A handy guide for what to do in Fairbanks, Alaska all summer long! Thai food, an ice museum, sled dogs, walking reindeer and so much more.
This was my first time in Alaska. It was the 49th state I’ve visited, which is pretty crazy! I wasn’t sure what to expect, but Fairbanks turned out to be the perfect home base for our Alaskan adventure. They have a great food scene with lots of attractions, friendly locals and great access to nature. It’s also really easy to get to Denali National Park from Fairbanks.
When the weather forecast predicted temperatures in the 70’s, I was skeptical. Would I really be wearing sundresses in Alaska? We had absolutely amazing weather every day. We also had nearly 24 hours of daylight.
Read on for my guide to Fairbanks, Alaska!
Land of the Midnight Sun
One of the most unique things about our trip was experiencing the “midnight sun”. Even though it wasn’t the solstice, there was nearly 24 hours of daylight during our trip in early June. Sunset was around midnight and sunrise began again around 2 am. Luckily, the hotels are prepared with thick shades and blackout curtains. The hardest thing was remembering to go to sleep! I was still wide awake at midnight most nights. Traveling with earplugs and an eye mask was helpful to convince my body it was time to sleep.
Northern Lights in Alaska
The northern lights actually occur year-round, but with all the daylight in the summer you can’t see them from Earth. There is a chance you can see them in late August through April, but the best months are in the middle of winter when it is the darkest. Explore Fairbanks has an aurora tracker and prediction map, so check out their website for more information.
Visit the Fairbanks Visitor Center
Fairbanks has the best Visitor’s Center I’ve ever seen. It has a huge museum that goes through Fairbanks’ history and culture, an auditorium for special events, and a gift shop where you can buy souvenirs. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable. It’s the perfect starting point for your visit to Fairbanks.
Near the Fairbanks Visitor’s Center is a popular photo op – the famous antler arch. The arch is made up of over 100 sets of antlers from all over Interior Alaska.
Fairbanks Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center
101 Dunkel Street
Fairbanks, AK 99701
https://www.morristhompsoncenter.org/
Sled Dog Tours & Kennel in Fairbanks
A trip to Fairbanks isn’t complete without meeting a few sled dogs. These working animals are literally born to run. They’re full of energy and you can tell that they love every minute of their work running and pulling sleds. Visiting the Paws for Adventure Kennel was such a treat. Even though we missed the opportunity to sled, a summer visit means puppies!! These sled dogs in training are already getting started by learning to socialize and follow the pack.
Paws for Adventure was started by Leslie Goodwin-Williams. She has over 60 dogs and spends her winters teaching mushing and doing sled dog tours. Visits to the kennel are by appointment only.
Paws for Adventure Sled Dog Tours & Kennel
Herning Road
Fairbanks, Alaska 99712
https://www.pawsforadventure.com/
Running Reindeer Ranch Fairbanks
If you’re lucky, during your time in Alaska you’ll see caribou out in the wild. We saw many when we we were in Denali National Park. Caribou and reindeer are very similar. Reindeer are domesticated livestock, whereas caribou are wild. Reindeer meat is a staple in Alaska. It is very lean and is often mixed with other meats when making sausage and meatballs. Steak made from reindeer meat has to be expertly prepared in order to really be enjoyed!
The Reindeer at Running Reindeer Ranch are pets, not food. The ranch is owned by Doug and Jane. The first reindeer started as an obsession by their daughter, who raised money to buy two reindeer for a 4-H project. She’s now grown up, but Dough and Jane continue to do reindeer walks for visitors to the ranch. You get to meet the herd and take a short walk around the property with them. The babies are shy, but most of the older reindeer were fairly tame. They were shedding their winter hair when we visited so they appreciated the huge clumps of hair being removed when they were petted. Plan on wearing comfortable shoes that you don’t mind getting muddy.
