A Complete 3 Day Itinerary for Fairbanks Alaska (Summer + Winter)

For most people, visiting Fairbanks is something they'll do once, maybe twice in their lifetime. Luckily, I've been able to visit a few more times than that! On average, people spend about 3-4 days in Fairbanks when visiting, so I put together a short itinerary that includes all my favorite places to eat and some of my favorite things to do as well - that way you can make the absolute most of your trip to Fairbanks!

​​My Essential Alaska Travel Resources :
There are plenty of travel companies out there, but these are my favorite websites and resources for planning an unforgettable trip to Alaska. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Car rentals, arguably the best way to see Alaska, are best through Discover Cars!

I always use Expedia's to compare the best rates & stays in the state.
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If you're traveling internationally, I use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required).

For fun things to do, I recommend Viator or Get Your Guide to find the best tours in the area.

Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use for travel insurance.

Lastly, my packing list for your travels to the great state of Alaska.

Getting to Fairbanks & Where to Stay

Getting to Fairbanks is pretty easy, and no matter if you're visiting in the summer or winter, you can choose to either drive or fly in. Personally, I recommend flying in - it'll save you a lot of time, it's easy, and in the winter it's a much safer option. However, if you want to make a road trip out of it then driving is a good second choice. The drive takes about 7 hours from Anchorage in the summer (longer during the winter months) and the flight from Anchorage takes just over 1 hour, so flying instead of driving can save you almost a full day of exploring. If you've never driven in the winter, I recommend being extra cautious, especially as the roads become icy and covered in snow.

If you're looking to find a place to stay in Fairbanks, the most important thing to do is book in advance. Because it's such a popular spot to visit in Alaska, top stays can often book out a year ahead of time. Some of my personal favorites are Star Base, this Aurora Yurt, and this "off-grid" style cabin on Airbnb!

​​My Favorite Fairbanks Summer Tours :
-> Arctic Circle Full Day Tour
-> Chena Hot Springs & Ice Museum
-> Riverboat Discovery Tour

Complete 3 Day Fairbanks Itinerary

Day 1 : Explore Town
​Your first day in Fairbanks is perfect for getting acquainted with the city and exploring some local spots. Today, you can enjoy the River Walk, explore downtown, and visit some local museums and places to eat!

• Morning : Grab some coffee and breakfast at River City Cafe or The Crepery, both located downtown. If you're into photo opportunities, there's a giant mural on the side of The Crepery that's great for fun pictures! I recommend heading towards the Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center where you can head inside to ask questions about Fairbanks and find the famous Moose Antler Arch across the parking lot! From here, you can head onto the River Walk and enjoy the views of the Chena River.
• ​Midday : Stop by the Blue Roof Bistro for some delicious lunch - personally, I love their Chipotle Chicken - before heading to the University of Alaska's Museum of the North. Tickets are $23 per adult, but it's a great way to learn more about Native Alaskan cultures and experience Alaska art up close.
• Evening : As you head of town, you can stop at the Alyeska Pipeline Viewing Point. There's a sign that explains more about the pipeline, and even some example pieces so you can see how the pipeline works and looks on the inside. From here, I recommend continuing out of town and up to Borealis Basecamp! Their onsite restaurant, Latitude 65, is one of my favorites, and it's an excellent spot to enjoy the panoramic views. If you're visiting in the Winter, it's also one of the best spots to go Northern Lights viewing!

Day 2 : Rest + Relaxation
​On your second day in Fairbanks, chances are you'll probably be feeling the jet lag a bit more and you'll be a little tired after exploring Fairbanks yesterday. So, we're including some nice rest and relaxation for today.

• Morning : If you want to head out early, I recommend grabbing some coffee and breakfast from Alaska Coffee Roasting Company or Little Owl Cafe and then going on the local Riverboat Tour! The tour lasts about 3 hours and you get to ride on an authentic steamboat as you listen to the history of Fairbanks. They only run in the Summer, so if you're visiting in the Winter I would swap it out for a reindeer walk at The Running Reindeer Ranch!
• Midday : For lunch, I recommend heading to GR's Empanadas or Lemongrass Thai. They're both delicious, have dine in and take out options depending on your mood, and are open year round. From here, I recommend heading out to Chena Hot Springs Resort!
• Evening : The drive itself takes at least an hour in good conditions, longer in the Winter. If you're not confident driving on Winter roads, I highly encourage you to either book a tour that includes transportation from Fairbanks or book the resort's shuttle to and from town. While you're at the Resort, you can go dog sledding, enjoy the hot springs, visit their Ice Museum, and even watch the Northern Lights if they come out! There is a restaurant onsite, but I haven't tried it myself yet. If you make it back to town by 10 pm, I highly encourage you to order some pizzas from Hungry Robot Pizza! They're one of my favorite pizza places in the whole state, and they were even featured on Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives for their Dilly Dilly!

Day 3 :
On Day 3 in Fairbanks, it's time to get out of Fairbanks. Even though there's still a lot more to do closer to town, Fairbanks is a great starting point for a couple of day trips. You can choose either, and both run all year, but the trip to Denali National Park has a lot more options in the Summer!

• Denali National Park Day Trip : Driving to the Denali National Park entrance from Fairbanks usually takes about 2 hours, longer in the Winter. Even though there isn't as much to do in the Winter, you can still visit the sled dogs, drive a little ways into the park, and enjoy the scenic views on the way from Fairbanks. In the summer, you can enjoy some of the hikes, take a bus ride into the park, see wildlife, and enjoy some of the nearby places to eat!
• ​Arctic Circle Day Trip : Similar to visiting Denali National Park, visiting the Arctic Circle is a full day trip and runs in both the Winter and the Summer. Unlike Denali National Park, you most likely won't be able to drive there yourself. Because the roads to the Arctic Circle sign and beyond are so bad, most rental companies ban drivers from heading onto these roads (Elliot and Dalton Highways), so you'll likely need to book a guided tour. If crossing into the Arctic Circle is on your bucket list, this is one of the best ways to visit! Plus, you can get a free Arctic Circle certificate when you make it back to town!

If you want to stay closer to town, try another fun adventure like a Guided Fishing Trip (or Ice Fishing in the Winter) or an Fat Tire Truck Tour (or Snowmobiling Tour in the Winter).

Watch My Fairbanks Adventures Here!

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Other Blog Posts You Might Be Interested In : 
-> Best Winter Things to Do in Fairbanks
-> Where to Stay in Fairbanks
-> Best Places to Eat in Fairbanks

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