fairbanks riverboat tours

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Make 2024 your year

Your three-hour tour will take you into the heart of Alaska and introduce you to a family who has made the rivers of Alaska their way of life for five generations.

Chena Village Living Museum

Be immersed in frontier living first hand with a guided walking tour of an Athabascan village. You’ll see an Athabascan  village with cabins made of spruce logs, a cache used for storing supplies, a primitive spruce bark hut and fur pelts. Our guides will explain how the wolf, fox, martin and beaver were used to provide food and protection in the harsh Arctic climate. They will also share how the Athabascans skillfully survived for over 10,000 years and how they adapted to village life and Western culture in the past century.

At the end of your guided tour, you will have time to explore the village on your own, interact with our guides and visit dogs from Susan Butcher’s Trail Breaker Kennel.

Bush Pilot Demonstration

See an Alaskan bush pilot takeoff and land right next to the boat! ( 1 ) ‍ Our pilot will share his stories of village life and explain the vital role planes play in remote Alaska.

Trail Breaker Kennel

Visit the home and kennel of the late four-time Iditarod champion Susan Butcher as we pass Trail Breaker Kennel along the Chena River. Learn first hand about kennel life and the challenges that go into making a champion dogsled team. Dave and Tekla Monson, Susan’s husband and daughter, share stories of life on the trails as puppies play in anticipation of joining the team. Keep your cameras ready; you will not want to miss the dog mushing demonstration!

Steamboat Landing

Trading posts in the early days of Western contact were popular with people in Alaskan Villages, and that tradition continues with the Discovery Trading Post (on-board Discovery III) and Steamboat Landing (onshore). Both stores offer gifts and products that are unique to Alaska and the Native culture. To this day, we strive to follow Captain Jim’s commitment to give visitors “the best value at the best price” by offering Fairbanks’ largest selection of Alaskan souvenirs and gifts.

Discovery Dining Hall

If you are hungry, be sure to check out our Discovery Dining Hall.  With seatings at 11:45 AM and 1 PM you can enjoy a full family-style meal and eat to your fill.  The Discovery Dining Hall offers our hearty miner's beef stew, rustic roasted vegetables, a kale apple pecan salad, sourdough rolls and, for dessert, a German chocolate brownie.  For beverages we offer iced tea, water, coffee and hot tea. Beer and wine are available for purchase as well.

Captain's Corner Grab & Go Lunch

For something quick, stop by the Captain's Corner located inside Steamboat Landing. We have fresh made sandwiches, wraps and salads ready each day. Enjoy your lunch on our beautiful outdoor deck as you soak in the sun and enjoy views of the Chena River.

Beer, wine and snacks are also available for sale aboard Discovery III.

A family business

The Binkley family’s steamboating tradition goes back over 100 years and five generations. In 1898, when Charles M. Binkley hiked over the Chilkoot Pass with other stampeders, he was not so much in search of gold as he was the chance to build and operate boats on the Yukon and its tributaries. He became a respected pilot and boat builder in the North. His son, Captain Jim Binkley, Sr., followed in his father’s footsteps and piloted freight vessels on the Yukon and Tanana Rivers in the 1940's.

As transportation systems changed in the north, railroads and airplanes began to carry much of the freight. In 1950, noting the coming changes in the freighting business, Captain Jim and his wife, Mary, began a river excursion business focusing on sharing their love of Alaska and its culture with visitors. Over the coming years, Captain Jim and Mary B’s business grew from the Godspeed, a 25 passenger vessel, to the Discovery III, a 900 passenger vessel. Today, Captain Jim’s grandchildren run the company and Mary B is still active in the business.

In addition to growing their sternwheel business, the Binkley’s have added a gold mining attraction: Gold Dredge 8. The family has developed a tour in the heart of the gold fields where the first gold strikes attracted miners from the Klondike. They have incorporated large scale industrial mining and the smaller 'Mom and Pop' side of mining into an all-encompassing tour that also features the Trans Alaska Pipeline and a replica of the Tanana Valley Railroad.

Can I do both the Riverboat Discovery and Gold Dredge 8 tours in one day?

Yes, our tours are designed so you can do both tours in one day. However, please note that these tours are not at the same location.

Are reservations required?

Although reservations are not required, they are highly recommended. We recommend making reservations as soon as you know the date you would like to go on our tours.

What time should I arrive for my tour?

We recommend arriving at the Riverboat Discovery at least 30 minutes prior to departure time. When you arrive at the Riverboat Discovery you will need to check in at our ticket counter to pick up your boarding passes.

We recommend arriving at Gold Dredge 8 at least 15 minutes prior to departure time. When you arrive at Gold Dredge 8 you will need to check in at our train station in the parking lot to pick up your boarding passes.

How do I get to your location?