Running Reindeer Ranch Fairbanks
1470 Ivans Alley
Fairbanks, AK 99709
https://runningreindeer.com/
Best Thai Food Restaurant Fairbanks, Alaska
I never would have guessed Fairbanks, Alaska has an amazing Thai food scene. There are close to 20 Thai restaurants in this town of 31,000! It seems people are split between two favorite restaurants – Lemongrass Thai and Thai House. Our meal at Lemongrass was definitely some of the best Thai food I’ve had outside of Thailand. They have mainly Northern Thailand food. I was stoked to get Kao Soi, a coconut curry soup topped with crispy egg noodles. Every dish we tried was delicious and beautifully plated. A trip to Fairbanks isn’t complete without a stop for Thai food somewhere in the city!
Lemongrass Thai Restaurant Fairbanks
388 Old Chena Pump Road
Fairbanks, AK 99709
https://www.lemongrassalaska.com/
The Pump House Restaurant Review
As soon as you walk in to The Pump House, you know you are in for a treat. The Pump House decor is inspired by the 1890’s Gold Rush. All the furnishings are authentic and some are over 150 years old. One of the pool tables was built in 1898! In addition to the ornate interiors, there is also a deck that overlooks the Chena River.
The Pump House food is very Alaskan. You’ll find reindeer meatballs, fish and lots and lots of meat in all forms. All the salmon is Alaskan. Their house-smoked salmon was Pat’s favorite thing he ate on the trip. He couldn’t stop raving about it!
They also hold the claim of “The World’s Most Northern Oyster Bar” with oysters flown in fresh multiple times per week. I highly recommend their Alaskan seafood platter, which I’m holding in the above photo. It has fresh crab, shrimp, oysters, steamed clams and house-smoked salmon on it.
Oh and don’t forget dessert:
The Pump House Restaurant Fairbanks
796 Chena Pump Road
Fairbanks, Alaska 99709
https://pumphouse.com/
Tanana Valley Farmers Market Fairbanks
Fairbanks has a great farmers market on Wednesdays and Saturdays. You’ll find everything from homemade crafts to jewelry to local food. Vendors sell everything from Thai food to reindeer hot dogs. Entertainment during our visit was provided by Serevende Marimba Ensemble of Fairbanks. Those ladies (and one dude) really know how to rock! 🙂
Tanana Valley Farmers Market
2600 College Road
Fairbanks, AK 99709
https://www.tvfmarket.com/
Take a Plane from Fairbanks to the Arctic Circle
If crossing the Arctic Circle is on your Alaska bucket list, consider doing the trip by plane! We loved seeing an aerial view of Alaska and the Brooks Mountain Range. Our plane seated ten and our pilot did a great job of pointing out the sites during the 45-minute flight. I’ve never flown in a small plane before and this was definitely something worth checking off the bucket list!
We landed at Coldfoot and grabbed a beer at the Northernmost Bar in the World. The 10-hour drive back down the Dalton Highway to Fairbanks along the Trans Alaska Pipeline was interesting, but definitely something I wouldn’t want to do again. It’s a long, slow bumpy bus ride.
Northern Alaska Tour Company Arctic Circle Flights
P.O. Box 82991-W
Fairbanks, Alaska 99708
http://www.northernalaska.com/arctic-circle-fly-drive/
Georgeson Botanical Garden at University of Alaska
Nature is on display at Fairbanks’ Georgeson Botanical Garden in the summer! The garden started as a place to learn which crops grow best and improve crop production in Alaskan conditions. Now it’s open for the public to enjoy and share its knowledge, free of charge. It’s also an amazing place to wander, taking in the sites and smells.
When we visited in June, the entire garden was in bloom. There were honeybees everywhere and the lilacs were so fragrant. It’s a great place to find a shady spot to read a book or just enjoy being in nature. They also sometimes have the abnormally large flowers and vegetables that come from having 24 hours of sunshine in the summer. Group tours are available for $10 per person. A donation of $5 is suggested if you visit.
