Kate's Guidebook
Museum/Arts
Start your trip here! The display here is great and will give you a true sense of Fairbank’s history and culture. There are lots of brochures to pique your interest. And you MUST get a picture under the moose antler arch afterwards.
114 locals recommend
Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center
101 Dunkel StStart your trip here! The display here is great and will give you a true sense of Fairbank’s history and culture. There are lots of brochures to pique your interest. And you MUST get a picture under the moose antler arch afterwards.
Amazing garden to visit anytime from May-September. I go several times a summer, especially in June to see the gorgeous peonies. A great place for kids to play in the creek or maze of hedges.
38 locals recommend
Georgeson Botanical Garden
2180 W Tanana DrAmazing garden to visit anytime from May-September. I go several times a summer, especially in June to see the gorgeous peonies. A great place for kids to play in the creek or maze of hedges.
Fairbanks is world-renowned for its ice sculpture because of our extremely clear lake ice. Who knew ice could be so beautiful?! Obviously, this is a seasonal attraction. February-March is best!
16 locals recommend
George Horner Ice Park
3574 Phillips Field RoadFairbanks is world-renowned for its ice sculpture because of our extremely clear lake ice. Who knew ice could be so beautiful?! Obviously, this is a seasonal attraction. February-March is best!
Outdoor Activity
Get out and play! Alaska is a wild place, get out there and experience it.
The trees can be thick around Fairbanks and block the views. Get up high to really be able to see it all! There is a 3 mile loop up to the rocks and back down, or take the strenuous 8mile trail all the way to Chena Hot Springs and pick blueberries along the way.
52 locals recommend
Angel Rocks Trailhead
15450 Chena Hot Springs RdThe trees can be thick around Fairbanks and block the views. Get up high to really be able to see it all! There is a 3 mile loop up to the rocks and back down, or take the strenuous 8mile trail all the way to Chena Hot Springs and pick blueberries along the way.
An absolute must in the spring/early summer! Whether you are a bird watcher or not, you will enjoy the trails around the refuge.
121 locals recommend
Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge
1300 College RdAn absolute must in the spring/early summer! Whether you are a bird watcher or not, you will enjoy the trails around the refuge.
Did you actually come to Fairbanks if you didn’t go out to the Hot Springs?? Just do it.
221 locals recommend
Chena Hot Springs Resort
17600 Chena Hot Springs RdDid you actually come to Fairbanks if you didn’t go out to the Hot Springs?? Just do it.
Rent canoes or paddle boards for a relaxing water experience right in town.
Tanana Lakes Recreation Area Swim Beach
1039 Lakeview DrRent canoes or paddle boards for a relaxing water experience right in town.
This will be one of the coolest things you do in Alaska! Best done during the winter when the ice is good. It’s about an 1.5 mile walk up the river ice to the caves. Beautiful!
24 locals recommend
Castner Glacier Ice Cave
Richardson HighwayThis will be one of the coolest things you do in Alaska! Best done during the winter when the ice is good. It’s about an 1.5 mile walk up the river ice to the caves. Beautiful!
Food scene
Fairbanks is famous for its Thai food. Get the drunken noodles.
74 locals recommend
Lemongrass Thai Restaurant
388 Old Chena Pump RdFairbanks is famous for its Thai food. Get the drunken noodles.
Wood-fired pizza joint. Go out on a limb and try the dill pickle pizza. Seriously.
22 locals recommend
The Hungry Robot
910 Old Steese HwyWood-fired pizza joint. Go out on a limb and try the dill pickle pizza. Seriously.
A simple place, but Nim knows what she’s doing! Cheaper than other Thai places in the Banks, but just as good.
Nim's House of Thai Food
1456 S Cushman StA simple place, but Nim knows what she’s doing! Cheaper than other Thai places in the Banks, but just as good.
The one that started it all! Fairbanks’ first Thai restaurant. Pad Thai, cashew chicken, or veggies in peanut sauce are my faves here.
29 locals recommend
Thai House Restaurant
412 5th AveThe one that started it all! Fairbanks’ first Thai restaurant. Pad Thai, cashew chicken, or veggies in peanut sauce are my faves here.
Historical and amazing food. Possibly my favorite restaurant in Fairbanks. Sit out on the deck and watch planes land on the Chena River.
135 locals recommend
The Pump House Restaurant Fairbanks
796 Chena Pump RdHistorical and amazing food. Possibly my favorite restaurant in Fairbanks. Sit out on the deck and watch planes land on the Chena River.
College Town Pizzeria
3535 College RdFavorite pizza ever: jalapeño papa pizza.
Alaska Coffee Roasting Company
4001 Geist RdCOFFEE. And pastries. And flat bread pizzas.
A local family-owned eatery. Personal favorite: Nolan’s Own. And the eggs Benedict. And the halibut wrap. And the spinach salad. Oh! And the burgers!
60 locals recommend
The Cookie Jar Restaurant
1006 Cadillac CtA local family-owned eatery. Personal favorite: Nolan’s Own. And the eggs Benedict. And the halibut wrap. And the spinach salad. Oh! And the burgers!
The Crepery
523 2nd AveSavory or sweet?? Get both.
Drive-through coffee joints: another unique Fairbanks feature. And Bucko’s is the best of them, serving Kaladi Brothers coffee.
7 locals recommend
Bucko's Coffee
281 Bentley Trust RdDrive-through coffee joints: another unique Fairbanks feature. And Bucko’s is the best of them, serving Kaladi Brothers coffee.
Sightseeing
History and fun rolled in one! Learn about gold dredging, an huge part of Fairbanks past, and have some fun panning for gold yourself.
41 locals recommend
Gold Dredge 8
1803 Old Steese Hwy NHistory and fun rolled in one! Learn about gold dredging, an huge part of Fairbanks past, and have some fun panning for gold yourself.
The bloodline of Alaska. Still a modern marvel to me.
50 locals recommend
Alyeska Pipeline Viewing Point
1671 Steese HwyThe bloodline of Alaska. Still a modern marvel to me.
Calypso Farm and Ecology Center
4780 Old Nenana HighwayGreat local experience!
The experience of a lifetime! I believe everyone should see the Northern Lights in their lifetime. God’s masterpiece of light.
Aurora In Alaska, LLC©️
1312 Shypoke DrThe experience of a lifetime! I believe everyone should see the Northern Lights in their lifetime. God’s masterpiece of light.
Paws for Adventure
Herning RoadDefinitely a one-of-a-kind experience!
Shopping
Unique to Fairbanks shops and markets. Think artisan and boutique!
So much more than toys! Owner Stacy is a world traveler who will help you find the perfect gift or unique souvenir.
Enchanted Forest Toys
3535 College RoadSo much more than toys! Owner Stacy is a world traveler who will help you find the perfect gift or unique souvenir.
Tanana Valley Farmers Market
2600 College RdFresh and uniquely Alaskan! Eat Alaska grown.
Prospector Outfitters
1512 S Cushman StQuintessentially Alaskan.
Mark Knapp Custom Knives
1971 Fox AveNot your run-of-the-mill tourist stop. The custom knives are drool-worthy.
Two things I go here for: the beautiful birch bowls, and the Padraig booties! I had a pair when I was little, and all my kids, nieces, and nephews have worn them while toddling. A great gift for the grandkids!
17 locals recommend
The Great Alaskan Bowl Company
4630 Old Airport RdTwo things I go here for: the beautiful birch bowls, and the Padraig booties! I had a pair when I was little, and all my kids, nieces, and nephews have worn them while toddling. A great gift for the grandkids!