The Best Things To Do in and Around Fairbanks, Alaska

So, you want to visit Alaska, aka The Last Frontier. A place known for its unrivaled beauty, fascinating native culture and incredible natural phenomena (read Aurora Borealis), Alaska is unlike anywhere else on Earth. And while many travelers experience the massive state’s coastlines and glacial formations from the comfort of a cruise ship, the Interior region is equally worthy of exploration. Sure, it’s even more remote, but a flight to Fairbanks International Airport (FAI) makes discovering this unique destination more accessible than ever.

Want to learn more? The city of Fairbanks is the perfect jumping-off point for many noteworthy adventures in this bucket list-worthy destination. Here are a handful of activities travelers can look forward to.

Visit the Arctic Circle

Situated 196 driving miles (or 140 air miles) north of Fairbanks, a voyage to the Arctic Circle makes for the perfect day trip for adventurous travelers. However, while 196 miles on a city highway typically takes only a few hours to complete, getting to the Arctic Circle isn’t your average drive. Instead, the geographical spot representing the iconic landmark is only accessible from the Dalton Highway, an all-dirt road requiring vehicles to travel at much slower speeds. And, due to harsh conditions throughout the year, the dirt ‘highway’ is ripe with potholes and speedbumps resulting in the need for constant construction to keep the road somewhat comfortable for the scarce vehicles that utilize it.

All in all, the trek totals around 16 hours by car — eight hours there, and eight hours back. However, for intrepid travelers, the bragging rights alone are enough to endure the rocky ride to the top of the world where they can snap a pic and take it all in.

Hot tip: to speed things up, travelers can book a “fly-drive tour” to drive half the route and fly the other. Whatever travelers decide, I recommend booking Arctic Circle tours through Northern Alaska Tour Company.

Learn More About Local and Native Alaskans

The Morris Thompson Cultural Center is a free resource in downtown Fairbanks where visitors can admire world-class exhibits and learn more about Interior and Arctic Alaska and the people who live there. It’s no secret The Last Frontier is home to a harsh climate, which is why The Morris Thompson Cultural Center highlights Alaskans’ ability to adapt to and thrive alongside the region’s ever-changing seasons and rugged terrain. Additionally, the center shines a special light on the area’s native people through cultural programs and special exhibits including traditional dance performances and a market featuring local goods.

When travelers are done exploring the center’s wide array of fascinating exhibits, they can step outside where they’ll be met by the banks of the famous Chena River. And, if they feel so inclined, visitors can snap a pic with The Morris Thompson Cultural Center’s Instagram-famous antler arch which acts as the perfect backdrop to strike a pose.

Cruise the Chena River

Speaking of the Chena River, travelers can experience Fairbanks from a new perspective when they board a delightful Riverboat Discovery cruise. Launching just west of downtown Fairbanks at the Steamboat Landing, Riverboat Discovery is a great place to grab a bite to eat or snag a few souvenirs before boarding one of the company’s three charming vessels for an afternoon on the water. While the scenery is notable enough, travelers can expect to make a few pitstops along the way as they break for bush pilot demonstrations, dog mushing stories and a stop at the Chena Village Living Museum where they’ll embark on a guided walking tour of an Athabascan village.

At the Chena Village Living Museum, visitors will get a taste of what life was like for ancient Athabascans who have skillfully survived for over 10,000 years. Travelers will marvel at spruce log cabins, find beauty in traditional Native dress and learn about the tools used to hunt a vast array of Alaskan wildlife like wolves, foxes, martens and beavers. Also on site is an active dog kennel where visitors will meet and interact with Alaskan huskies from famous Iditarod Racer Susan Butcher’s Trail Breaker Kennel.

Eat Thai Food

With over 20 Thai restaurants within Fairbanks’ city limits, one thing is for certain, the Land of the Midnight Sun can’t get enough of Southeast Asian cuisine. Dating back to 1989, the first Thai restaurant to open in the area was Thai House. However, as more Fairbanksans grew to love the restaurant’s iconic flavors, Thai House quickly outgrew its original location, causing the popular eatery to upgrade to the larger, more elegant location it occupies today.

