Things to do in Fairbanks, Alaska

I lived in small town called North Pole near Fairbanks, AK for nearly 4 years, and no I'm not kidding at all. I literally lived in a place that is named the North Pole. There was a quirky Santa Clause house with reindeer and everything. During my time there, I experienced the harsh realities of brutal winters where the temperatures would drop to bone chilling lows of -50 degrees, and receiving only five or six hours of daylight each day. However, the summers were beautiful with vibrant wildflowers and the midnight sun that lit up the sky for twenty-four hours a day. I took full advantage of exploring the beauty of Alaska and now I get to share some of my favorite places. Here are some things I loved in Fairbanks, and I truly think you will enjoy them as much as I did.

Downtown Fairbanks

First, and possibly most important, Coffee

• Little Owl Café - lots of gluten-free and vegan/vegetarian options for food and drinks. They also have outdoor seating that would be very peaceful in the summertime.

• McCafferty’s, A Coffee House, Etc. - Located in downtown Fairbanks. They have great coffee and bakery items. The atmosphere is very chill, and they sometimes have live music.

• Summit Coffee Co. - Alaskan's love their coffee huts. Can't go wrong with this one.

• Glacier Grind Coffee, LLC - Another one of my favorite coffee huts. Really good breakfast and lunch items.

  
  

Bookstores and Shops.

• Forget-Me-Not Books- Used bookstore with plenty of options.

• The Comic Shop - Personally, I'm not really a comic fan, but there's a lot to look at in this store, even if that's not your thing.

• The Ivy Bookshop - This one is for my romance book lovers. Definitely 18+

• Music Mart & Studios- Unique music store with a ton of instruments.

• Enchanted Forest Toys- This toy store will make you feel like a kid again. They also have beautiful handmade items for all ages.

• Blue Door Antiques- If antiquing is your thing, you will definitely like this place.

Restaurants and Bars.

• The Cookie Jar Restaurant- This is my favorite breakfast place in Fairbanks. Everything is really good, and they have a huge display case of bakery items, so that's always a plus.

• The Pump House Restaurant Fairbanks- This place is what I would call Alaskan fancy. The food is good, and in the summer, you can sit outside and look out at the Chena River.

• HooDoo Brewing Company- European style craft beers and they have outdoor seating.

• The Hungry Robot- If there's one thing on this list that you try, please let it be the pickle pizza!

• Lane's Quickie Tacos- !!! The best tacos I've had in Alaska. Possibly ever.

• Oishi Kitchen- Good place for ramen and desserts.

• Goldie's AK- Bar in downtown Fairbanks. The atmosphere is so fun and drinks are good.

The famous pickle pizza from The Hungry Robot. Just trust me on this one, I was skeptical at first too.

Things To Do.

• Hike at Angel Rocks - This is a 3.5 mile loop trail that has some fun opportunities for climbing. Theres also picnic tables at the trailhead if your'e not into hiking but still want to relax in the outdoors.

• University of Alaska Museum of the North- If you're interested in the history of Alaska, this museum has all kinds of art and exhibits that showcase Alaska's history and culture. The museum is on the University of Alaska's campus, which is also a nice drive with spectacular views. There are plenty of places to take pictures.

• Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge- Beautiful area to go on a walk or bird watching.

• Georgeson Botanical Garden- Beautiful and peaceful botanical garden when in season.

• Chena Hot Springs- Amazing to experience in the winter but is also nice in summer. Does get very busy in the evenings so I would suggest to go early. The drive to Chena Hot Springs is also very picturesque and you never know when you'll see some wildlife.

• Pioneer Park- Good place to walk around. They have shops, museums, food, and lots more.

• Ski Land Ski and Snowboard Area- If you're an experienced skier or snowboarder. There is a bunny hill with a magic carpet but usually no operational due to ice.

• See the Northern Lights- If it's a dark night and the sky is clear you have a good chance of seeing them. Try and find an area where there isn't a lot of street lights. A dark road like Chena Hot Springs road would be an option.