Live from Fairbanks! - Alaska Travelgram

We love the Golden Heart City. We’re here for the annual convention for the Alaska Travel Industry Association (ATIA). Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell will show up later to address the group. And Fairbanks has rolled out the red carpet to welcome us. Below is a shot I took earlier this summer on the banks of the Chena River (The Riverboat Discovery is closed for the season–but it’s also worth a trip!).

Museum of the North. If you have not seen this incredible museum on the campus of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, it’s worth a special trip. The permanent exhibit features classic Alaskan art from the last 100 years: Sydney Lawrence, Fred Machetanz, etc. Plus, there is an incredible display of indigenous native Alaskan art. One of my favorite features is “The Place Where We Go to Listen.” It’s hard to describe: earthquakes have a sound. So do the northern lights. The sun has a sound. And every natural feature also has a ray of light. This continuous display, in an enclosed space, evokes a meditative space. In fact, folks just stop in to sit and take it all in. You should, too.

Fountainhead Antique Car Museum. Whoa. Check the video. We love this museum and it’s a must-see on any trip to Fairbanks. Don’t miss it.

Morris Thompson Cultural Center. I’ve seen this as it was built from the ground up. But this will be the first walk-through for me–and Fairbanks folks are really proud of this.

Chena Hot Springs. A favorite. Don’t miss it.