Riverboat Discovery Cruise

The Riverboat Discovery is Fairbanks' signature summer attraction and has been run by the Binkley family for generations. The sternwheeler paddles out from a landing southwest of the city and travels the Chena River, then joins the Tanana. A recorded and live narration explains the river's role in Interior history, from Athabascan fish camps to gold rush steamboat traffic. The cruise is a sampler of Alaska Interior culture. A bush pilot takes off and lands on the river beside the boat to show how the aircraft that supply remote villages work. You pass the kennel of the late Iditarod champion Susan Butcher, where mushers bring out sled dogs for a demonstration. And you stop at a village where Athabascan guides show fish racks, a smokehouse and traditional clothing, with a visit to a replica village and a chance to talk with local people. The pace is gentle, the seating is comfortable and the commentary suits all ages, which is why it is a favourite with families, older travelers and cruise passengers on land tours.

The cruise typically lasts around three hours and runs in the summer season, roughly from mid May to mid September. Boats leave at set times, usually morning and afternoon, so check the schedule for your dates. In the busiest part of the summer, popular departures can sell out, particularly when cruise ship groups arrive, so reserving ahead is wise. Sit on the river side of the boat for the best views of the aircraft and the kennel, and bring a light jacket, because it can be cool on the water even on a warm day.

The cultural element is the heart of the trip. The village stop gives a respectful introduction to the Athabascan people of the Interior, whose homelands include the Chena and Tanana valleys, and the guides cover subsistence, seasonal movement, the importance of salmon and the effect of the gold rush on the people who were already here.

Allow time to wander and ask questions. The sled dog demonstration is a hit with children and photographers, with the dogs eager to run and the musher explaining training and breeding. In summer the dogs are running on wheeled carts or being shown on the grounds rather than on snow.

Many visitors pair the cruise with a trip to Gold Dredge 8 or a meal at one of the riverside restaurants, and some operators sell combination packages. Wear comfortable shoes for the walk at the village stop and bring sunscreen, a hat and a camera. The cruise is wheelchair accessible in most parts, but confirm with the operator if you have mobility needs. Because the tour runs only in summer, winter visitors should choose dog sledding, snowmobiling or an aurora tour instead.

Ask about combination packages that add a meal or a visit to the gold dredge, and check cancellation rules since rain rarely stops the sailing but low water can change the route. Photographers will want a zoom lens for the bush plane and the dog team.