Whether you’re visiting Fairbanks for viewing the Northern lights in the winter or getting to Denali in the summer, make sure to give yourself a few extra days to enjoy what Fairbanks has to offer. Read below to learn what you can do during 3 days in Fairbanks.
What to know about Fairbanks
Located in interior Alaska, Fairbanks is almost directly in the center of the state. Fairbanks has a population of just over 30,000 people, but because Alaska is not heavily populated, it still ranks as the second largest city in Alaska. Founded by European settlers in the early 1900s, Fairbanks became a trading post for gold rush seekers.
How to Get to Fairbanks
Flying
If you’re already in Alaska, you can fly from Anchorage, or other cities within the state, via Alaska Airlines. Flights between Fairbanks and Anchorage are about an hour long, and if booked in advance typically cost around $100 one way.
Outside of Alaska, there are daily direct flights into Fairbanks from Seattle and Minneapolis year-round, with more direct flight options during the summer season. You’ll find the most flight options on Alaska or Delta.
Driving
Driving in or out of Fairbanks is essentially a full day trip. The drive to/from Anchorage is 6+ hours, but you will have incredible scenery, and if you’re lucky Mt Denali will even make an appearance.
As weather in Alaska can be extreme, beware of road closures during the winter/shoulder season.
Train
The trains through Alaska are said to be some of the best ways to see the incredible landscapes of the state. That said, most train routes only run during the summer season. Always check availability for the
The train ride to/from Anchorage is a 12 hour journey. If you plan to go in the summer, you can train to Denali for a few days, then continue your journey.
Learn more about the Alaska Railroad here.
What to do over 3 days in Fairbanks
See the Northern lights
Seeing the northern lights is a bucket list item for most people, and having finally experienced it for the first time in Alaska it’s hard to explain how truly magical it is to see the lights dance across the sky and change colors. This should be at the top of your Alaska bucket list for your 3 days in Fairbanks.
If you want to see the aurora borealis you have to visit during winter, or shoulder season. There is too much light in the summer to see the aurora activity properly. During winter and the shoulder season, the aurora is visible 4 out of 5 nights. This means, that with 3 days in Fairbanks, you’ll have a strong chance of viewing the northern lights.
Seeing the aurora is definitely a bucket list activity, but it is also a LATE NIGHT activity. You need darkness to see the full effect of the northern lights, and with so much daylight from spring through early fall your window of time is limited.
We were very lucky to see the Aurora at the end of April. We drove out to Murphy Dome and saw some small activity, but it was still a little too light even at 1am from our location. It wasn’t until we had left to drive back to our Airbnb, that we saw the lights dancing across the sky above us. I popped the car into park, turned off the lights and we were able to get a full show. This was around 130am and we didn’t get back to our Airbnb until after 2am.
Where to see the aurora around Fairbanks
- Creamer’s Field – this is the closest option to downtown Fairbanks.
- North Pole / Chena Lakes – this town is about 20 minutes southeast of downtown Fairbanks
- Murphy Dome – this is a 40 minute drive that dead ends at an observatory dome. You’ll have the opportunity for 360 unobstructed views as well as views along the drive.
- Chena Hot Springs – located 90 minutes northeast of Fairbanks. Read more about the Chena Hot Springs.
Be sure to check the aurora forecast tracker to determine the best date and location for viewing. You can find that information here.
3 days in Fairbanks: Visit Museums
Fairbanks has a number of great museums located within the city that are all worth visiting in good weather and bad.
Museum of the North:
Located on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus, you get a great view over the valley below from the entrance of the museum. The building is also architecturally beautiful inside and out.
This museum has a little bit of everything. There is contemporary art from Alaskan artists. You’ll see the incredible hand work for native garments and beading. Learn about the different wildlife, geography and geology of interior Alaska. Plus there are additional video screenings to get more in depth topical knowledge.
We opted to watch the 30 minute move on the northern lights and learned so much about why they exist and why they are so prevalent around Fairbanks, but not all regions of Alaska.
Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center
It may seem strange to list a visitors center under museums, but there is a wonderful exhibit hall within the visitor center. If you don’t know it’s there, you’ll miss it.
