Fairbanks, Alaska, is a unique destination that most associate with dog sledding and the Aurora Borealis. However, it also makes a great summer destination. So, if you’re looking for the best attractions in Fairbanks in warmer weather, I’ve got you covered.
Fairbanks is an ideal starting point for those heading to Denali National Park. The two-hour drive south to the park allows you to do the Tundra Wilderness bus tour to see Alaska’s big five.
Whether you’re interested in learning about Alaskan history and culture, exploring the great outdoors, or simply relaxing and taking in the stunning scenery, Fairbanks has something for everyone.
When the summer months roll in, Alaska’s days get much longer. Since Fairbanks is 140 miles from the Arctic Circle, it experiences the phenomenon known as the “Midnight Sun.”
During the summer solstice (June 21st), the sun doesn’t set in Fairbanks. Even when I visited in early June, there was no darkness. With complete daylight, I could cram a lot into my day and enjoy sightseeing at night.
Here are some of the best things to do in Fairbanks during the Midnight Sun season.
Wedgewood Wildlife Sanctuary
For nature lovers, the Wedgewood Wildlife Sanctuary is a must-visit destination. This 800-acre sanctuary is home to a variety of wildlife, including moose, beavers, red foxes, snowshoe hares, and birds.
The sanctuary’s trails connect to Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge to the west. For a short walk, take the Taiga Trail, which is under a mile, and continue onto the Wander Lake Trail. This two-mile loop offers a chance to see beavers at work.
Take a pair of binoculars, as the refuge has over 100 bird species. Signage around the lake explains the different species and what to look out for.
Fairbanks Ice Museum
In summer, Fairbanks can get hot, so the downtown Ice Museum provides a reprieve from the heat. Located at 500 2nd Avenue, the small museum offers standard admission and a ticket to see the Aurora Show.
The ice sculptures inside the museum were created by Chinese ice sculptor An Zhe. While the polar bear and reindeer looked right at home, there was a yak and other creatures that I couldn’t make out.
The highlight for us was the ice hill. I was transported back to my childhood by grabbing a plastic sled and taking it to the slope. Between fits of laughter, we took several runs at the hill and many selfies amongst the ice carvings.
Morris Thompson Cultural Visitors Center
The Morris Thompson Cultural Visitors Center is great for starting your Fairbanks adventure. Furthermore, admission is complimentary.
The center offers a variety of exhibits and displays that showcase Alaska’s history and culture, and there are plenty of resources available to help plan an itinerary. Expect to spend an hour at this gem of a venue.
The North Pole
Twenty minutes from Fairbanks, “The North Pole” allows visitors to enjoy the spirit of Christmas year-round. This family-friendly destination is home to the Santa Claus House. This Christmas-themed attraction draws visitors from around the world.
The town is known for its festive holiday spirit. It is a popular destination for those looking to celebrate the magic of Christmas, even in summer. In the gift shop, we browsed for ornaments, Christmas-themed clothing, and North Pole treats.
Whether you’re interested in shopping or simply want to soak up the holiday cheer, the North Pole near Fairbanks is a fun road trip destination.
Midnight Sun Festival
The Fairbanks Midnight Sun Festival is an annual event celebrating the summer solstice when the sun does not set for 24 hours. This unique phenomenon is a cause for celebration in the northernmost parts of the world. If you’ve in Fairbanks June 21, be sure to attend.
Contrasting the summer solstice, the winter solstice brings 24 hours of darkness. During the summer solstice, the city celebrates with a festival and various activities.
They even have a midnight baseball game, which takes place at Growden Memorial Park, among other attractions.
Gold Dredge 8 Tour
We did the Gold Dredge 8 Excursion as part of our cruise and land tour, and it was so much fun. On this unique tour, I boarded the Tanana Valley Railroad, which traveled to an old gold dredge to relive the Gold Rush era.
Historic Gold Dredge 8 has rusted and sunk in the water but doesn’t detract from the purpose for which it was built. Before disembarking the train, we learned about the history of the gold fields.
In 1959, dredging stopped because gold was set at USD 35 an ounce, and the company was losing money.
At the mining museum, we received a bag of poke in which to pan for our gold. We had our gold weighed and valued, and we were given the option to make a piece of jewelry. My sister and I panned USD 10 each, while someone in our group cashed in USD 60 worth of precious metal.
The mining museum has a fantastic gift shop with Alaska souvenirs, gold jewelry, and a 19-oz nugget. We found some of the best prices here, so it’s a great venue to purchase your gifts. We also enjoyed complimentary beverages and fresh-baked cookies.
Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum
The Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum features various antique cars from the late 19th century to the 1930s. The collection of over 100 vintage automobiles includes iconic vehicles such as the 1906 Compound, 1921 Heine-Velox Victoria, and 1920 Argonne.
Each vehicle is meticulously restored and displayed in a recreated setting from a bygone era. I found it interesting to see the evolution of automotive design.
The museum houses other collections in addition to automobiles. These include antique clothing, photographs, and memorabilia.