The Riverboat Discovery is located a few miles from Fairbanks International Airport. Take Airport Way West towards the airport; take a right onto Dale Road; continue about 1/2 mile and take a right onto Discovery Drive; we are located at the end of Discovery Drive.

Gold Dredge 8 is located about 25 minutes outside of Fairbanks on the Old Steese Highway. Take the Steese Highway (Route 2) North; take a left onto Goldstream Road; take a left onto Old Steese Highway (the first cross-road); our entrance is the first driveway on the right.

How long should I allow to get to each location?

The Riverboat Discovery is roughly 7 miles from downtown Fairbanks. We recommend allowing 20 minutes to get from downtown Fairbanks to the Riverboat Discovery.

Gold Dredge 8 is roughly 10 miles from downtown Fairbanks. We recommend allowing 25 minutes to get from downtown Fairbanks to Gold Dredge 8.

What address do I enter in my GPS to get to your location?

Riverboat Discovery: 1975 Discovery Drive, Fairbanks, AK 99709

Gold Dredge 8: 1803 Old Steese Highway North, Fairbanks, AK 99712

I don’t have a car. What is the best way to get to the Riverboat Discovery and/or Gold Dredge 8?

We recommend renting a car while in Fairbanks so you can explore the beauty of our widespread community. Many local hotels offer shuttles to the Riverboat Discovery. We recommend checking with the front desk at your hotel for the best transportation option to the Riverboat Discovery. Many of our Riverboat Discovery guests arrive via taxi or shuttle. We do not recommend taking a taxi to our Gold Dredge 8 location. It is outside of town and a taxi would be quite expensive. We recommend either renting a car or checking into a shuttle service such as Go North (907-452-9999) or Airlink (907-452-3337).

What should I bring on my tour?

We recommend bringing a camera and a light jacket.

What should I wear on my tour?

We always suggest wearing layers. A portion of our tours at both locations are outdoors where you are exposed to the elements. Our boats at the Riverboat Discovery have heated/air-conditioned decks for your comfort. The train at Gold Dredge 8 is open air and has a roof.

Is the tour ever cancelled due to the weather?

In our 70+ year history, we have never cancelled a tour due to the weather. If it is sprinkling rain, we provide ponchos, seat cushions and umbrellas for our guests at both locations. If it is pouring rain at the Riverboat Discovery, we will bring the village tour onto the boat.

Will I see wildlife?

You will see reindeer as part of the tour at the Riverboat Discovery.

Will there be a Bush Pilot Demonstration Today?

We strive to have every part of the tour available each day, however several weather factors can ground the planes doing the demonstration. We may cancel the Bush Pilot Demonstration due to severe winds, fog, ice flows, or any other weather conditions that make it unsafe to fly on that day.

Is there anything available to eat on the tour?

We have complimentary coffee and fresh donuts at the Riverboat Discovery. If you are looking for something more than donuts, we have three options available at the Riverboat Discovery: Discovery Dining Hall, where we serve a hearty miner’s stew (vegetarian and gluten-free options available upon request); galleys on board the boats that have snack food (reindeer dogs, chili, chips, etc.); Captain’s Corner, where we offer lunch boxes (sandwiches, salad, chips and a soda). We also serve locally made ice cream on the boats and at Captain’s Corner in the gift shop. At Gold Dredge 8, we serve complimentary freshly baked cookies, coffee and hot chocolate.

Is there assigned seating on the boat or train?

No, seating is on a first come first served basis. Every seat on board is a great seat. We have TV monitors on every deck and train car that feature a live broadcast and provide supplementary informational footage.

Is there alcohol available for purchase?

Yes, at the Riverboat Discovery, we serve beer and wine on board our boats and in the Discovery Dining Hall.

Are there restrooms on the boat and train?

At the Riverboat Discovery, there are restrooms available on the boats, at our village and in our gift shop. At the Gold Dredge 8, there are restrooms available at our train station and in the gift shop.

How long is the tour and how often do tours run?

The tour at the Riverboat Discovery is three hours long. The Gold Dredge 8 tour is two hours long. Both of our tours run twice a day from mid-May to mid-September.

I purchased my ticket through an on-line agency. Do I need to check-in on-site?

Yes, you will need to check in at our ticket counter/train station to exchange your voucher for a boarding pass.

What is your refund policy?

We offer a full refund if you cancel your reservation up to 48 hours prior to your scheduled tour time. After 48 hours, we do not offer a refund but you can reschedule your tour for another time.

Are your tours wheelchair accessible?

Yes, our tours are wheelchair accessible . At the Riverboat Discovery, wheelchairs must board at the stern (back of the boat near the paddle wheel). When you arrive please notify an associate at the ticket counter or collection booth as we require wheelchairs to pre-board and be escorted by a trained Deckhand. Our Athabascan Village has gravel paths that allow easy access. If you need assistance at the Athabascan Village please notify a Deckhand. At Gold Dredge 8, we have certain train cars that are wheelchair accessible. When you arrive notify the associate that is assisting with boarding and they will direct you to the appropriate train car.

