If you’ve ever dreamed of visiting a place where the sun barely sets, moose wander, and you can pan for real gold before soaking in natural hot springs, then Fairbanks, Alaska deserves a spot at the top of your travel list.
Known as the Golden Heart of Alaska, Fairbanks is the largest city in Interior Alaska and serves as a gateway to countless adventures.
While many travelers associate the region with the northern lights and the aurora borealis, the summer season offers an entirely different experience.
During the midnight sun season, Fairbanks enjoys incredibly long daylight hours, with nearly 24 hours of sunlight surrounding the summer solstice.
The result? More time for sightseeing, lush and green outdoor activities, wildlife viewing, and unforgettable experiences.
Whether you’re planning an interior getaway after an Alaskan cruise, visiting Denali National Park, taking the Alaska Railroad, or simply looking for the best things to do during the summer months, you’ll discover that Fairbanks is packed with fun activities, fascinating history, and natural wonders.
Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center: The Perfect First Stop in Fairbanks
If you’re wondering where to begin your Fairbanks adventure, the answer is simple: start at Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center.
Often described as the gateway to Interior Alaska, this impressive facility serves as both a cultural center and a regional visitors center.
Better yet, admission is completely free, making it one of the best values in Fairbanks.
The center does an excellent job of introducing visitors to the people, wildlife, landscapes, and traditions that make Alaska so unique.
The first thing many visitors notice is the stunning exhibit hall.
You’ll find life-sized dioramas, multimedia displays, sounds, and artifacts to tell the story of everyday life in Alaska.
You’ll experience the sights and sounds of a summer fish camp, learn how families prepare for the long winter ahead, and discover how Alaska Native communities have thrived in this rugged environment for generations.
The exhibits feature authentic cultural objects, hunting and fishing displays, and immersive recreations of life throughout the region
Outside, visitors can explore beautiful grounds featuring public art, a historic log cabin, and the famous Moose Antler Arch, one of the most photographed landmarks in downtown Fairbanks.
It’s a great place to grab a family photo before heading off to explore the Golden Heart City.
Gold Daughters: The Most Legit Gold Panning Experience in Alaska
When people think about Fairbanks, they often think about Alaska’s famous gold rush history, and there is no better place to experience it firsthand than Gold Daughters.
Unlike many tourist attractions where gold panning feels more like a demonstration, Gold Daughters offers what many visitors consider the most authentic and rewarding gold panning experience in Fairbanks, Alaska.
The process is simple. Guests purchase a panning kit that comes with a guarantee that you’ll find real gold. But that’s just the beginning of the adventure.
After learning proper panning techniques from knowledgeable staff, you’re given access to the “pay dirt” pile, where you can continue searching for additional gold completely free.
Some visitors become so engrossed in the hunt that they stay for hours, hoping to uncover even more glittering treasures.
It’s easy to understand why this is one of the favorite things to do in the area, and once you get the hang of it panning becomes very relaxing.
Every pan brings a little excitement, and every sparkle in the bottom of the tray feels like striking it rich during the gold rush era.
During Gavin’s gold planning adventure, his bounty of gold flakes even revealed itself in a shape similar to the ursa major, big dipper constellation, which also happens to be the symbol on the front of the Alaskan state flag. How kismet!
After collecting our gold flakes, we purchased a beautiful locket specifically designed to hold our finds.
It instantly became one of our favorite souvenirs from Alaska and a lasting reminder of our time reliving the Alaskan gold rush.
For travelers interested in Alaska’s mining heritage, Gold Daughters offers a much more hands-on experience than simply viewing an old gold dredge or reading about a historic gold rush town.
The Boneyard: Alaska’s Hidden Ice Age Treasure
One of the most fascinating and unique experiences in Fairbanks isn’t widely advertised.
The Boneyard is available by private tour request only and provides access to the largest collection of Ice Age fossils and artifacts discovered by the family behind Gold Daughters.
