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.

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.