Fairbanks is the largest city in the interior region of Alaska, and second largest in the state. By air, Fairbanks is 45 minutes from Anchorage, Alaska and 5 hours from Seattle, Washington. It lies 358 road miles (576 km) north of Anchorage. Winters are very long and cold and the summers are usually warm, with temperatures often reaching into the 80's °F (27° to 32°C). Spectacular displays of the aurora borealis ("northern lights") are visible on an average of 200 days a year in the vicinity of Fairbanks. There are riverboat tours and occasional charters with sternwheelers on the Chena river from mid-May until mid-September. There is a wide range of dining options, many gift shops, galleries and other shopping venues. Summer events include the Folk Festival and Solstice celebration with Midnight Sun Baseball in June, Summer Arts Festival, Midnight Sun Intertribal Powwow, World Eskimo Indian Olympics and Golden Days in July, and the Tanana Valley State Fair in August.
