Fairbanks
A bird's eye view of downtown, the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Golden Heart Plaza, and Pioneer Park
Aerial Views of Fairbanks (:38)The gateway to Alaska’s Interior and Arctic regions, Fairbanks is a great base for exploring northern Alaska, and its Gold Rush heritage offers a taste of frontier living.
Favorite Activities in Fairbanks
- Midnight Sun: Enjoy endless daylight hours in summer! Take advantage of the long days and fill it with a flightseeing tour, an ATV tour, or go dog sledding pulled on a wheeled cart or ATV.
- Northern Lights: Fairbanks is one of the best places in Alaska to see the Northern Lights. Plan your visit from August 20 to April 20 for the opportunity to see the beautiful and mesmerizing aurora borealis. Here are our favorite northern lights tours.
- Arctic tours & Gates of the Arctic National Park: Take road or air excursions beyond the Arctic Circle to experience Alaska Native culture, soak in the views of the unique and expansive tundra landscape, and even visit Gates of the Arctic National Park.
- Gold Rush History: Experience it first hand by panning for gold, or riding a historic riverboat.
- Visit nearby Denali National Park: If you're short on time, Denali is just over a 2-hour drive from Fairbanks. You could drive down for the day, or join a guided tour that's available in winter and spring. Spend the afternoon in the park on a short bus tour, rent a bike, hike the front-country trails, or enjoy other guided activities available at the park entrance.
- Wildlife: See reindeer up close, or walk through a wildlife refuge.
- Parks & Trails: Explore local hiking trails.
- Winter Wonderland: Once the snow falls (around November - March), go dog sledding, snowmobiling, ice fishing, and more. See all winter activities.
- Eat & Drink: See our recommended local breweries, distilleries, and restaurants.
Fairbanks is one of the best places in Alaska to see the northern lights. View them from August 20 - April 20.
In summer, 24-hours of daylight produces a lush and beautiful landscape - and gives you plenty of time to enjoy the great activities Fairbanks has to offer.
Where to Stay in Fairbanks
Fairbanks has lodging options for every traveler. If you want a hotel, most are located downtown or near the airport. You'll find familiar trusted brands as well as locally owned hotels with full Alaska charm. Want to absorb that local knowledge? Choose a cozy B&B where you can chit-chat with Alaskans over breakfast. If you're here for aurora season, don't miss the chance to sleep in a clear-domed igloo where you can watch the lights from your bed. If you've brought your tent or RV, Fairbanks has a fine selection of campgrounds and RV parks.
How to Get to Fairbanks
By Train: Many travelers visit Fairbanks by train, extending a trip through Denali, which is just 4 hours away from Fairbanks by train. If you travel directly from Anchorage, the trip is 12 hours by train.
By Car: The drive takes about 7-8 hours from Anchorage, or a little over 2 hours from Denali.
By Plane: You can also fly non-stop to Fairbanks on Alaska Airlines from Anchorage or Seattle. On a clear day, watch for great views of Denali out your window.
Consult our transportation guide for more details.
Things to Do in Fairbanks
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Fairbanks Advice