Fly To The Arctic Circle
If an Arctic Circle Fly Adventure is on your bucket list, there are several options from Fairbanks. Crossing the Arctic Circle takes just over an hour, so the least expensive flights fly there and back.
These tours fly by the Brooks Mountain Range and near the Gates of the Arctic National Park. This Arctic Circle Park is only accessible by air transportation or by hiking.
For a truly memorable experience, opt for the longer five-hour flight, which includes a landing and an Arctic Circle ceremony. Then, you’ll have the bragging rights of visiting a place few have.
Alaska Antler Arch
The Alaska Antler Arch is an iconic Chena River landmark near the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center. It contains over 100 moose and caribou antlers collected throughout Alaska’s interior.
While some antlers were donated by hunters, others came as finds in the Alaskan wilderness. Caribou and moose shed their antlers annually and grow new, larger ones each year. I found this a fun spot to take a selfie.
Alaska Salmon Bake
No trip to Alaska is complete without trying some fresh, delicious salmon. The Alaska Salmon Bake in Pioneer Park is a great place to sample some of the best salmon in the state.
The outdoor BBQ is a fun event for anyone who loves seafood. The Mother Lode, perfect for carnivores, includes salmon, cod, halibut, and prime rib. Share it or savor it alone; it’s ideal for larger appetites.
Marketed as a Salmon Bake, their salmon wasn’t as good as the one we tried in Juneau. We suggest going for the halibut or prime rib instead.
See The Alaskan Pipeline
The Alaskan Pipeline is an engineering marvel stretching over 800 miles across the state. 500,000 barrels of oil run through the pipeline daily, a resource protected by air and sensors. Alyeska Service Company built and services the line.
While most of the pipeline runs underground, it must surface in permafrost areas. Of its 800 miles of piping, 480 runs below ground, and the remaining is above ground.
We viewed a device called “The Pig,” which is put in the pipe at pig stations to clean the pipe walls.
Pioneer Park
Pioneer Park in Fairbanks is a 44-acre historical theme park that doesn’t charge a fee. The park is designed to resemble an old village. It offers a range of activities, such as a carousel, mini-golf, and a replica of a town from the gold rush era.
Additionally, you can enjoy a delicious halibut, salmon, or prime rib meal at the Salmon Bake, which takes place in the park, although this meal requires a fee.
Riverboat Discovery Cruise
The Chena River Discovery Riverboat cruise was the highlight of my stay in Fairbanks, Alaska. Our three-hour tour down the Chena River included a stop at Chena Village, a dog mushing demonstration, and a bush plane take off and land on the river.
At the Chena Indian Village, we learned about traditional culture and saw demonstrations of hide tanning and fish smoking. We also got close to some caribou.
The riverboat is a replica of the vessels that once transported miners and supplies during the Klondike Gold Rush, providing visitors a unique and immersive experience.
The Chena River Discovery Riverboat cruise includes a wonderful lunch. However, try the blueberry donuts onboard and the reindeer chili. Both were wonderful and tasty.
Chena Hot Springs
Chena Hot Springs, in the North Star Borough of Alaska, offers relaxation and a place to unwind. The hot springs contain a high concentration of minerals and are thought to provide therapeutic properties.
In the summertime, hiking, ATV tours, and horseback riding are popular in the area, although most visit for the heated pool experience.
Summer Dog Mushing
Dog mushing is a fun activity that uses a wheeled cart instead of a sled. Summer dog mushing on dirt is much more affordable without needing a helicopter to reach a glacier.
These excursions usually include socializing with the pack, learning about the Iditarod, and the jobs of dogs. Here is a selection of dog mushing camps in Fairbanks:
Alaska Museum Of The North
The Museum of the North is located on the campus of the University of Alaska in Fairbanks. It is the only research and teaching museum in the state and a center for cultural, artistic, and scientific exploration.
The museum’s collection includes over 1.4 million artifacts and specimens representing Alaska’s natural and cultural heritage and the circumpolar North.
You can explore the museum’s extensive collection of art, ethnographic objects, archaeological materials, and exhibits on Alaska’s wildlife, geology, and ecosystems.
40 Below Room
Alaska at 40 below is exactly what you’d expect – a frigid room that replicates Fairbank’s harsh winter. Having experienced a Canadian Rockies winter with temperatures of -30F, I couldn’t wait to try the cold room. This coming from someone who doesn’t like cold.
I was the first brave soul to volunteer to go in that morning, and since the door hadn’t been opened, the temperature inside had fallen to below -60F, lol.
I opted to wear a coat, and since it wasn’t so bad, I went again later in the day. This time, the room had warmed up to a balmy -40F, and my sister and I entered wearing just t-shirts. Since it was 82F outside, the sub-zero temperature was quite refreshing.
Pan For Gold
No visit to Alaska is complete without panning for gold. Plenty of tours provide authentic experiences of what it was like to be a prospector.
We found the educational experience fun, and although we didn’t find a nugget, we have the bragging rights of panning “some” gold in the Last Frontier.
