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For other places with the same name, see Fairbanks (disambiguation).

Fairbanks is a town in interior Alaska. With 31,000 inhabitants (2019), and 98,000 in Fairbanks North Star Borough, it is Alaska's second-largest city. A junction of several major highways, will be a likely stop of most visitors to the state.

Fairbanks may be like a smaller version of a large American city. There's a Walmart, a Home Depot and a McDonald's. Don't let this fool you: the greater Fairbanks area is true to its roots. There are plenty of Alaskan originals here.

Understand

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Climate

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Fairbanks
Climate chart (explanation)
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Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
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See Fairbanks's 7 day forecast    Data from NOAA (1981-2010)
Metric conversion
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Fairbanks' climate is subarctic bordering on continental, with frigid winters from October to April, short spring and fall seasons, and warm summers from May to September. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 73 °F (23 °C) and average lows of 52 °F (11 °C); January is the coldest month, with average highs barely above 0 °F (−18 °C) and average lows of −18 °F (−28 °C). Being in a valley and far from any large body of water, Fairbanks sees little seasonal lag in both winter and summer.

As Fairbanks is located near the Arctic Circle, one can expect huge variation of daylight, in June the sun is up from 3AM to 12:45AM, but it never gets dark during the wee hours, in the winter the sun is only up from 10:45AM to 2:45PM.

Get in

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By plane

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  • 1 Fairbanks International Airport (FAI  IATA), 6450 Airport Way. Flights from remote destinations in Alaska's interior and international destinations. The main carriers are Everts Air, Warbelow's Air Ventures, Wright Air Service. There are international charter flights from Canada (Air North) and seasonal flights from Germany (Condor). There are domestic flights from Chicago (ORD IATA), Dallas, Denver, Minneapolis, and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA IATA). Airlines that operate flights from the lower 48 include Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and United Airlines. Direct flights throughout the intrastate include Anchorage, Utqiaġvik (Barrow). It is served by 40-Mile Air, Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air, Everts Air, Penair, Ravn Alaska, Warbelow's Air Ventures, Wright Air Service.

By car

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There are several highways that reach Fairbanks.

  • Highway 2
  • Highway 3 (George Parks Highway) - Fairbanks can be reached driving north from Wasilla. The quickest route from Anchorage is to take Highway 1 and transfer to Highway 3.
  • Highway 6 - Fairbanks can be reached driving southwest from Circle.

If you are driving up from Anchorage, the Highway 3 (George Parks Highway) is a beautiful trip. Plan plenty of time in your schedule for sight-seeing, meals and photographs. During the summer, when the roads are clear, the trip can easily be made in 7 or 8 hours, with stops for snacks and bathroom breaks - depending on road construction and motorhome-convoy-slowdowns. You will pass through Denali National Park on your way which is a popular attraction. However, if you plan to stay the night have reservations well in advance. By "lower-48" standards, accommodation near the park is either "4-star" or "rustic". Both can be pricey, but worth every penny, especially if you spend a day in the park.

Though many think Denali Park is the highlight of the trip there are long stretches of breath-taking beauty. It is not uncommon to see moose, caribou, dall sheep, bear, and other wildlife along the road - have your camera ready. There are plenty of gas stations scattered along the route, but as expected, the prices are much higher than in Anchorage or Fairbanks. Fill up before you leave.

There are several good places to eat along the way as well. Most places will have specialties like reindeer or buffalo on the menu as well as more traditional fare.

All in all, you should make the drive at least once. It's worth it.

By bus

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  • Interior Alaska Bus Line, ☏ +1-800-770-6652, . Year round service on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Friday between Tok and Anchorage, and Tok and Fairbanks. Trips between Tok and Anchorage stop along the way at locations including Glennallen and Palmer. Trips between Tok and Fairbanks stop along the way at locations including Delta Junction. Trips depart from Tok in the morning and return to Tok in afternoon. Therefore to travel involving switching between the routes at Tok requires multiple nights stay in Tok. Be sure to reserve in advance and allow some flexibility in your schedule as buses may be rescheduled based on demand. Travel time from Tok is 3.5-4 hours and from Delta Junction is 1.75-2 hours. (updated Aug 2022)

By train

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During the summer the Alaska Railroad provides daily service between Anchorage and Fairbanks, stopping in Denali National Park and other spots along the way. Trains depart Anchorage at 8:15AM, arriving in Fairbanks at 8PM. Winter services are limited to one service on Saturdays. Fares vary throughout the season, with rates between $167 and $210 for a one-way ticket.