Similarly, just a few minutes from downtown is Lemongrass, a highly-rated Thai restaurant dishing up fresh Alaskan seafood and locally grown vegetables. Interestingly, in addition to its location in Fairbanks, Lemongrass has a sister store in Chiang Mai, Thailand ensuring diners get the real deal Thai experience when they eat here.

Sidenote: I was lucky enough to chow down at Lemongrass during my time in Alaska and can’t stop thinking about the pineapple curry. Yum!

Frolic With Reindeer

Bears, moose and caribou, no trip to Alaska is complete without an Arctic creature encounter or two. And just northwest of Fairbanks travelers can do just that when they visit Running Reindeer Ranch, a wildlife park where guests are guaranteed to have their chance at an up-close-and-personal experience with one of the north’s favorite furry friends: the reindeer. A 4-H project turned thriving business, Running Reindeer Ranch is family-owned and operated and one of the most exciting tourist experiences in Fairbanks.

The tour kicks off with a quick overview of how the business got its start and some info about the property from one of the ranch’s “Reindeer Wranglers.” The wranglers cover basic safety details and give guests a rundown on their resident reindeer before bringing the stars of the show over for visitors’ first glimpse of the boreal beasts. As they are born and raised on-site, the reindeer at Running Reindeer Ranch are friendly and open to being pet as long as guests follow the communicated guidelines. After their first introduction, guests will join their wrangler on a short walk around the property, reindeer in tow. While not far in distance, the walk is slightly uphill, and travelers will have their chance at a photo op once they reach the top.

See Antique Cars

True to its website’s claim, “vintage treads and threads” collide at Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum. A must-see for car enthusiasts and novices alike, this unique collection of 95 pre-World War II automobiles takes visitors back in time as they marvel at old-school automobiles paired with period fashion pieces. Home to the first car in Alaska, Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum engages visitors with immersive exhibits, gorgeous accessories, historical photographs and more.

In addition to fun at the museum’s brick-and-mortar location, Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum is a living museum meaning many of the cars are regularly operated and even driven. This is especially true during the Alaskan summer when long, hot midnight sun days allow for optimal driving conditions. Be sure to keep an eye out for antique cars!

Explore Denali National Park

Situated two hours and 14 minutes south of downtown Fairbanks, a day trip to Denali National Park & Preserve is a must for nature enthusiasts visiting Alaska. Established as Mt. McKinley National Park in 1917, the park was the first of its kind to be dubbed a designated wilderness area. In 2015, the park’s name changed from Mt. McKinley National Park to Denali National Park & Preserve in correspondence with the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act.

While the park spans 7,408 square miles, Denali has one 135-mile road. Of these 135 miles, only the first 15 are accessible by private vehicle, the remaining 92 are restricted to bus trips operated by the U.S. National Park Service. Despite these limitations, travelers can expect all the joy associated with a national park visit. And with its vast landscapes, rare wildlife and bountiful hiking trails, there’s so much to see and do. Denali National Park is a truly special place, two highlights not to be missed are a stop at the kennels for a dog sled demonstration and a hike at Mountain Vista for the chance to witness Denali, the tallest mountain in North America, firsthand.

Ride the Alaska Railroad

With its main line running 470 miles from Seward to Fairbanks, the Alaska Railroad is a relaxing yet adventurous way to travel The Last Frontier. The train conveniently connects essential communities within the Interior and is a popular choice among visitors traveling from Fairbanks to Denali or from Fairbanks to Anchorage thanks to its fabulous dome windows and exhilarating open-air cars.

Yes, it’s true rail travel moves at a slow and steady pace, but a ride aboard Alaska Railways gives vacationers ample time to bask in the glory of Alaska’s rugged landscape as they zip past mountain ranges, chug above rushing rivers and cruise alongside colorful spruce tree lines. The cars are comfortable and spacious allowing riders to settle in for the long haul, plus, onsite dining cars provide tasty dishes when hunger strikes.