Gold Panning

Gold Dredge 8. From the comfort of a narrow-gauge railroad, Gold Dredge 8 offers a two-hour tour of a seasonal mining operation. Miners demonstrate classic and modern techniques, after which visitors get to try their luck panning for gold. Many historic elements from the old El Dorado Gold Mine have been transported here, so a tour provides a fairly complete look at how Fairbanks got rich. 1803 Old Steese Hwy. N, Fairbanks, Alaska, 99709. 907/479–6673; 866/479–6673; www.golddredge8.com. $40. Mid-May–mid-Sept., tours daily at 10:30 and 1:45.