Get around

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By car

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By far, the easiest way to get around Fairbanks is by car. Major car rental companies are based at the airport.

By taxi

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Multiple taxi companies provide transportation throughout the city.

By bus

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  • MACS. M-Sa. Although infrequent there are public buses that provide transportation around the downtown area including to North Pole (Alaska). Some buses only operate on weekdays. $1.50 or $3/daypass, as of June 2021 freedom to COVID-19. (updated Jun 2021)

See

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  • 1 Creamer's Field, 1300 College Rd, ☏ +1 907 459-7307. Located in the northern part of town off of College Road, Creamer's Field Wildlife Refuge is a former dairy farm that is now a migratory stopover point for countless numbers of Canada geese, sandhill cranes, ducks, and other bird species. Numerous trails lead through the refuge and there is a visitor center located within the old farmhouse. Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge (Q5183376) on Wikidata Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge on Wikipedia (updated Jun 2021)
  • University Of Alaska (UAF). (updated Aug 2021)
    • 2 University of Alaska Museum of the North, 1962 Yukon Dr (University of Alaska campus), ☏ +1 907 474-7505, . Summer: daily 9AM-7PM; winter: W-Su 10AM-6PM. An excellent collection of exhibits about the nature, history and cultures of Alaska; the displays on the Northern Lights are particularly tripy. $16/adult, $14/senior, $14/veteran, $12/local, $9/youth, children 4 and under are free. Special exhibit gallery only, $4. University of Alaska Museum of the North (Q7895036) on Wikidata University of Alaska Museum of the North on Wikipedia (updated Jun 2021)
    • 3 Georgeson Botanical Garden (UAF Georgeson Botanical Garden), 2180 W Tanana Dr. Summer 8AM-8PM. Self-guided or group tours. free, suggested donation $8. Georgeson Botanical Garden (Q5546931) on Wikidata Georgeson Botanical Garden on Wikipedia (updated Oct 2024)
  • Ice Alaska, 1800 College Rd (Tanana Valley State Fairgrounds), toll-free: +1 833 4ICEART (423278), . Feb-Mar: noon-10PM, dates vary each year. Where the World Ice Art championships take place every year usually around February or March. Ice sculptors from all over the world come here and sculpt stunning ice sculptures. These sculptures are worth visiting both during day and night (due to the glow from ice). (updated Jun 2021)
  • Morris Thompson Cultural And Visitors Center, 101 Dunkel St, ☏ +1 907 459-3700. M-Sa 8AM-5PM, Su seasonally. Contains a Fairbanks visitor center and the Fairbanks Alaska Public Lands Information Center operated by NPS. free. (updated Jun 2021)
  • 4 Fairbanks Ice Museum, 500 2nd Ave (in the Historic Lacey Street Theater), ☏ +1 907 451-8222. Summer. This is completely separate from Aurora Ice Museum by the hot springs. Museum: $15/adult, $10/child; Aurora show: $10/adult, $8/child. Lacey Street Theatre on Wikipedia (updated Jun 2021)
  • Chena Riverwalk. Paved walkway along the river that has several parks and information signs in downtown. free. (updated Aug 2021)
    • 5 Golden Heart Plaza, 1st Ave, btwn Cushman & Lacey. The is plaza is a celebration of the silver anniversary of Alaska’s statehood and is arguably the center of the city. There is a clock/carillon tower in this park too. free. (updated Aug 2021)
  • Immaculate Conception Church, 2 Doyon Pl. Historic church. (updated Aug 2021)

Do

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Tours

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If you are visiting Fairbanks mid-May through the end of September, there are several tours that allow tourists to learn the history and culture of Fairbanks. The tours described below are the most popular and advised tours to take while visiting Fairbanks. All major lodges in the area can set you up on a number of local tours.

