The first time I saw Alaska, I instantly fell in love. Julie and I took an Alaska cruise two years ago and were blown away by the state’s natural beauty, exotic wildlife, and unique adventures. We frequently reminisce about that trip. So, you can imagine how thrilled we were when Explore Fairbanks invited us to visit.
Julie and I discovered many amazing things to do in Fairbanks, Alaska. As a bonus, the largest city in Alaska’s Interior Region provides easy access to top-notch national park adventures. We will share our favorite experiences to help you plan your Fairbanks visit.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for keeping Miles with McConkey going!
Alaska Seasons
First, it is essential to note that Alaska has two seasons from a travel planning perspective. Midnight Sun Season has nearly endless daylight and runs from April 22 through August 20. Aurora Season occurs from August 21 to April 21, giving visitors improved odds of seeing the Northern Lights due to long, dark nights.
Your trip objectives will determine which season is best for you. Julie and I visited Fairbanks in late August, the beginning of the Aurora Season. Here are our top things to do in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Pan for Gold
The Gold Dredge 8 tour transports you to the early 1900s in Fairbanks, where you become a prospector. After a brief history lesson, board a train and head into the heart of Tanana Valley’s gold fields, the resting place of Gold Dredge 8. Although the site of the dredge and its reflection in the water is impressive, you can walk through it for a more immersive experience. The massive dredge is on the National Register of Historic Places, honoring the miners who built Fairbanks.
Guides provide a brief gold panning demonstration, and then you head to the sluice boxes to try it for yourself. While Julie and I did not strike it rich, we found a few gold flakes. The two-hour tour includes a history lesson, train ride, dredge tour, a chance to pan for gold, and a little time for shopping and a snack. It is a fun way to learn about the region’s gold rush history.
Riverboat Tour
The three-hour Riverboat Discovery tour is much more than a riverboat cruise. It is an engaging experience where you learn about Alaska’s history and culture in unique ways. The beautiful 900-passenger sternwheeler cruises on the Chena River, delivering fantastic views of Interior Alaska.
During the cruise, you will watch a bush plane take off and land in the river, see champion sled dogs in action, learn about fish camp life, and visit Chena Village. The immersive experience gives you a deeper appreciation of why Fairbanks is called “The Golden Heart City.”
Fairbanks Visitor Center
I suggest visiting the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center for two reasons. First, it is a fantastic museum. You can explore the interactive exhibits to learn about the region and its people. The facility also regularly has films, events, and performances.
Second, the visitor center has many resources to help you plan your Fairbanks adventures. While the Explore Fairbanks Visitor Center can assist with any activities in town, the Alaska Public Lands Information Center can help you plan national and state park visits. Whether you are planning a trip or looking for post-trip souvenirs, the facility also contains an Alaska Geographic Store and an Alaska Native Gift Shop. These stores offer many unique items.
Antler Arch
Outside the visitor center, you will discover the iconic Antler Arch, the striking gateway to downtown Fairbanks. It comprises over 100 antlers from moose and caribou, representing the Alaskan wilderness and the region’s connection with nature. A live webcam monitors the arch. Officially announce your Fairbanks visit by taking a selfie and waving hello to friends and family back home.
Northern Lights
Fairbanks is one of the world’s best places to see the aurora borealis. However, nothing in life is guaranteed, and Julie and I proved this theory during our visit. We went during the first few days of the Aurora Season and experienced thick clouds.
While we failed in our mission to see nature’s light show, we still recommend visiting Fairbanks if you want to observe the northern lights. It is absolutely one of the top things to do in Fairbanks, Alaska. If you stay four or five nights during the Aurora Season, you have incredible chances of seeing the northern lights.
Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum
Julie and I are not car enthusiasts, but we are big fans of the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum. I encourage you to visit to see for yourself why it consistently ranks as one of the top Fairbanks attractions. The quantity and quality of the cars are astounding. All but three of the vehicles work, and many are regularly driven. The museum holds one-of-a-kind cars and others where only a few exist worldwide.
Adjacent to each car, you will find mannequins with period clothing, some from the late 1800s and early 1900s. The older mannequins contain porcelain teeth and natural human hair. Many guests are more impressed by this collection than the cars.
Although the museum is only open twice a week in winter, it receives about 40,000 visitors annually. An antique car museum in Alaska is certainly unexpected, but this is one of the best and most unique museums we have ever seen.
Visit Creamer’s Field
I am not ashamed to admit I am a bird nerd. So, Julie and I were excited to visit Fairbanks during the annual Tanana Valley Sandhill Crane Festival, held at Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge. The refuge comprises over 2,200 acres of open space and wildlife habitat, including historic buildings from what was once a dairy farm run by the Creamer family.
Large numbers of waterfowl pass through during seasonal migrations, with sandhill cranes headlining the guest list. For those who prefer songbirds, you will also find plenty in the area.
Creamer’s Field has a lot of history and is such a beautiful place; it is well worth your time, even if you are not a bird nerd. For those who like birds, I encourage you to consider visiting during the sandhill crane festival, but you will enjoy the experience regardless of when you visit. I will never forget our cool morning walks at Creamer’s Field, where we saw hundreds of sandhill cranes descend from the skies into the open field and talk to each other like velociraptors from the Jurassic Park films. It is another reason I love Alaska so much.
