Enep'ut Childrens Center

While visiting Alaska is a truly unmatched experience, hearing a perspective from one of the state's most highly regarded residents will shed a new light on various aspects of the area that you might have missed. Fortunately for tourists, that person is Mary Shields. The popular Alaskan Tails of the Trail with Mary Shields is an opportunity to share a personal home visit with this celebrated Alaskan musher and author. Her insights focus on her famous sled dogs, but Shields also is a splendid storyteller and her accounts of various events of Alaska's past are quite entertaining.

The chill in the air is nearly palpable when you set out to explore the Gates of the Arctic National Park and Reserve. The park is either accessible by foot, car or airplane, and depending on your sense of adventure, there are many ways to experience this unique outdoor area of wilderness. You will encounter craggy ridges, glacier-carved valleys and fragile flowers as you make your way through this amazing park. It should be noted that dogs must be kept on leashes and are only allowed in the backcountry of the park.

In addition to offering many recreation trails for day hikes, the Chena River State Recreation Area is a popular destination for fishing, boating and canoeing. The exceptional scenery and calming effect of the water also make it a desirable destination for nature lovers who just want to relax and breathe in the area's natural beauty.

Primarily considered a locals bar, Fairbanks' Midnite Mine is a place to go if you just want to enjoy a few beers with friends in a nightlife venue that doesn't feature a big party atmosphere. Everyone pretty much keeps to themselves, so if you are out with a group of friends but want to keep a low-key, less noticeable profile, then Midnite Mine is the perfect destination. A great beer selection along with a bit of a ramshackle atmosphere are what you can expect.