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Things to do in Fairbanks

Our most recommended things to do in Fairbanks

Fairbanks: 1-Hour Alaskan Winter Dog Sledding Adventure

1. Fairbanks: 1-Hour Alaskan Winter Dog Sledding Adventure

Your 1-hour dog mushing adventure begins right at your hotel in the town of Fairbanks. You don't need to plan how to get here, as you can get picked up and dropped off at your Fairbanks hotel. Today it is a fascinating sport and hobby. But it was once the only means of transportation through the snowy lands of old-time Alaska. Break away and mush into the twilight of the Alaskan wilderness. Experience the thrill, enjoy the landscape and feel those dogs work as they whisk you at surprising speeds, pulling on the leash of the dog sled.

Fairbanks: Moonlight Dog Sled, Dinner & Northern Lights

2. Fairbanks: Moonlight Dog Sled, Dinner & Northern Lights

Experience the beauty and wild side of Alaska. Yanking on their lines and ready to run, your dog team will be anxious to carry you away from your Fairbanks accommodation to this spectacular viewing of the Northern Lights.  Most of the sled ride takes place in an open area so should the Aurora begin early you will have a thrilling view of the sky from the dog sled. The Aurora Borealis is one of the planet's most breathtaking phenomena. In Alaska, a land that stays dark for most of the winter, these spectacular lights bring the sky to life with other-worldly colors that shimmer and dance across the sky. The yurt is only a short drive from Fairbanks but far from the obstructing glare of city lights. Be treated to a hearty midnight dinner in an off-the-grid yurt.  Stay warm with a late salmon dinner and lively conversation in the comfort of your yurt while waiting for the Aurora. The large north-facing windows of your yurt offer the perfect Aurora viewing opportunity. However, should you decide to go outside for photographs or a full view of the sky, you will need to dress in warm layers.

Fairbanks: Aurora Ice Museum Ticket and Guided Tour

3. Fairbanks: Aurora Ice Museum Ticket and Guided Tour

Step into a winter wonderland, no matter the season with this guided tour of the Aurora Ice Museum. Admire stunning ice-sculptures and stay warm with the use of a cozy parka. Have the option to select a tour with or without a tasty appletini that is served in an ice glass. Meet your guide at the Chena Hot Springs and head over to the museum to begin your chilly adventure. Step into environment that is kept continually at a cool 25° Fahrenheit (-7° Celsius) by a special absorption chiller. Go over some of the iconic ice sculptures and interesting facts about the museum with your guide before having the chance to free roam and take pictures of the fantastical ice shapes that are vibrantly lit.

North Pole: 1-Hour Snowmobile Tour

4. North Pole: 1-Hour Snowmobile Tour

Your tour will begin with a safety briefing and gear check at the headquarters. Then, be whisked off to explore the local breathtaking surroundings by snowmobile, through a beautiful winter wonderland. Cross frozen lakes and rivers, see scenic mountains, endless remote trails and hopefully some wildlife along the way. Look out for moose, foxes and snowshoe hares. The Chena Lakes Recreation area offers a variety of beautiful and well-maintained trails, lakes and rivers ensuring that you have the adventure of a lifetime. This area is easily accessible and great for beginner riders but also far enough out of the city to give the sense of the Alaskan wilderness. 

Fairbanks: Arctic Circle Adventure - Full-Day Guided Tour

5. Fairbanks: Arctic Circle Adventure - Full-Day Guided Tour

Throughout history adventurers have been drawn to the extreme reaches of our planet. On this extraordinary day trip, you will have the chance to walk in the footsteps of explorers before you as you cross the Arctic Circle and enjoy stunning views of Alaska as you've never seen it before. The day begins at 8:00 AM from your hotel, where you will be transported to the Trans-Alaska-Pipeline. Here you can glance one of the world's largest pipelines, which stretches over 800 miles (1,287 km). It is a crude oil pipeline privately owned by the Alyeska Pipeline Service Company, and here you will learn the engineering and building process of this epic land-crawling beast. After a short visit to the pipeline, stop for breakfast at a rustic truck stop sitting atop a lovely hilltop. After the meal, you'll cross the mighty Yukon River before arriving at Finger Mountain. Here you will enjoy a beautiful hike on a spectacular high plateau far above the tree line. Finally, arrive at the Arctic Circle. Here you will have your picture taken and receive your very own Arctic Circle Certificate. After some time in this lovely land, venture back across the Yukon River, where you'll have the chance to walk right up to its mighty banks. Have a nice dinner before heading back. You will arrive back in Fairbanks by 10:00 PM.

