Fun things to do
Chena Hot Springs is one of the best ways to enjoy Alaska's winter. My wife and I like to go here in January, when temps often dip down to -20 degrees Fahrenheit. You can enjoy the frozen Alaskan night while remaining completely comfortable in the warm water!
220 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Chena Hot Springs Resort
17600 Chena Hot Springs RdChena Hot Springs is one of the best ways to enjoy Alaska's winter. My wife and I like to go here in January, when temps often dip down to -20 degrees Fahrenheit. You can enjoy the frozen Alaskan night while remaining completely comfortable in the warm water!
In the Summer, there is "music in the garden", where you just lounge around in the grass with the reindeer. You can pet them and everything! I think there is also "reindeer yoga" which is probably as ridiculous as it sounds (in a good way).
I believe you can walk with the reindeer year-round.
30 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Running Reindeer Ranch
1470 Ivans AlleyIn the Summer, there is "music in the garden", where you just lounge around in the grass with the reindeer. You can pet them and everything! I think there is also "reindeer yoga" which is probably as ridiculous as it sounds (in a good way).
I believe you can walk with the reindeer year-round.
Grapefruit Rocks
Elliott HighwayGreat place to take the kiddos on a cold day. The Museum has lots to do including sensory play, imaginative play, lots of books, and an AMAZING tree house. The target audience is 7m-9yrs but honestly it’s a pretty grand time for all ages.
21 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Fairbanks Children's Museum
302 Cushman StGreat place to take the kiddos on a cold day. The Museum has lots to do including sensory play, imaginative play, lots of books, and an AMAZING tree house. The target audience is 7m-9yrs but honestly it’s a pretty grand time for all ages.
Take a peaceful walk in the Botanical Garden, lots of benches to tuck yourself away, or let the kids get their toes in the dirt at the playhouse.
38 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Georgeson Botanical Garden
2180 W Tanana DrTake a peaceful walk in the Botanical Garden, lots of benches to tuck yourself away, or let the kids get their toes in the dirt at the playhouse.
“LARS” as we call it is fun for all ages, learn about Muskox and Reindeer, and visit the gift shop. Tours are about $13 dollars are are conducted at 10am, 12pm, & 2pm
56 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Large Animal Research Station
2220 Yankovich Rd“LARS” as we call it is fun for all ages, learn about Muskox and Reindeer, and visit the gift shop. Tours are about $13 dollars are are conducted at 10am, 12pm, & 2pm
Iziko leNtshona
1962 Yukon DrWeeks Field / Wien Park
805 Smythe StreetGreat little park to walk your ferret in.
The location of the World Ice Carving Championships is The Ice Park opening up in February around Valentine’s Day. Between the impressive sculptures and the thrilling ice slides it is an absolute blast no matter who you are.
16 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
George Horner Ice Park
3574 Phillips Field RoadThe location of the World Ice Carving Championships is The Ice Park opening up in February around Valentine’s Day. Between the impressive sculptures and the thrilling ice slides it is an absolute blast no matter who you are.
Cozy up to the fire with a book, or join in for story time.
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Barnes & Noble
421 Merhar AveCozy up to the fire with a book, or join in for story time.
UAF Sled Hill
Popular sledding hill, not for the faint of heart (pretty steep & fast) but especially fun for older kids (or adults)
1910 Tanana Loop E
1910 Tanana Loop EastUAF Sled Hill
Popular sledding hill, not for the faint of heart (pretty steep & fast) but especially fun for older kids (or adults)
Table Top Mountain
Goldstream Valley Bike Park
Cute little park, field, and playground equipment
Fairbanks Dog Park
1890 2nd Ave2025 Yukon Dr
2025 Yukon DriveUAF Disk Golf Course
Angel Rocks Trailhead
15450 Chena Hot Springs RdStop by the Karella’s gift shop to get your picture with the park’s bffs.
126 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pioneer Park
2300 Airport WayStop by the Karella’s gift shop to get your picture with the park’s bffs.
Forget-Me-Not Books
517 Gaffney RoadReasonably priced used book store
Fly Trampoline Park
747 Old Richardson HighwayPerfect place for kids to get all their energy out
Looking for locally made souvenirs? The Knapp’s family owned gift shop is the place for you! Just look for the Mammoth out front 😉
Mark Knapp Custom Knives
1971 Fox AveLooking for locally made souvenirs? The Knapp’s family owned gift shop is the place for you! Just look for the Mammoth out front 😉
South Cushman Shooting Range
Rifle Range LaneHome to the University of Alaska at Fairbanks Nanook Hockey team
8 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Carlson Center
2010 2nd AveHome to the University of Alaska at Fairbanks Nanook Hockey team
Wood Center
505 S ChandalarEster Community Park
3566 Old Nenana HighwayNice little park located outside of town, community use bikes provided.
Regal Goldstream & IMAX
1855 Airport WayPrivate conference rooms, cozy chairs, peace and quiet, amazing kids section, what more could you want?
Noel Wien Public Library
1215 Cowles StPrivate conference rooms, cozy chairs, peace and quiet, amazing kids section, what more could you want?
Great church, very welcoming to newcomers/people just passing through. Amazing kids programs
True North Church
2830 Airport WayGreat church, very welcoming to newcomers/people just passing through. Amazing kids programs
Wickersham Dome
Sightseeing
One of the less known hiking trails in the Fairbanks Area, Skyline Ridge lies just to the north of town. Not a very challenging hike. Especially beautiful in September, as the pictures show!
