Fairbanks Guided Day Tour with Sternwheeler Cruise, Gold Panning & Sled Dog Kennel

Explore Fairbanks on a small-group guided tour with hotel pickup, visits to key attractions, and all transportation between stops.

Getting started

Start your Fairbanks adventure with pickup from your hotel and settle into a comfortable small-group tour limited to 14 guests. Your local guide takes care of the driving and timing throughout the day, leaving you free to enjoy the scenery and stories between stops.

What to expect

Riverboat Discovery cruise

Begin with one of Fairbanks’ signature experiences: a narrated sternwheeler cruise along the Chena and Tanana Rivers. As you travel through the Interior Alaska landscape, enjoy river views while discovering the region’s history and traditions through onboard commentary.

Features

• Historic river journey: Step aboard the authentic Riverboat Discovery and cruise the waterways surrounding Fairbanks, taking in scenic views while your guide and onboard narration bring the landscape to life.

• Alaska stories along the way: Experience more than a sightseeing cruise with a bush pilot demonstration, a stop at Trail Breaker Kennel to see sled dogs, and a visit to Chena Village, where Alaska Native guides share traditions and history.

Gold Dredge 8

Continue to Gold Dredge 8, a National Historic Landmark that offers a hands-on look at Fairbanks’ Gold Rush past. Explore the historic mining site and travel through the gold fields before trying the prospecting technique for yourself.

Features

• Ride through gold country: Travel through the historic gold fields aboard a narrow-gauge railroad while learning how Gold Dredge 8 once operated on an industrial scale.

• Pan for real gold: Try your hand at traditional gold panning with pay dirt provided as part of the experience. Every guest is guaranteed to find gold, and you can keep what you uncover or have it weighed and turned into a keepsake at the gift shop.

Pioneer Park

Wrap up the sightseeing portion of your day at Pioneer Park, an expansive outdoor heritage park filled with Gold Rush-era buildings, museums, shops, and local attractions. Explore at your own pace while getting a glimpse into Fairbanks’ frontier character.

Features

• Explore Fairbanks’ past: Wander among preserved historic buildings and cultural exhibits that recreate different chapters of Fairbanks’ Gold Rush-era story.

• Free time for self-exploration: Enjoy time to browse the park’s shops, explore its attractions, or simply soak up the local atmosphere. You can also hear stories and recommendations from your guide as you explore.

• Visit Alaska Salmon Bake: During your free time at Pioneer Park, you can stop for a classic Fairbanks meal at the Alaska Salmon Bake. This longtime local dining spot serves wild-caught Alaska salmon, cod, and prime rib cooked over an open fire, available for purchase separately.

After a full day of river scenery, gold-panning fun, and Fairbanks history, settle back into your vehicle for the return journey. Hotel pickup and drop-off plus all transportation between attractions are included, with departures around 7:45–8:15am and return between 7:30–8pm.