We recently partnered with local radio station Magic 101.1, to compile a list of potential activities for your summer trip to Fairbanks. Take a look at the options here and let us know which you like best.

1. Picnic in a park
2. Find and go down every slide in town
3. See what grows in a botanical garden under the midnight sun
4. See what’s been collected at a museum
5. Rent a canoe or kayak
6. Ride on a historic sternwheeler
7. Explore downtown by foot
8. Pedal around Farmer’s Loop
9. Pass off your list to Santa
10. See giant burl animals on the Rich
11. Life jacket up and go boating
12. Watch for wildlife at Creamer’s Field
13. Jam with the bands at concerts in the park
14. See ice sculpting in action
15. Grow your own grub
16. Read a good book from the library
17. Play a round of mini golf
18. Share your travels in the explorefairbanks.com photo contest
19. Make MTCVC your first stop for trip planning

20. Explore a national or state park
21. Wet a line for an arctic Grayling
22. Take a balloon ride over Fairbanks
23. Catch a summer league baseball game
24. Learn to play tennis
25. Hit the beach at Chena Lakes
26. Bring those binocs and go bird watching
27. Soak in a natural mineral hot springs
28. Pitch that tent in a local campground
29. Take a flight seeing tour to the Arctic
30. Sign up for a run or walk for charity
31. Hike nearby trails
32. Take a rail vacation to Denali
33. Ride a historic narrow gauge train
34. Pick that favorite horse and ride a carousel
35. Enjoy an old-time melodrama
36. Catch a concert or performance
37. See who’s fastest at the drags
38. Tee off at midnight
39. Pet those sled dogs

40. Visit Alaska’s Arctic University
41. Observe musk ox and reindeer on tour
42. See free films daily at the MTCVC
43. Walk the shores of the Arctic Ocean
44. Take the family out berry picking
45. Visit the pipeline
46. Take a driving tour of Fairbanks
47. Rent a public use cabin in the woods
48. Bowl a few frames
49. Get a season pass for the state fair
50. Camp for the night in a state park
51. Shop for local produce at the market
52. Search for treasure at a garage sale
53. See antique cars
54. Soak up the sun on a waterfront deck
55. Hit the town on rollerblades
56. Stay up all night celebrating summer solstice
57. Peruse the exhibits at the MTCVC
58. Set up a net and spike your way to victory
59. Rent an RV and create your own adventure

60. Learn how to play congas, harp or sing gospel
61. See the largest parade in Alaska
62. Visit local monuments and statues
63. Try your hand at gold panning
64. Celebrate America’s birthday
65. Go on the search for Alaska wildlife
66. Enter Fido in a dog show
67. Dine on fresh Alaskan seafood
68. See if your rubber ducky wins the race
69. Make vacation plans on a seasonal air carrier
70. Get started on your holiday shopping
71. Have a BBQ with friends and neighbors
72. Get your hands dirty fixing up your yard
73. Go jet skiing on a lake or river
74. Take a drive north to cross the Arctic Circle
75. Take a class in ballroom or square dancing
76. Let your dog run free at a park made just for him
77. Make a raft out of duct tape
78. Sample locally-brewed beverages
79. View art of all kinds at monthly First Friday events

80. Learn what the knuckle hop is
81. Sample fresh spring water
82. Watch a grizzly take to the turf
83. Try a different kind of golf…with a disc
84. Paddle your own raft on a whitewater excursion
85. Get new sunglasses
86. Clean out your closet and donate items to charity
87. Learn something new at Summer Sessions
88. Enroll your kids in a summer camp
89. Take a CPR or First Aid course
90. Create your own art in a craft class
91. Visit a local art gallery
92. Learn about Alaska’s aviation history
93. Get a tan
94. Take a swing at a softball field
95. Bask in the sunlight as you swing in a hammock
96. Learn how a wood bowl is carved
97. Rent a rig and head up the Dalton
98. Relive winter by going ice skating
99. Catch the action on the soccer fields
100. Donate your time by volunteering
101. Arrange for an overnight getaway at a hotel or B&B

Our main site will give you all the detailed information you need for making plans to do these things and many others. Be sure to check out our online Visitors Guide as well or request a paper copy by mail.

Just before starting the tour I was able to grab the video camera and catch a quick, rough-cut video that gives you nothing more than a taste of the upcoming final product. So…forgive the darkness and shaky camera work and think about how cool it would be to see all of this up-close!

The Morris Thompson Center Exhibits from insidealaska on Vimeo.

If you’d like to learn more about the mission and vision of the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center, take a look at their website.