This remarkable collection includes mammoth tusks, prehistoric bones, ancient artifacts, and fascinating discoveries pulled from Alaska’s frozen permafrost ground during gold exploration.
Because tours are private, the experience feels incredibly personal. Visitors have the opportunity to hear firsthand stories about the discoveries and the history behind each artifact.
For anyone interested in paleontology, Alaska history, or simply seeing something completely different from the typical tourist attractions, The Boneyard is a hidden gem that deserves a place on your itinerary, it’s truly an experience you can only have by flying to Fairbanks.
Chena Hot Springs Resort: Relaxation Powered by the Earth
Located about an hour from downtown Fairbanks, Chena Hot Springs Resort is one of Alaska’s most popular destinations.
The naturally heated mineral waters have been attracting visitors for more than a century.
Surrounded by wilderness and mountain scenery, the outdoor hot springs provide the perfect place to unwind after a busy day of exploring.
But what makes Chena Hot Springs truly special is its commitment to sustainability and innovation.
The resort uses geothermal energy generated from beneath the earth to power many of its facilities.
Visitors can learn about the geothermal heating systems and see firsthand how renewable energy supports operations throughout the property during the daily free tours.
Another surprising highlight is the greenhouse. Thanks to geothermal heating, fresh vegetables are grown year-round despite Alaska’s extreme climate.
These vegetables are used in the resort’s restaurant, allowing guests to enjoy locally grown produce even during the harsh winter months.
We enjoyed the chicken sesame salad made with “Chena greens” as well as the tomato rose caprese salad which featured their geothermal tomatoes.
The combination of relaxation, education, and sustainability makes Chena Hot Springs one of the best places to visit and stay in Fairbanks, both in summer and in the cold months.
Aurora Ice Museum and Ice Bar
Even during the warm summer months, you can step into a frozen wonderland at the famous Aurora Ice Museum.
Located at Chena Hot Springs Resort, this remarkable attraction remains frozen year-round and showcases stunning ice sculptures carved by world-renowned artists.
Visitors walk through rooms filled with beautifully illuminated sculptures, frozen furniture, and intricate artistic creations.
One of the most surprising features is a functioning igloo that contains an operating ice xylophone. Yes, it’s exactly as fascinating as it sounds.
The museum also includes an ice hotel room. During the winter season, adventurous travelers can actually spend the night sleeping in accommodations crafted almost entirely from ice and snow.
The highlight for many visitors is the Aurora Ice Bar.
Here, guests can enjoy the museum’s signature Appletini cocktail, which happens to be the favorite drink of the artist’s wife.
The cocktail is served in a martini glass made entirely of ice, so every single glass you drink out of is one of a kind.
After finishing your drink, tradition calls for taking your frozen glass outside and smashing it for good luck.
It’s quirky, memorable, and uniquely Alaskan.
Riverboat Discovery: A Journey Along the Chena River
Few experiences capture the spirit of Fairbanks in summer quite like Riverboat Discovery.
Operating on the beautiful Chena River, this iconic attraction introduces visitors to the history, culture, and traditions of Interior Alaska.
The adventure begins aboard an authentic riverboat as you cruise through scenic waterways.
One of the first highlights is watching a float plane take off and land directly beside the boat on the river. It’s an impressive demonstration of how important aviation remains in Alaska’s remote areas.
As the boat continues its journey, guests visit the historic Chena Village, where Alaska Native traditions and cultural practices are demonstrated and explained.
The experience also includes a stop where visitors can see sled dogs and learn about the incredible sport of dog mushing.
Watching the dogs eagerly prepare to run provides insight into a tradition that remains deeply connected to Alaska’s identity. We were even treated to the sight of brand new puppies!
Wildlife lovers will enjoy seeing caribou, including some impressive displays of caribou antlers, while learning about subsistence living in the north.
Riverboat Discovery is equal parts entertainment, history lesson, and cultural experience, making it one of the most memorable attractions in town.
