Tour of Fairbanks Guidebook
Restaurants
Just the Tips Café and Wellness Co.
505 Illinois StreetAlaska Salmon Bake
2300 Airport WayA local favorite right on the Chena River. I would recommend calling ahead (+1 -907-474-3644) to make sure they are open.
Chena's Alaskan Grill
4200 Boat StA local favorite right on the Chena River. I would recommend calling ahead (+1 -907-474-3644) to make sure they are open.
A fun outside / indoor dining experience on the Chena River. I would recommend calling ahead to make reservations on the weekend (907-479-8432)
135 locals recommend
The Pump House Restaurant Fairbanks
796 Chena Pump RdA fun outside / indoor dining experience on the Chena River. I would recommend calling ahead to make reservations on the weekend (907-479-8432)
Fuji Japanese Restaurant
3535 College RdBrewsters
3578 Airport WayCasual American food
Vallata
2190 Goldstream RdWolf Run Restaurant
3362 Wolf RunPike's Landing
4438 Airport WayHot Licks Homemade Ice Cream
372 Old Chena Pump RdLavelle's Bistro
575 1st AveUpscale dining experience
Greens Bar & Grill
1735 Farmers Loop RoadOn a golf course
Really good pizza! Right at the private airport so you can watch planes come and go
19 locals recommend
East Ramp Wood Fired Pizza
3788 University Ave SReally good pizza! Right at the private airport so you can watch planes come and go
Sightseeing
Chena Hot Springs Resort
17600 Chena Hot Springs RdAngel Rocks Trailhead
15450 Chena Hot Springs RdA fun hike on the way to Chena Hot Springs
Pioneer Park
2300 Airport WayFountainhead Antique Auto Museum
212 Wedgewood DrMuseum of the North
1962 Yukon DrLive music every Thursday night at 7 pm. (https://georgesonbotanicalgarden.org/calendar/music-in-the-garden/)
38 locals recommend
Georgeson Botanical Garden
2180 W Tanana DrLive music every Thursday night at 7 pm. (https://georgesonbotanicalgarden.org/calendar/music-in-the-garden/)
Two hours south of Fairbanks, Denali National Park is a must-do on any Alaska itinerary. (Except in the winter, when the park is pretty much closed.)
129 locals recommend
Denali National Park & Preserve
Parks HwyTwo hours south of Fairbanks, Denali National Park is a must-do on any Alaska itinerary. (Except in the winter, when the park is pretty much closed.)
Large Animal Research Station
2220 Yankovich RdMorris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center
101 Dunkel StMoose Antler Arch
Riverboat Discovery
1975 Discovery DrA must do!
Running Reindeer Ranch
1470 Ivans AlleyTrail Breaker Kennel
5880 Airport Industrial RdFairbanks, like Valdez, is located along the Trans-Alaska Pipeline – though the town was here first. That means there’s a great opportunity to see the Pipeline up close, thanks to a viewpoint located about 15 minutes north of town.
At this particular viewpoint (called the “Alaska Pipeline Viewing Point” on Google), there are informational displays and the chance to walk right up to the Pipeline itself. You’ll learn about the $8 billion it took to construct the Pipeline – as well as the 70,000 people who made it happen.
50 locals recommend
Alyeska Pipeline Viewing Point
1671 Steese HwyFairbanks, like Valdez, is located along the Trans-Alaska Pipeline – though the town was here first. That means there’s a great opportunity to see the Pipeline up close, thanks to a viewpoint located about 15 minutes north of town.
At this particular viewpoint (called the “Alaska Pipeline Viewing Point” on Google), there are informational displays and the chance to walk right up to the Pipeline itself. You’ll learn about the $8 billion it took to construct the Pipeline – as well as the 70,000 people who made it happen.
This former dairy farm near downtown Fairbanks is now managed by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game as a migratory waterfowl refuge. That means it draws birds making huge migrations from the arctic to the rest of the continent, including the Sandhill Crane, Tundra Swan, Trumpeter Swan, Snow Goose, Canada Goose, and dozens of others.
If you love birding or just want to stretch your legs, this is a lovely place to do so; it’s not uncommon to spot moose, fox, and even lynx if you’re lucky.
