Table of Contents:
SEE FAIRBANKS TOWN.
NEAR TOWN
FURTHER OUTSIDE OF TOWN.
Fairbanks is at the bottom of many “Alaska should-see” lists, while “that mountain” is at the top.
As you will see, Fairbanks has much more to offer than Denali Park. That is unless you travel out to Kantishna at the back of the park.
After numerous trips to Denali, I have yet to see that hiding mountain in its entirety.
That photo on the front of all travel brochures seems only to happen a few times a year.
Most people get to see the bottom of the mountain. When flying to Kantishna, I see the top. But there have always been clouds in between.
So what does Fairbanks offer? There is natural beauty nearby. Wildlife sightings are strongly possible and the town has something to offer.
These alone are good reasons to see Fairbanks.
See Fairbanks Downtown.
Moose Antler Arch.
Just outside the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center, near the river, is this arch. It consists of more than 100 moose and caribou antlers. Think Instagram time. The arch leads to Griffin Park.
Chena River Viewpoint.
Also in Griffin park is one end of this pedestrian bridge over the Chena River. In the summer it offers views of the river. You can also watch the dogsleds race across the ice in February during the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race.
Chena Riverwalk.
This 3.5-mile paved path along the river is a great way to stretch the legs, possibly see some wildlife. Or use it to get from one place to the other. Stretching from Pioneer Park to downtown, it runs past the six sites listed above.
Fairbanks Ice Museum.
On second Avenue, a block from the river is this unique Museum. Inside the old Lacey Street Theatre building, tour ice carving displays. An award-winning ice sculpturing artist also does demonstrations during the summer months.
In addition to the river walk area, there are several museums near each other.
Pioneer Park Area.
This 44-acre city park is 8 minutes by car (40-mins walking) west of the visitor’s center along the Chena. The park features many museums and displays depicting early Alaskan history.
Some of the sites include:
S.S. Nenana Sternwheeler Riverboat.
The centerpiece of Pioneer Park is this 1933 sternwheel passenger boat. It is one of only three passenger sternwheelers still in the U.S. under steam power. Today, it is a National Historic Landmark. She was in use until 1955, carrying supplies and people into Alaska’s interior.
Tanana Valley Railroad Museum.
Adjacent to the museums is this train museum celebrating the Tanana Valley Railroad and its history. Engine No.1, the oldest working steam engine from the railroad, is on display alongside other vintage vehicles. Short train rides take place on select days in the summer.
Across the Chena.
Friends of Creamers Field at Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge.
This 2,200-acre bird sanctuary is a 10-minutes drive from downtown or 5-minutes from the Auto Museum. On the grounds once belonging to the Creamer family Dairy, since 1910, migratory waterfowl have been visiting. The spring migration begins in late April. The fall migration can begin in mid-August.
U.A. Museum of the North.
The museum collection, on the campus of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, dates from the university’s charter of 1917. The collection includes paleontological, ethnographic, and archaeological artifacts.
There are several wilderness areas where you can almost guarantee wildlife sightings. The university also has a garden with local Alaska flora.
See Fairbanks Outside of Town.
Gold Dredge 8.
Today, Gold Dredge 8 is on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and a National Engineering Landmark.
But between 1928 and 1959, it would be a non-stop workhorse uncovering buried veins of gold.
Trans-Alaska Pipeline Viewing Point.
Nearby the dredge is a pull-off from highway 2, where you can easily see a section of the pipeline. The pipeline runs 800 miles and is 4 feet in diameter. There are a few signs with more information.
Large Animal Research Station.
L.A.R.S. is a 134-acre research station and part of the University of Alaska Fairbanks. In addition to studying the behavior and domestication of muskoxen and reindeer, they also offer visits.
There are many other activities for tourists in Fairbanks. A modern sternwheel riverboat offers river cruises. Musher kennels offer dog cart tours as there is little snow for sleds in the summer.
In addition, there is rafting, helicopter flights, visiting reindeer, fishing, and more.
See Fairbanks in the Winter.
Aurora Borealis.
The Northern lights are actually taking place year-round. However, to see them, you need a dark, clear night.
In June – August, when the majority of travelers visit, this is almost impossible. With sunrise around 3:00 am and sunset not until midnight, the sky never gets dark enough.
The “season” in Fairbanks takes place between mid-September and late April.
World Ice Art Championships – Ice Alaska.
This ice sculpting contest is the largest globally and attracts more than 100 sculptors from multiple countries. The contest has several competitions ranging from a single block to multiple block creations.
Dog Sledding.
If you want the “sledding experience” in the summer, you sit in a cart or find a glacier.
However, snow is not a problem in Fairbanks from the end of September until April. By October, they usually measure in feet, not inches.
There are several mushing operators near Fairbanks.
Yukon Quest.
Taking place every February, when weather conditions can be their worst, this international dog sledding race starts in Canada’s Yukon.
Then, 10 to 16 days later (on average), it ends in Fairbanks 1000 miles via sled, to the west.
Way Outside of Fairbanks.
Denali National Park and Preserve.
Denali is much closer to Fairbanks than Anchorage, and you can reach it by car in approximately 2+ hours. The Alaska Railroad also offers passenger service to the park, which takes approximately four hours each way.
For a real Denali experience, check out Kantishna.
The Arctic from Fairbanks.
When you visit Fairbanks, you can drive five hours each way to step foot in the Arctic Circle. The circle begins approximately 198 miles to the north.
Or a four-hour flight will take you to The United States’ northernmost town, Utqiagvik (formerly Barrow.)
See Fairbanks Summary.
As you can see, Fairbanks, like many Alaska towns, has something to offer and acts as a gateway.
A Four Seasons or St Regis resort will probably never happen in Alaska due to its seasonal attraction. However, there are many clean, nice accommodations. They replace the missing health club with hospitality.
And that’s part of the Alaska experience as well.
What are you waiting for? See Fairbanks.