Things to do in Fairbanks in November

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Overview

November is a good time to visit Fairbanks. The weather is usually freezing cold and breezy, with temperatures ranging from 2—12°F (-17—-11°C). There are plenty of events to check out and activities to try in Fairbanks during this time. Some of our top recommendations: witness the Northern Lights, go ice fishing, visit the Fairbanks Ice Park, and more!

Fairbanks has plenty to offer for visitors of all ages and interests. In this article, we tell you the top things to see and do for your November trip to Fairbanks. Get inspired by the events, activities, attractions, and experiences unique to November. We’ll let you know where to explore events based on your interests, whether that’s food, culture, art, music, sport or others.

We’ll let you know everything you need to prepare for the weather in Fairbanks in November. Learn about what to wear and pack for your trip, the average temperatures throughout November, temperature changes from morning to evening and much more.

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Best events and things to do in Fairbanks in November

Top experiences in November
Witness the Northern Lights
November is one of the best times to see the stunning natural phenomenon known as the Aurora Borealis in Fairbanks. The long nights and clear skies provide the perfect conditions for viewing the dancing lights in the sky. There are various tour operators that offer Northern Lights tours, where you can learn about the science behind the phenomenon and capture breathtaking photos.
Go ice fishing
November marks the beginning of the ice fishing season in Fairbanks, and there are plenty of opportunities to try your hand at catching fish through a hole in the ice. Whether you're a seasoned angler or a beginner, you can join a guided ice fishing tour and learn the techniques for catching Arctic grayling, trout, and other fish that thrive in the cold waters of Alaska.
Visit the Fairbanks Ice Park
November marks the opening of the Fairbanks Ice Park, where you can marvel at impressive ice sculptures, watch ice carving demonstrations, and even try your hand at ice sculpting. The park also hosts the World Ice Art Championships, attracting talented ice artists from around the world to compete in creating stunning frozen masterpieces.
Go dog sledding
November marks the beginning of the dog sledding season in Fairbanks. You can experience the thrill of being pulled by a team of energetic sled dogs through the snowy wilderness. Many tour operators offer dog sledding excursions where you can learn about the history of mushing and interact with the friendly and hardworking sled dogs.
Go snowmobiling
November is the start of the snowmobiling season in Fairbanks, and there are plenty of trails and backcountry areas to explore on a thrilling snowmobile adventure. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced rider, you can rent a snowmobile and zip through the snowy landscapes, taking in the breathtaking winter scenery of Alaska.
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Holidays in Fairbanks in November
November

There are no holidays in Fairbanks in November

Other notable holidays

Weather in Fairbanks in November

Temperatures on an average day in Fairbanks in November

The average temperature in Fairbanks in November for a typical day ranges from a high of 12°F (-11°C) to a low of 2°F (-17°C). Some would describe the temperature to be freezing cold. The general area may also feel breezy.

For comparison, the hottest month in Fairbanks, July, has days with highs of 69°F (21°C) and lows of 52°F (11°C). The coldest month, January has days with highs of 3°F (-16°C) and lows of -8°F (-22°C). This graph shows how an average day looks like in Fairbanks in November based on historical data.

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Historical temperature average in November
12°F
highs
2°F
lows

General weather summary

Freezing cold, breezy
Feels like
13%
Chance of rain
0.051 in
Amount
12.8 mph
Wind speed
94%
Humidity
6.4 hrs
Daylight length
9:35 AM
Sunrise
3:59 PM
Sunset
38%
Cloud cover
Thick winter coat with gloves
What to wear
What to wear in November
With an average high of 12°F (-11°C) and a low of 2°F (-17°C), it generally feels freezing cold and breezy. With that in mind, most people would dress in something toasty like a thick winter coat with gloves
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Best attractions for Fairbanks in November

