There are plenty of things to do and see around Fairbanks, Interior Alaska, and our big state.
Some things are seasonal or only certain times of the year. You won’t be doing dog mushing in summer, for example. Aurora viewing won’t happen either from mid-April – mid August. World class ice art competition starts in late February into late March.
That being said, here are a handful of our favorites:
- Chena Hot Springs Resort – only an hour from Fairbanks.
- Pioneer Park in Fairbanks – originally Alaskaland, a theme park.
- University of Alaska Museum of the North – stuff you won’t see elsewhere
- Morris Thompson Native Cultural Center
- Creamer’s Field – around Dance Camp time, migratory birds congregating: geese, cranes, ducks by the tens of thousands.
- Lots of opportunity for hiking in the area.
- Riverboat Discovery – float down the Chena River on a model of the old stern wheelers.
- Take the Alaska Railroad to Denali and the bus trip into the park.
- Manley Hot Springs is northeast of Fairbanks – a 4-5 hour trip into some pretty wild country. Look for blueberries to pick along the road. If you wanted further north adventure, don’t turn left to Manley, head up to the Yukon River and beyond, along the Dalton Highway as far as Prudhoe Bay. Probably not suitable for a rental car and much more than a day trip, yet some spectacular scenery.
And some links to find other things to do, places to stay, etc.
- Fairbanks Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Travel Alaska
- Alaska Wildlife Cabins and Hostel – one suggestion for accommodations.
- Alaska-Wildlife-Guide LLC
If you have more time to explore further south:
- Take a flightsee over Denali (Mt. McKinley) – in good weather you can land on the Ruth Glacier at 14,000 feet. There are several companies out of Talkeetna.
- Take a boat trip out of Seward a few hours south of Anchorage to Kenai Fjords National Park. Marine wildlife and glaciers (before they melt) abound.