Are animals allowed on the boat or train?

Due to customer allergies, we only allow designated trained service animals.

Is the paddle wheel decorative?

No, the paddle wheel is used to power the boat.

Are the tours appropriate for young children?

Yes, we find that all ages enjoy our tours.

1975 Discovery Drive Fairbanks, AK 99709

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Riverboat Discovery Sternwheeler Cruise in Fairbanks

Get a taste of the colorful history and cultural traditions in the great interior region of alaska..

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Home » City-Based Day Tours » Fairbanks » Riverboat Discovery Sternwheeler Cruise in Fairbanks

Day Tour Details

What's included:.

• Narrated tour onboard the Riverboat Discovery III
• All taxes and fees

What's Not Included:

Meals and transfers to and from your hotel.

Riverboat Discovery Cruise Experience: Take a Video Tour:

Dates & Rates

Contact us to book this tour..

Thank you for your interest in this tour! At this time, it is not currently available to book online. Please feel free to continue to peruse our website for more Alaska travel ideas. If you would like options and information from our team of Alaska experts, please call 1-866-317-3325 or fill out the form below.

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We chose the All Alaska Classic tour. That option allowed us to drive a rental car from place to place and experience the Alaskan cities and countryside. We like that there were things we never would have thought to do, and it allowed time to explore the places we visited.

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• Riverboat Discovery Cruise Fairbanks

Climb aboard a classic Chena River sternwheeler to experience the living history of Fairbanks, Alaska.

• Things to Do in Fairbanks

More Details

Rates & dates, departure times, availability.

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For decades, riverboats like the Discovery III sternwheeler ran the big rivers of Alaska's interior. They hauled freight and passengers, linked distant communities and helped build new ones. Today the boat takes visitors on a unique tour to explore that history and see firsthand some of Alaska's quintessential pastimes.

Experience some of Alaska's quintessential pastimes.

The stately Discovery III has three decks with comfortable indoor seating, and a fourth top deck with open-air seating. The large red paddlewheel splashing at the stern propels the boat on its journey down the Chena River. It's right on the water shortly after leaving Steamboat Landing that guests see their first Alaskan demo. A bushplane on floats takes off alongside the boat, banking in a long arc until it loops back and lands again. The pilot talks about the wild life of bush flying in Alaska before the boat continues downstream. The next stop is an exuberant sled dog demo at the riverside kennels of late four-time Iditarod musher Susan Butcher.

Upon reaching the confluence of the Chena and Tanana Rivers, guests disembark for a walking tour of a Chena Indian Village. Native Alaskan guides lead groups to see spruce cabins, caches, smokehouses, and crafts created by Athabascans native to interior Alaska. After spending time further exploring the village on their own, guests board the boat for a return ride up the Chena River.

The Riverboat Discovery Cruise includes a bush plane demo, sled dog demo, and Chena Indian Village tour. There is a small giftshop and galley selling snacks, drinks, ice cream, and hearty lunch boxes on the boat. The tour returns to the Steamboat Landing where guests can visit the Discovery Trading Post, the largest Alaskan souvenir shop in Fairbanks .

What to Bring

Wear comfortable clothes and dress in layers. Most of the tour is conducted outside, so bring a light coat or rain jacket if necessary.

Special Instructions

Guests must check in at the Steamboat Landing station at least 30 minutes prior to the tour departure to exchange their voucher for a boarding pass.

Transfers & Meeting Points

The Riverboat Discovery Cruise is just five minutes from the Fairbanks airport and 20 minutes from downtown Fairbanks. Many local hotels offer shuttles to the Riverboat Discovery. Guests must coordinate their own transportation to the tour.

Riverboat Discovery Cruise 1975 Discovery Drive Fairbanks, Alaska 99709

Here are the rates and operating dates for this product. Remember, we have a lowest price guarantee for nearly everything we sell.

Child rates apply to children under the age of 13. Infants under the age of 2 may travel for free but must sit on an adult's lap.

Departure times and locations are listed below. Click on a link for an interactive map.

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With the 2021 summer season still taking shape, some tour providers may not yet have their operating dates set. Availability on AlaskaTravel.com reflects the most current information and is updated daily. Please contact us if you have questions about this tour.

Select a departure below to see current availability. If your desired date is sold out (red) we will do our best to find an alternative, but we may not be able to accommodate your request.

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Quick Facts

• Duration 3 Hours
• Options AM, PM
• Operating Dates Daily from 6/1/2024 to 8/31/2024
• Activity Level Less Active

What's Included

• Guided tour through an Athabascan village.
• Passage on a classic sternwheeler riverboat.
• Bush plane and sled dog demonstrations.
• Complimentary coffee and fresh donuts.