North Pole Alaska: Guided Fairbanks Snowmobile Tour

6. North Pole Alaska: Guided Fairbanks Snowmobile Tour

Explore Alaska’s wild side with snowmobiles made for riding in style and comfort. Enjoy the convenience of heated handgrips, helmets, gloves, neck gators, bibs, boots, and jackets included in your tour. Start the adventure from the meeting point. With the help of your guide, get suited up in snow gear to make sure you’re warm enough when you get outside. Listen to a short safety orientation and driving instructions. Then, go on a practice ride on your snowmobile with your guide until you feel confident to drive. Let your guide also gauge your skill level, and take you on trails appropriate for your driving ability. Once ready, head into Alaska’s winter wonderland through dense spruce forests and spindly willows. Zoom through the wilderness and keep an eye out for wildlife. End the Fairbanks snowmobile tour back where it began.

From Fairbanks: Chena Hot Springs Northern Lights Tour

7. From Fairbanks: Chena Hot Springs Northern Lights Tour

The Northern Lights are one of the most spectacular natural phenomena on the planet and on this night tour, you will have the chance to see these marvels of nature for yourself. Your evening begins between 4~5pm when you will be collected from your hotel in Fairbanks and head approximately 60 miles (100 kilometers) to the Chena Resort. Here you will first have a chance to cool off (before heating up) in the spectacular Ice Museum. This building, built entirely out of ice, boasts a full Ice Bar and chandeliers built painstakingly out of hand-crafted ice.  At 8pm, you can soak your cares away in the warm and inviting Chena Hot Springs. You'll be pleased to know that the resort makes use of the first low-temperature binary geothermal power plant built in Alaska and is working on several alternative energy projects, including production and use of hydrogen and vegetable oil for fuel. The resort is conducting collaborative experiments in greenhouse production of vegetables with the University of Alaska Fairbanks Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station. All in all, the resort is absolutely beautiful and you can soak in its natural springs for at least two hours. By 12:00 midnight, you can begin to look out for the Northern Lights. Soon, if you are lucky, the Aurora Borealis will appear. This natural light display is caused by the collision of energetic charged particles with atoms high in the atmosphere. The result is a breathtaking display of light that can be bright enough to read a newspaper by. Around 2:00 AM, depart back to Fairbanks and arrive around 3~4am. The night will surely be one you will never forget.

Fairbanks: Dog Sledding and Mushing Experience

8. Fairbanks: Dog Sledding and Mushing Experience

Enjoy an unforgettable experience of dog sledding Alaskan Huskies in Fairbanks. Listen to a local guide and musher talk about their four-legged family members, who are raised as puppies and cared for by this elite team. Take in the beautiful scenery while gliding across the snowy Alaskan landscape and experience a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Alaskan Northern Lights/Aurora Borealis Lodges

9. Alaskan Northern Lights/Aurora Borealis Lodges

Book a visit to one of these luxurious Fairbanks lodges for a stunning view of Aurora Borealis. The viewing night begins right at the Fairbanks accommodation where guests marvel at the beauty of the Northern Lights from the comfort of these cozy lodges. Guests are picked up and transported to one of the best viewing lodges in the Fairbanks, Alaska area. The lodge is carefully selected to ensure that guests can gaze upon the Northern Lights with ease. Trust the experts to provide you with an incredible vantage point for spying the famous phenomenon. Outside of Fairbanks and away from the city lights, these wide open areas ensure a perfect way to take in Alaska's winter sky. Enjoy the sights from inside the lodge, or even step outside to snap some photographs of the brilliant sky.

From Fairbanks: Northern Lights and Arctic Circle Tour

10. From Fairbanks: Northern Lights and Arctic Circle Tour

Experience Alaska like you have never seen it before while enjoying a scenic drive and narration from your expert guide. Travel along the famous and rugged Dalton Highway (well-known from the TV show Ice Road Truckers) to the Arctic Circle. Hear about how the summer nights are white and the winter dark. Take a selfie or have your photo taken with your certificate to mark your crossing of the Arctic Circle. Have a once-in-a-lifetime experience comfortable transportation and personalized service. Enjoy a flexible travel itinerary to ensure guests can take advantage of unique photo opportunities. The tour will incorporate many stops for your viewing pleasure. Please note that seeing wildlife or the Northern Lights is not guaranteed.

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Frequently asked questions about Fairbanks

What are the best day trips and excursions from Fairbanks?

The best day trips and excursions from Fairbanks are:

Chena Hot Springs

Other Sightseeing Options in Fairbanks

Want to discover all there is to do in Fairbanks? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Fairbanks

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 257 reviews

Great dog sledding experience! Friendly staff, mushers, & dogs. Comfortable yurt, good food, and had fun getting to know the people on the tour with us. Small group made this possible. Unfortunately, the Aurora did not make an appearance but none of us control the weather! We had an awesome time nonetheless.

The host was wonderful and patient and took the time to explain everything. The location for the ride was beautiful (in winter time where everything was covered in snow). Great experience.

We had a great time on the snow! The trail was easy and magical because of the snow. The snowmobile is easy to drive and it keeps your hands warm!

Fantastic! Our guide was incredibly kind and knowledgeable. The dogs are so cute and it was definitely money well-spent.

Guide was really great and friendly! Beautiful views of Alaska. Doggies were so sweet! A+