On a summer day, it’s the perfect thing to do in Fairbanks.
Pioneer Park Alaskaland
No visit to Fairbanks is complete without exploring Pioneer Park.
Originally known as Alaskaland, this beloved attraction celebrates Alaska’s rich history through preserved buildings, artifacts, and exhibits.
Walking through Pioneer Park feels like stepping back in time. Authentic log cabins from Alaska’s early settlements line the pathways, each containing exhibits, gift shops, local artisans, and restaurants.
Visitors can explore a historic train car, learn about transportation during the gold rush era, and view a classic paddle boat.
Throughout the summer season, Pioneer Park hosts special events, performances, and family-friendly activities.
The nearby Palace Theater frequently offers entertaining productions inspired by Alaska history.
Another perk? Pioneer Park is also dog friendly, which our pup Louie enjoyed.
For travelers interested in the state’s heritage, Pioneer Park provides an enjoyable blend of education and entertainment.
Alaskan Salmon Bake
You can’t visit Fairbanks without experiencing the authentic Alaska Salmon Bake.
But what exactly is a salmon bake?
Traditionally, salmon bakes celebrate Alaska’s most famous fish by cooking it and flipping the fish over open flames while serving a variety of hearty side dishes.
The Alaskan Salmon Bake has become a destination restaurant and one of the city’s most beloved dining experiences.
Guests can enjoy grilled salmon, prime rib, halibut, baked potatoes, salads, homemade rolls, and decadent desserts.
The atmosphere feels distinctly Alaskan, and many visitors make this one of their first dining stops after arriving in Fairbanks.
Stay at the Historic Heritage House
History enthusiasts will love a visit to The Heritage House.
This beautifully preserved home dates back to the early twentieth century and provides a glimpse into life during Fairbanks’ early development.
The house features period furnishings, historical artifacts, and stories from the city’s pioneering families.
Even better, visitors can actually stay overnight. There are a number of unique rooms available for booking, all decorated differently.
We had the opportunity to stay in the Garden Suite, which used to be the home’s carriage house.
Start your day around the historic dining room table with the other bed and breakfast guests as you fuel up with a home cooked breakfast, pastries, and coffee.
The Heritage House operates as a charming historical bed and breakfast, allowing guests to immerse themselves in Fairbanks history while enjoying modern comforts.
Museum of the North
Located on the campus of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the Museum of the North is one of Alaska’s premier museums.
The striking modern building houses exhibits covering natural history, Alaska Native cultures, wildlife, geology, and art.
Interactive displays help visitors understand everything from Arctic ecosystems to Alaska’s human history.
The museum’s planetarium also offers immersive programs exploring the night sky and the science behind the aurora borealis.
Visitors also enjoy the museum’s “The Place Where you go to Listen” innovative sound art installation, which creates a unique sensory experience unlike anything found in a traditional museum.
The exhibit is located inside a room where the sounds and colors change based off of the geophysical conditions in Alaska, including the wind, moon, aurora and earthquake activity.
An exciting upcoming addition is the “Into the Wild” bus exhibit, which will feature artifacts from Chris McCandles’ final days in Alaska, further expanding the museum’s already impressive collection.
For many travelers, this is the single best introduction to Alaska’s history and culture.
Georgeson Botanical Garden
The Georgeson Botanical Garden proves that beautiful gardens can thrive even in Alaska.
Located on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus, this impressive garden showcases what can grow during Alaska’s surprisingly productive growing season.
Visitors can wander among colorful flowers, giant vegetables, herbs, and experimental plants adapted to northern climates.
The garden demonstrates how Alaska’s extraordinary hours of daylight help create remarkable growing conditions despite the short summer season.
It’s a peaceful place for a stroll and a wonderful stop for photographers.
Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum
The newly reimagined Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum is a must-see attraction for transportation enthusiasts.
