Like many cities with little surviving history, Fairbanks attempts to recreate the 'old' days in a historical theme park. Suffice to say, it doesn't always work. The most prominent sight in rather dowdy 44-acre Pioneer Park is the SS Nenana , a hulking stern-wheeler that once plied the Yukon River. However, many of the old cabins in Gold Rush Town are relocated historic buildings.
Fleeting distractions can be found in the Pioneer Museum . More interesting is the Pioneer Air Transportation Museum , chock-full of aviation history. A miniature train, the Crooked Creek & Whiskey Island Railroad , gives rides ($2) around the park for a global overview.
To get to Pioneer Park, take the MACS Blue or Red Line bus.