Besides the array of exciting events and activities Fairbanks has to offer for travelers in November, we want to remind you of the classic attractions in Fairbanks that are great to visit at this time of the year as well! You can’t miss these iconic landmarks, local favorites, and places rich with cultural heritage. We hope to give you insights and inspiration into the best things to see and do to make the most of your visit. Here is a list of our top attractions in Fairbanks for November.
University of Alaska Museum of the North
1. University of Alaska Museum of the North
4.6
(1932)
Natural history museum
Museums
Exhibits showcasing Alaska's art, science & history housed in a swooping contemporary building.
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This is a fascinating natural history museum. There is so much to see. There is a schedule of when videos are playing. They have an art museum as well. The gift shop is small but has unique items. They also have a little cafe that you can stop at. There is an elevator for those who cannot climb stairs. We spent a lot of time walking through the museum. They offer a veteran/military discount as well as a senior discount.
Informative and worth the cost of admission. So much to look at, learn, and so many interesting experiences to have. I highly recommend experiencing “The Place Where You Go To Listen”, if only for a couple of minutes. Additionally, if you catch it on the right day, you might also get a glimpse of Denali like we did. We didn’t know how lucky we were as we had just arrived in Alaska for the first time but there’s a fantastic vista very close to the parking lot. In addition to the natural history exhibits, there is a lot of art to see by Alaskan artists along with native exhibits and exploration artifacts and equipment. So much cool stuff to experience that really set the tone for our great Alaska adventure. Don’t miss it!
Museum itself is great, definitely worth the price of admission. I love the way the main exhibits are set out and how many topics are covered. If you're freaked out by taxidermy, be aware that there is a lot, but it's mostly well done and always tasteful. One star taken away because I had hoped to get lunch and had half a sandwich that was mid and overpriced even for your average museum cafe. But cafe aside, I had a great time here and especially loved all the pinniped carvings and masks 💖
An Absolute Must-See in Fairbanks! ​This museum is a true gem and an essential stop for anyone visiting or living in Fairbanks. The stunning architecture is the first thing you'll notice, and what's inside is just as impressive. It provides a fantastic look into the rich natural, cultural, and artistic history of Alaska.
We really enjoyed our visit to the Museum of the North. Great place to learn about Alaskan history!! We spent about 2-2.5 hours here but could have spent way longer if we wanted to look at the exhibits even more in depth! One thing to note is that parking is not free, we didn’t know that before visiting but it was only $4.50 or so for 3 hours so it’s not expensive at all.
It's a beautifully and tastefully made Museum amidst scenic area. They also play few short movies on Dinosaur Research and Aurora Borealis of Alaska. Ticket charges are 22 USD for foreigners. Houses massive whale and other Animal fossils. A small ruck store is there though expensive. May other unique preserves and history on the walls. Theres a very interestingly constructed Quite Room where some earthy sounds are played. A must visit while in Fairbanks.
A must see! Now I know where James Mitchner got a lot of material for his book, Alaska. Beautiful campus, even had a view of Denali, and mountain ranges. Check out the gardens too.
A big exhibit of Alaskan history. We enjoyed the morning exploring all the exhibits and art. Watched the Aurora movie too.
Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center
2. Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center
4.7
(1463)
Visitor center
Cultural center
Free-admission center offering travel advice & information plus exhibits on Native Alaskan culture.
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The Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center is an incredible place to explore the history, culture, and seasonal life of Interior and Arctic Alaska. The exhibits are impeccably done, the cultural programs are thoughtful and engaging, and there’s so much to learn about the land and people. It’s a true hub for discovery + the welcoming, knowledgeable staff make the experience even better! Was invited to check out the The Army vs. Air Force Commander's Cup hockey game from one of the staff which was also a major highlight of the trip!
Our driver Joe was fantastic. Very informative on the history of Fairbanks as we drove around. Going through the museum Joe explained how the history of Alaska was formed. When his next tour was cancelled he gave us extra time to go shopping at the North Pole. I recommend this tour to anyone and please ask for Joe to be your guide.
Great in information center right on the river and near the antler Arch! Also a great Visitor Center if you need to pick up Flyers to learn about attractions in the area. Very well curated museum /cultural center.
This is a nice facility and it’s free to enter and watch some educational videos and walk the self guided tour of Alaska history and facts. Not very exciting but it’s worth an hour visit before you walk the downtown area. The staff is nice and informative. It’s right by “antler arch”, so you can see that as well. VictorB
Exhibits telling the story of Fairbanks, it's community past and present, and showcasing beautiful, meaningful art through the decades. A great little gift shop with true Alaskan souvenirs, too! Highly recommend for visitors!
Very nice welcome center. It's big. Walking trails around it. Lots of information pamphlets. Good place to find things to do around Fairbanks
Beautiful grounds outside, love all the mosiacs and flowers! Inside, a feeling of communion. Learned so much about the area: animals, history- both past and present, indigenous peoples' contributions and beliefs. Great video of Coal Creek mining. Looking forward to Fridays talk by the elders. Thank you! Rangers give helpful advice and the Alaskan Geographic gift shop is awesome! Cultural center is free!
This is a really nice museum experience. Lots of information here, lots of artifacts. And it's free, a true rarity nowadays.
Pioneer Park
3. Pioneer Park
4.4
(2026)
Park
Water & Amusement Parks
Historical theme park showcasing everything from home life to aviation, plus mini-golf & a carousel.
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This was a fun stop. We didn't go to the salmon bake but we wandered around to see the various vendors and the historic buildings. The Harding Car was interesting. The SS Nenana is now closed to visitors for safety reasons according to the sign when we were there. There are great food options and live music. It is free so you should definitely stop in to check it out.