Georgeson Botanical Garden
2178 W Tanana Drive
Fairbanks, AK 99709
https://www.georgesonbotanicalgarden.org/
Chena Hot Springs Resort Review
Chena Hot Springs Resort is located about an hour outside of Fairbanks. The resort is owned by Bernie Karl. He is a fascinating man who made his fortune with a variety of endeavors from building the Trans-Alaska Pipeline to mining. He purchased Chena Hot Springs from the Alaskan government in 1998 and has spent the last two decades turning it into the resort of his dreams.
There are dozens of projects in various stages of completion throughout the property, from livestock to ATV tours to an espresso bar (complete with snow cone maker), and of course the famous Chena Hot Springs Ice Museum. More on that below!
Bernie is also passionate about the environment and is always looking for ways to make the resort more sustainable and eco-friendly. Geothermal energy provides heat for the resort and also keeps the ice museum cool even in the hot Alaskan summers.
Chena Hot Springs Resorts Rooms
Although they are slightly outdated, the rooms at Chena are clean and comfortable. Our room was very hot in the summer and there isn’t air conditioning, but the front desk was kind enough to provide us with an extra fan.
The resort has many, many activities most of which require a significant extra fee. You can go horseback riding, ATV touring, canoeing, and even a plane ride above the arctic circle.
The highlight of the resort is the hot springs! The water is clear and clean with only a modest sulfur smell. It’s connected to a pool house that has an indoor warm pool that is meant for families. Admission to the hot springs is free if you rent a room and there are day passes available. The resort is also a hot spot for northern lights viewing in the winter.
Chena Hot Springs Resort Fairbanks
56.5 Chena Hot Springs Road
Fairbanks, AK 99712
https://chenahotsprings.com/
Chena Hot Springs Resort Ice Museum & Bar
One of the strangest experiences during our trip to Fairbanks was the Ice Museum & Bar at Chena Hot Springs. A huge warehouse has been converted into a literal ice palace. The ice museum is open year-round and was created from over 1,000 tons of ice and snow harvested at the resort. The ice museum stays a cool 25° Fahrenheit year-round. The entire building is decorated with giant ice sculptures and lighted displays.
You’re given a winter coat when you arrive and invited to cozy up to the bar for one of their signature Appletinis – aka straight Apple Pucker and vodka. The appletinis are served in an actual ice glass which makes the $15 cocktail price totally worth it.
Chena Hot Springs Resort Ice Museum & Bar
56.5 Chena Hot Springs Road
Fairbanks, AK 99712
https://chenahotsprings.com/icemuseum
Where to Go Antique Shopping in Fairbanks
I love checking out local antique stores when we travel. They are the best place to find unique photography props and such fun souvenirs. On the advice of a local, we visited Thriftiques. The store is made up of several stalls owned by different vendors. The selection was excellent despite its modest size. I found some beautiful vintage cameras for my collection. I also snagged a few other odds and ends that I can’t wait to work into my photography soon!
Thriftiques Antique Store Fairbanks
825 1st Avenue
Fairbanks, AK 99701
Fairbanks Fountainhead Antique Car Museum
The Fairbanks Fountainhead Antique Car Museum has an incredible collection of antique cars. Their collection is undoubtedly one of the best in the world. Nearly 100 cars have been meticulously cared for and are on display in the museum.
Some of the cars are the last of their kind in the world. They also have a few car models that are the only ones of their kind ever built. All but three of the autos in the collection are operable!
Also on display are period costumes next to the cars. I could definitely picture myself wearing a few of the fabulous old dresses! Guided tours are available but must be scheduled in advance.
Fairbanks Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum
212 Wedgewood Drive
Fairbanks, AK 99701
https://www.fountainheadmuseum.com/
Hot Licks Ice Cream Fairbanks
Before this trip, I never pictured myself craving ice cream in Alaska! We had such amazing weather on our trip I could have eaten ice cream every day! When we asked for recommendations, we heard the same place over and over again – the best ice cream in Fairbanks is Hot Licks! It was pretty surreal standing in line for ice cream at 10 p.m. with the sun still shining brightly overhead. Definitely a highlight of the trip.
