Ester Gold Camp

This sounds like an fun quick stop on the way in or out of Fairbanks. Does anyone know if it will open for summer %26#39;09 ? Malamute Saloon sounds fun as does the Theatre. Are they part of the Gold Camp or are they stand alone attractions? In other words if the Gold Camp is closed is it still a fun/interesting side trip?

Thanks

carol

Ester Gold Camp

I haven%26#39;t heard a word about the Malamute Saloon reopening (that%26#39;s where the skits are held). Without that, I wouldn%26#39;t suggest making the drive unless you have nothing else to do. The food at the camp was expensive and not all that good. I don%26#39;t know if they%26#39;ll have the same performers back, but the show they had in 2006 was excellent.

Ester Gold Camp

Too bad. It sounded like an interesting place for an hour or 2. Thanks for the heads up.

carol

Don%26#39;t let one negative posting turn you off so easily! As you drive into Fairbanks you are right on the edge of Ester, so turn in and check it out, stop and ask a few questions about what is happening for the time you are in the neighborhood, schedules, shows etc. Stop for a cup of coffee at any restaurant you consider coming back to for dinner and start to form your opinion.

If a good dinner connected to Ester is interesting, consider the Pump House on Chena Pump Road, just over the ridge from Ester. It IS the original pump house building from when they pumped water over the ridge to feed the gold fields at Ester, and the restaurant has consistently held a high reputation for quality, and the atmosphere is genuine.

It is much to easy to check Ester out, so do your self a favor and do drop in, at least to see if it interests you.

71

I%26#39;ve dined at the Pump House Restaurant twice (once each in Mar07 and Mar08) and it was exceptional both times! It is a bit on the pricey side, but well worth it if you want an outstanding meal.

This is embarrassing. I do know the difference between ';to'; and ';too';, but obviously forgot to apply it through the fingers when typing! Well, the message is the same: do give Ester serious consideration. They may start up activities, shows and whatever that are too close to the summer season to properly advertise, so drive the few hundred feet from the main highway into town and see for yourself! Also be sure to check out the Land Office in the Old Court House in downtown Fairbanks for the latest and best information around.

71

I guess I still don%26#39;t understand what makes up the Ester Gold Camp. I thought it was a little ';village'; within Ester that was made up of a saloon, a theatre, bunkhouse, restaurant, etc. A whole camp that would spring up around a mining venture. So if the camp is closed down, there%26#39;s nothing of interest to see, except the town of Ester whihc is probably not much different than many other small towns in AK.

Is anyone familiar with what it is ?

dog