For many visitors to Alaska, Fairbanks is a stopover before or after Denali. But even if you’re stopping en route to somewhere else, we recommend taking a day in Fairbanks to experience its quirky attractions.
We spent a day-and-a-half in Fairbanks as a stop-over between the Kenai Peninsula and Denali during our ten day tour around Alaska in July 2022. For us, this was a matter of logistics rather than an intentional choice. But our packed-full time in the city convinced us that it’s a worthy entry on your Alaskan itinerary.
When we told locals that we were visiting Fairbanks, most commented that summer is the worst season to visit. Settled in Alaska’s interior, it’s one of the hottest cities, beset by wildfires on the exterior rim (and thus poor air quality in the city) and host to countless mosquitos. Alaskans urged us to return for the city’s bone-chilling winter, when you can watch the aurora snuggled up sipping hot chocolate. We’re not quite so sure we agree – visit in the winter and you’ll miss out on some unique museums, parks and plenty of sunshine.
In this guide, we’ll share the top attractions to see in and around Fairbanks. There are also some interesting destinations that you can only reach from Fairbanks, and we’ve included those here too. Since Fairbanks is quite spread out, you’ll enjoy your time in the city best if you rent a car. Uber is available, but will quickly get expensive because you’ll be traveling long distances. Rather than give you an hour-by-hour itinerary, we’ve broken down a list of top attractions by how central they are. This should help you determine where to focus based on how much time you’ll be spending in the city and what you’re most interested in.
What’s Included:
Within Fairbanks
Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum
Just over a hundred cars from the early auto era up to World War Two are packed into this unique museum. The cars are in pristine condition and many are functional, there are even demonstrations of select vehicles during the summer. For adults, it’s worth devoting at least an hour to this museum, though the information is in-depth and compelling enough that you’ll likely want more time. We were also impressed by the knowledgeable docents, who are happy to lift the hood and show you the engine, if that’s of interest.
Address: 212 Wedgewood Drive, Fairbanks, Alaska 99701, Website
Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge
During summer, you can expect to see flocks of sandhill cranes stalking through the fields of this former dairy farm. While you can bring binoculars and watch the birds from afar, it’s also pleasant to walk through some of the trails that bisect the field. Be sure to wear mosquito repellent as there are marshy areas that attract bugs.
Address: Visitor Center, 1300 College Road, Fairbanks, Alaska 99709, Website
University of Alaska Museum of the North
If you’re interested in the social and natural history of Alaska, this museum, perched on a hill above Fairbanks, should be on your itinerary. There are exhibits devoted to each region of Alaska that highlight the different animal residents and native cultural traditions. You’ll also find a selection of artworks by Alaskan residents that aim to depict the landscapes you learned about. Since this is a university museum, there’s also a special section devoted to research conducted by the university. This is another destination to budget a couple of hours for.
Address: 1962 Yukon Drive, Fairbanks, Alaska, 99775, Website
Hoarfrost Distilling
The unassuming strip mall location of this distillery undersells what its unique collection of homemade liqueurs brewed with local Alaskan botanicals. Get a shot of vodka fortified with Alaskan red currant, honeyberry or cherry. There’s also cocktails, bottles for purchase and distillery tours.
Address: 3501 Lathrop St Unit F, Fairbanks, AK 99701, Website
Pioneer Park
Opened in 1967 to commemorate the hundredth anniversary of the US acquisition of Alaska, this amusement park has a series of museums/displays that showcase different elements of Alaskan history. In theory, you can learn about regional rail and air services, but in reality we found the park felt desolate and run down when we visited during the late afternoon in summer. You’ll see it on lists of things to see in Fairbanks, but we’d recommend you skip it.
Address: 2300 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99701, Website
On the Outskirts
Alyeska Pipeline Viewing Point
The Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, commonly called the Alyeska Pipeline after the company that owns and operates it, shuttles oil from Prudhoe Bay on Alaska’s northern coast down to Valdez in the south. The pipeline was built in the 1970s. While the pipeline runs underground for the majority of the distance, it pops above ground for a stretch just outside of Fairbanks. It’s worth heading to the viewpoint to get a sense of the massive scale of the pipeline and project. It’s not a long stop, but a great place to stretch your legs on the way to the Felix Pedro Monument and abandoned oil rig we highlight below.
