Amanda & Jim's Guidebook
Outdoors
A great place for outdoor activities. winter: ice fishing, snow machining, Xcountry skiing, snow shoeing. Summer: fishing, kayaking, trail walking, beach and swimming.
46 locals recommend
Chena Lake Recreation Area
3780 Laurance RoadA great place for outdoor activities. winter: ice fishing, snow machining, Xcountry skiing, snow shoeing. Summer: fishing, kayaking, trail walking, beach and swimming.
Winter: great for xcountry ski trails. Summer: hiking trails
10 locals recommend
Birch Hill Ski & Snowboard Area
1169 Old Birch Hill RdWinter: great for xcountry ski trails. Summer: hiking trails
I hear kids are not allowed in the large window compartment (in the pics). Take a scenic tour to Denali by train!
8 locals recommend
Alaska Railroad Corporation
1888 Fox AveI hear kids are not allowed in the large window compartment (in the pics). Take a scenic tour to Denali by train!
Trails to walk around. Very peaceful. We saw a fox.
121 locals recommend
Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge
1300 College RdTrails to walk around. Very peaceful. We saw a fox.
Just Short of Magic
5157 Chena Hot Springs RdIf you're looking for a good hike, this is good with/without kids/pets. Great views!
52 locals recommend
Angel Rocks Trailhead
15450 Chena Hot Springs RdIf you're looking for a good hike, this is good with/without kids/pets. Great views!
Yoga with reindeer in the summer. Otherwise can pay to experience walking among them.
30 locals recommend
Running Reindeer Ranch
1470 Ivans AlleyYoga with reindeer in the summer. Otherwise can pay to experience walking among them.
Large Animal Research Station
2220 Yankovich RdOnly open during summer months.
Murphy Dome
Popular place for great views of the Northern Lights
Enjoy an Ice Dogs hockey game or open skate time. Includes an in door and out door rink.
10 locals recommend
Big Dipper Ice Arena
1920 Lathrop StEnjoy an Ice Dogs hockey game or open skate time. Includes an in door and out door rink.
Sightseeing
Touristy but ya gotta do it! Get a pic with Santa year round. Great for all your Christmas needs as well as Alaskan gifts. My favorite park are the reindeer you can watch outside (free).
133 locals recommend
Santa Claus House
101 St Nicholas DrTouristy but ya gotta do it! Get a pic with Santa year round. Great for all your Christmas needs as well as Alaskan gifts. My favorite park are the reindeer you can watch outside (free).
3 hour tour including chena Indian village, bush pilot demo, view kennels of a dogsled team, and a 40 below experience.
72 locals recommend
Riverboat Discovery
1975 Discovery Dr3 hour tour including chena Indian village, bush pilot demo, view kennels of a dogsled team, and a 40 below experience.
And strike it rich- Guaranteed! Join the Binkley family for a trip through Alaska’s gold mining history at Gold Dredge 8. Enjoy a close up view of the Trans Alaska Pipeline and a presentation about it’s construction and operation. Then take a seat aboard a replica of the narrow-gauge Tanana Valley Railroad and hear the conductor tell tales of prospectors who arrived by the thousands during the gold rush. The train ride takes you to Gold Dredge 8 where you will see first-hand how the dredge worked the gold fields, then receive a brief but informative course on gold panning. Once the train arrives at the camp, you will try panning for yourself! You will find gold- we guarantee it! Finally, explore the dredge camp and enjoy complimentary coffee and freshly baked cookies in the gift shop as your gold is weighed, then hop aboard the train and return to the station.
41 locals recommend
Gold Dredge 8
1803 Old Steese Hwy NAnd strike it rich- Guaranteed! Join the Binkley family for a trip through Alaska’s gold mining history at Gold Dredge 8. Enjoy a close up view of the Trans Alaska Pipeline and a presentation about it’s construction and operation. Then take a seat aboard a replica of the narrow-gauge Tanana Valley Railroad and hear the conductor tell tales of prospectors who arrived by the thousands during the gold rush. The train ride takes you to Gold Dredge 8 where you will see first-hand how the dredge worked the gold fields, then receive a brief but informative course on gold panning. Once the train arrives at the camp, you will try panning for yourself! You will find gold- we guarantee it! Finally, explore the dredge camp and enjoy complimentary coffee and freshly baked cookies in the gift shop as your gold is weighed, then hop aboard the train and return to the station.
Pioneer Park
2300 Airport WayVariety of activities, sights, and shows.
Loved the relaxing outdoor experience. However kids aren't allowed in the hot springs and have to stay in the indoor pool.
Highly recommend eating at the restaurant here afterward.
221 locals recommend
Chena Hot Springs Resort
17600 Chena Hot Springs RdLoved the relaxing outdoor experience. However kids aren't allowed in the hot springs and have to stay in the indoor pool.
Highly recommend eating at the restaurant here afterward.
Museum of the North
1962 Yukon DrThis should be your first stop to find out what's going on nearby. Great resource!
114 locals recommend
Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center
101 Dunkel StThis should be your first stop to find out what's going on nearby. Great resource!
Food Scene
Delicious fresh bread and sweets! Also houses a cafe with delicious sandwiches.
8 locals recommend
Great Harvest Bread Co.
1990 College RdDelicious fresh bread and sweets! Also houses a cafe with delicious sandwiches.
Alaska Salmon Bake
2300 Airport WayBuffet style. Closed in winter.
Upscale dining with Alaskan food. You can dress up or wear jeans. Anything goes.
135 locals recommend
The Pump House Restaurant Fairbanks
796 Chena Pump RdUpscale dining with Alaskan food. You can dress up or wear jeans. Anything goes.
Food Factory
275 Bentley Trust RdSomething for everyone here. Great for families.
The Cookie Jar Restaurant
1006 Cadillac CtLarge variety of crepes that are yummy! Take crepes to Santa Claus house and eat at a picnic table watching reindeer.
9 locals recommend
North Pole Crepery
235 N Santa Claus LnLarge variety of crepes that are yummy! Take crepes to Santa Claus house and eat at a picnic table watching reindeer.
BurgerZone
80 5th StI know it doesn't look like much...but hands down the BEST BURGER in town! :)
Pagoda Chinese Restaurant & Bar
431 N Santa Claus LnSpendy but super delicious Chinese food!
Military
If your military, this may be helpful know.
If you're a military member this is a great resource for renting equipment from the outdoor rec, commissary, etc.
Eielson Air Force Base
If you're a military member this is a great resource for renting equipment from the outdoor rec, commissary, etc.
If you're military here's a great resource. They have a ski hill as well as an in door ice skating rink (at the gym).
Fort Wainwright
If you're military here's a great resource. They have a ski hill as well as an in door ice skating rink (at the gym).
Beautiful quiet lake partly owned by military but other parts open to public. Fishing, motorboats, kayaks, etc would all be good here. About 45 min. from North Pole.
Birch Lake
Beautiful quiet lake partly owned by military but other parts open to public. Fishing, motorboats, kayaks, etc would all be good here. About 45 min. from North Pole.