Willie And Vicki's Guidebook
Food scene
Summertime eating on the deck looking out to Chena River watching the boats go by. 70’s - 80’s music.
26 locals recommend
Pike's Landing
4438 Airport WaySummertime eating on the deck looking out to Chena River watching the boats go by. 70’s - 80’s music.
Very popular and iconic Fairbanks dinner place, reservations recommended . 70’s decor with turtle stuff everywhere! Great steaks and seafood...fresh salad bar.
86 locals recommend
Turtle Club
2098 Old Steese Hwy NVery popular and iconic Fairbanks dinner place, reservations recommended . 70’s decor with turtle stuff everywhere! Great steaks and seafood...fresh salad bar.
Our favorite...nice decor...great enchiladas. Buffet twice weekly.
6 locals recommend
Gallo's Mexican Restaurant
60 College RdOur favorite...nice decor...great enchiladas. Buffet twice weekly.
Big Daddy's BBQ & Banquet Hall
107 Wickersham StGreat southern barbecue!
Wolf Run Restaurant
3362 Wolf RunClose by Fairbanks favorite…check online menus.
C & J Drive In $$
2233 S Cushman St1950’s style drive/eat in. Burgers/shakes
Jason's Donuts
3450 Airport WayRated best in the state!
Bakery Restaurant
44 College RdDown home breakfast...a local favorite!
LuLu's Bread and Bagels
364 Old Chena Pump RdClose by coffee, sandwiches, quiche.
Ok....it’s very Alaskan quirky and funky. We think their burgers and fries are the best in Alaska (my kids from Oregon head there as soon as they get here)! They do not take credit cards. Check during Covid restrictions as they are only doing take-out until restrictions over. Located just before Nenana…
We always stop coming home from Denali or Fairbanks.
Monderosa Bar and Grill
309 Parks HighwayOk....it’s very Alaskan quirky and funky. We think their burgers and fries are the best in Alaska (my kids from Oregon head there as soon as they get here)! They do not take credit cards. Check during Covid restrictions as they are only doing take-out until restrictions over. Located just before Nenana…
We always stop coming home from Denali or Fairbanks.
We admit to never actually have eaten here (although we do run often to their store as it is close). We are including it as many of our guests love and recommend it. Restaurant/bar/store/laundromat/gas…very down home Alaskan.
26 locals recommend
Ivory Jacks
2581 Goldstream RdWe admit to never actually have eaten here (although we do run often to their store as it is close). We are including it as many of our guests love and recommend it. Restaurant/bar/store/laundromat/gas…very down home Alaskan.
Pagoda Chinese Restaurant & Bar
431 N Santa Claus LnPopular…fast, great prices, huge servings.
Sightseeing
Must go...soak in the Springs. $15 for adults...must be 18 for rock pool outside. Restaurant has good hamburgers, etc. Several tours of facility available...hiking, dog mushing, horses.
For some reason these pictures do not show the rock pool...google pictures. Great place to soak under the Aurora. About an hour drive...keep your eyes out for moose on road.
221 locals recommend
Chena Hot Springs Resort
17600 Chena Hot Springs RdMust go...soak in the Springs. $15 for adults...must be 18 for rock pool outside. Restaurant has good hamburgers, etc. Several tours of facility available...hiking, dog mushing, horses.
For some reason these pictures do not show the rock pool...google pictures. Great place to soak under the Aurora. About an hour drive...keep your eyes out for moose on road.
Pioneer Park. Great place to walk... historic buildings...kids activities... museums...local art. Free. Summertime music in the evening. Most activities shut down in winter but still nice to see the historic buildings... lights.
Pioneer Park
2300 Airport WayPioneer Park. Great place to walk... historic buildings...kids activities... museums...local art. Free. Summertime music in the evening. Most activities shut down in winter but still nice to see the historic buildings... lights.
Must see...center of Athabascan cultural activity. Summertime dance and fiddle performances. Educational and fun for all ages.
114 locals recommend
Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center
101 Dunkel StMust see...center of Athabascan cultural activity. Summertime dance and fiddle performances. Educational and fun for all ages.
Alyeska Pipeline Viewing Point
1671 Steese HwyPlace to see the Alaska Pipeline.
Winds through Fairbanks...various place to walk alongside, including Pioneer Park.
9 locals recommend
Chena River
Winds through Fairbanks...various place to walk alongside, including Pioneer Park.
Great place for runners, hikers...commanding views of the Interior. Viewing spots for Aurora and city lights. Lots of satellite dishes/antennae on the top.
10 locals recommend
Ester Dome Observatory
3990 Ester Dome RdGreat place for runners, hikers...commanding views of the Interior. Viewing spots for Aurora and city lights. Lots of satellite dishes/antennae on the top.
Eagle Summit
About a 3 hour drive...closes in inclement weather.
Georgeson Botanical Garden
2180 W Tanana DrLovely little community botanical gardens on UAF hill.
Museum of the North
1962 Yukon DrAlaskan Art and artifacts.
Close by...library...looks out over Tanana Valley. Extensive running and skiing trail system.
37 locals recommend
University of Alaska Fairbanks
505 S ChandalarClose by...library...looks out over Tanana Valley. Extensive running and skiing trail system.
Lemongrass Thai Restaurant
388 Old Chena Pump RdPopular thai restaurant close by.
The Pump House Restaurant Fairbanks
796 Chena Pump RdVery popular...on the Chena River.
Bamboo Panda
1235 Airport WayOur favorite local quick and cheap Chinese take-out.
Bring the kids and make sure you have money to spend on junk...lol.
Touristy place.
133 locals recommend
Santa Claus House
101 St Nicholas DrBring the kids and make sure you have money to spend on junk...lol.
Touristy place.
Summer beaches, boat rentals. Picnic places. Popular Aurora viewing area.
46 locals recommend
Chena Lake Recreation Area
3780 Laurance RoadSummer beaches, boat rentals. Picnic places. Popular Aurora viewing area.
Saturdays and Wednesdays into September...great local food, hand-crafted items.
64 locals recommend
Tanana Valley Farmers Market
2600 College RdSaturdays and Wednesdays into September...great local food, hand-crafted items.
Close by, excellent Aurora viewing, great sunsets, views of surrounding mountain ranges.
Need four-wheel drive in Winter.
23 locals recommend
Murphy Dome
Close by, excellent Aurora viewing, great sunsets, views of surrounding mountain ranges.
Need four-wheel drive in Winter.
Great place to view dog-mushing, Aurora on College Road.
121 locals recommend
Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge
1300 College RdGreat place to view dog-mushing, Aurora on College Road.
Great close-by running and ski trails at UAF… rent equipment at Beaver Sports.
8 locals recommend
UAF Trail System
Great close-by running and ski trails at UAF… rent equipment at Beaver Sports.
Denali Park is about 1.5-2 hour drive from our house. Healy has the cheapest gas around👍🏼
22 locals recommend
McKinley Park
Denali Park is about 1.5-2 hour drive from our house. Healy has the cheapest gas around👍🏼
Groceries and essentials
Local grocery store, gas, Starbucks…close to Airport.
Fred Meyer
3755 Airport WaySunshine Health Foods
410 W Trainor Gate RdSwimming, small exercise room
Cozy, older, family, senior friendly pool.
Mary Siah Recreation Center
805 14th AveSporting Goods
Great place to rent skis, snow gear.
Beaver Sports
3480 College RdTraveler advice
Getting around
Searching for Aurora.
Remember…clear, dark nights, away from city lights. We see them out our door…from the field at the end of Trilby…and many other places on the outskirts of Fairbanks.