If you’re curious about the festival itself, we’ve shared highlights and tips in our guide to the Tanana Valley Sandhill Crane Festival.
Tanana Valley Farmers Market
The Tanana Valley Farmers Market is open every Wednesday and Saturday from mid-May through mid-September and features fresh produce, unique products, and delicious cuisine. It is an excellent opportunity to support local businesses and better understand the Fairbanks community.
While you will find plenty of food options at the market, Julie and I relished our lunch from Toast fbx. It is run by a Fairbanks native who currently does pop-up events and sets up a booth at the market. She eventually wants to open a cafe space in Fairbanks.
Please do yourself a favor and stop by her booth. She creates simple but nutritious toasts loaded with tasty toppings. I ordered the lemon-berry bliss, a country French toast topped with mascarpone, lemon curd, berries, orange zest, mint, and a dusting of powdered sugar. It was heaven. Julie had the banana split, which features bananas, strawberries, Nutella, vanilla mousse, agave, and peanuts. From the very first bite, Julie’s grin stretched from ear to ear.
Reindeer Ranch
Not once in my entire life has it crossed my mind that I would like to walk with reindeer. Well, you can actually do this in Fairbanks, and you should. It is educational and fun for kids and adults. Of all our Fairbanks adventures, this was Julie’s favorite.
Jane, a lifelong Alaskan, shared her story of how she started the business. I will not spoil it for you because it is a fascinating tale. Then, she gave us a brief overview of the reindeer before bringing them out to meet us. After getting acquainted, we embarked on a guided walk with our new friends through a beautiful birch forest.
In a word, the experience is magical. It is certainly unlike anything we have ever done before. Walking with reindeer at Running Reindeer Ranch is a must when visiting Fairbanks. Where else can you have a hands-on experience with a mythical animal?
Chena River State Recreation Area
If you love beautiful scenery and looking for wildlife, head to Chena River State Recreation Area. The park showcases lush forests, alpine tundra, the Chena River, and tranquil ponds. You can see the highlights along a leisurely drive or trek the hiking trails for a more immersive experience.
Moose are known to inhabit the region, so Julie and I took a scenic drive in hopes of seeing one. While we did not find a moose, we spotted two bald eagles perched in towering trees near the road.
We suggest visiting the Chena River State Recreation Area to appreciate Fairbanks’ natural beauty. The ponds are so still and black that they reflect the surrounding trees and clouds like mirrors. I have never seen such perfect reflections as those in Alaska’s still waters. Spotting wildlife along the way will be icing on the cake.
Museum of the North
The University of Alaska Museum of the North sits on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus. It features exhibits on Alaska Native cultures, natural wonders, art, diverse wildlife, and Arctic dinosaurs.
Julie and I particularly enjoyed the Rose Berry Alaska Art Gallery, which has works that span from ancient ivory carvings to contemporary sculptures and paintings. The Gallery of Alaska is an excellent way to learn about the state’s five geographical regions. Be sure to check out Alaska’s largest public display of gold nuggets, the 36,000-year-old mummified steppe bison, and the life-sized animal displays that include bears and a musk ox.
Gates of the Arctic Tour
While there are many things to do in Fairbanks, the city is truly Alaska’s gateway to adventures, like crossing the Arctic Circle or seeing some of America’s least-visited national parks. I am passionate about national parks, so I was thrilled to discover that Fairbanks has companies that provide flights to Gates of the Arctic National Park. Since the park sits north of the Arctic Circle, I never dreamed that Julie and I would get to see it.
I will always cherish flying through the park and landing in Coldfoot to see its visitor center. The massive park features wild rivers carving canyons between rugged, snowy mountains. Its vistas are so beautiful that it is difficult to believe they are real.
While Julie most enjoyed walking with reindeer, the Gates of the Arctic excursion was my favorite experience. When visiting Fairbanks, consider utilizing its connections to these adventures of a lifetime.
Drive to Denali
It is no secret that Denali National Park is one of America’s most beautiful places. The park is only a two-hour drive south of Fairbanks. Julie and I made the trip and spent two days in the park. Was it worth the drive? Absolutely! I would do it again without hesitation.
The unparalleled scenery features alpine tundra, lush forests, and soaring mountains. Denali, North America’s tallest mountain, may appear if you are lucky. Only about 30% of visitors get to see the majestic mountain.
We were fortunate to see Denali, moose, caribou, and Dall sheep. We enjoyed every minute of our scenic drives and hikes within the park. Regarding scenery and wildlife, Denali is one of the best national park experiences we have had. Due to its proximity to Fairbanks, a drive to Denali is a must.
Want a closer look at Denali’s legendary Big 5? Tap to explore where we spotted moose, caribou, and Dall sheep—and discover tips for finding the rest in Alaska’s wild heart.
Plan Your Fairbanks Adventures
The Golden Heart City is the best place to experience Interior Alaska. From its rich history to its stunning natural beauty, you will find many rewarding things to do in Fairbanks, Alaska. It is also the perfect gateway city for bucket list adventures like crossing the Arctic Circle and flying through the Gates of the Arctic National Park. We hope you love Fairbanks as much as we did.
Featured image credit: Miles with McConkey
