Despite having just over 30 thousand inhabitants, Fairbanks is the second largest city in Alaska. Its importance, however, comes mainly from being the only town that can be defined as a city in the north-central part of the state. One might think that a town of this size located in the least populated area of one of the least populated states in the world has little to offer to an outside visitor: well, that is not the case.
Fairbanks is one of the must-see destinations on a trip to Alaska! The main reason is probably that Fairbanks is the best location in the entire American continent to see the Northern Lights. This intriguing atmospheric phenomenon is typical of freezing winter nights, but even in the warmer months it can make sense to travel here.
Gold is why we have this important urban settlement in the middle of the Alaskan plains today. The founding of the city dates back to 1901, when, in an attempt to lay the foundations of a commercial station on the great connecting route formed by the course of the Tenana River, E. T. Barnette got stuck with his steamer. Having no alternative, he laid the foundation stone of the city where he was trapped: on the bank of the Chena River. The subsequent discovery of gold in the surrounding area meant that the village, born by chance, became the current town.
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How to get to Fairbanks
Like most Alaskan cities, the quickest way to get to Fairbanks is by air. There are regular flights from US and Canadian cities and also other major Alaskan airports, such as Anchorage or Juneau.
Most visitors, however, choose to reach Fairbanks by land. In this case, there are two options. The railroad connects Fairbanks with Anchorage, so the train is a great way to get to the city easily and directly. Alaska Railway convoys also allow you to enjoy spectacular views safely.
The alternative is to rent a car and take advantage of the road network that crosses the inner territories of the country. I suggest you have a look at the article on how to organize a trip in Alaska for more detailed information about transports.
Climate and temperatures
If you have already read about Alaska’s climate, you will know that the plain where Fairbanks is located, enclosed between the state’s two mountain ranges, has the most continental climate of the whole state. This means that there is a considerable temperature range between summer and winter. Compared to other parts of the country, it is also a relatively dry area, with about 12 inches of annual rainfall. July and August are the wettest months, followed by June and September.
In Fairbanks, despite the latitude, it is possible to exceed 68° C on summer days: the maximum temperatures between June and July are on average 71-73° F, with occasional peaks above 77° F. The nighttime lows, however, in the same months are around 50° F. The mid-seasons (May and August-September) are cold but acceptable and the thermometer drops below 32° F a few times, also at night.
The long winter is very cold. Already in October the highs are around 32° F and the lows close to 14° F. In November the temperature drops about 15° compared to the previous month and remains permanently below zero until March. The coldest month is January, with an average maximum of 1.5° F and a minimum of -16° F.
Despite the harsh climate, consider visiting Fairbanks in any season. Unlike other Alaskan locations, in fact, this city offers interesting alternatives for both summer and winter.
Attractions in the city
As I mentioned, the frequent chance to look up and be enchanted by the sight of the beautiful Northern Lights is one of the main reasons why those who go to Alaska include Fairbanks among the stops of their itinerary. The city, however, also offers other good reasons to be visited.
Fairbanks Museums
Although small, Fairbanks offers its guests some interesting museums, which are worth a visit.
Fairbanks Ice Museum
It is perhaps the most famous museum in Alaska, being almost unique of its kind in the world. With exhibition halls maintained even in summer at 19° F, it contains works of art made of ice, which do not leave one indifferent. In addition to admiring the sculptures, visitors can watch a demonstration of ice carving, have a drink served in ice glasses at the Ice-bar and slide on the Big slide: a long slide made, of course, of ice.
Those who feel the cold can admire the works of art from a special heated room. The museum also shows a video of the artists at work and hosts shows about the northern lights. The museum is located at 500 2nd Avenue and admission is $15 (reduced admission for children 6-14 is $10). All the latest info can be found on the official website.
Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center
Head here if you’re looking for an in-depth look at the peoples who have inhabited the lands of Alaska over the centuries. In addition to the permanent museum area, a variety of exhibits are hosted here, and there is a theater and an artisan workshop. The center is located at 101 Dunkel Street. All updated info is available on the official website.
Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge
Just a short walk from the homes of the historic downtown, 809 acres of Fairbanks city land are dedicated to a place you’d never think you’d find in the city. This green space is a favorite stopover for ducks, geese, swans and other migratory birds that stop here in the spring and fall and can be viewed from viewing platforms, with the spotting scopes offered by the visitor center or by walking the trails. On the website of the association of ‘Friends of Creamer’s Field’, you can check when specific activities are being held that you can take part in.
University of Alaska Museums and Activities
The Fairbanks campus of the University of Alaska does not restrict access to its students but does offer some public attractions that are of interest to outside visitors.
