Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium

Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium Review

This odd and deeply thrilling little museum displays the eccentric collection of Franklin Fairbanks, who surely had one of the most inquisitive minds in American history. He built this magnificent barrel-vaulted two-level gallery in 1889 just to house the specimens of plants, animals, mounted birds, mammals, reptiles, plants, and collections of folk art and dolls—and a seemingly unending variety of beautifully mounted curios—he had picked up around the world. The museum showcases over 175,000 items, but it's surprisingly easy to feast your eyes on everything here without getting a museum headache. There's also a popular 45-seat planetarium, the state's only public planetarium; as well the Eye on the Sky Weather Gallery, home to live NPR weather broadcasts.