Fairbanks, Alaska is a wonderful vacation destination! From outdoor activities such as dog sledding and chasing the Northern Lights, to visiting museums and soaking in hot springs, Fairbanks has something for everyone. Here are some of my favorite things from our Fairbanks vacation.
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Here is everything a Savvy Sojourner needs to know about visiting Fairbanks, Alaska!
While chasing the Northern Lights is what drew me to visit Fairbanks, the scenery, wildlife, and activities are what made me fall in love with this town! Fairbanks is centrally located in Alaska and is easy to travel to by air. We chose to visit Fairbanks in mid-February with the hope of viewing the northern lights. However, there are many different things to do no matter what season you visit. Here are a few of the highlights from our trip that I would highly recommend you add to your Fairbanks Bucket List!
Outdoor Activities Near Fairbanks, Alaska:
Fairbanks and the surrounding area is truly a winter wonderland for those who love the outdoors. Always make sure to do your homework and dress according to the temperature outside. One thing you absolutely cannot forget is hand warmers/foot warmers. These proved to be invaluable for all of our outdoor adventures! It was cheaper to buy them on Amazon than in Fairbanks, so I would suggest stocking up before you go.
Viewing the Aurora Borealis near Fairbanks
The chance to see the Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, is what initially drew us to travel to Alaska! This has been on my bucket list forever, and I am sure it is on yours as well. The biggest questions about seeing the Northern Lights are when can you see them and where is the best place to see them.
There are several tour groups and companies that offer aurora tours that will take you out to see these magical northern lights. The benefit of booking an aurora tour is mostly convenience. Tour companies have set locations to take you to get a great view of the lights. They know when the best times are to catch the aurora and many also offer to take your picture with the dancing lights as your backdrop. The downside to these tours is the cost.
Since we would rather spend our money on other daytime activities, we chose to skip the tours and venture out on our own! We used a variety of websites to help us determine the best times to see the aurora. Then we researched different places around Fairbanks that have space to see the open sky without light pollution. This proved to be a fun adventure that allowed us to become our own unofficial “Aurora Chasers”.
Click here for information about aurora forecasting websites and viewing areas!
Chena Hot Springs
About 60 miles from Fairbanks, Chena Hot Springs is the perfect place for relaxation and fun! We chose to spend a day at Chena Hot Springs because we were looking forward to a relaxing and warm soak in a natural hot spring. However, this resort has way more to offer than just the pool house and natural hot spring lake. You can make your trip to Chena Hot Springs a day trip or you can stay in the lodge or choose from the cabins or yurts. They also offer winter activities such as aurora tours, snowmobiling, or ice fishing. Warm weather activities include hiking, horseback riding, and ATV tours.
We began our day at the hot springs, of course! The pool house has large locker rooms to store all of your belongings and a large indoor swimming pool and hot tub filled with geothermal water. The pool house is for all ages to enjoy. Just outside of the pool house are two large outdoor hot tubs for guests of all ages with adult supervision. A short indoor walk from the pool house takes you to the hot spring lake. This is the outdoor natural hot spring with a pebble floor and is surrounded by large boulders. This area is for adults only.
Is there anything better than a nice soak in natural hot springs followed by a hot rock massage in a warm cozy little cabin? The resort has licensed massage therapists that offer 30, 60, or 90 minute massages in cute little cabins near the hot springs. I highly recommend pampering yourself with a massage, so make sure to get your reservations!
Chena Hot Springs: Aurora Ice Museum
The Aurora Ice Museum tour is available year round and is STUNNING! You can experience ice carving at its finest during this tour. From igloos to ice carvings of the northern lights, each part of the museum is a masterpiece of ice! There is even a stocked bar that offers alcoholic beverages in carved ice glasses. We were able to watch the glasses be carved, which took about 1 minute from start to finish! This tour is a “must do” for everyone of any age!
For more information about Chena Hot Springs, click here!