The museum showcases one of the world’s finest collections of pre-war antique automobiles.
In addition to vintage cars, visitors can explore historic airplanes and learn how transportation transformed life in the far north.
They even pair vintage automobiles with clothing period peices from the same era!
The exhibits offer fascinating perspectives on exploration, transportation innovation over time, and early cars built to survive in Alaska’s challenging environment.
Eat Your Way Through Fairbanks
Fairbanks has a surprisingly impressive food scene which features many global cuisines and influences.
The Cookie Jar
Locals and visitors alike rave about The Cookie Jar‘s gigantic cinnamon rolls.
Be sure to order Stuffed Nolan’s. Their iconic cinnamon rolls are cut in half, grilled, stuffed with cream cheese, and topped with berry compote and whipped cream.
The corned beef and hash is also a must-order breakfast dish. Corned beef and hash can be hot-or-miss at most diners, but The Cookie Jar took so much care in perfecting their homemade corned beef it’s a standout menu item.
These legendary pastries are often larger than a dinner plate and have become a Fairbanks institution.
Soba
Soba serves delicious Moldovan and Eastern European cuisine, providing one of the city’s most unique dining experiences.
We’ve eaten a LOT of global foods, but this was our first time encountering Moldovan food.
To be honest, we needed to use a map to even know where the country of Moldova was located.
We tasted the most famous dish of Moldova, mamaliga. This is a dish of seasoned stewed pork, served with polenta, scrambled eggs, feta, sour cream, and a spicy garlic sauce.
It sounds like an odd combination but it was surprisingly delicious!
Fairbanks’ Famous Thai Food
Many first-time visitors are surprised to discover that Fairbanks has exceptional Thai restaurants.
The Thai community has had a significant influence on the local dining scene, and the result is some truly outstanding cuisine.
When you ask locals their favorite Thai spot, everyone has a different answer.
We take that as a sign that you can’t go wrong no matter which spot you choose to dine.
We specifically loved the Khao Soi because it’s pretty hard to find at most Thai restaurants. It’s a delicious coconut cream curry soup with both soft and crispy noodles.
It was delicious during the Fairbanks summer, but we can only imagine how great it would taste during the Fairbanks winter.
Hot Licks Ice Cream
During the warm summer months, Hot Licks Ice Cream is the perfect stop for a sweet treat.
This scoop shop serves up nostalgia alongside rotating flavors, which attracts regular lines of eager patrons.
We decided on a double scoop of homemade cherry pie ice cream served up in a freshly crafted waffle cone.
The menu can change daily, but know it’s worth lining up for their tasty ice cream.
The Pump House
Located along the Chena River, The Pump House combines excellent food with historic charm.
The building itself reflects Alaska’s mining heritage, making it a favorite dining destination.
Once the main station that pumped water into town, now it’s a different kind of watering hole.
Head to the patio to enjoy a cold drink alongside the river as the riverboat passes by, dine in the historic saloon with an ornate antique bar, or opt for the dining room where a stuffed grizzly bear welcomes you upon entry.
We enjoyed the fried zucchini sticks as well as the Alaskan king crab stuffed shrimp.
The Crepery
This cozy eatery serves both sweet and savory crepes and is perfect for breakfast or lunch.
Other than Thai food, The Crepery is always mentioned as a favorite restaurant by locals.
The menu is vast with dozens of both sweet and savory options.
For a true taste of Alaska, order the smoked salmon crepe!
We recommend ordering at least one sweet, one savory, and one smoked salmon crepe to share as a group.
Pagoda Chinese Restaurant
The top restaurant in North Pole is… a Chinese restaurant!?!?
This might be surprising but it’s true.
Located in nearby North Pole, Pagoda Chinese Restaurant remains a local favorite for comforting Chinese cuisine.
This restaurant has been featured on Food Network, Diners Drive-Ins and Dives, and in food festivals across the lower 48.