The exhibit shows life in the Fairbanks region starting with summer, transition through the seasons and ending at spring. The center and exhibit hall are also FREE to see!
You will also be able to engage with the visitor center staff and on site park rangers to answer all your questions about interior Alaska and what to do while visiting.
While here, be sure to visit the Moose Arch and walk along the Chena River.
Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum
The Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum combines automotive history, fashion and Fairbanks history all in one. There’s really something here for everyone.
Within the museum you’ll find approximately 70 vintage (and extremely rare) cars on display ranging from the early 1900s through the 1930s and 1940s. What makes this a truly unique experience is the museum pairs vintage clothing that is of the same era as the car on display to really enhance the experience.
All but 3 of the cars in the museum are running, and there are another 20-30 vehicles in storage at any given time.
You’ll get a detailed history on the specific vehicle but also the type of car. I was truly surprised to learn that the history of electric cars goes back to the 1800s, well before fuel powered vehicles. Unfortunately like today, gas powered cars took over the industry due to affordability rather than innovation and driver preference.
Visit Denali National Park during your 3 days in Fairbanks
Fairbanks is the closest large airport to Denali National Park. The park is a beautiful 2-2.5 hour drive south of Fairbanks. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to see the mountain on your drive towards the park.
The park is mostly accessible during the summer season, which offers a huge variety of tours within and near the park. As Denali is one of the top attractions in Alaska, the park is extremely busy during the summer season. I strongly recommend booking a tour to save time and guarantee access to the park.
Be sure to check the Denali National Park page for information on visits and access.
During the winter and shoulder season there is limited access into the park. While visiting, my mom and I took a Fat Truck Tour that is able to trek through the backcountry near the edge of the park (as motorized vehicles are not allowed on park lands). You’ll learn more about the terrain, early homesteaders in the area and hopefully spot some local wildlife. This is a fun and very different type of tour. It is led by a state patrol officer, so you’ll also get some interesting stories along the way.
Visit the North Pole while in Fairbanks
For a quick and kitschy experience, take a short 20 minute drive southeast of Fairbanks to the town of North Pole, Alaska. Here, even in the warmth of summer and 24 hours of sunshine it is Christmas 365 days a year. You will see candy cane street lights, even the McDonalds sign has the traditional white and red ribbons.
The main attraction is the Santa Claus House
- Within the Santa Claus House you will find anything and everything Christmas related (and more). There are Christmas ornaments, gifts, local candy and clothing.
- Don’t miss out on the opportunity to send a “letter from Santa” mailed from the North Pole during the holiday season.
- It wouldn’t be Santa House without a 42’ santa outside available for year round photos.
- During the summer you can meet Santa’s reindeer.
Go to Chena Hot Springs Resort during 3 days in Fairbanks
Located an hour and a half northwest of Fairbanks you’ll find the Chena Hot Springs resort which is located at naturally occurring geothermal hot springs. Read this post for additional information on visiting the Chena Hot Springs.
Where to eat during 3 days in Fairbanks
The Cookie Jar
This is a very popular local restaurant for breakfast and lunch (or early dinner Th-Sat). Here you’ll get your every day diner style food with a lot of options available. Cookies aren’t just part of the name, be sure to take a few to go!
The Crepery
Located in the heart of downtown, this breakfast spot is a favorite among locals and tourists alike. If you’re here on the weekend, be prepared to wait in line. You order your food, then you have to be on the lookout for an open table, and wait for your food to arrive. They have sweet and savory crepes, and you can’t go wrong with either option.
Where to stay for 3 days in Fairbanks
Fairbanks is not the city where you’re going to find a lot of high end or boutique accommodations. Most of the hotels are from your typical chains. Another option is for an apartment or house rental. This can also help keep costs down as Alaska can be very pricey in the peak summer season.
During our visit, my mom and I stayed in and apartment. It was clean, there was parking, it wasn’t anything particularly special to share or recommend, but a great budget option.
Additional Alaska Posts
- Alaska Guide: How to spend 24 hours at Chena Hot Springs
- Top Reasons to Visit Alaska in the Shoulder Season
- How to Travel from Anchorage to Seward Alaska
- The Best Things to do in Seward Alaska
