Fairbanks Travel Guide

Fairbanks is Alaska’s Golden Heart City

A visit to Fairbanks, located in Alaska’s interior, offers a glimpse back in time to its gold rush glory days. Or look back even further to learn about Native culture at the local museums. Our Fairbanks travel guide is designed to cover all aspects of the area’s most historic sightseeing and points of interest. Located just 200 miles from the Arctic Circle and 120 miles from Denali, Fairbanks is a good starting point for touring around the state. And with nearly 24 hours of sunlight in the summer months, you’ll have plenty of time to explore. To experience some of the best Northern Lights viewing, visit between August 21 and April 21.

Points of Interest

  • Chena Hot Springs
  • Chena Riverwalk
  • Creamer's Field
  • Fairbanks International Airport
  • Fairbanks Rail Depot
  • Fountainhead Wedgewood Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Georgeson Botanical Garden
  • Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center
  • Pioneer Air Museum
  • Santa Claus House in North Pole, Alaska
  • Tanana Valley Railroad Museum
  • Trans-Alaska Pipeline
  • University of Alaska Museum of the North

Activities

  • ATVing
  • City tours
  • Dinner theater
  • Gold panning
  • Riverboat tours
  • Sled dog visits
  • Wine & food tasting

Photo Gallery

The glowing green sky of the aurora borealis

Fairbanks is a prime viewing spot for the aurora borealis, or Northern Lights.

A gold panner showing travelers how it's done

Pan for gold in the Golden Heart City at the historic Gold Dredge 8.

The Riverboat Discovery sternwheeler on the Chena River

The Riverboat Discovery sternwheeler on the Chena River

The calm Chena River reflecting the blue sky

The Chena River flows through downtown Fairbanks to the outskirts of the city.

The white, modern structure of the Museum of the North

The University of Alaska Museum of the North holds over 1.5 million artifacts in its collections.

Destination Map

map displaying the tour area

Tours That Feature Fairbanks

Yellow Fairbanks / Denali / Anchorage Rail Tour - 93C 4 Days / 3 Nights - View Itinerary
Peak Rate: $899.00
Yellow Anchorage / Denali / Denali / Fairbanks Rail Tour - 94B 5 Days / 4 Nights - View Itinerary
Peak Rate: $1,149.00
Yellow Fairbanks / Denali / Denali / Anchorage Rail Tour - 94C 5 Days / 4 Nights - View Itinerary
Peak Rate: $1,149.00
Yellow Anchorage / Talkeetna / Denali / Fairbanks Rail Tour - 94I 5 Days / 4 Nights - View Itinerary
Peak Rate: $1,099.00
Yellow Fairbanks / Denali / Talkeetna / Anchorage Rail Tour - 94J 5 Days / 4 Nights - View Itinerary
Peak Rate: $1,099.00
Denali National Park Explorer - Northbound - 3MN 6 Days / 5 Nights - View Itinerary
Save $400 per Couple (May Value): $1,549.00 Value Rate: $1,749.00 Peak Rate: $1,849.00 Save $400 per Couple (Peak): $1,649.00 Save $400 per Couple (Sept Value): $1,549.00
Denali National Park Explorer - Southbound - 3MS 6 Days / 5 Nights - View Itinerary
Save $400 per Couple (May Value): $1,549.00 Value Rate: $1,749.00 Peak Rate: $1,849.00 Save $400 per Couple (Peak): $1,649.00 Save $400 per Couple (Sept Value): $1,549.00
Alaska Highlights Self-Drive - Northbound - 1CF 7 Days / 6 Nights - View Itinerary
Save $400 per Couple (May Value): $1,399.00 Value Rate: $1,599.00 Peak Rate: $1,849.00 Save $400 per Couple (Peak): $1,649.00 Save $400 per Couple (Sept Value): $1,399.00
Alaska Highlights Self-Drive - Southbound - 1CS 7 Days / 6 Nights - View Itinerary
Save $400 per Couple (May Value): $1,399.00 Value Rate: $1,599.00 Peak Rate: $1,849.00 Save $400 per Couple (Peak): $1,649.00 Save $400 per Couple (Sept Value): $1,399.00
Denali - Prince William Sound Explorer - Northbound - 3PN 7 Days / 6 Nights - View Itinerary
Save $400 per Couple (May Value): $1,949.00 Value Rate: $2,149.00 Peak Rate: $2,249.00 Save $400 per Couple (Peak): $2,049.00 Save $400 per Couple (Sept Value): $1,949.00
Denali - Prince William Sound Explorer - Southbound - 3PS 7 Days / 6 Nights - View Itinerary
Save $400 per Couple (May Value): $1,949.00 Value Rate: $2,149.00 Peak Rate: $2,249.00 Save $400 per Couple (Peak): $2,049.00 Save $400 per Couple (Sept Value): $1,949.00
Denali - Talkeetna Explorer - Northbound - 3TN 7 Days / 6 Nights - View Itinerary
Save $400 per Couple (May Value): $1,749.00 Value Rate: $1,949.00 Peak Rate: $2,049.00 Save $400 per Couple (Peak): $1,849.00 Save $400 per Couple (Sept Value): $1,749.00
Denali - Talkeetna Explorer - Southbound - 3TS 7 Days / 6 Nights - View Itinerary
Save $400 per Couple (May Value): $1,749.00 Value Rate: $1,949.00 Peak Rate: $2,049.00 Save $400 per Couple (Peak): $1,849.00 Save $400 per Couple (Sept Value): $1,749.00
Escorted Great Land - 6FS 7 Days / 6 Nights - View Itinerary
Peak Rate: $2,799.00 Save $400 per Couple (Peak): $2,599.00 Save $800 per couple (Jul 4, Aug 1, 29 departures): $2,399.00
Alaska By Car - Northbound - 1CC 8 Days / 7 Nights - View Itinerary
Save $400 per Couple (May Value): $1,649.00 Value Rate: $1,849.00 Peak Rate: $2,149.00 Save $400 per Couple (Peak): $1,949.00 Save $400 per Couple (Sept Value): $1,649.00
Alaska By Car - Southbound - 1CR 8 Days / 7 Nights - View Itinerary
Save $400 per Couple (May Value): $1,649.00 Value Rate: $1,849.00 Peak Rate: $2,149.00 Save $400 per Couple (Peak): $1,949.00 Save $400 per Couple (Sept Value): $1,649.00
Grand Circle Self-Drive Tour - 1CB 9 Days / 8 Nights - View Itinerary
Save $400 per Couple (May Value): $2,099.00 Value Rate: $2,299.00 Peak Rate: $2,549.00 Save $400 per Couple (Peak): $2,349.00 Save $400 per Couple (Sept Value): $2,099.00
Escorted Parks and Glaciers - 6NP 9 Days / 8 Nights - View Itinerary
Peak Rate: $3,599.00 Save $400 per Couple (Peak): $3,399.00 Save $800 per couple (June 3 departure): $3,199.00

Featured Sightseeing Excursions

Sternwheeler Cruise & Discover the Gold

Travel from the Westmark Fairbanks hotel by motor coach to the board a train to visit the Dredge, a National Historic Monument! Local miners will give a brief but informative course in mining, then you will try panning for yourself! You will find gold – we guarantee it! Nothing beats…
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