We had a good time walking around the SS Nenana and the Harding Car. Very cool originals! We also enjoyed walking around and visiting the shops that were open - got a neat moose w/babies print at a shop (her original photography). Looks like they’re upgrading playground equipment for the kids. There’s also a very neat, older carousel. Got to also ride the little train twice around for a few bucks.
Original buildings rescued from around town were placed in this park along with a railcar and a steamboat. Local vendors sell local crafts, souvenirs and food. There is a museum that accepts donations. The other side of the park has rides suitable for young children. We enjoyed our visit.
Cute little park to take your family in Fairbanks. They have an amazing playground with a splash pad and swings. They have a old paddle boat you can take tours of, an art museum, lots of shopping and some wonderful food vendors. Would definitely go again.
Nice place to spend some time, venture through the past and learn a thing or to about the history. Old buildings are used as shops, which makes the place more lively. The entree is free, however some activities/places have a fee to partake/enter. Makes for a nice family fun day/afternoon.
Its a cute park that my friend and I visited. It has kind of old town architecture that makes it feel like old country times. The reason I gave 4 stars is because we rode the train but it broke down halfway into the ride so everyone that was on had to get off from a kinda steep hill. I didn't try to get a refund since it was only $3
It’s amazing! I’ll hand it to whoever must of thought to move all those houses years ago to save them. It great to see how each one is still being used in its own way. Loved it.
We were there at the end of the season so many of the attractions and shops were already closed. We did enjoy the shops that were open and walking around the grounds. We will visit again during the open season.
Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum
4. Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum
4.9
(1416)
Museum
History museum
This resort museum offers guided tours, 70 historic automobiles & post-Gold Rush heritage exhibits.
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My husband and I visited the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum and had such a wonderful time! This museum is not just for men or car enthusiasts, it’s also perfect for women who enjoy fashion and history. We were amazed by how beautifully the cars were displayed, each telling a story of innovation and style from the early 1900s to the 1930s. To me, what made the experience even more special was the vintage fashion collection. Each era of cars was matched with elegant dresses, including some stunning evening gowns from the early 1900s. I especially loved seeing the trends in nightgowns and formal wear—so classy and detailed! It felt like stepping into a glamorous movie from the past. The fabrics, embroidery, and silhouettes showed how fashion evolved alongside the cars. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable. They were happy to answer questions and explain more about the history behind both the vehicles and the clothing. The museum was clean, well-lit, and thoughtfully organized, making it easy to enjoy each display. Whether you love classic cars, beautiful dresses, or simply enjoy learning about history in a creative way, this museum is a must-visit in Fairbanks. It’s truly a place where both men and women can find something to appreciate and remember.
Pleasantly surprised. This was so much more than we planned for. First person we met had authentic clothing she wore every day donated to her from a much older women (90’s)who was also a vintage cloths collector so they looked almost new. This is so much more than a car museum. Outfits to match period cars, pictures of the Alaskan experience with cars over the years.
An absolute gem of museum!! The layout, details about the vehicles, all the time period clothing, and pictures from the Alaskan history is incredible. If you are in Fairbanks this is A MUST SEE! Amazing that most of these vehicles are in full operation. Can’t wait till they are in the new location which should allow for more vehicles and some planes. Oh, and if you can’t tell, most of these vehicles are in perfect mint condition.
Phenomenal place! The volunteers were super knowledgeable (thanks Steven!) and both the cars and the antique attire were immaculately taken care of. Hope you get to see one or more of their cars in action (only 3 don’t get out and about). Recommend during your trip to Fairbanks!
The breadth and depth of this car and dress collection is amazing. Truly the best car collection I have ever seen. And it’s a living museum with all in working condition except three. You can spend your day seeing it all while in awe.
Really interesting restored and original cars, motorcycles and women's fashions to match. Informative signs. The only challenge is you want to read it all, it is so well done. A few videos spread around and old Alaska photos in the walls
My husband and I visited the Fountainhead Antique Automobile Museum while visiting Fairbanks. The Museum was so interesting because each of the amazing cars (late 1800s to Pre-World War II) was paired with beautiful vintage dresses along with their accessories. There was a story for each car and each dress. There are some archival videos to watch as well. We spoke with Docent Steven who gave us so many back stories about some of the cars. He is very knowledgeable and it was great chatting with him. We learned quite a lot. We highly recommend visiting the museum while in Fairbanks. There is something of interest for everyone!
Best auto museum ever!!! Just get tickets and enjoy!! It is well kept, the workers are very knowledgeable! They added dresses and accessories to match cars, with interesting facts about each and every car. We truly enjoyed this place!!! Don’t miss it, 1-2 hours easily spent
Running Reindeer Ranch
5. Running Reindeer Ranch
4.8
(733)
Tour operator
Sights & Landmarks
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Very cool experience. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. We all had a blast and learned a lot about the lives of reindeer. I do recommend they get some sidewalls for the tents with a few outdoor space heaters for the beginning of the session. It was way too cold for all of us just to sit there and listen.
I chose this for my birthday adventure in Feb 2025 and had the absolute best time! The staff is kind and knowledgeable. Everyone gets plenty of time with the reindeer and lots of opportunities for questions and photos. We ended the experience with cookies and hot chocolate. Highly recommend this bucket list experience!