  • 1 Riverboat Discovery, 1975 Discovery Dr, ☏ +1 907 479-6673, toll-free: +1 866-479-6673, . Daily 2PM. This tour lasts three and a half hours. While enjoying a beautiful day on the Chena River, you will have the opportunity to see and learn a lot about Alaskan Native culture and Fairbanks. This tour demonstrates a bush pilot airplane taking off from the Chena River. The tour stops for an hour at the Chena Indian Village where passengers are taken through a tour by Alaskan Native guides. The riverboat also stops at an Athabascan fishing village where passengers see how fish are cut and prepared. One of the most exciting aspects of this tour is that you are able to witness "Nuchalawoya," an Athabascan Indian term meaning "the wedding of two rivers"-in this case the Chena and Tanana Rivers. $70/adult, $43/child. Riverboat Discovery (Q7338097) on Wikidata Riverboat Discovery on Wikipedia (updated Jun 2021)
  • 2 Gold Dredge 8 (formerly El Dorado Gold Mine), 1803 Old Steese Hwy N, . Daily at 10AM. Another tour run by the same family who operates the Riverboat Discovery. It runs twice a day at 9:45AM and 3PM. However, on Saturdays it only runs at 3PM. This tour begins about 20 minutes outside of Fairbanks and takes you on a two-hour tour of Alaska's gold mining history. The tour begins on a train where you go through a permafrost tunnel. While in the tunnel you are shown how gold miners used to mine underground. Following this, you will learn how miners panned for gold and how current gold miners operate. You will also have the opportunity to talk with Alaskan miners. Each person on the tour gets to pan for actual gold! Everyone finds gold and the staff at the El Dorado Gold Mine will weigh it for you to see how much you found. $43/adult, $27/child. El Dorado Gold Mine (Q5351179) on Wikidata El Dorado Gold Mine on Wikipedia (updated Jun 2021)
  • Fairbanks City Tour. Available through Princess Tours, or any of the major lodges in the area. This tour runs everyday at 8:30AM and lasts for three hours. This tour takes you to downtown Fairbanks where you are able to tour Golden Heart Park and the Visitor's Center. While on this tour, you also get to view the Trans-Alaska Pipeline that was built in the 1970s and continues to transport oil to this day. The Fairbanks City Tour takes its passengers to the University of Alaska Fairbanks Museum and Botanical Gardens. 

Activities

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  • 3 Pioneer Park, 2300 Airport Way, ☏ +1 907 459-1087, . Summer noon-8PM, winter 6AM-midnight. Definitely something that all tourists should visit while staying in Fairbanks. Pioneer Park includes several gift shops, the Salmon Bake, the Alaska Civic Center, a ccouple museums, a native village, fishwheel, President Harding's rail car, mining tunnel, miniature golf course, playgrounds, merry-go-rounds, and the S.S. Nenana which is an old sternwheeler that used to travel Alaskan rivers. Pioneer Park is set up like an old Gold Rush Town, which makes the activities and surroundings very fun. free, but some activities and museums charge admission. Pioneer Park (Q12065899) on Wikidata Pioneer Park (Fairbanks, Alaska) on Wikipedia (updated Jun 2021)
  • 4 Chena Hot Springs Resort (60 miles outside of Fairbanks), ☏ +1 907 451-8104, . Along your way out to Chena Hot Springs you have a very good chance of seeing moose and other wildlife. Once you arrive at the resort you have a variety of things you can do. The swimming area includes an indoor pool, three indoor hot tubs, an outdoor rock pool, and two outdoor hot tubs all using water from the hot springs. Enjoy relaxing in the rock pool under 24-hour daylight! Another must do while visiting Chena Hot Springs is the Aurora Ice Museum. The resort has a hotel and campground. Camping, cabin rentals, and fantastic hiking opportunities are available throughout the Chena River State recreation area. This area is heavily used by mushers to practice dogsledding in the winter months. Hot springs day pass $15/adult $13/senior $12/child. Chena Hot Springs (Q4516024) on Wikidata Chena Hot Springs, Alaska on Wikipedia (updated Jun 2021)
    • Aurora Ice Museum. The largest year-round ice environment. Everything in the museum is made of ice including a bar, polar bear beds, full-size game of chess, and an ice tower. Accessible by guided tour, parka included. Tour $30/adult+beverage, $15/adult, $10/child. (updated Jun 2021)
  • The Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Built in 1975 and was constructed to carry oil from the oil port in Prudhoe Bay down to Valdez, Alaska the northernmost ice-free port, covering 800 miles of land. The pipeline has transmitted more than 15 billion barrels of oil since 1975 and continues to carry on average 735,000 barrels of oil every day. This represents approx 3.5% of the United States daily oil consumption. The Trans-Alaska Pipeline is one of the largest pipelines in the world. 
  • Dog Sledding. Fairbanks has lots of dog sledding operators and it's a popular winter activity for tourists. During the summer, most offer dog cart rides. Most of the operators have variety of options like 30 min, 4-5 hr or even days. (updated Jun 2021)
  • Northern Lights. Fairbanks is one of the best places to see the northern lights. The northern lights are best seen between September and Mid-April on cold clear nights. 
  • Arctic Circle Tour (NATC), 3820 University Ave S, ☏ +1-800-208-0200. 
  • Flight see. Alaska has few roads. Getting around is about flying. Sure, it isn't cheap. Sample flights include village mail runs, Arctic Circle flights, Barrow or Deadhorse, and numerous other small villages. Some people hitch plane rides from the general aviation side of the airport as well as the float plane base. Bush pilots are for hire. 

