While Fairbanks, Alaska, is a common post-cruise excursion for those looking to further explore the state’s inland offerings, one could easily spend an entire vacation here. Being a dynamic city with four distinct seasons, activities during the spring, summer, fall, and winter each look vastly different from one another. Even so, the charming small businesses, kind people, and proximity to wilderness that you will find in Fairbanks provide an underlying integrity to the city that will keep you coming back for more.
This story was created in partnership with Explore Fairbanks.
You First Day in Fairbanks, Alaska
Photo courtesy of Lilliana Moon
Morning
A hearty breakfast at The Crepery will please vegans and carnivores alike, as well as give you the fuel you need for an active first day. Indeed, we recommend starting your time in Fairbanks with an elevated heart rate as you get a sense of your surroundings; many folks swear by exercise to ward off jet lag. Head to the Chena Riverwalk for a self-paced stroll, or take a guided walking tour to learn about the history of Fairbanks. Alternatively, you can rent a bicycle if you prefer to roam around on two wheels. Fat bikes make riding on one of the many local trails possible during the winter, when ice and snow coat the ground. Afterward, chow down on freshly prepared food in a glass solarium at Blue Roof Bistro.
Afternoon
Next up: Take a float down the Chena River with Canoe Alaska, which provides stand up paddle board (SUP), kayak, and canoe rentals, as well as shuttle services. You can opt for either a two-to-three-hour trip or a five-hour trip, both of which provide plenty of opportunities to sight wildlife. Keep a waterproof camera handy for potential encounters with beavers, moose, mink, waterfowl, fox, and muskrats. The longer route starts near the town of North Pole, a side trip worth considering if you are traveling with children. For dinner, delight your palate with authentic Moldovan food at Soba in downtown Fairbanks before unwinding at one of the area’s many hotels, rental properties, or glamping options.
Day Two
Photo courtesy of Mickee McGuire, Explore Fairbanks
Morning
Plan in advance to pick up a few breakfast items like bagels and bananas for this morning. You’ll want to leave quite early, as it’s just over a two-hour drive to Healy and Denali National Park, where you’ll be spending the rest of your day. You could head straight to the park, but we recommend first seeing the local flora and fauna from a unique perspective with Denali Horseback Tours. This small business caters to novice and advanced riders alike, and sleigh rides are available in the winter. After kissing your horse goodbye, grab lunch at a place like Prospector’s Pizzeria & Alehouse before driving five minutes down the road to reach the entrance of Denali National Park.
Afternoon
At long last — if you’ve anxiously been awaiting your chance to visit this iconic national park, turn off all distractions, close your eyes for a moment, and relish the birdsongs and floral aromas that fill the air around you. When you’re ready, board one of the park’s buses, the only vehicles allowed past mile 15 of the park’s solitary road. If you prefer, you can take a narrated bus tour to learn about the scenery from a seasoned naturalist. Transit buses, on the other hand, are ideal if you just want to engage in independent activities, like birdwatching, wildlife photography, or hiking; note that off-trail hiking is the norm in Denali National Park. Once you’ve had your fill (or as much as you can reasonably pack into one day), drive back to Fairbanks. Just before entering town, pick up a quick, yet superb, dinner from Lemongrass, a family-owned, authentic Thai restaurant with a sister location in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Final Day in Fairbanks
Photo courtesy of Explore Fairbanks
Morning
You might still be reeling and recovering from yesterday, so make your way to McCafferty’s for freshly roasted coffee and a breakfast treat. Afterward, visit one of Fairbanks’ intriguing museums. The Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum is always a hit, while the free-to-enter Fairbanks Community Museum houses exhibits on the city’s history. You can also peruse old mining equipment and pan for treasure at Gold Daughters, or drop by the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center to learn about the local Native Alaskan culture.
Next, grab some grub at The Cookie Jar, where you can have a late breakfast or dig into classic lunch items like soup, sandwiches, and quiche. This highly rated restaurant is on the north side of town, not far from your next stop.
Afternoon
Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge is a quiet, 2,200 acre park situated on the grounds of a retired dairy farm. For over a century, the farm area has been a hot spot for migrating waterfowl. If you birdwatch there during the warmer months, you might see birds like herons, sandhill cranes, and golden plovers. Even when most of the birds have gone south for the winter, you can still enjoy the refuge’s multitude of trails open for hiking, cross country skiing, mushing, and skijoring. Several accessibility-friendly trails are available.
Take a scenic drive out of town to spend your last evening in Fairbanks at Chena Hot Springs Resort. Relax in the geothermally heated pools while chatting with fellow travelers. In the winter, you might even catch sight of the aurora borealis from the resort’s outdoor facilities. Upon driving back to Fairbanks, Alaska, stop by Bobby’s Downtown, which serves fantastic Greek cuisine in a fine dining atmosphere.
Not many cities allow you to paddle, hike, ski, and dogsled, but depending on the season, Fairbanks, Alaska, can cater to each one of these interests. It’s the perfect home base to explore Alaska’s interior.