I visited Running Reindeer Ranch solo on a weekend in October and had an incredible time. Everything was well organized from start to finish. Parking was easy, and staff were onsite to guide you and check you in. Reservations must be made in advance, but the online booking process is simple. The experience begins with a fun and informative introduction. Each reindeer is introduced by name, and you learn a little about their personality before the walk begins. Some are mellow and calm, while others are more playful and full of energy. Getting to know them individually made the experience feel very personal. The walk takes you through a beautiful forest loop with several stops along the way. The reindeer roam freely alongside the group, and at each stop you learn interesting facts and have opportunities to take great photos. The reindeer all have such unique personalities, which adds so much charm and character to the tour. At the end of the walk, you are treated to freshly baked cookies. If you are hungry for more, Ivory Jack’s restaurant is just around the corner and offers excellent king crab. This was a delightful, well-run experience that I would absolutely recommend to anyone visiting the Fairbanks area.
If you are looking to interact with reindeers then a petting zoo will be a better option at a fraction of the cost. Also, don’t visit for the next few weeks as 4-5 of their best reindeer are out for breeding and not at the facility. The story telling was great and the staff were friendly and knowledgeable but we did not see the value of spending close to $100 per person for this activity compared to all the other things we did in Alaska. I would not recommend to anyone other than families with kids (as the kids seemed to enjoy it)
This place was great. Tyrone and the whole staff were extremely knowledgeable of the reindeer. You get up close and personal with the reindeer and they let you walk with them and take pictures. It was the highlight of our Fairbanks trip.
Me and my husband had so much fun. The staff was so friendly and taught us a lot about the reindeer at their ranch. The reindeer were friendly, and learning about them was an awesome experience. Would absolutely recommend the ranch!
Visiting my brother & needed to burn some time while he was at work. This was amazing & I would recommend to anyone. Johnny was knowledgeable & made the experience amazing. I will definitely be back in the summer. So cool to be so up close to the reindeer! Hot coca and cookies were a great ending!
I had such an amazing time visiting Running Reindeer Ranch! I got to learn a good bit about reindeer, we had the opportunity to interact with them and even get to take photos with them. They do give you a safety video during the winter to watch so that your experience is safe and that you know the do’s and don’ts of how to handle different situations that could potentially happen. Nothing happened while we were there but it’s good to be aware of what could happen. Highly recommend this if you are ever in the area! Staff is knowledgeable and very friendly as well! At the end we got hot chocolate and cookies and the hot chocolate was so delicious!
Aurora Ice Museum
6. Aurora Ice Museum
4.2
(901)
Museums
Art museum
Open year-round, this whimsical, 25-degree museum includes ice sculptures, a bar & parka rentals.
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Such a fun and unique experience! The Chena Ice Bar and Museum is entirely sculpted from ice, including the walls, furniture, and even the cocktail glasses. We were prepared in our winter clothes. The ice sculptures are stunning and incredibly detailed. The best part? Enjoying cocktails served in hand-carved ice glasses—definitely a cool highlight. It’s a quick visit, but totally worth it for the photos and the vibe.
My husband and I booked a tour of the ice museum and ordered a martini. You do need to make a reservation. We met at the Chena Hot Springs Activity Center to start the tour and walked to the museum as a group. They do provide parkas if you need them. There is a process for entry and exiting. You all enter the entryway where the parkas are stored at one time. The exterior door is closed. Then, once everyone is ready, the interior door is opened, and the entire group enters. You exit the same way in reverse, but they did allow us to stay and explore as long as we wanted, we just had to let the staff know when we were ready to leave for him to open and close the doors. The experience was cool, although the drink itself was only like 3 oz total.It's not really worth the money. We were there a total of maybe 20 minutes. The drink itself was good. I'm glad our group was small, less than 10 people. If the group were larger I can see it being a pain trying to get photos. It is definitely a nice way to cool off when it's hot outside or warm up a little during winter. It's definitely a unique experience.
The tour itself is short but they you give you ample time to explore on your own. It is a museum with many beautifully crafted pieces. The guide was enthusiastic and helpful. However, the narrative could be much better and informative. They should consider putting writeups next to the statues, at least the massive ones. The two coolest things were the ice bar which is definitely a novelty and fun and the work in progress by an award winning sculptor who was working with ice and an electric saw.
Amazing, unique Ice bar. Nothing I've ever seen before being from the lower 48, more specifically Florida. It's beautiful and the appletini was good. Dress warm, but I think they gave us coats to wear while inside. You also need to make a tour reservation.
This was a very cool experience. It’s a short walk through tour through some amazing ice sculptures and you can even stay overnight in one of the 2 “ice bedrooms”! We stayed for the $20 apple-tini in a glass made out of ice, but that was a bit of a waste - unless you want the full experience and like apple-tini! The tour guide, Carlos, was very pleasant. VictorB
Well worth the drive. I didn't read anywhere that there were time slots ,I don't exactly remember but I know the last 2 are at 5pm and 7 pm ,we killed some time at the restaurant. Good was ok,nothing special. But ,the Ice Bar experience was awesome!
They will lend you a parka if you aren't dressed warmly enough for 24°F. inside temperature. Craftsman is carving ice as you are entering. We didn't have an apple martini, as is a tradition here. We should have.
Appletini was fantastic, bring $10 cash to get refill. If you go to Chena, you must go to the museum. ps. I did not drink 2 tinis while writing this.
Alyeska Pipeline / Viewing Point
7. Alyeska Pipeline / Viewing Point
4.6
(1569)
Sights & Landmarks
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Alaska's oil pipeline is the focus of this museum, which features an above-ground pipe display.
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A visit to this site is important to appreciate the engineering challenge that was overcome to build an oil transport system that could withstand time. Nearly 50 years later, does what it was meant to - pump oil from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez. Amazing 👏