Hot Licks ice cream is made by the batch, twenty quarts at a time, instead of thousands of gallons at a time like big brands. Small batches mean good quality as well as lots of fun flavors! They use premium, all-natural ingredients like wild Alaska berries, gourmet chocolate, and real vanilla. You can tell in the taste!
Hot Licks Ice Cream Fairbanks
3453 College Road
Fairbanks, AK 99709
https://www.hotlicks.net/
Fairbanks Riverboat Discovery Cruise
A riverboat cruise is a quintessential Fairbanks experience. The cruise is incredibly touristy, but still absolutely worth doing to learn more about the history of Fairbanks. The giant riverboat is very beautifully restored. The man who narrated the trip was an amazing storyteller. He did a great job at keeping things lively and telling the jokes that I’m sure he’s told a thousand times in a way that made them seem fresh.
As you wind down the river, you’ll see presentations on how salmon is caught and smoked.
You’ll also see the sled dogs of Dave Monson, husband of one of the most famous Iditarod racers of all time, Susan Butcher. Susan died of leukemia in 2006, but Dave still carries on her legacy by training and racing the dogs. There were puppies when we visited. It was so much fun to see the little rascals “training” but running over small obstacles in exchange for treats. The adult dogs pull an ATV and are rewarded with a refreshing swim in the Chena river.
At the halfway point is a walking tour of a mock Chena Indian Village. Short talks highlight how the Alaskan indigenous people survived the harsh conditions and how they are now adapting to village life and Western culture.
Fairbanks Riverboat Discovery Cruise
1975 Discovery Drive
Fairbanks, Alaska 99709
http://riverboatdiscovery.com/
HooDoo Brewery in Fairbanks, Alaska
HooDoo Brewery is definitely a Fairbanks hot spot. The patio was packed when we visited on a warm summer night. We just loved the vibe! No food is available, but a local food truck pulled up next to the patio for people to order from. The beers are delicious! Pat loved his IPA and I had a pale ale.
The people behind HooDoo really seem to care about the community and the environment. HooDoo is the first brewery in Alaska to use a significant amount of solar power for brewery operations. One-third of the power is generated from rooftop solar panels. They also limit the number of beers a person can order in order to (hopefully) cut down on drunk driving, which is amazing!
Free brewery tours are available on Saturdays at 4 pm. Sign up by calling 907-459-2337 (BEER) or in person.
HooDoo Brewery Fairbanks
1951 Fox Avenue
Fairbanks, AK 99701
http://www.hoodoobrew.com/
Fairbanks All You Can Eat Alaska Salmon Bake
The all-you-care-to-eat Alaska Salmon Bake runs from May to September. This Fairbanks tradition was started by a 4th generation Alaskan in 1979. Many of the recipes served are the same ones that were passed down his family. Three generations of the family still work at the bake!
As you might suspect from the all-you-can-eat status, this won’t be the best salmon you’ll eat in Alaska, but it might be the most fun! All the fish is cooked right before your eyes and served hot off the grill. The array of side dishes and salad bar can only be described as extensive. I can see why this has become a Fairbanks tradition.
Alaska Salmon Bake at Pioneer Park
2300 Airport Way
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701
http://www.akvisit.com/
University of Alaska Museum of the North
Fairbanks, Alaska has an unbelievable art and natural history museum. The University of Alaska Museum of the North is a fascinating way to spend a day during your visit to Fairbanks. The museum has 2.2 million artifacts and specimens. You’ll find archaeology, birds, film, earth sciences, history, fine arts, marine life, insects, mammals and plants in the collection. They are also actively assisting with research on climate change, genetics, and pollution.
The Museum of the North is also the home of the famous Blue Babe, the 50,000-year-old mummified steppe bison. She was immaculately preserved in the Alaskan permafrost since the Ice Age. Gold minors discovered her in 1979 and donated her to the museum.
University of Alaska Museum of the North
1962 Yukon Drive
Fairbanks, AK 99775
https://www.uaf.edu/museum/
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