- The Museum of the North is a futuristic facility housing the main collection pertaining to the Alaskan territory. The entrance is guarded by Otto, an 8-foot-tall stuffed grizzly bear, behind whom we find five museum exhibits about the nature and cultures that evolved in the cold northern lands. Among the most impressive rooms is the Rose Berry Alaska Art Gallery, built in such a way as to make visitors feel as if they were inside a glacier. The museum is located at 1962 Yukon Drive and admission is $14 (reduced for children 5-14 years old is $8). All up-to-date info is available on the official website.
- The Georgeson Botanical Garden is the northernmost botanical garden in the world: this fact alone should arouse interest in flora enthusiasts. The best time to visit it is late summer, when the effect of the 21 hours of sunshine a day is greatly felt on the plants, which reach record sizes. From mid-July onwards, you will find yourself strolling among 30 lb beets, 80 lb cabbages, and other vegetables of decidedly unusual sizes. The botanical garden is located at 117 W. Tanana Dr. and is only open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Tickets are a suggested donation of $5. All up-to-date info is available on the official website.
- During the summer, the Geophysical Institute offers tours of three laboratories: the Alaska Earthquake Information Center, the Alaska Satellite Facility, and the Alaska Volcano Observatory. Tours usually take place on Wednesdays, alternating from week to week. The institute is located at 903 Koyukuk Dr., and you can check the official website to find out if and when tours take place.
- The Large Animal Research Station (LARS) is one of the most interesting places you can visit in Fairbanks, especially if you are an animal lover. Large mammals are studied here, particularly musk oxen, reindeer and caribou. These last two animals, almost equal to each other, are the two versions (European and American) of the same species. LARS is open from May 28 through September 2 and admission is $9 ($6 for students). All up-to-date info is available on the official website.
Dog Sledding Tour
Much of the Alaskan territory is difficult, or impossible, to cross by car during the winter. For this reason, one of the means of transportation most used by the inhabitants is dog sledding. Siberian huskies are the predominant breed in this kind of activity and it is easy to find a sled tour of varying length in every Alaskan city.
In summer, due to the lack of snow, many breeders put wheels on the sleds to offer tourists an opportunity, and even if it is less charming than sliding on the white snow, it is still an interesting occasion to get in touch with these extraordinary animals.
The best experience is the one that takes you into the snowy woods by sled and maybe spend a night in a tent, but even short tours around the city allow you to store a great emotion in the memories of your trip to Alaska. Fairbanks is one of the best cities to look for one of these tours.
Sled Dog Tours:
- 1-Hour Winter Dog Mushing and Sledding in Fairbanks
- Husky Dog Sledding & Mushing with Pick up
- Private Day Mush Dream Vacation Must
Other Activity Types:
- Aurora Viewing with Mush Bucket List Adventure
- Guided Fishing Trip
- River Rafting
- Local dinner with Aurora Borealis viewing
All the activities and tours available in Fairbanks
Attractions around Fairbanks
If you plan on staying in Fairbanks for a few days, you’ll find that the city’s surroundings also have a lot to offer in terms of scenery and special activities.
Chena Hot Springs
Less than 60 miles from Fairbanks are the Chena Hot Springs. The 56 miles that separate them from the capital city wind along one of the most scenic roads in Alaska (the Chena Hot Springs Road), which in itself is worth the trip and is bordered by the Chena River State Recreation Area: 102,870 hectares of mountains, forests and rivers where nature is still master of itself and man seems not to have come to affect it yet. Along the way it’s easy to spot moose, beavers and maybe some grizzly bears. There are a few camping spots and several hiking trails are marked, but it is important to watch out for bears.
After the forest has given way to the alpine tundra, we come across one of the most striking places, the Plain of Monuments: a flat area dotted with numerous granite outcrops, some a few inches high, others up to 100 feet high. The end of the road is the Chena Hot Springs Resort where it is possible to stay overnight and have access to numerous additional services. In addition to the thermal baths, you can fish here and go on trips with sled dogs, or go trekking and mountain biking.
The Arctic Circle
Even if you don’t plan to drive the entirety of the adventurous Dalton Highway, you might consider a day trip or two to the Arctic Circle. In the article I dedicated to Dalton you can find details on how to get there and possibly where to stay overnight. Consider that from Fairbanks it takes 5 hours of driving there and 5 hours driving back. However, there are organized tours that will take you there.
Arctic Circle Tour from Fairbanks
Where to stay in Fairbanks
The city is small and certainly doesn’t offer hundreds of hotels, but below you can instead find all of the accommodations available in Fairbanks.