It was a simple to access quick pull out. It’s well maintained and if you’re lucky there is a guy selling boiled peanuts in the parking lot! Get the pickle.
It was an easy access point and great signage to explain how the oil moves down pipelines with minimal environmental impact as long as there are not accidents!
This viewing location is ADA accessible. There are a couple of signs with information as well as a couple of artifacts with plaques. There's also a large area to pull off of the highway and park.
Great place for a very quick stopover on the way to Chena Hot Springs where you can see the actual pipeline as well as a few other tools they use for maintaining it.
Easy pull off and there is a good bit of information at this location. The trail is well maintained and wheelchair accessible.
I always wanted to see the pipeline and it did not disappoint. If this interests you, it's a must! We only spent about 15 minutes there.
Great place to view the pipeline and look at the inspection/cleaning items called "pigs"
Friends of Creamers Field at Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge
8. Friends of Creamers Field at Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge
4.7
(1365)
Wildlife refuge
Sights & Landmarks
Wildlife sanctuary & landmark dairy farm offering bird observation & nature education.
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Lots of wildlife viewing opportunities. Visited early May and most of the trails are walkable, just a few that are muddy or under water due to the snow melting. Most trails are flat with a mix between open fields or wooded paths. Good place to bike or bring your dog.
Best hiking and awesome birds of all sizes. Very close to town. Easy parking. Good clean trails. Had a cute band playing music on the weekends and tours of the old farmhouse.
Pleasant location for a walk-hike. We enjoyed seeing some migratory waterfowl. No entrance fee. Cute visitor center/gift shop with very friendly host (I’m assuming a volunteer).
A lovely open space preserve, with several easy trails with different environments. Great place for birding watching.
Nice place to walk, meet puppies, and for birdwatching. And the fireweed is in boom right now and AMAZING! Definitely need your bug spray though.
Unfortunately we didn't see many bards in Sep, but we enjoyed walking with beautiful view. It was enough for us!
In the fall this is a rea8nice spot to park and have lunch. Lots of birds land here during their migration. They also have some nice trails to hike if you're up to it 👍🏻
Great field trip with my granddaughter! Beautiful place!
Fairbanks Ice Museum 🧊
9. Fairbanks Ice Museum 🧊
3.9
(861)
Museum
Specialty Museums
Locally made ice sculptures, slide presentations & a nightly aurora show set in a vintage theater.
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What a cool place! You pay when you first walk into the museum (it was $15 each adult), and you then walk into the back of an old movie theater. They give you free coats to borrow, and then you can look at all the sculptures. I loved them all, but especially the sledding ramp.
Wasn't too sure about this but my wife wanted to see it. So of course, we went. I had a really good time. There was a live demonstration of a man carving a picture into ice. After that, we went into a super cold room where there were ice sculptures. We got to pose with them and some we even sat on or in and took pics. There was even a ice slide that we got to go down. Super fast and fun. I would recommend this as something you don't usually get to experience. The people there were super polite and we had a great time.
very simple & basic, felt was overpriced. Don't know if there is specific times there is a demonstration but nothing going on & walked around the small area by myself. Not told there were coats to use to go into ice museum, would have been nice to let people know. Some sculptures looked old. Ice slide was only good thing. Not much in gift shop, person at desk did not have much to say
Look, you don’t need to go to the Louvre to have a good time. Does it rival Gaylord Palms Ice? Not really! But if you embrace the scrappiness of this place, it can be great fun for you and your friends. The museum used to be a theater, so you can see some of its history intact. There’s a few silly figurines for taking photos with, quite a lot of actually beautiful ice sculptures, and an absolutely bonkers sled ride. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t feeling great the day I came. But this museum if you go into it with the right attitude is absolutely worth it. The lights changing color on a timer, it’s almost more beautiful than the northern lights. Plus, you can’t beat the location. Steps from the river, Golden Heart Plaza, and the Crepery which serves an amazing selection. Definitely don’t skip this Fairbanks staple.
Such a fun experience! They did an ice sculpture presentation where the guy cut the sculpture in front of us which was the 3rd photo. They also have a really cool 50ft slide you can go down that’s all ice and man it was such an enjoyable experience! We also went to the little movie they put on and the Aurora Borealis slideshow was super fascinating to watch and see the history of Alaska.
Super affordable fun place for families in Fairbanks. A MUST SEE whe visiting. Stay for the Aurora film since this is the only way you are guaranteed to see the elusive beast. Be a kid again and EXPLORE all the fun interactive sculptures as well as a wicked cool SLIDE !!!
Fairly basic display for the cost. You have seen it all in 10 mins. However, it became more interesting once he did a display of ice carving… never expected to see an iron come out!
I was very disappointed in the quality of the ice sculptures They were very melted and worn out. It looks like they've been there since last March! Even though it was unique I wouldn't go back again. One time was enough.
Alaska Train
10. Alaska Train
4.6
(211)
Train ticket agency
Tours
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We choose the Wilderness Express option from Fairbanks to Anchorage. The Wilderness Express are 2 cars at the end of the Alaska railroad train. Same ride, different service and staff. Our guide was really knowledgeable and gave us plenty of warning on what we were approaching and the relevant information about it. We really enjoyed the commentary and the food and drinks. It's a 12 hour train ride, which the staff said not many people do. We loved it, the time went by fast, it did not feel like a 12 hour train ride. Then we took the Alaska train from Anchorage to the Seward cruise terminal. This ride had commentary and food as well. We really liked that you could check your luggage all the way through to the cruise terminal. We didn't see our bags till we got to our rooms. There is no way for these photos to convey the sheer size and beauty of Alaska. If you are considering a trip, go, you won't be disappointed. We got lucky and were there during the 2 - 3 weeks of the year that the colors on the trees change.