Address: 1671 Steese Hwy, Fairbanks, AK 99712
Felix Pedro Monument & Panning Area
Located off the Steese Highway, this roadside monument pays homage to Felix Pedro, an Italian immigrant (his real name is Felice Pedroni) who found gold in Alaska’s interior, thereby kicking off the Fairbanks Gold Rush. The monument is a small plaque on the side of the road, but perhaps more compelling is the stream on the opposite side of the highway where you can go gold panning. When we were there, we met an older man who had taken off his shoes to stand in the running stream with his special silt-straining sieve. Unfortunately, we didn’t find any gold, but we had fun picking up rocks in this gorgeous location.
Address: Mile Post 16.6, Steese Hwy, Fairbanks, AK 99712
Chatanika Gold Dredge #3
If abandoned sites interest you, you must stop at Chatanika Gold Dredge #3. Park at Chatanika Lodge, cross the highway (don’t worry, it’s not busy), then scramble up and over a mound of tailings (rocks dug up during the gold mining process) and follow the worn trail until you see this rusted Gold Dredge sitting in a lake. While this gold dredge is no longer in use, between the time it started operating in 1927 until when it was decommissioned in 1957 it extracted approximately $70m worth of gold from the lake. Although it was damaged by fire in the mid-2010s, it’s still remarkably intact. You are free to climb over and around the structure as well as explore the surrounding area but be careful as this is a DIY adventure. Whether you climb the ladder to walk around the dredge or admire it from the safety of the ground, it’s a unique roadside stop.
Although we prefer abandoned sites where you can roam, for a more family-friendly (and safer) version of visiting this dredge, Gold Dredge 8 is a built-up tourist stop just north of Fairbanks offering history, tours, and a gold-panning experience.
Address: Start at 5760 Steese Hwy, Fairbanks, AK 99712, then cross the highway and follow the tailings. GPS coordinates are 65.1142, -147.5068
Only Accessible From Fairbanks
The activities below are amazing, but will take you quite far out of Fairbanks. Since they’re only accessible through Fairbanks (or bush flights), you’ll want to combine them with some time in the city anyway.
Chena Hot Springs
Located at the very end of Chena Hot Springs Road – which is a 60 mile, well maintained paved road – Chena Hot Springs offers accommodation, as well as a smattering of intriguing activities. Year-round attractions include the Aurora Ice Museum, touring the on-site geothermal plant, and hiking to a nearby airplane crash (N5218D) in the forest outside the resort. There are several additional hikes in the area and a collection of interesting old mining equipment scattered about the resort – but be sure to wear mosquito nets and douse yourself in bug spray during the summer. You can also dip in the healing waters of the hot springs (it costs $20 per person). The on-site restaurant also serves produce grown on-site, including tomatoes – notable for Alaska! Although you can stay at the Chena Hot Springs Resort, the activities here can also be performed as a half-day or full-day trip from Fairbanks.
Address: 17600 Chena Hot Springs Road, AK 99712, Website
Arctic Circle Sign
The Arctic Circle begins 115 miles north of Fairbanks. This momentous latitude is marked by the Arctic Circle Sign. If you want to visit the Arctic Circle in the US, this is the place to do it. To get to the Arctic Circle, and the sign, you’ll need to drive up the Dalton Highway for just under five hours – most definitely a full day trip.
The Dalton Highway is an engineering marvel. One of only two roads in North America which cross into the Arctic Circle, it connects Prudhoe Bay (on Alaskan’s northernmost coast) to Fairbanks throughout the entire year (as highlighted in the Discovery Channel series Ice Road Truckers).
If you want to attempt the journey, be aware of a few key pieces of information:
- Most car rental agencies won’t allow you to drive the Dalton Highway. The road is mostly unpaved gravel and is coated with Calcium Chloride (to keep down the dust). Look for specialty rental services which specialize in 4×4 vehicles with protected undercarriages.
- The road is heavily used by large trucks. Plan to pass and be passed by semi trailer-length trucks for most of the trip.
- There is one gas station at the Yukon River crossing at milepost 56. Plan to start your journey with a full tank of gas.
Roam The Reaches 