121 locals recommend
Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge
1300 College RdThis former dairy farm near downtown Fairbanks is now managed by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game as a migratory waterfowl refuge. That means it draws birds making huge migrations from the arctic to the rest of the continent, including the Sandhill Crane, Tundra Swan, Trumpeter Swan, Snow Goose, Canada Goose, and dozens of others.
If you love birding or just want to stretch your legs, this is a lovely place to do so; it’s not uncommon to spot moose, fox, and even lynx if you’re lucky.
An hour south of Fairbanks, the small town of Nenana is most famously known as an Alaska Native community and stop where President Harding drove the golden spike for the Alaska Railroad.
Today, there’s not much there, but a small train museum has popped up in the old depot. Inside you’ll find artifacts from the railroad and can learn more about Nenana’s role in that chapter of Alaskan history.
Historic Alaska Railroad Depot
900 Front StreetAn hour south of Fairbanks, the small town of Nenana is most famously known as an Alaska Native community and stop where President Harding drove the golden spike for the Alaska Railroad.
Today, there’s not much there, but a small train museum has popped up in the old depot. Inside you’ll find artifacts from the railroad and can learn more about Nenana’s role in that chapter of Alaskan history.
Arctic Circle Sign
Onee of the most accessible glaciers in Alaska. Making the journey to try and hike in the famous ice cave is a great day trip – though be sure to research safety and equipment before you set out. (https://www.explorefairbanks.com/blog/post/day-trip-to-the-castner-glacier/)
24 locals recommend
Castner Glacier Ice Cave
Richardson HighwayOnee of the most accessible glaciers in Alaska. Making the journey to try and hike in the famous ice cave is a great day trip – though be sure to research safety and equipment before you set out. (https://www.explorefairbanks.com/blog/post/day-trip-to-the-castner-glacier/)
Located about 90 minutes south of Fairbanks, Delta Junction is a fun day trip for a variety of reasons. It’s the terminus of the Alaska-Canada Highway (the AlCan), which begins in Dawson Creek, British Columbia (some 1,387 miles away by car).
Delta Junction
Located about 90 minutes south of Fairbanks, Delta Junction is a fun day trip for a variety of reasons. It’s the terminus of the Alaska-Canada Highway (the AlCan), which begins in Dawson Creek, British Columbia (some 1,387 miles away by car).
This gold dredge that pulled up millions of ounces of gold between 1928 and 1959 is on the National Register of Historic Places and is open for tours. During a tour, you’ll see the entire facility, as well as have the chance to explore the Living Mining Museum and – naturally – try your hand at gold panning.
41 locals recommend
Gold Dredge 8
1803 Old Steese Hwy NThis gold dredge that pulled up millions of ounces of gold between 1928 and 1959 is on the National Register of Historic Places and is open for tours. During a tour, you’ll see the entire facility, as well as have the chance to explore the Living Mining Museum and – naturally – try your hand at gold panning.
Paws for Adventure
Herning RoadAurora Ice Museum
17600 Chena Hot Springs RdGranite Tors Trailhead and Campground
Fairbanks Golf Course
1735 Farmers Loop RdUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks
505 S ChandalarMake sure you visit the Shakespeare theatre!
Food scene
Another local favorite in the downtown area. I would recommend calling ahead and making reservations (especially during the weekend as it’s quite a popular spot (907) 457-1141
24 locals recommend
The Library Bar & Bites
603 Lacey StAnother local favorite in the downtown area. I would recommend calling ahead and making reservations (especially during the weekend as it’s quite a popular spot (907) 457-1141
Just the Tips Café and Wellness Co.
505 Illinois StreetLocal beer and spirits
HooDoo Brewing Company
1951 Fox AveLat 65 Brewing Co.
150 Eagle Avenue49th State Brewing Co
248 Parks HwyA local favorite bar right on the River with daily outside events (live music, etc)
14 locals recommend
The Boatel
3368 Riverside DrA local favorite bar right on the River with daily outside events (live music, etc)
Lavelle's Taphouse
412 2nd AveFairbanks Distilling Company
410 Cushman StVodka
Hoarfrost Distilling
3501 Lathrop StVodka
Black Spruce Brewing Company
3290 Peger RdUrsa Major Distilling
2922 Parks HwyVodka, Gin, Rum, and Aquavit/”Akavit”