Fairbanks

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. Here are the main draws for visitors:

• Midnight Sun / Northern Lights: Enjoy endless daylight hours in summer! Flightsee, ride an ATV, or go dog sledding. In the winter, experience the reverse, with short days and long nights that put on an all-natural light show. Here are our favorite northern lights tours.
• Arctic tours: Take road or air excursions beyond the Arctic Circle.
• Gold Rush History: Experience it first hand by panning for gold, or riding a historic riverboat.
• Wildlife: See reindeer up close, or walk through a wildlife refuge.
• 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.
• Stay: Choose from cozy B&Bs, Aurora Domes, to Hotels.

Getting There

Many travelers visit Fairbanks by train, extending a trip through Denali, which is just fours away from Fairbanks by train and 2 hours by car. Driving directly from Anchorage will take about 7-8 hours. You can also fly here 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.