenic communities. This town offers a bustling harbor, quaint shops and galleries, and many different ways to tour Kenai Fjords National Park.

●Seward is the 7^th most lucrative fisheries port in the United States per value.

●Seward is the southern terminus of the Alaskan Railroad.

●In 1927, 13 year old Benny Benson of Seward, won a territory-wide American Legion contest to design a flag for Alaska. His design became the territorial flag and eventually the state flag.

●Seward is located 126 miles south of Anchorage.

Things to do in Seward

1.       Benny Benson Memorial Park

2.       Kenai Fjords National Park-Exit Glacier Exit glacier is only 15 minutes from town. A half-mile trail leads you to the base of the glacier. When we went to Exit Glacier the road had been flooded from a rainstorm.

3.       Alaska SeaLife Center This is the state’s only marine research and rehabilitation facility. Come face to face with puffins, sea lions, and harbor seals.

4.       Glacier and Wildlife Day Cruises Choose which boat tour you want to go on. You will see glaciers, fjords, and wildlife.

5.       Take a walking tour. Walk along Main Street. There is a collection of refurbished railcars from the Alaska Railroad. They now house several private businesses. Visit the small boat harbor. Go to the Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor Center. Walk along the paved Coastal Walk. The coastal walk follows the route of the original Iditarod National Historic Trail. Visit the library, the Taroka Inn, The Liberty Theater, the Van Gilder Hotel, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, the Ballaine House, the Cameron House, the Stewart House, the Resurrection Bay Historical Society Museum, and the Buoy Tree.

6.       Look for the many murals in town.

Where to Stay

On the way to Exit Glacier there are many camping spots that are free! You can just pull off and claim a spot.

                                                            The view from our campsite!