Fairbanks

Fairbanks, Alaska's second-largest city in the interior, sits near the Arctic Circle at the junction of the Chena and Tanana rivers — a gold rush city (founded 1902) that has evolved into a centre for Arctic research, aurora borealis tourism, dog mushing and some of the most extreme weather in inhabited North America (winter temperatures regularly reach -40°C, summer temperatures can hit 32°C). The Aurora Borealis is Fairbanks' greatest draw — the city's position at 64° North gives it some of the finest Northern Lights viewing in North America, with the active aurora season running from late August to April. The Chena Hot Springs Resort (100km east, accessible year-round) offers aurora viewing, outdoor hot springs in any temperature and ice sculpture exhibits. The Museum of the North at the University of Alaska Fairbanks is excellent — world-class Alaska Native art collections and natural history exhibits. Gold Dredge 8, a historic gold dredge from the 1920s, offers gold panning experiences. Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge is excellent for birding. The 1,500-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race begins in Anchorage and ends in Nome; Fairbanks is the hub for the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race. Summer brings the Midnight Sun (24-hour daylight around June 21) and the Midnight Sun Baseball Game, played without artificial lighting. The Dalton Highway north to the Arctic Ocean is one of the world's great adventure drives.