Fairbanks

Fairbanks is Alaska's second-largest city, with 31,000 inhabitants. It serves as a junction of several major highways and is a likely stop for most visitors to the state. Despite having big-box stores, the greater Fairbanks area retains its Alaskan roots with unique attractions.

Fairbanks International Airport serves the city. The Alaska Railroad connects Fairbanks to Anchorage and Denali. Interior Alaska Bus Line provides year-round service to Tok and Anchorage. The MACS public bus system offers local transportation including to North Pole for $1.50 per ride or $3 day pass.

The MACS bus runs Monday-Saturday, though infrequent. Taxis and rideshares are available. Many attractions are spread out, so a car is useful. The Chena Riverwalk is a pleasant paved path downtown.

Fairbanks has a subarctic climate with frigid winters (October-April) and warm summers (May-September). July averages 73°F high, January averages 0°F high. Summer features near 24-hour daylight; winter only about 4 hours of sun. Northern lights are best seen from September to mid-April on clear, cold nights.

Visit the University of Alaska Museum of the North ($16 adult) for exhibits on Alaska's nature and culture. See the World Ice Art Championships at Ice Alaska (Feb-Mar). Walk the Chena Riverwalk or Golden Heart Plaza. Take a riverboat tour with Riverboat Discovery ($70) or pan for gold at Gold Dredge 8 ($43). In winter, go dog sledding or see the northern lights. Chena Hot Springs Resort (60 miles away) offers hot springs day passes ($15) and the Aurora Ice Museum.

Alaska Salmon Bake at Pioneer Park offers all-you-can-eat salmon, prime rib, and blueberry dessert for $20-75 (summer only). Local favorites include Alaska Coffee Roasting Co, Bun on the Run (summer), and Cookie Jar. For drinks, Lavelle's Taphouse has 36 rotating taps, and local breweries include HooDoo, Black Spruce, and Lat 65. The 'Bar Float' is a traditional Chena River pub crawl.

Crime rates have improved significantly since the 1980s-90s. Avoid South Cushman Street after dark, as it has higher rates of drug activity and muggings, though attacks on tourists are rare. Break-ins to parked vehicles and petty theft are common; lock your car and do not leave valuables visible.

Wi-Fi is available at most hotels and cafes. The Noel Wien Public Library offers internet access but was closed for renovations as of May 2023. No specific mobile carrier information is provided.

Daily backpacker budget: dorm bed from $33, bus ride $1.50, museum entry $16, meal at a cheap restaurant $10-15. There is no sales tax in Fairbanks. Showers at laundromats cost $3-7.

Denali National Park is 120 miles south via the George Parks Highway. North Pole (town) is a short drive east. Chena Hot Springs is 60 miles away offering hot springs and ice museum. The Dalton Highway and Manley Hot Springs are also accessible.

Head south to Denali National Park and Anchorage. The Dalton Highway leads north to the Arctic. Manley Hot Springs and North Pole are nearby. Fairbanks is a gateway to interior Alaska.