Dog Sledding
Dog sledding should be at the top of your Fairbanks bucket list! There is no better way to experience the great outdoors of Alaska than in a sled! Many guide services in the area offer dog sledding, but I would strongly suggest using Rod’s Alaskan Guide Service. Located right outside of North Pole, Alaska, it is a short drive from Fairbanks. They offer tours from 30 minutes to several hours, including a four-hour aurora tour! Warm clothing including bibs, gators, coats, and boots are provided as part of your tour. Even if you bring your own gear, the employees make sure you will be warm enough during your tour, adding additional layers if you need them.
Now that you are fully outfitted, you will meet your musher and dog sled team. Each musher uses their personal dog team and is eager to tell you everything about their dogs and dog sledding during your tour. Halfway through your tour you even get an opportunity to meet the dogs and give them some much-deserved petting and love. It is a fun and educational outdoor adventure that will provide many lasting memories!
For more information about the Rod’s Alaskan Guide Service Dog Sledding, click here!
World Ice Arts Championships
If you are looking for a unique activity right in the town of Fairbanks that is great for all ages, consider going to the World Ice Arts Championships! This ice sculpture competition takes place in February/March (see website for dates), and truly was a highlight for our entire group! Your ticket is good for the entire day, so you can come and enjoy the fun during the day and then return at night when the sculptures are lit up!
After you walk through gigantic works of ice art, carved by professional ice sculptors, make sure to wander around the grounds for extra activities. Our next stop was the Game Room, which is an area of games and activities for all ages made entirely out of ice and snow. We played chess, curling, mini golf, air hockey, and ping pong…all made out of ice! Several slides (made out of ice, of course), are scattered throughout the grounds and were so much fun!
For more information about World Ice Arts Championship dates and tickets, click here!
Indoor Activities in Fairbanks, Alaska:
Fairbanks has many fun indoor activity options that give you an escape from the cold without compromising on the fun! If you are looking for something to fill your day before your next aurora viewing, consider these options:
Tour Fairbanks:
Fairbanks is a very interesting town with a fun history. Walk around downtown Fairbanks to see all of the charm and history this town has to offer. If you want the best souvenirs to remember your time in Fairbanks, make sure to visit Arctic Traveler’s Gift Shop. If you want to learn about the history of mining in Fairbanks, as well as a detailed history of dog mushing in Alaska, visit the Fairbanks Community Museum. This Museum is our favorite little find in downtown Fairbanks. You will not believe the amount of history you will learn in such a quaint museum!
For a bonus Savvy Sojourner adventure see if you can find the antler arch for a fun photo op!
Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum:
Now this is a museum that has something for everyone! Filled with antique automobiles in pristine condition, this museum allows you to travel back in time and see the evolution of the automobile. Standing alongside the automobiles are incredible fashion exhibits that highlight each period represented. History comes alive with archival photos and videos, while docents wander the museum to answer any questions you have and provide information and stories about each exhibit. You can easily spend a large part of your day wandering through the displays of “vintage treads and threads in Fairbanks, Alaska.”
For more information about this museum or to purchase tickets, click here!
Santa Clause House, North Pole, Alaska:
About 20 minutes from Fairbanks is the cute little town of North Pole, Alaska. As the name suggests, it is the perfect place to get you in the Christmas spirit whatever time of year you visit! As you drive through town you will find lamp posts in the shape of candy canes and evergreens decorated like Christmas trees. My favorite place in North Pole is the Santa Clause House. Here you can buy unique Christmas ornaments, visit Santa, and even sample homemade fudge! Take your Christmas spirit to the next level by taking a short stroll from the parking lot to visit some adorable reindeer.
For more information about the Santa Clause House, click here!
Looking for restaurant ideas for Fairbanks?
Click here for my favorite places to eat in and around Fairbanks, Alaska!
Last Minute Advice…
Whether you visit Fairbanks to chase the Northern Lights or to explore the Last Frontier, there is so much to do in this small town. When it comes to traveling my number one piece of advice is to stop and enjoy where you are! Travel is about the journey as much as it is about the destination. So make sure to look around, fall in love with scenery and history, and soak in your surroundings! Trust me, Fairbanks, Alaska will check off many of your bucket list adventures!
Want more travel planning tips?
Click here for 5 Steps to Planning a Successful Trip
Happy Sojourning!
Meghan
