Known as the Golden Heart of Alaska, Fairbanks is steeped with stunning mountain ranges, crystal clear lakes and rivers, abundant wildlife, and the best place to view the captivating aurora borealis from August – April. Originally a gold rush boomtown, Fairbanks is now a popular destination teeming with native Alaskan culture which can be seen in everything from award winning restaurants with Alaskan-style cooking to local activities such as dog mushing. Splitting the town is the beautiful Chena River, which is used as a spot for local events and activities. For adventurers, Fairbanks is the ideal basecamp for exploring Denali National Park (2 hours away) and the Arctic Circle (5 hours away).