Location: Fairbanks
Top Things to do in Fairbanks
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The 10 Best Things to do in Fairbanks, Alaska (AK)
Its far north location means Fairbanks gets the midnight sun in the summer and the northern lights during Aurora Season (August to April). These wonders define the city, along with winter activities, the gold rush past, Alaska Native heritage, a vibrant arts scene and “golden heart” hospitality. Enjoy dog mushing, panning for gold, floating the Chena River or visiting a museum. Add a nearby trip to a hot springs, Denali, the Arctic or the Interior. Fairbanks is the gateway to discovering Alaska.
Restaurants in Fairbanks
1. Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,327 reviews
WE ARE OPEN for visitors and are adhering to all CDC and state-guided mandates. As a precaution: • practice proper physical-distancing • use of face-coverings is required to visit the museum. *** About the Fountainhead Auto Museum: This unexpected gem at Wedgewood Resort features a remarkable collection of antique cars and historic fashions, plus entertaining displays on Alaska motoring history. The museum's automobile collection features over 100 American-made vehicles, including beautifully restored horseless carriages, nickel touring cars, rakish speedster, elegant classics, and early racecars. From rare marquees like Compound and Argonne to well-known names like Packard and Stutz, visitors will be amazed at the beauty, innovation, and history of these rolling masterpieces. All but a few of the automobiles are driven each summer, making this a true "living museum.
Reviewed By Ajmunoz
My husband and I visited and while we first thought it was a fairly small place we were very much surprised! We loved looking at the beautiful cars and as a bonus the fashion display was just as beautiful! We spent nearly three hours in the museum and the curator was there to answer any questions or further the knowledge on any of the cars! Would definitely recommend:)
2. Running Reindeer Ranch
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,244 reviews
By reservation, Running Reindeer Ranch offers guided walking natural history tours of the boreal forest with our reindeer friends. Get to know our reindeer in this 2.5 hour unique, immersive, educational tour. Enjoy a walk through the magical birch forest, observing reindeer games and learning the adaptations that make reindeer ideal for Arctic living. While visiting our family-owned farm, there is plenty of time for pictures and reindeer hugs. After the reindeer walk, we’ll head inside to learn a bit more about reindeer while enjoying homemade cookies and drinks. We operate in any weather, all year, so appropriate clothing is a must. Reservation Required, book a walk on our website! With Covid19 protocols we are very serious about health. We provide touch less options, sanitize before and after each visit, stay outside the entire tour and all persons must wear a mask while visiting our ranch.
Reviewed By davym608 - Aliso Viejo, United States
Truly enjoyed our time...family of reindeer loved by Jane, Doug, and Alex. Hard to decide best part: Walking with the fall leaves, petting the reindeer, learning all 11 of their names, or the yummy cookies at the end. A must see when in Fairbanks!
3. James Dalton Highway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 172 reviews
The only road through North Alaska, often hiked and camped beside.
Reviewed By TravelPagol - Tempe, United States
Away from all hustle and bustle of city life, and all controlling tour company ride, you could rent a car (which are permitted to drive on Dalton Highway) and take a drive. It is not very cheap option and at times feel not safe - when you face the haulers truck - driven at 70 miles with flying gravels. Once out of Fairbanks region, it felt like being with nature - with white all around - from 2 week old snowstorm and frozen River (even mighty Yukon). Drove all the way to Atigun Pass - after customary stop at - Yukon Camp - for refill /coffee (Bless the owner - who suggested that I should go beyond Coldfoot to Atigun Pass - it is so beautiful), - Arctic Circle Sign, and - Coldfoot (stayed their for the night - and enjoyed the Aurora) Landscape of Taiga and Tundra, with all white mountains - so beautiful, and I will remember this trip forever. I will probably go back once again - to drive all the way to Deadhorse/Prudhoe Bay - and my be in Fall.
4. McKinley Explorer
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 257 reviews
A scenic railroad spanning 356 miles, from Fairbanks to Anchorage.