We recently traveled from Fairbanks -Anchorage to Seward and back. The company staff at the depot and in the train were EXCEPTIONALLY nice helpful considered. We were truly impressed with the service we received. We had Gold star and adventure tickets. Starting the trip in Gold start was wonderful, the view is priceless and the open area was the best to hang out breathing fresh air and watching the surroundings. The food was not the best however the waiters did everything in their power to accommodate different requests. The adventure class, has old but very comfortable and big seats. The food is the same than Gold Star but it’s not included in your ticket. The views are good. The down side in the adventure class for us was the traffic of passages from other cars to go to the cafe store and back. Yes there is a little store that sells great salads, sandwiches, breakfast items (like hard boiled eggs), snacks, drinks, etc. We truly loved our time with the Alaska railroad staff. Their smiles and good attitude just made the whole experience even more enjoyable.
Definitely one of my biggest adventures in my life! Alaska Railroad 🚞 is an amazing experience! Go for it if you are in Alaska. You can catch it from Denali Park and it goes to Anchorage and is about 6-8 hours. The beautiful nature around that you see while traveling with it is magnificent. Steongly recommended it! 🙌🏻
We took 3 trains during our visit to Alaska. The Coastal train from Anchorage to Seward, which had the best scenery of the 3 trains. We used the Goldstar service on this one and enjoyed the breakfast service and the high seats and large windows. The outside car was a favorite of mine. The 2nd train was from Anchorage to Denali and the 3rd train was from Denali to Fairbanks. All of the trains and services were great. Also, they all provided some commentary along the way. On the 2nd and 3rd train we used the basic service. They still offer large windows for viewing in the upstairs car, however, if the train is full you may have to rotate the time spent upstairs. Also they have a dinning car which was enjoyable.
Worth every Penny. You can only book the glass top train from Seward to Anchorage as a disembark excursion from your cruise ship , must travel in the AM . Not available to the public. Facing the front of the train sitting on the left has the most views But all seats are good. Seat is randomly assigned as you board. You are free to walk about the train. Good food and drinks. Fun for all ages. The cruise line handled all of our baggage. It was transferred to a convention center in Anchorage and guarded so we could be tourists all day while waiting for a midnight flight. Bus or shuttle is provided by cruise line back to airport because you can not check bags more than 4 hours prior to your flight in Anchorage. None of this info is provided by the cruise line and It would have been immensely helpful . I almost did not book train because I was unsure of the details. I am super pleased I spent the extra money and took the risk. The train was Much more enjoyable than the shuttle included in my cruise fee from Seward to Anchorage.
A must do in Alaska!! What a treat to see all these beauty from the comfort of a train through the glass tops
The tour that was planned for us by Alaska Tour and Travel was coordinated seamlessly. I was amazed at how well we were taken care of every step of the way. We had a detailed itinerary that covered every part of the trip. We were picked up at the Whittier dock and taken to the Grande Denali Lodge for two nights. The drivers on the two bus drives were very good. The second bus driver stopped twice, once when we saw a bear crossing the road, and the second time to get a picture of Mount Denali when there was a perfect view. When checking in at the Lodge we were given luggage tags for the transfer to the train after our stay. The train trip leaving at noon was great with good commentaries along the way and two meals included. During our last stay at the Lakefront Hotel in Anchorage we watched sea planes take off while sitting eating breakfast.
Alaska Train travel is unsurpassed when it come to traveling the interior. Highly recommend.
University of Alaska Fairbanks
11. University of Alaska Fairbanks
4.2
(83)
Public university
Sights & Landmarks
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Great campus. Has a lot of cool trails behind the dorms. The woods center has some pretty good food to.
I had straight A's in my upper division courses last semester over 99%. And I'm not allowed to take summer courses which I enrolled in and were supposed to start today because of some harassment by the Staff at Kodiak College. I reached out to ORCA through UAF and still have a hold on my account. Looks like I'm going to a different College. I'm going to have to take legal action. Don't trust UAF or Kodiak College, they don't care about their students not even the successful ones.
I really like this school! Alaska is a unique place and have always wanted to visit, but as Alaska's flagship school, UAF has many graduate-level programs I'm interested in! Fun fact, it's where students stand in front of the sign in summer clothes when it's minus 40 outside!
It's a good university with a great faculty and facilities 😊👍
They have a great Emergency Management Program and I love how involved the professors are with their students. They really want you to do well. The cost is reasonable. I have to take extra classes to graduate (as a transfer student) but no regrets here. Also, there is great scholarship opportunities here.
Good for the right programs, I guess. If engineering or the natural sciences are your jam, you might try this university, because that's where the money and attention are going. Excellent French program and some good art courses, but some of the programs feel weak or neglected, and overall the classes are extremely hit or miss. I've taken some truly underwhelming courses here and am looking forward to finishing my degree (not in engineering or natural sciences) someplace else. All that said, it's generally a friendly campus that attracts an interesting mix of people. While many of the older buildings are ugly, the campus itself can be really pretty, and the shuttle between the parking lots, upper campus, and lower campus is a welcome support in the cold dark of winter.
Not very amazing. The campus is built on a hill, so getting around is pretty grating, and everything is spaced out so dully. It's a bit of a pain to get everything set up, seeing as how you have to use not one--not two--not even three--but essentially four websites to get up and moving at this university. Fees are handled as a joke, too. For example: You didn't fill out some seminar that you might have, just possibly could have gotten a spam email about? Gotta pay $100 or you'll be dropped from all your classes with nothing but a day's notice. Tough luck, right? Don't even get me started on the controversies surrounding this place recently. Title IX is NOT held up here, and serious sexual assault issues never get properly resolved. Being completely honest, it's not very safe here. Despite the shortcomings, the overall atmosphere of UAF can be soothe at times, whenever you decide to sit down somewhere between classes, but as far as universities go, you're better off elsewhere. I'd suggest you absolutely use the Study Abroad support this place has if you get roped into being a student here.