The crab rangoons are the best we have ever tasted. They’re light, crisp, and loaded with crab.
We also love the Mongolian beef entree, it was tender with crispy edges from the wok. It even reheated crispy which never happens with leftovers.
Finally, there’s no stopping at Pagoda without getting at least a half order of their house spiced crispy duck. It’s perfectly cooked crispy skin on the outside, and so flavorful and juicy on the inside.
Whatever you order, bring your appetite as the portions are gigantic!
The Malemute Saloon
The Malemute Saloon is one of Alaska’s most unique watering holes.
The building was originally part of a historic mining camp, and abandoned mine shafts can still be found around the property.
Adding to the quirky atmosphere is a famous tradition involving a walrus oosik.
Visitors can ring a bell using the walrus oosik fossil (feel free to google what that means) to announce they’re buying drinks for the entire bar.
Live music with artists flying in from all over the country frequently fills the space, creating a lively atmosphere that combines Alaska history with modern fun.
So order an Alaskan beer, kick back and relax at this iconic time capsule watering hole.
The Lodge at Black Rapids
For travelers looking to escape into the wilderness, The Lodge at Black Rapids is a fantastic option.
Situated at the foot of the Alaska Range south of Fairbanks, the drive to lodge included us spotting six moose on the side of the road!
The lodge offers breathtaking snowcapped views and cozy hospitality.
Guests enjoy comfortable accommodations, a daily breakfast, and an included four-course dinner.
Dinners started with a soup, a salad, entrees such as braised beef or coho salmon, and a dessert.
The house chef was such a good pastry chef, we asked for seconds of her fantastic homemade bread and desserts.
After a day of exploring, visitors can relax in the hot tub or sauna while soaking in views of Alaska’s rugged landscape.
The peaceful setting makes it feel worlds away from city life.
Fly Fishing on the Clearwater River
One of the best outdoor activities near Fairbanks is fly fishing for Arctic grayling.
AK River Tours offers guided excursions on the beautiful Clearwater River, known for its crystal-clear waters and healthy fish populations.
Even beginners can enjoy success thanks to knowledgeable guides who teach casting techniques and share local expertise.
We’ve only ever fly fished one time before in Oregon, and hours of fishing only resulted in catching one fish.
However, on this fishing tour we caught more fish than we could count!
The scenery alone makes the trip worthwhile, but landing your first grayling is an unforgettable bonus.
The graylings showcase an impressive large fin and picturesque colorings.
If you don’t have a car, they can also pick you up in Fairbanks proper.
Visit North Pole
Just a short drive from Fairbanks lies one of Alaska’s most charming communities: North Pole.
The iconic Santa Claus House attracts visitors from around the world.
Inside you’ll find Christmas decorations, souvenirs, and opportunities to meet Santa himself.
One of the most magical aspects of visiting the North Pole is that Santa is available year-round, not just during the holiday season.
Families especially love the opportunity to take photos and share wish lists regardless of the time of year.
The Antler Academy is a fun attraction that showcases the fascinating world of reindeer and provides opportunities to learn about these iconic Arctic animals.
The Santa Claus House is open all year, which makes it a perfect way to celebrate “Christmas in July”!
Final Thoughts on Visiting Fairbanks in Summer
Between the nearly endless daylight, fascinating gold rush history, incredible cultural attractions, and unforgettable outdoor adventures, Fairbanks offers far more than many travelers expect.
From panning for gold at Gold Daughters and cruising the Chena River aboard Riverboat Discovery to soaking in Chena Hot Springs Resort, exploring the Museum of the North, enjoying the Alaska Salmon Bake, and taking a side trip to the North Pole, there are plenty of things to fill even the longest itinerary.
Summer in Fairbanks delivers unforgettable memories, friendly locals, endless adventure, and some of the most unique experiences you’ll find anywhere in the world.
Planning a trip to Fairbanks? Be sure to check out Explore Fairbanks for more trip planning resources and tips.
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