5. University of Alaska Museum of the North
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,449 reviews
The University of Alaska Museum of the North is a thriving visitor attraction, a vital component of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and the only research and teaching museum in Alaska. The museum’s research collections – 2.5 million artifacts and specimens – represent millions of years of biological diversity and thousands of years of cultural traditions in the North. UAMN is Open Wednesday - Sunday, 10 AM - 7 PM, Starting July 8th. Admission Sales Close at 6 PM. Hours are Subject to Change.
Reviewed By jnaggie - Huntington Beach, United States
Housed in a stunningly modern building, you will find everything from history and artifacts of the early explorers and settlers and well as the natives Alaskans. Learn about prehistoric Alaska to the modern innovations building the Alaskan Pipeline.
6. Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 503 reviews
Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge is a 2,000 acre refuge on the site of the historic Creamer's Dairy in Fairbanks, Alaska. The Dairy was once the largest producer in Alaska and is on the historic registry of places. The refuge has miles of multi-use trails that are open year round and it is an excellent location for bird watching and wildlife viewing. The Farmhouse Visitor Center & Gift Shop is open daily in the summer from 9:30 - 5 and on Saturdays in the winter from Noon - 4. Guided Nature Walks are available Mon-Sat at 10 am June through August by trained naturalists. Non-profit organization "Friends of Creamer's Field" provides programs during the year at the state owned refuge. In the winter the trails are groomed for cross country skiing and skijoring. Dog mushers, walkers and runners also visit the fields and trails regularly. During the migration seasons the fields are closed except to the birds, but the other trails are still open away from the fields. Come visit!
Reviewed By J4911SFelizabethp
In February 2020 we visited in the afternoon, a helpful worker pointed us to trail maps and we enjoyed the boreal forest boardwalk trail. In March 2021 we returned, and this time more interesting birds were at the feeders and trees. I saw my first bohemian waxwing bird and cute common redpolls and chickadees. On March 20 there was a strong corona aurora and we viewed this wonder over Creamers Field. I hope sometime we can return during migration when it's not frozen over!
7. Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,679 reviews
Your 1st stop for visitor information. Learn about Alaska Native culture and history. Free world-class exhibits that tell the story of life in Interior Alaska. Wave to family around the world on our Antler Arch webcam. Free films, WiFi, parking.
Reviewed By stangerkerry - Orem, United States
This museum and visitors center was very informative and best of all it was free! It is a great place to start your visit to Fairbanks to get information on everything in the area.
8. Pioneer Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,220 reviews
Built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the purchase of Alaska from Russia, this theme part includes a mock gold-rush town with authentic pioneer log cabins, mining equipment, musems, a replicated Native American village and a huge, drydocked sternwheeler open for tours.
Reviewed By 519martyd - Winnipeg, Canada
We loved this park! We had our first look when we attended the Salmon Bake and the show at the Palace Theatre. The Salmon Bake is outstanding ... so much food, all you can eat, and so fresh and tasty! The Show at the Palace was fun and entertaining! But the park ... so much interesting stuff that we went back on another day and wandered around for a few hours. Old mining equipment, historic log cabins and homes, some of which can be toured, an aviation museum, Indian village and a small train that circles the park. Our group of four had lunch at the One Love Jamaican kiosk and a Souvlaki kiosk ... both very good. If you're in Fairbanks with time to kill, put this on your list. The park is free but a couple of the museums had cover charges or suggested donations. Also, take in the Stampede show in the Museum. It was a very interesting pictoral essay about the Stampeders on the Chilkoot trail ... very informative.
9. Alyeska Pipeline Viewing Point
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 607 reviews
One of the most popular tourist attractions in Alaska.
Reviewed By 970vkp - Birmingham, United States
This is an easy stop off the highway as you are going and coming from Fairbanks . There is a parking lot and then short walk over a small bridge to stand by the pipeline . You can take a picture to show how large the pipe actually is. It is worth a short stop.
10. Aurora Ice Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 912 reviews
Chena Hot Springs Resort is home to the world’s largest year-round ice environment, the Aurora Ice Museum!
Reviewed By DavinaLucia
This was a new and exciting experience for me. The Ice Museum was constructed by World Ice Carving champions and they have been maintaining the museum for a number of years. the sculptures are breathtaking to see in person, and they provide you with an unforgettable apple-martini served in an ice martini glass.
