Jared’s guidebook
Museum
Car enthusiasts and fashion fanatics won’t want to miss one of the top attractions in Fairbanks. The museum is always growing, with more than 95 pre-WWII vehicles complemented by era-correct fashion pieces. This is a great piece to get some Alaskan history sprinkled in. It’s our favorite museum in all of Alaska and one of our favorites in the PNW. Even if you’re not much for automobiles, you won’t want to miss this gem.
75 locals recommend
Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum
212 Wedgewood DrCar enthusiasts and fashion fanatics won’t want to miss one of the top attractions in Fairbanks. The museum is always growing, with more than 95 pre-WWII vehicles complemented by era-correct fashion pieces. This is a great piece to get some Alaskan history sprinkled in. It’s our favorite museum in all of Alaska and one of our favorites in the PNW. Even if you’re not much for automobiles, you won’t want to miss this gem.
Located in a architecturally-stunning building on the UAF campus, the Museum of the North is a superb place to dive deep into Alaska history and natural science. We highly recommend making this a part of your experience here in Fairbanks.
127 locals recommend
Museum of the North
1962 Yukon DrLocated in a architecturally-stunning building on the UAF campus, the Museum of the North is a superb place to dive deep into Alaska history and natural science. We highly recommend making this a part of your experience here in Fairbanks.
Experience
About an hour and a half east of Fairbanks, Chena Hot springs is a favorite among locals and tourists alike. If you go in the Winter, your hair and eyelashes might freeze while your nice and warm in the mineral water of the natural hot springs. This is a prime spot for aurora viewing! Not into hot springs or auroras? You can still make an adventure out of the visit by visiting the worlds largest year-round ice museum, have a sleddog or snowmobile tour, and much more.
221 locals recommend
Chena Hot Springs Resort
17600 Chena Hot Springs RdAbout an hour and a half east of Fairbanks, Chena Hot springs is a favorite among locals and tourists alike. If you go in the Winter, your hair and eyelashes might freeze while your nice and warm in the mineral water of the natural hot springs. This is a prime spot for aurora viewing! Not into hot springs or auroras? You can still make an adventure out of the visit by visiting the worlds largest year-round ice museum, have a sleddog or snowmobile tour, and much more.
Established in 1922, the University of Alaska Fairbanks is the flagship university of Alaska. The University has beautiful views, hiking trails, a reindeer farm, a gardens in the Winter. You won’t want to miss the Museum of the North.
If you’re ‘lucky’ enough to be here in the Winter when temperatures reach -40 degrees, you might consider making a trip to the University for a quintessential photo opportunity by the sign at the University entrance. You may even run into a group of students in their bathing suits taking their photo!
37 locals recommend
University of Alaska Fairbanks
505 S ChandalarEstablished in 1922, the University of Alaska Fairbanks is the flagship university of Alaska. The University has beautiful views, hiking trails, a reindeer farm, a gardens in the Winter. You won’t want to miss the Museum of the North.
If you’re ‘lucky’ enough to be here in the Winter when temperatures reach -40 degrees, you might consider making a trip to the University for a quintessential photo opportunity by the sign at the University entrance. You may even run into a group of students in their bathing suits taking their photo!
Shopping
Fifteen minutes Southeast of Fairbanks in the city of North Pole, the Santa Clause house is a popular attraction amongst tourists. You can get your picture taken with Santa and get all of the Christmas trinkets you could ever want. You can even write a postcard to a special someone from Santa, to be delivered on Christmas Eve.
133 locals recommend
Santa Claus House
101 St Nicholas DrFifteen minutes Southeast of Fairbanks in the city of North Pole, the Santa Clause house is a popular attraction amongst tourists. You can get your picture taken with Santa and get all of the Christmas trinkets you could ever want. You can even write a postcard to a special someone from Santa, to be delivered on Christmas Eve.
Hiking/Nature
Bird watchers and nature lovers will love this gentle flat trail system just a couple of miles away.
121 locals recommend
Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge
1300 College RdBird watchers and nature lovers will love this gentle flat trail system just a couple of miles away.
Trail runners and hiking lovers may choose to venture up to the University again to get on the trails. One of the most popular is the Equinox trail, named because of its use for the annual Equinox marathon, the most popular (and super grueling) run of the interior. The trail heads up to Ester Dome. Even if you don’t want to hike or run it, it’s worth the drive up for the view of the interior.
8 locals recommend
UAF Trail System
Trail runners and hiking lovers may choose to venture up to the University again to get on the trails. One of the most popular is the Equinox trail, named because of its use for the annual Equinox marathon, the most popular (and super grueling) run of the interior. The trail heads up to Ester Dome. Even if you don’t want to hike or run it, it’s worth the drive up for the view of the interior.
On the way to Chena Hot springs, Angel Rocks is a moderate (3.5 mile) but rewarding hike in the summer months. With two vehicles, you can through-hike this to Chena Hot springs.
52 locals recommend
Angel Rocks Trailhead
15450 Chena Hot Springs RdOn the way to Chena Hot springs, Angel Rocks is a moderate (3.5 mile) but rewarding hike in the summer months. With two vehicles, you can through-hike this to Chena Hot springs.
If you want more of a challenge in the Summer, make your way to Granite Tours. This 14 mile hike is rated difficult, so we only recommend this if you’re experienced.
10 locals recommend
Granite Tors Trailhead and Campground
If you want more of a challenge in the Summer, make your way to Granite Tours. This 14 mile hike is rated difficult, so we only recommend this if you’re experienced.
In the Winter months, those who enjoy skiing and snowboarding may want to make their way up to Birch Hill. In the Summer, you can use some of these trails for hiking or biking.
18 locals recommend
Birch Hill Recreation Area
101 Wilderness DrIn the Winter months, those who enjoy skiing and snowboarding may want to make their way up to Birch Hill. In the Summer, you can use some of these trails for hiking or biking.
Food scene
Zach's Restaurant
1717 University Ave SZach’s is one of our go-to’s for American food!
Fairbanksians love their Thai food! Downtown, you'll find a Thai restaurant on almost every corner. Our favorite is Bahn Thai.
19 locals recommend
Bahn Thai
541 3rd AveFairbanksians love their Thai food! Downtown, you'll find a Thai restaurant on almost every corner. Our favorite is Bahn Thai.
For a nice cocktail and small bite to eat, we love the vibe of The Library.
The Library Bar and Bites
603 Lacey StreetFor a nice cocktail and small bite to eat, we love the vibe of The Library.
Lavelle's is a popular downtown fine-dining experience with an impressive wine selection.
101 locals recommend
Lavelle's Bistro
575 1st AveLavelle's is a popular downtown fine-dining experience with an impressive wine selection.
Greek food lovers may want to venture to Bobby's for nice Greek food and solid cocktails.
28 locals recommend
Bobbys Downtown
609 2nd AveGreek food lovers may want to venture to Bobby's for nice Greek food and solid cocktails.
For a variety of food in a unique, historic atmosphere, we recommend the Pump House.
135 locals recommend
The Pump House Restaurant Fairbanks
796 Chena Pump RdFor a variety of food in a unique, historic atmosphere, we recommend the Pump House.