Fairbanks Tours &
Things to Do
Discover the best Fairbanks tours and things to do in Alaska’s aurora capital: chase the northern lights on winter nights, soak in the Chena Hot Springs, cross into the Arctic Circle, mush a team of huskies through the snow, and day-trip to the mighty Denali National Park. Compare top-rated experiences and plan the perfect trip.
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Explore Fairbanks by interest
Whatever brings you to Fairbanks — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Top attractions in Fairbanks
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Northern Lights
Aurora tours.
Arctic Circle
Dalton Highway.
Dog Sledding
Husky teams.
Chena Hot Springs
Mineral soak.
Denali
National park.
Gold Mining
Pan for gold.
Arctic Tundra
Wild north.
Aurora Skies
Winter nights.
2 hr awayDenali
National park.
Day trip awayArctic Circle
Dalton Highway.
1 hr awayChena Hot Springs
Mineral soak.
Night awayAurora Tour
Northern lights.
Region awayDog Sledding
Husky teams.
Region awayGold Panning
Pan for gold.
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Fairbanks visitor asks before booking.
Aurora (Sep–Apr)
Dark nights bring the northern lights.
Deep winter (Dec–Feb)
Very cold, with prime aurora and sledding.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Warm with the midnight sun and long days.
Shoulder (May, Sep)
Milder, with early or late aurora chances.
For aurora
September and March are prime months.
For Denali
Summer for the park and wildlife.
One day
The city, hot springs and an aurora tour.
Two days
Add dog sledding or the Arctic Circle.
Three+ days
Add a Denali day trip and more aurora chances.
For aurora
Allow several nights for clear skies.
For winter
Dog sledding, aurora and hot springs.
For summer
Denali, riverboats and the midnight sun.
Tours & transfers
Tours reach aurora spots, Chena and Denali.
By car
A hire car helps, but winter driving is tough.
By air
Fairbanks airport links to Anchorage and beyond.
Downtown
The compact centre is walkable.
Where to stay
Stay near downtown or an aurora lodge.
US dollar
The US uses the dollar; cards widely accepted.
Aurora tours
Allow several nights to catch clear skies.
Dress warm
Winter is bitterly cold — dress in serious layers.
Chena springs
Bring a swimsuit for the hot springs.
Denali
Visit in summer for the park and wildlife.
Dog sledding
A must in the snowy winter months.
Book flexible
Aurora depends on weather — stay flexible.
Aurora tours
Winter aurora tours fill up — book ahead.
Arctic Circle
Day trips fill up — reserve early.
Dog sledding
Sledding tours fill up — book ahead.
Hot springs
Chena trips fill up — reserve early.
Denali trips
Summer Denali tours fill up — book ahead.
Aurora season
Winter nights are busiest — book well ahead.
Aurora tour
Around $138–200 for a northern lights tour.
Arctic Circle
About $138–230 for an Arctic Circle day trip.
Dog sledding
Roughly $178–260 for a dog sledding tour.
Hot springs
Around $142–200 for a Chena trip.
Denali trip
About $231–350 for a Denali day trip.
How to save
Join group tours to save over private ones.
Fairbanks through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
- Best for
- Northern lights.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Prime.
- Best for
- Aurora & sledding.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Cold.
- Best for
- Late aurora.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Great.
- Best for
- Denali & sun.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Mild.