The Best Things to do in Fairbanks for any Season

Whether you’re visiting Fairbanks in the winter or summer there’s plenty to do year round.  I’m sharing some of the best things to do in Fairbanks no matter the season.  

Before visiting Fairbanks, here is some information on the city:

• Fairbanks is located in interior Alaska, almost directly in the center of the state. 
• The population is just over 30,000 people, but because Alaska is not heavily populated, it still ranks as the second largest city in Alaska.  
• The region was founded by European settlers in the early 1900s, and Fairbanks became a trading post for gold rush seekers.

How to Get to Fairbanks Alaska

There are three main ways to travel to Fairbanks: by plane, car and train.  Each has its own benefits. 

Flying to Fairbanks

Within Alaska, you can fly between (large) cities via Alaska Airlines. Sometimes, this may include a short stopover at another airport before the plane continues on.  Flights between Fairbanks and Anchorage are about an hour long, and cost anywhere from $100-150 depending on season and fare deals.  

Outside of Alaska, there are daily direct flights into Fairbanks from Seattle year-round, with additional direct flight options from Chicago, Denver, Minneapolis, and Portland during the summer season. 

Driving to Fairbanks

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 to Fairbanks

The trains through Alaska are said to be some of the best ways to see some of the pristine landscapes and scenery.  That said, most train routes only run during the summer season.  Always check availability for the time of year you plan to visit. 

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 north or south.  Learn more about the Alaska Railroad routes here.

What to do in Fairbanks Alaska during the Winter

The weather might deter you from visiting Fairbanks in the colder months, but there are some winter activities that might just change your mind. 

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. 

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. 

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 rental 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 

Where to see the aurora near 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. Learn more about the hot springs.

Be sure to check the aurora forecast tracker to determine the best date and location for viewing.  

Dog sled Tours

Dog sledding is a huge part of Alaskan culture and has existed for thousands of years with the indigenous population.  Many know of dog sledding from the famous annual Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race that runs through the state from Seward to Nome.  Today, tours are a major tourist activity. 

Dog sledding is one of the quintessential things to do in Fairbanks, especially during the winter.  You can book anything from a short 30 minute or one hour tour, to a multi day dog mushing tour.  There are also aurora dog sled tours.  A dog sled tour will give you a true taste of Alaska winter. 

There are some hotels and resorts, like the Chena Hot Springs Resort, just an hour or so north of Fairbanks that has dog sledding at the property 

You can find options for summer kennel tours, but these are not as prevalent as the winter sledding options. 

Things to do in Fairbanks all year

Visit the local museums

Fairbanks has a number of great museums located within the city that are all worth visiting in any season.  I would make sure you add at least one of these onto your list of activities in Fairbanks Alaska. 

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.

While visiting, we watched the 30 minute movie 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, transitioning through the seasons and ending at spring.  Best of all, the center and exhibit hall are also FREE to see. 

You can also 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. The rangers also have information on the aurora forecasts, and can walk you through the different viewing areas around the city. 

While here, be sure to visit the Moose Arch and take some time to enjoy a walk along the Chena River.

Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum

The Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum is one of the most surprising and unique museums I have visited over the years. This 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 from the same era as the car on display.  This creates a connection between the cars and their drivers and passengers. 

All but three of the cars in the museum are running.  Beyond the 70 on display, there are another 20-30 vehicles in storage at any given time. 

You’ll get a detailed history on not only the type of car, but also that specific vehicle.  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. 

**This museum is closed until June of 2026 while the museum is moving to their new location.  Check the museum website for opening details. 

Take a Fat Truck Tour

While visiting Fairbanks, my mom and I took a Fat Truck Tour just outside of Denali.  This massive vehicle is able to trek through the backcountry near the edge of the park (as motorized vehicles are not allowed on park lands).  

On the tour, you’ll learn more about the terrain, early homesteaders in the area and hopefully spot some local wildlife.  This was 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. 

This tour is open year round, even in the bitter cold of deep winter.  The vehicle is able to withstand the bone chilling temperatures of January near Denali.  We did this tour in the spring shoulder season.  This was a great option for us to get near Denali, while most of the park was still closed for the season. 

Visit the North Pole

For a quick and kitschy experience, experience one of the most unique things to do in Fairbanks by visiting the North Pole… or the town of North Pole, Alaska. This small christmas themed town is a short 20 minute drive southeast of Fairbanks. 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, and even the McDonalds sign has the 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 months you can meet Santa’s reindeer. 

Visit the Chena Hot Springs Resort

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. This resort is known for their hot springs and aurora viewing.  The property also has an ice museum, dog kennel and other seasonal activities. 

Read this post to learn more about visiting the Chena Hot Springs.

Fairbanks in the summer

Due to weather and the influx of tourists, there are some things to do in Fairbanks that are only offered seasonally.  

Pioneer Park

Pioneer Park is a family friendly historical park that is only year round.  The park offers visitors to take self guided tours around the grounds, museums, and art galleries.  

This is one of the most popular free things to do in Fairbanks as not only is the park entrance free, but so are the art gallery and most of the museums.  Only a couple museums have a small suggested donation. 

While this park is technically open year round, about 80% of the buildings and activities are only open during the summer.  This includes the railroad, carousel, Alaska Salmon Bake, and more. 

Be sure to check the Pioneer Park website to see which activities are available, and learn more about upcoming events. 

Riverboat Discovery

One of the most popular things to do in Fairbanks Alaska in the summer is take a Riverboat Discovery tour.  These 3 hour tours are on large steamboats that travel the Chena River while learning about Alaskan heritage.  On the tour there are stops at a sled dog kennel, Chena Village to learn history from local Alaskan Natives, and see a floatplane take off next to the boat. 

There are two tours a day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. 

Visit Denali National Park

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.  

During the winter and shoulder season there is limited access into the park.  Be sure to check the Denali National Park page for information on visits and access. 

Additional things to do in Fairbanks

Need more to do in Fairbanks?  From snowmobiling to fishing, hiking to history, there’s plenty of other activities to keep you busy during your stay.

Check out these tours below:

Must visit breakfast spots in Fairbanks

It’s likely you won’t spend more than a few days in Fairbanks, but while you visit make sure you check out one (or both) of the restaurants below.  

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. I recommend getting a few different styles to share. 

Where to stay 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 in the city are from your typical chains. If you want something more unique, or lodge like, you’ll need to venture further from the city center.

Another option is to book a vacation rental. This can also help keep costs down as Alaska can be very pricey in the peak summer season, and these are often cheaper than hotels.

During our visit, my mom and I stayed in an apartment from VRBO. It was clean. There was parking. It wasn’t anything particularly special to share or recommend. But it was a great budget option. 

FAQs

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• How to Travel from Anchorage to Seward Alaska
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