Fairbanks, USA - Alaska

The people in Alaska a unique sort, and they wear such a distinction proudly it seems. Though an arm of the state reaching south along the Gulf of Alaska is the home of Juneau, the capital of this quirky mass of wildlife refuges and national parks, its central block is not without its own regulator. Enter, Fairbanks. Alaska's second-largest city, Fairbanks's 112,000 residents (metropolitan area) could very well be the most intriguing - as well as peculiar - American citizens you'll come to know. Right away, one sees red flags raised at the mentioning of Fairbanks's origin. In the early 1900s, gold rushes were a staple attraction in this neck of the world, however this city's individuality can be chalked up not only to its "glitter" appeal, but also its founding father, E.T. Barnette. We won't bore you with a detailed timeline; suffice it to say that plenty of corruption, sleaze, and ill will were bred for a good number of years in what was a quaint, riverside town. By geographical standards, there's not much different between Fairbanks and a plain-born city in rural USA. What sets this place apart from the rest is its take on society. Just about everyone here likes to be left alone. This can be both good and bad, depending one how one views things, but find yourself in a blizzard hiking a steep incline outside of town and you'll start to wish you got to know someone better back in that corner caf you paid a visit to at dawn. If a one-of-a-kind experience is what you seek, Fairbanks is a great base camp for all sorts of endeavors, whether involving river rapids or exploration-by-highway. Just remember to pack some galoshes and a few extra smiles to charm the locals. Chances are you'll need them.

When to go

We won't foolishly assert how warm the Alaska plain gets in summer, nor how sunny winter days are here. Instead, we'll focus on the basics. Winters are special in this part of the world for the sheer immensity of snowfall they bring. Some can vouch for their hometowns being blanketed by inches each year; Alaskan folk follow, well, broader measurement systems. A few weeks after Fairbanks thawing point is reached, the city - especially its surroundings - becomes a wonderful sight. If you're lucky to see Fairbanks as it transitions from white to green, we recommend taking the opportunity.

Getting there and around

Anchorage and Juneau are Alaska's most popular destinations, likely to be so because of their proximity to cities further south (where the majority of the world's population happens to reside). Nevertheless, Fairbanks does sport its own terminal, acting as a hub for much of central- and northern-Alaskan counties. A taxi will transport you into town. Because it'd be rather strange to formulate a world-class public transit system in a region susceptible to a wealth of natural phenomena, Fairbanks's planners have happened to forego materializing such a concept, leaving many residents and visitors to resort to personal means of travel. In layman terms: Rent a vehicle.

Attractions

Alaska is certainly not "heartland USA", but it has not entirely detached itself from Western methodology. The University of Alaska Fairbanks is a massive campus host to tens of thousands of students. It also provides ample fodder for visitors as well. The UAF Museum of the North, located on campus, covers everything from Ice Age findings to extensive coverage of the historic Golden Era. New for 2005: An expansion! Just because its chilly in Fairbanks doesn't mean you can't grow veggies. The Georgeson Botanical Garden is a place suitable for all people. Whether you're an agriculturalist or would like some quiet along with a few colorful displays, the Garden always seems to please.