Gray Line Dredge #8 or El Dorado Gold mine
 

Looking to have some fun "gold mining". Price is about the same, but Dredge #8 includes lunch. Which do you suggest? Not looking to strike it big, only wanting to have some fun! Which is closest to the Riverboat Discovery and by how far?

The same people own the El Dorado as the Riverboat Discovery so I think you can save with a combined ticket.

We absolutely LOVED the El Dorado. It is fun to ride the train, you learn how the "sourdoughs of '98" mined the gold and you learn how it is done today by small operators. THe couple that gives the talk were actual miners for several years (get their autobiography in the gift shop - very interesting). The gold you pan is from their claim.

I have panned for gold several places, but this is the only place I really understood how to do it and actually got something worthwhile. All four of us got more than a few flakes. Two or three on the tour found nuggets.

Again, I'd suggest dumping the Fairbanks leg and building more time in Southcentral AK. Your itinerary is too short to burn time in Fairbanks.

http://www.akmining.com/mine/crow.htm

Having been to both, by far the El Dorado Mine is superior to the Gold Dredge 8. My opinon only. Both on the other side of town at least 12 miles apart?

Both are completely different. Gold Dredge #8 is an up-close look at the monstrous dredge they used in the river vally. Fairly recent history. INCREDIBLE machine. Now the kids want their own "Hydraulic Giant" powerblaster in the back yard. Forget the car wash...this thing will knock down trees.

The El Dorado Gold Mine is lots of fun with a little railroad through an underground tunnel. But the highlight is when the mine people get out the front-end loader and scoop out some of the "pay dirt" into the sluice box. These people really know what they're doing. We got a $58 nugget!! Still have it!

Remember, the NUMBER ONE activity in Fairbanks is the Riverboat Discovery. S-o-o-o-o cool. Took the whole family. We had tour saver coupon for all 3 activities, so everything was half price. We like that.