Riverboat Discovery Tour
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Paper ticket
Your three-hour cruise will take you into the heart of Alaska and introduce you to a family who has made the rivers of Alaska a way of life for five generations. You will see a bush floatplane takeoff alongside the boat, visit the home and kennels of the late four-time Iditarod winner Susan Butcher and see her champion sled dogs in action. Be immersed into the ancient Athabascan Indian culture when our Alaskan Native Guides take you on a personalized tour of the Chena Indian Village. The Binkley family invites you to experience a slice of Alaskan life!
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What To Expect
Your three-hour cruise will take you into the heart of Alaska and introduce you to a family who has made the rivers of Alaska a way of life for five generations. You will see a bush floatplane takeoff alongside the boat, visit the home and kennels of the late four-time Iditarod winner Susan Butcher and see her champion sled dogs in action. Be immersed into the ancient Athabascan Indian culture when our Alaskan Native Guides take you on a personalized tour of the Chena Indian Village. The Binkley family invites you to experience a slice of Alaskan life!
Options
Riverboat Discovery Tour
What‘s Included
Coffee and/or Tea
Fresh-baked Alaskan Blueberry donuts are served everyday, complimentary to all guests.
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Reviews
1,340 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Nice to do in Fairbanks
Sandibeachtraveler,Jun 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Something to do in Fairbanks. The dogs were my favorite. I did like seeing life for the indigenous people. Gave me an insight into their lives. Sort of felt like an adult school trip. Needed a little more time to explore the village. Boat is roomy.
Delightful afternoon sailing down the river
AnnB539,Jun 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very well organised, good detailed commentary. Delicious blueberry doughnuts. Enjoyed bar. Native village very good. Delighted to see the huskies & learn about their training. Merchandise in show offered good variety & realistic prices. Would be good to have real coffee shop for non cruise visitors who are not tied to herding schedules!! We are independent travellers & were certainly the exception to other travellers!!
BORING!!!
Trek418442,Jun 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00Mostly very, very boring and the cruise itself was very short. Nothing at all what I expected. This excursion is definitely intended for the very old. Five out of my seven person group took a nap.
Absolutely recommend
241brendak,Jun 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Incredible experience. It was part of our Fairbanks visit with Princess Cruise. At first, low expectations (since it was an add-in). Boy were we surprised! The experience was top notch. Spoiler alert: The crew was amazing - especially with Noah's narration. Loved everything - sea boat demonstration, dog mushing demonstration, fish camp village visit. Great use of technology with the screens on all levels. It was next-level to talk to the captain and other participants. We learned so much about the natives - especially the Athebascans.
Fun
Karen D,Jun 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Fun and educational. Loved the dog training center, caribou and Chena Village. Well worth the money!
Completely enjoyable and good people.
Lamprx,Jun 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Thoroughly enjoyable. Narration was flawless, the stops were great and informative, the people were friendly, snacks and food least expensive north of Vancouver. Family working concessions, free blueberry donuts and coffee along with free salmon snacks.
Excellently Produced & Coordinated
hsoursos,Jun 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My friend and I spent one night in Fairbanks and leaving the next day late in the afternoon / evening. This was the perfect morning activity. The riverboat tour was much more than I expected. It was a full production of on boat and off boat personnel with very educational narration. It also included one stop onshore at a "camp" with distinct presentations from salmon smoking to native textiles / pelts. The entire tour was well organized, and I loved how they enabled the young employees to be presenters.
What a wonderful...
Deborah D,Jun 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00What a wonderful experience on a riverboat with our mom. So beautiful and the family operators were great. The the float plane.
Great time
Patti B,May 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great overall experience, well balanced activities and friendly staff. Staff wend above and beyond my expectations.
Beyond excellent.
nickrashtead,May 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Superb. Full of unexpected stops and surprises and information about the boat and history. Free coffee and cookies and an extremely informative guide. Very professionally done. Just has to be done.
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Operated by Riverboat Discovery