Skyline Ridge Park Trailhead
1199-801 Mia StreetOne of the less known hiking trails in the Fairbanks Area, Skyline Ridge lies just to the north of town. Not a very challenging hike. Especially beautiful in September, as the pictures show!
Great place for an evening walk, and it's only about a 10-minute drive from our place. We love to go here for a hassle-free getaway from the business of our lives.
121 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge
1300 College RdGreat place for an evening walk, and it's only about a 10-minute drive from our place. We love to go here for a hassle-free getaway from the business of our lives.
Very accessible and beautiful network of trails. There is even a lake somewhere in there. Make sure to wear waterproof boots in the spring!
8 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
UAF Trail System
Very accessible and beautiful network of trails. There is even a lake somewhere in there. Make sure to wear waterproof boots in the spring!
A very QUERKY experience, tours start on the hour, if you want to skip the extremely long poor quality slideshow come 15-20 mins after the hour. You get a fun little tour, & ice carving demonstration.
28 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Fairbanks Ice Museum
500 2nd AveA very QUERKY experience, tours start on the hour, if you want to skip the extremely long poor quality slideshow come 15-20 mins after the hour. You get a fun little tour, & ice carving demonstration.
Meet Santa’s reindeer, visit the gift shop, play on some ice slides, it’s a good time 👍🏼
133 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Indlu kaSanta Claus
101 St Nicholas DrMeet Santa’s reindeer, visit the gift shop, play on some ice slides, it’s a good time 👍🏼
Food scene
By far our favorite pizza place, with an atmosphere that feels distinctly Alaska. Enjoy some creative pizzas while looking out over Fairbanks' East Ramp, where bush planes land and take off.
18 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
East Ramp Wood Fired Pizza
3788 University Ave SBy far our favorite pizza place, with an atmosphere that feels distinctly Alaska. Enjoy some creative pizzas while looking out over Fairbanks' East Ramp, where bush planes land and take off.
Awesome Hoagies, my personal favorite is the Po-Boy
21 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Friar Tuck's Hoagie House
427 Merhar AveAwesome Hoagies, my personal favorite is the Po-Boy
Very popular lunch location, and for good reason: it’s freaking yummy
45 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Crepery
523 2nd AveVery popular lunch location, and for good reason: it’s freaking yummy
Venue
519 2nd AveRiver City Cafe
535 2nd AvenueLittle Owl Café
1755 Westwood WayMcCafferty's, A Coffee House, Etc.
408 N Cushman StPho House
400 College RdNeighborhoods
We are incredibly blessed by 2nd Avenue. It is a five-minute walk north, and there is a good stretch of path that winds along the river there. There is more than one spot to drop down and enjoy the water, which very rarely freezes over. I go here all the time!
2nd Avenue
2nd AvenueWe are incredibly blessed by 2nd Avenue. It is a five-minute walk north, and there is a good stretch of path that winds along the river there. There is more than one spot to drop down and enjoy the water, which very rarely freezes over. I go here all the time!
Our AirBnB is so close to downtown, you should check it out! Lots of cool little shops, but my favorite things are the coffee shops.
There may be more, but I know of four awesome shops.
1. The Crepery - This is THE place in downtown Fairbanks. My wife really likes this place. It's more of a restaurant than a coffee shop, and I definitely do not go here to do homework.
2. McCafferties - The polar opposite of the Crepery, I am often the only person in here. McCafferties is quiet, cozy, and makes great coffee.
3. River City Cafe - My personal favorite, me and my teen go here to play chess. It is in the middle of an indoor mall, which even has a free museum in it. You could spend a while here.
4. Venue - You feel very fancy when you go here. There is unique art hung up everywhere. I think you can get beer here, too?! Super cool and one-of-a-kind.
17 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Downtown Area
Our AirBnB is so close to downtown, you should check it out! Lots of cool little shops, but my favorite things are the coffee shops.
There may be more, but I know of four awesome shops.
1. The Crepery - This is THE place in downtown Fairbanks. My wife really likes this place. It's more of a restaurant than a coffee shop, and I definitely do not go here to do homework.
2. McCafferties - The polar opposite of the Crepery, I am often the only person in here. McCafferties is quiet, cozy, and makes great coffee.
3. River City Cafe - My personal favorite, me and my teen go here to play chess. It is in the middle of an indoor mall, which even has a free museum in it. You could spend a while here.
4. Venue - You feel very fancy when you go here. There is unique art hung up everywhere. I think you can get beer here, too?! Super cool and one-of-a-kind.