Events

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  • Midnight Sun Baseball Game. Held every summer on Summer Solstice. The Alaska Goldpanners are the farthest north semi-professional baseball team. What makes this event so special is that the sun barely goes down in Fairbanks on Summer Solstice. The game begins at 10:30PM and last the whole nine innings without getting dark. Throughout its one hundred years of existence the Midnight Sun Game has never had to turn on artificial baseball lights. 
  • Fairbanks Golden Days. A week-long event that was created to celebrate the discovery of gold in Fairbanks in 1902. The event is usually held toward the end of July. Throughout the week people are able to participate in several activities. However, the highlight of the week is the Golden Days Parade. This parade showcases marching bands, antique cars, clowns, jugglers, and several decorated floats. Enjoy watching the parade as it goes through the heart of Fairbanks. During this week make sure you wear a Golden Days pin or take the risk of getting "arrested" and put in the Golden Days jail! 
  • Rubber Duckie Race. Following the Golden Days Parade is the annual Rubber Duckie Race. Every year at this time 6,000 yellow rubber duckies race the Chena River to win cash and prizes worth up to $30,000. 
  • The Red-Green Regatta. Another event, associated with golden days. Picture 40 or more homemade "boats" floating down the Chena River all created using liberal amounts of duct tape and imagination. 
  • Yukon Quest dog race. This race, held in January or February, starts (or finishes, depending on the year) downtown. Yukon Quest (Q2301224) on Wikidata Yukon Quest on Wikipedia (updated Sep 2018)

Buy

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Like most of Alaska, there is no sales tax in Fairbanks.

For those who have been camping extensively, one of the first things to look for in Fairbanks is a shower. Practically every laundromat in town also offers showers for between $3 and $7. Most will provide a towel and liquid soap, but be prepared for a quick cleaning as nearly all will utilize timers that turn the water off after only a few minutes.

Eat

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  • 1 Alaska Salmon Bake, 2300 Airport Way (at Pioneer Park), ☏ +1 907 452 7274, . Summer only, 5-9PM. Alaska Salmon Bake is the mother of all cheesy tourist stops and is heavily trafficked by tour buses filled with foreigners and senior citizens, but for the hungry budget traveler the salmon bake probably provides the best value in Fairbanks. This all-you-can-eat dinner of grilled salmon, cod, prime rib, lemonade, and blueberry dessert can be had for $60. $20-75. (updated Jun 2021)
  • 2 Alaska Coffee Roasting Co, 4001 Geist Rd, ☏ +1 907 457-5282. 9AM-8PM. This small coffee shop, which also offers a small variety of food items, is frequented by locals, college kids, and tourists alike. They roast their own coffee and offer specialties such as wood oven baked pizza. (updated Jul 2021)
  • Bun on the Run, 3434 College Rd, ☏ +1 907-590-7114. Bakery and sandwich shop with outdoor seating. Everything is home-style. Summer only. 
  • 3 Cookie Jar, 1006 Cadillac Ct. M-Sa 7AM-7PM, Su 8AM-3PM. It opened in 1991 as a microbakery, and is now a full restaurant. (updated Jun 2021)
  • 4 Ivory Jacks, 2581 Goldstream Rd, ☏ +1 907-455-6665. Ivory Jacks offers casual meals to fine dining. It is just north of town in Goldstream Valley. There is an open mic every Saturday at 10PM where performers get to take a free CD home of their performance. 
  • 5 Lane's Quickie Tacos, 3412 College Rd #1, Fairbanks (upstairs from the Marlin), ☏ +1 907 378-2812. Run by two friendly guys, they serve a simple menu of four different types of tacos and a special fifth one that frequently changes. Very good food. Casual, basic accommodations. (updated Sep 2018)
  • 6 The Lemongrass, 388 Old Chena Pump Rd, ☏ +1 907 456-2200. Good Asian food from pad Thai to BBQ beef. Great atmosphere as well. 
  • 7 Lin's Asian Bistro, 1900 Airport Way, ☏ +1 907 479-8866. Slightly upscale Chinese dining, with an emphasis on presentation and a contemporary re-interpretation of American-Chinese cuisine. 
  • 8 Pad Thai, 3400 College Rd. 
  • 9 Pikes Landing Riverfront Dining & Sports Bar, 4438 Airport Way, ☏ +1 907 479-6500. 11AM to midnight. Great outdoor deck, fine dining indoors 
  • 10 The Pumphouse, 796 Chena Pump Rd. Has some menu items with game meats. 