Guest Feedback

"We loved this! They made what might look like an ordinary river come alive! This was in our "Top 3 Attractions" list!"

~Ron from Illinois~

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Fairbanks Sightseeing Tours

Riverboat Discovery Cruise

Approximately 5¼ hours

May 15 -September 15

1:00pm (from hotel)

Per Person - $99.95

• Snack Included
• Easy Activity Level
• Family Friendly

Enjoy a cruise on the Chena and Tanana rivers aboard an authentic sternwheeler and watch a bush pilot take off and land from a riverbank landing strip. From late June through early August, these waters teem with salmon. As the paddle wheel continues to churn the waters, witness the “wedding of the rivers.” When the clear waters of the Chena meet the glacier-fed Tanana, the result is clouds of silt that rise and fall over the river. Make a stop at the home of a late four-time Iditarod champion, meet some winning sled dogs and witness a sled-dog demonstration. Next, you’ll disembark the sternwheeler for a guided tour through a replica of an Athabascan Indian Village where you will learn about local life in depth.

Special Note

Grab and go lunch items are available at an additional charge.

This tour can only be booked in conjunction with a Gray Line Alaska package. To add this tour to your package, please call 1-888-425-1737.

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Riverboat Discovery

• Address: 1975 Discovery Dr, Fairbanks, AK 99709
• Region: Fairbanks
• Phone: (907) 479-6673
• Toll-free: (866) 479-6673
• Visit Website

Alaska's most memorable adventure. Enjoy a relaxing, entertaining boat cruise on the Chena and Tanana Rivers, including a guided walking tour of the Chena Village. See Susan Butcher's Champion dogs, the wedding of the rivers and Athabascan art.

• Seasons of Operation: Summer Only

101 Dunkel Street, Suite 111 Fairbanks, AK 99701-4806 Telephone: (907) 456-5774 Visitor Guide Request: 1-800-327-5774 Email:  [email protected] About Explore Fairbanks

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Cruises From Fairbanks

Our Alaska Cruisetours are the only way to see this fascinating town as part of your Alaska cruise. And it is something to see. Fairbanks, Alaska’s second-largest city was born of gold rush frenzy, thanks to Felix Pedro, a prospector who found the precious metal in 1902 in a stream now known as “Pedro Creek.” Fairbanks features captivating excursions for history enthusiasts. Hop aboard a three-hour Riverboat Discovery Tour and visit the kennels of the late four-time Iditarod champion, Susan Butcher. Pan for gold in the Tanana Valley and explore the site of Gold Dredge 8. Though much of Fairbanks today is an amalgam of modern shops and malls, its history is celebrated at Pioneer Park, which features the Tanana Railroad Museum and a gold rush town comprising 35 restored buildings.

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Life should be celebrated! What better way than with a Holland America Line cruise? Let us create the perfect event while you relax and have the time of your life.

Things To Do In Fairbanks

RIVERBOAT DISCOVERY

CHENA HOT SPRINGS RESORT

UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA MUSEUM OF THE NORTH

Cruises from fairbanks: learn more, fairbanks at a glance.

• When was Fairbanks Founded?  1903
• What is the Population?  96,849 according to the 2019 US Census
• What language is primarily spoken?  English
• Fairbanks, AK is GMT/UTC - 9h during Alaska Standard Time
• Fairbanks, AK is GMT/UTC - 8h during Alaska Daylight Time
• What currency is used in Fairbanks, AK?  USD (Dollar)

Travel Tips for Fairbanks

How do I book a flight to Fairbanks?  At Holland America we offer cruise travelers low prices on their flights. Please see more information on our  flight ease program .

Where should I stay when cruising from Fairbanks?  Choose from our  Alaska Land and Sea cruise tour packages  with Holland America and spend up to 3 nights in Denali National Park.

What are some of the top places to see in Fairbanks?  Visit our  Fairbanks, Alaska port page  for more information on our travel recommendations.

Port Information

What should I expect boarding to like for my cruise departing Fairbanks, AK?   Book an Alaska Land and Sea CruiseTour and visit Fairbanks, Alaska. From Fairbanks, Alaska take a cruisetrain or bus to Anchorage/Seward or Whittier port and head out on your Alaska cruise. Please visit our  cruise preparation FAQ  for information on how to access or print boarding passes, how to check in online, and to see if you need a passport.

Can I book an airport shuttle to my Fairbanks hotel?  Book an airport transfer from the airport to your ship after you book a cruise with Holland America Line. We make getting to and from your cruise comfortable, convenient and hassle-free. For more information on EXC City Stays & Overland Tours, please visit:  https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/pre-post-travel-cruise.html .

Are you an already booked guest with Holland America Line? For booked guests, please see our  travel planning  details on how to book an airport transfer.

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