5 Budget Friendly Summer Activities in Fairbanks, Alaska

If the 20 hours of daylight and the constant hum of the mosquitoes didn't tip you off, I'll let you know
right now that it is summer in Fairbanks. Whether you're into the outdoors or you'd rather stay inside,
there is something for everyone in the heart of Alaska. That also includes activities that are free or
require a very small fee. So grab your Maxi Deet and sunglasses and don't worry about your bank account,
it's time to enjoy Fairbanks!

Hike To The Top of A Dome
Domes are found all around Fairbanks and are considered an easier hike than, say, climbing a mountain. Although dome hikes are tame compared to some of the hiking found throughout Alaska, you will still be
reaching heights of 3,000 feet in some cases. Remember to take a good mosquito spray and plenty of water
and wear a good pair of hiking shoes. You're not going to have to drive very far outside of Fairbanks for a few of the more popular domes. Ester Dome and Murphy Dome are right outside of Fairbanks while Wickersham Dome is outside of Fairbanks in the White Mountains National Recreation Area. You're going to find your fair share of mosquitoes, see a lot of wild flowers, and maybe even see a moose so I would take a camera and snap a few shots. Especially of the view from when you reach the top on the dome hikes. The view is amazing at any time of the day. If you're not one for hiking or you have children that are too young to hike for an extended amount of time, both Murphy and Ester Dome have a road that leads to the top so no one feels left out.

Hike Up To The Top of Angel Rock
Angel Rock is located in the Chena Recreation Area on Chena Hot Springs Road. The recreation area itself
is filled with trails and campsites for everyone, but Angel Rock is really for the experienced hiker. It costs only $5 to park at the head of the trail, which is at mile marker 48. And be sure to hit the restrooms before you start the hike, you'll be out in the wilderness for a few hours. It's a graduated climb to the top of the summit that are rocks jutting out of the otherwise forest terrain. The air is cold at the top, so remember a light jacket, and take a camera on this one as well. You'll be able to see the valley from the top and if you're daring enough to climb on to any of the rocks, you'll have a better view. There are a few ways down from Angel Rock, which is a lot harder than getting to the top. You can go the way you came on a trail that graduated slowly. Or there is a steeper climb down
that can take a while to avoid sliding and injury, but recommended for the more adventurous hiker. And if you would rather make it a longer hiking trip, there is an alternate route that will lead you towards the Chena Hot Springs resort. It's an 8.5 mile hike through the valley if taking the alternate route and you will need to arrange a shuttle at the resort to take you back to your vehicle.

Visit Creamer's Field
Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge is located in the Fairbanks area and is worth the stop. It's
free to visit, yet the area is always accepting donations. There are five miles of hiking trails to explore or a guided tour of the area. Cranes, geese, and ducks are among the birds that come to the field during the summer. It's great for the whole family and gives everyone a chance to see some wildlife in Alaska, and is a great alternative to some of the tougher hiking trails.

Spend A Day At Pioneer Park
Pioneer Park (formerly Alaskaland) is a 44 acre park located right in the Fairbanks area. It is free to enter and many of the park's attractions are also free, but there are some that cost a small fee. Pioneer Park is a place that mixes family fun with telling the history of the Interior of Alaska. There is a train ride around the park that costs $2 for adults and $1 for the kids, a carousel ride that costs a small fee, and a miniature golf course that is 18 or 36 holes. Otherwise the playgrounds in the center of the park are free to use and there's lots of area for a Frisbee game or a picnic. Gold Rush Town is another part of the park with actual pioneer cabins that have been renovated into various shops. Wickersham House is one of the cabins and kept up to look the way it would have during the 1900s. Within Gold Rush Town is the Pioneer Museum which is free that has a lot of donated artifacts from the pioneer days of Fairbanks such as a dog sled and a coat made of Wolverine fur. There are many mini-museums located withing Pioneer Park such as Bear Gallery and Native Village. Bear Gallery showcases art from local artists and Native Village is an outdoor exhibit that has Alaska Native artifacts. Both are free. The only museum that charges a fee is Pioneer Air Museum. It's $2 for adults or $5 for a family and it's a collection of aircraft memorabilia. If you're hungry after spending a day at Pioneer Park and are willing to spend $31, hang around for the Alaska Salmon Bake. It's an all you can eat buffet of salmon, cod, and prime rib. There's also many other dishes, deserts, and unlimited refills on drinks. It's well worth the money and you can dine inside one of the cabins or outside under the trees. Pioneer Park has much to offer for free or very little money.

UAF Museum Of The North
Completed in 2005, the Museum Of The North is a beautiful building located on the UAF campus. The architecture of the building swoops and curves to look like the Alaskan terrain and is a beautiful sight on it's own, but the inside does not disappoint. For $10 there are many exhibits to keep anyone interested. The bottom floor has a painting exhibit done by people from Alaska and is worth a quiet walk through, but the Alaska exhibit has more of a natural museum feel. You're greeted at the beginning by a large Brown Bear and from there you can see many animals (not living) that are native to Alaska. There's a bird exhibit, bones from a whale, and a large Woolly Mammoth skull with tusks still intact that is a great photo opportunity. The biggest draw of all though is Blue Babe, a mummified bison found by miners outside of Fairbanks. The top floor of the museum is great as well. There is an area where you can sit and rest while enjoying books that they also sell in the gift shop, as well as a beautiful view from the windows where the mountains can be seen on a clear day. There is also the exhibit known as The Place Where You Go To Listen. It's a room where you can go in and see lights and hear sound representing what happens in nature in Alaska. It's a different way to experience the Northern Lights, since they
cannot be seen in the summer, but now you can hear them. And then there is the beautiful gallery on the top floor that mixes artifacts, Alaskan Native art, and contemporary art. There is even a wonderful light display on a bare wall that emulates the Northern Lights. It's a wonderful museum to take in on a rainy summer day.

Those are just a few of the many ways you can spend your summer in Alaska without bleeding your bank
account dry. With 22 hours of daylight there is almost no limit to what you can do, how far you can drive,
or what you may be able to see. Fairbanks has many places for family and is a gateway to some beautiful
scenery that Alaska has to offer. The five are just suggestions, don't be afraid to explore what else the
city has to offer. There is one other favorite activity in Alaska that may become your's as well,
killing mosquitoes. It's free, and you're saving yourself or somebody else from getting chewed to death
by the little buggers. Now get out there and enjoy the Golden Heart City!

Sources::
Fairbanks Alaska Visitor Information: http://fairbanks-alaska.com
Fairbanks Visitor Guide: newsminer.com