A Day of Passion Projects
Fairbanks often surprises me with the depth of its community spirit. My day unfolded around places built not just for business, but for love—for craft, culture, and history. From locally made wooden bowls to cultural storytelling to a museum filled with antique cars and couture, everything I visited today carried the imprint of passion.
Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center
If you’re visiting Fairbanks, make this your first stop. The Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center grounds you in the city’s story and points you toward all that’s available. Exhibits highlight Athabascan culture, seasonal life in the Interior, and the history of Fairbanks itself. It’s equal parts inspiration and orientation—helping you connect the dots between the land, the people, and the experiences waiting ahead.
Tip: Spend time with the cultural exhibits and educational films here—they add context that will enrich everything else you experience in Fairbanks. Don’t miss the Denakkanaaga center for Indigenous learnings, where you can also view or purchase beautifully handcrafted beadwork.
The Great Alaskan Bowl Company
Next came a stop at the Great Alaskan Bowl Company, now run by second-generation owner Emily, who has expanded the business while keeping it true to its roots. The company is best known for its hand-turned bowls, crafted from Alaskan birch, a durable hardwood sourced mostly from Talkeetna, south of Denali National Park.
Their harvesting process is careful and sustainable: only 3–5 trees per acre are taken, each with a diameter of 13 inches or larger. By selecting mature trees at the end of their life cycle, the younger trees are given more light and water to thrive. Each bowl then passes through more than twenty production steps before reaching the shelves, ensuring every piece is both functional and heirloom-worthy.
Nothing goes to waste in the process. The wood shavings are reused as packing material, while the pulp dust is repurposed, extending the life of every tree harvested.
A large viewing window inside the shop lets visitors watch artisans at work, turning raw wood into smooth, polished bowls. Emily has also broadened the shop’s offerings, curating over 90% Alaskan-owned products from local makers. The result is more than a store—it’s a celebration of Alaska’s creativity, sustainability, and craftsmanship.
Trivia to Take Home: The Great Alaskan Bowl Company is one of the last remaining commercial wood bowl mills in the United States.
Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum
The afternoon was a journey through time at the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum, a world class collection founded by a husband-and-wife team Tim and Barb Cerny with a love for history and design. Museum manager Wally Vinton, took time to show me around. Their collection features over 80 vehicles, the majority have been restored to working condition, alongside a trove of vintage clothing that perfectly matches each era of the cars.
Walking the floor feels like stepping back into a living timeline. One highlight: a suit once owned by Bing Crosby that was tailored for him in 1921. Another: the dress that inspired Rose’s red-and-black gown in Titanic, worn by actress Kate Winslet. It’s a museum where fashion, culture, and innovation come together in unexpected ways. The museum holds a charitable 501c3 status ensuring that the world class museum will be enjoyed by locals and visitors to Fairbanks for many years to come.
Trivia to Take Home: The museum houses Alaska’s oldest known car, a 1905 compound steam carriage—still able to run more than a century later. During my tour with Wally, I learned that the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum doesn’t just display its cars—it drives them. Many of the restored vehicles are roadworthy
Dinner at Bobby’s
Bobby’s Downtown was a lovely surprise at the end of the day. The restaurant is run by siblings Bobby and Rena, whose parents were Greek immigrants. Their story spans continents—meeting in Germany, welcoming Bobby there, and later settling in Vancouver where Rena was born. Together, the siblings have built one of Fairbanks’ most beloved restaurants, proudly sharing their Greek heritage through food.
I ordered the pork souvlaki dinner that came with roasted potatoes, rice, and Greek salad, paired with a glass of Douloufakis Dafnios, a red wine from Liatiko in Crete. The flavours brought me right back to my favourite Greek restaurant—my mom’s kitchen. For me, it was more than a meal; it was comfort, memory, and heritage all in one. Keep in mind that many of the ingredients must be imported, which comes with its own challenges, but Bobby’s makes it work beautifully. They even maintain a rooftop garden, visible from the parking lot, where Alaska’s long summer days provide the perfect conditions for growing fresh vegetables.
Alaskans who haven’t tried Bobby’s yet are missing out. I implore you to head over and experience this slice of Greece in the heart of Fairbanks.
Alaska Heritage House
Another highlight was the Alaska Heritage House, Fairbanks’ premier luxury inn and one of the city’s most historic homes. Built in 1916 by banker Arthur Williams for his fiancée, Clara, it was the grandest residence in town at the time—boasting two stories, nine bedrooms, and modern conveniences like indoor plumbing and electricity, rare luxuries in Alaska’s Interior.
Today, the Heritage House has been beautifully restored and transformed into a boutique inn, offering guests a chance to experience early 20th-century elegance. Each room is furnished with antiques and period pieces, blending historic charm with comfort.
Its location is also ideal: within easy walking distance of downtown shops and restaurants—Bobby’s, for example, is just a 10-minute stroll away. Staying here feels like being immersed in Fairbanks’ golden era, with modern Fairbanks right at your doorstep.
Trivia to Take Home: Once the largest home in Alaska’s Interior, the Heritage House remains a testament to the prosperity and ambition of Fairbanks’ early days.
The Takeaway
Fairbanks thrives on projects of passion. Whether it’s a cultural centre preserving Athabascan heritage, a family-owned workshop shaping birch bowls, a museum pairing antique cars with vintage couture, or a Greek restaurant run by siblings sharing their roots, each place I visited today carried a sense of love and purpose. This wasn’t just a day of sightseeing—it was a day of seeing what happens when people pour heart into the things they create and preserve.
Photo Credits: All photos by the author unless otherwise specified.
Every journey leaves a mark, and small choices can make a big difference. Choosing eco-friendly stays, supporting local communities, and being mindful of plastic use help preserve the beauty of the places we visit. Respecting wildlife, conserving resources, and travelling sustainably ensure future generations can experience the same wonders. Alaska, like many destinations, is striving to do its part—progress is being made, though the path is ongoing. By treading lightly and embracing responsible travel, we create meaningful connections and lasting memories. Here’s to adventures that inspire and footprints that honour our planet. Safe and mindful travels!
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