UAF is my hometown university. I went to West Valley high school just down the road, and I never once thought that my time at UAF would be how it is.I absolutely love it! It's college, so you are in charge of yourself. If funding, advising, etc isn't simple, you have to work hard and continuously work to get it. I love my degree program (Wildlife Biology), and think it is very strong. I also got an amazing student job at Outdoor Adventures, leading people into Alaska's wilderness rafting, hiking, ice climbing, and more while getting paid! On top of that, I really enjoy our gym and recreation, and have played intramural hockey almost every year. I'm proud to be a Nanook. I have omitted 1 star because of small faculty issues I have faced, and the fact that I have not attended another university to compare to UAF.
Chena River Wayside
12. Chena River Wayside
4.0
(89)
Permanently Closed
Campground
Nature & Parks
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Good campground. Sites with electric and water for $30. Just electric $25. no hookups $20. Swings for kids. Right by Fred Meyer and Safeway. No showers but flush toilet and sinks with running water. Laundromat with showers about a mile away. Kids loved watching the airplanes.
They have rental boats, people bring their boats as well. There is an island you can boat out to and camp. Its a great place to chill with friends and family.
Nice campground with some rather spacious sites. The sites are set up in the trees, so it feels like a forrested campground away from everything until a plane flies low overhead as it lands at the nearby airport. You can hear some road noise, but it didn't seem excessive. Access to the river, a nature trail, some bike paths and a swingset. Very close to town (even had a pizza delivered to our site) for essentials, yet has a very natural setting complete with firepit and picnic table. Sites are not reservable, so we paid $20 for a site with no hook ups the first night and then moved to a site with water and electric the next day for $30 per night. A dump station is also available for $10.
Good campsite. Fair prices. Wifi worked until 11pm and then didn't work the rest of time even as we left. Works best near washrooms when working. Disappointing since we are not local and didn't have a data plan and needed it to research what we were going to do in the area. Site was ok. All sites were full. Random couch in site and picnic table was a bit dirty. We didn't use a power site. No showers close by. Lots of washrooms. Good bike riding for kids. No playground. Kids had fun. I'm going to assume the internet broke for the night. If this wasn't a regular thing would definitely stay again. All other local rv parks were shoe boxes in comparison to the space we got here and shade and trees. So that was nice. Near airstrip so a bit noisy but anywhere near there is
The campgrounds are nice and the price is very affordable, I wish that they had a noise curfew however. We had planned for a 3 night stay at the campgrounds but halfway through the first night we were constantly awakened by the loud noises of a number of the nearby campers. Around 1:30am we packed it all up and left for a hotel instead, so much for a relaxing weekend of camping with the family. Other than that the grounds were great; clean sites, well cleaned and maintained restroom facilities. I won't be staying here again unfortunately the noise was just too much for us to handle.
I was here today and they habe now closed camping in this park. Park opens at 7 AM and closes at 1100.
Not a clean campsite at all, we arrived at 8:30 pm pulled into sight, paid right away then went to set up. The fire pit and surrounding areas of the sight we loaded with trash liquor bottles beer cans and further more over 4 dozen cigarette butts everywhere. The worst thing however was finding a drug needle. So all I am going to say is the host of that campsite isn't doing his job of maintaining the campsite or the park management isn't really managing this Fairbanks campground to well. I don't have children but I do have a dog that walks around and could step all over broken glass and a needle. Luckily there was a broken rake around for me to spend my first hour of being at this campsite cleaning it up before I could actually sit and relax. Campsite # 56. Dates 8/8/19- 8/9/19. Not a good rating from us. Quite annoyed really that we paid for 2 days from the start. We had been at previous state campgrounds that were immaculately clean. A full 5 stars for the finger lakes hosts.
At first we thought this place was great, a little noisy from the highway but the campsites were big and spaced far apart. Then when walking the dogs, we started noticing the people hanging around. At first it was in the day use area but later they would drive into an empty campsite and sit in the car for awhile and then leave. Doesn't make you want to be walking around alone. a police car cruised through once but I wish they would come more often. Something going on here, probably drugs.
Large Animal Research Station
13. Large Animal Research Station
4.6
(96)
Research institute
Sights & Landmarks
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What a great place to look for the northern lights. The university has a livecam watching for the auroras that you could track for activity. Went 3 nights, saw lights all 3 nights and 2 of the nights we saw the lights dance a bunch 🌌✨️
Such a cool tour, learned so much about the reindeer and muskoxen and got a glimpse of the bison. Highly recommend!
We had a great time on the $20 tour. Got to see male musk ox, reindeer w/ babies, and 2 mama musk ox w/their babies. There were also male reindeer and wood bison on the research farm. Nice little gift shop - when you buy something at least the profits go toward the program
We loved our tour of LARS! Emma was a fantastic guide and we learned a lot about the reindeer, musk ox, and wood bison. All the animals seemed happy and well taken care of! Would 100% recommend visiting if you are in Fairbanks!
We went on this guided tour on August. It was very informative. Our guide had very good knowledge of these animals. She explained very well about their differences and their relationships and also their food habits. The guide also explained how these animals cope up with the weather. They also have the animal's skull, skin etc to touch and feel. The skulls are very heavy to lift. I highly recommend this tour which helps kids and adults to gain knowledge on these animals.
