Add dates

Things to do in North Pole, Alaska

Our most recommended things to do in North Pole, Alaska

North Pole: 1-Hour Snowmobile Tour

1. 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. 

North Pole Alaska: Guided Fairbanks Snowmobile Tour

2. 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.

Fairbanks: Dog Sledding and Mushing Experience

3. 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.

The Best of Fairbanks: Half-Day City Highlights Tour

4. The Best of Fairbanks: Half-Day City Highlights Tour

Your Fairbanks Highlight Tour begins with a pick-up from your Fairbanks hotel, so you can skip the hassle of transportation and taxi costs. Start your exploration of Fairbanks at the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitor's Center. Here you will receive a great introduction to the culture and history of Fairbanks and Alaska. Next, make your way to the Trans Alaska Pipeline. The pipeline viewpoint is the perfect spot to explain the astonishing engineering of the pipeline, the oil field in Prudhoe Bay, and the Alaska oil industry. You'll also visit the University of Alaska Museum of the North. Dramatic architecture and new exhibit galleries make this museum an extraordinary destination. Here you'll discover fascinating stories about Alaska’s cultures, places, and wildlife. Finally, head to the Santa Claus House. Visit Santa at his home at North Pole and maybe get a chance to have your picture taken with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. The Santa Claus House has plenty of souvenirs available for purchase if you would like to take a small piece of Alaska home with you! You'll be taken back to your hotel after your tour.

Fairbanks City Tour

5. Fairbanks City Tour

This city tour combines fun with Fairbanks history, Alaskan craftsmanship, and Alaska winter activities. Start your day off with a visit to the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center and take a peek into Interior Alaska's history and culture. Next, stop in at the Trans Alaska Pipeline, which is the perfect spot to learn about the astonishing engineering of the pipeline, the oil field in Prudhoe Bay, and the Alaska oil industry. At the Museum of the North you can see dramatic architecture and new exhibit galleries while discovering fascinating stories about Alaska's cultures, places, history, and wildlife. Finish your afternoon at the Santa Claus House, where you can see Santa at his home at North Pole, and maybe get a chance to have your picture taken with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. (Not guaranteed)

Chena Lake: Aurora Borealis Viewing & Ice Fishing Adventure

6. Chena Lake: Aurora Borealis Viewing & Ice Fishing Adventure

Get ready for a 5-hour adventure in Alaska’s winter wonderland. Travel to Chena Lake Recreation Area to go ice fishing and look for the aurora borealis (northern lights) from the comfort of a cozy heated cabin. Follow your guide to a heated cabin, your base for the expedition, to stay warm in the cold temperatures. The cabin comes with covers in the floors that are moved for perfect ice-fishing spots. Sip on hot cocoa and enjoy reindeer sausage served with bun, directly flown in from Anchorage to grill in the cabins while you ice fish. Receive all the necessary fishing gear from your guide. Get tips for catching and pulling in a fish from the ice-cold water. Once you catch a fish, enjoy a fish cookout, where you can eat the fish you caught. The tour practices sustainable fishing methods. You can keep 1 fish per participant for your guide to cook for lunch or you can take 1 fish home. The rest of the fish are released back into the lake to grow and for others to catch on another day. We target King Salmon, Arctic Grayling, Rainbow Trout, and Arctic Char.

Fairbanks: Guided Ice Fishing Tour

7. Fairbanks: Guided Ice Fishing Tour

Experience a memorable day of ice fishing in the beautiful Alaskan wilderness, as you fish in the cozy environment of a heated cabin. Benefit from all of the equipment you will need for a fun day of fishing, as well as expert tips on how to catch and pull in a fish from the water. Keep yourself warm with complimentary hot cocoa and reindeer sausages to grill in the cabin. Enjoy the fruit of your labor as you eat the fish you have caught, and relax in the knowledge that the guide service practices sustainable fishing methods.

Frequently asked questions about North Pole, Alaska

What are the best indoor activities in North Pole, Alaska for rainy days?

What are the most popular museums and exhibitions in North Pole, Alaska?

Other Sightseeing Options in North Pole, Alaska

Want to discover all there is to do in North Pole, Alaska? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about North Pole, Alaska

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 68 reviews

Vickie was our guide, she and her team were terrific. We were visiting from Michigan & Washington and she was very knowledgeable and friendly and answered all of our questions. I would highly recommend the facility.

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!

Such a fun time. Tony was patient and experienced. Felt very comfortable for riding my first time. Highly recommend to anyone considering

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