Informative, enthusiastic tour guide and opportunity for up-close views of musk ox, reindeer and bison! My kids especially enjoyed the show-and-tell room with its horns & antlers... would definitely recommend to visitors in the Fairbanks area!!
Went on a tour with my 1 year old son! It was very reasonably priced as well as super fun and the guys was very knowledgeable. It was 11$ for me and my little guy was free and lasted about an hour and a half. We got to see Musk Ox Males and Female and also their babies. We also got to see reindeer and their babies. It was a great experience that I really am glad we did. The trail was easy and we were able to take our stroller on it.
Fantastic stop. There is a nice short self guided tour that you can take for free to see the wood bison and fire history. You can also walk in the yard and see the musk ox for free, despite what any Great American Busybodies might tell you. There is also a paid guided tour you can take.
Co Op Plaza Downtown, Fairbanks AK
14. Co Op Plaza Downtown, Fairbanks AK
4.4
(133)
Shopping mall
Sights & Landmarks
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This is an awesome spot with some cool little stores. The old museum was pretty awesome and has some good history. There is no admission and it is located downtown Fairbanks. I really enjoyed coming in here. They also have a Cafe. I didn't try it but it looked good. I wish the knife store would have been opened.
This co-op mall is very unique, featuring various shops and stores. It also includes numerous animal displays. Additionally, there's a free museum on the top floor, making it a great place to spend time in downtown Fairbanks.
So much to see, so little time.
Street parking sucks here. It's confusing with too many signs so its really easy to get a parking ticket; they are militant about enforcing the rules. We messed up, got a ticket, and never went back to downtown Fairbanks for the 3 additional days we stayed. $44 ticket cost $$$ in sales. The building interior needs a major overhaul, it's in terrible shape. Store reviews: Soba was great and food was hearty; 2Art was nice orderly and pleasant; the other souvenir shop was nice; the museum was meh and Terry's was way overpriced and overcrowded.
Great shipping in downtown Fairbanks, also great food and coffee! Be sure to check out the Gold Rush and Iditarod museums!! Easy parking too! This is somewhere is definitely visit again and recommend to others. It's really a place the whole family can enjoy!
Great little shopping mall with my favorite stores: The Bow Tree, Sev’s and many more interesting and worthwhile seeing shops
What a quaint and fun place to visit. Lots of eclectic stores to see. They are closed on Sundays..
I love love love history and the free small walk through museums were nice. I love that they had art from local artists as well. The lady who works at the dog mushing museum needs a raise hahaha. I would definitely come back. The cafe downstairs has tea and coffee that is BETTER than any chain coffee store (STARBUCKS/Coffee or tea/ Dunkin donuts/ 🤮) I loved my london fog early grey and tuna melt. I love that there's a cool knife shop, and a European store for groceries. I love it!!!
Steese Highway Aurora Viewpoint
15. Steese Highway Aurora Viewpoint
3.9
(12)
Permanently Closed
Sights & Landmarks
Scenic Drives
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You can see the northern lights very good!! Only problem is very crowded!! A lots of people and cars lights is a big issue!!!
This location is superior to Cleary Summit and is a hidden gem. Those who rated it poorly may have encountered the parking area not plowed. If the DOT or nearby landowner doesn't plow it, then it may be difficult. In this location there are fewer or no other cars, no streetlights, no tourists, and fewer to no bushes and trees in the way. I always go here when I say I am headed to Cleary. Cleary Summit is an unfortunate zoo with too many tall trees, obnoxious people, and lights.
Definitely a better spot to see than the dome because there's no trees in the way, but there's nowhere to park so it's not exactly safe to stop here, unfortunately.
Awesome spot to see aurora. The key thing to get a higher success rate is to make sure the night is not cloudy and a high kp index.
Dangerous with accumulated snow. Drive safely. View is nice.
No pullover or parking area. Go to Cleary Summit Aurora Viewing Area instead
Good view but no place to stop or park.
Georgeson Botanical Garden
16. Georgeson Botanical Garden
4.7
(601)
Botanical garden
Nature & Parks
Calm spot highlighting native & introduced plants, plus picnic areas & a kids' garden with a maze.
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Great place to spend a couple of minutes or the whole day. Loved all the variety of flowers and berries. The experimental farming for the cold climate was very informative on how the university is working with the high latitudes and long sunlight. Good place for kids!
On my visit September 4, 2025 it was late in the year and not very much in bloom. There were some flowers but not many. It is a very nice property and well laid out. Not too large but a nice simple walk. I’m sure it is stunning in season and full bloom. Also Google maps got me close but I missed the sign as the garden is smaller print under the “Fairbanks Experiment Farm” that’s the spot. I would suggest a visit but during a better time of year.
Amazing garden to lose yourself in. Oh and they even have a Hedge Maze which was an Eagle Scout project for Boy Scouts. Beautiful paths, wheelchair accessible, lots of shade. Bring a picnic and really enjoy this beautiful setting
Very nice walk. Well maintained. We were there in mid Sept 25, weather was warm. Some comments were that it was too late to see the flowers/blooms but we found it a nice walk and interesting layout.
This was a very nice surprise. Went to see what the gardens looked like and there was multiple parts to walk through and enjoy. They have areas to sit so you can relax and enjoy the gardens. They have a qr code you can scan to make a suggested donation easier for everyone. I would encourage people to go and enjoy a casual walk.
This is a small but very interesting. Botanical garden in Fairbanks, Alaska. Although I was there after the garden had started to close for the season, there were still a number of flowers blooming and it was nice to be able to see the research projects that they have ongoing. There were lots of informative signs around the gardens and based on the vegetation that I saw, I'm sure it is beautiful in the summertime
It's a pretty botanical garden with a good variety of plants. There is a $8 suggested donation and it can be paid by cash or card via a QR code. This is a great spot for a nice stroll when the weather is nice.
This place is soo beautiful. Well maintained. Peaceful. Children and all ages love it. Well marked. Plants identified places to sit take it all in, meditate just relax. Love the water. Just a few pictures . More to see

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