Drink

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One traditional Fairbanks cruise is known as The Bar Float. The Chena River runs right through the center of town, with several of the bars that may be accessed right from the river. You can start at the put in near Pioneer Park, where Peger Road crosses the Chena River. There, they also rent canoes and kayaks. From here, you can float downriver past the bars known as The Boatel, Chena's, Pikes Landing, and finally taking out at The Pumphouse. The Chena is an easy-going river, but there's plenty of motorboat, canoe, jetski, and even airplane traffic during the summer so, as always, have a designated driver to keep it safe.

  • 1 Lavelle's Taphouse, 414 2nd Ave (Look for the large Elbow Room sign on 2nd. Lavelle's is next door.), ☏ +1 907-888-2220. 3-11PM most days. For the beer geek, Lavelle's is a please place to be, with 36 rotating taps, including wine and cider. This bar doesn't serve food, but frequently has food trucks outside in the summer, and outside food is welcome. It caters to a diverse crowd. (updated Sep 2018)
  • 2 Fairbanks Distilling Company, 410 Cushman St, ☏ +1 907 452-5055. F 4PM-8PM, Sa Noon-8PM. The building is a historic property. Free tours available by appointment. The bar's hours have been reduced due to covid. They don't distribute outside of Alaska, so it's worth stopping by for a cocktail. Old City Hall (Q20712227) on Wikidata Old City Hall (Fairbanks, Alaska) on Wikipedia (updated Jun 2021)
  • HooDoo Brewing Co, 1951 Fox Ave (west of downtown, north of pioneer park), ☏ +1 907 459-BEER (2337). Tu-F 3-8PM, Sa-Su 11AM-8PM. Brewery, taproom and biergarten with a food truck most days. Free brewery tours on Sa at 4PM. (updated Jul 2021)
  • Black Spruce Brewing Co, 3290 Peger Rd Suite B, ☏ +1 907 328 0448, . M-F 3-8PM, Sa noon-8PM. BSBC was founded in 2018 in South Van Horn. Beer slushees available F Sa. (updated Jun 2021)
  • Lat 65 Brewing Co, 150 Eagle Ave, ☏ +1 907 328-7748, . M-F 3-8PM, F-Su noon-8PM. Brewery and ciderhouse just north of downtown. (updated Jun 2021)
  • Hoarfrost Distilling, 3501 Lathrop St Unit F, ☏ +1 907 479 6128, . M-Sa 4PM-8PM. (updated Jun 2021)

Sleep

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Hotels

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Hostels

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  • 6 Billies Hostel, 2895 Mack Blvd, ☏ +1 907 479-2034. Clean, spacious and very friendly. Close to the rail/airport and university and a bus route to downtown. Free wifi, linens, and towels. There's coffee available in the morning for free. from $33 shared, from $85 private. (updated Jul 2021)
  • Sven's Basecamp Hostel, 3505 Davis Rd, ☏ +1 907 456-7836, . Check-in: 1PM, check-out: 10:30AM. Hostel and campground with shared bathrooms, private cabins, treehouses, and shared wall tents. They also have volleyball, foosball and organize tours. $35 shared, from $75 private. (updated Jun 2021)
  • Fairbanks Downtown Hostel, 524 3rd Ave. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Free wifi, bar/restaurant on ground floor. (updated Jun 2021)

Stay safe

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Fairbanks had a somewhat bad reputation for crime back in the 1980s and 1990s. Crime rates have improved significantly since then and downtown Fairbanks is well policed. However, it is wise to avoid the area around South Cushman street after dark. It is the poorest and most dangerous area of Fairbanks, has high rates of drug activity, prostitution, sexual assaults and muggings, and suffers from urban blight, but attacks on tourists are very rare and there's little reason for tourists to be in this area at night. Other constant problems in Fairbanks are break-ins in parked vehicles, house robberies, and petty theft. Don't leave valuables visible in your car, lock your car and house doors, and you should be fine.

Connect

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Go next

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  • Denali National Park. 120 miles (193 km) south of Fairbanks on the George Parks Highway, Denali is vast wilderness preserve that is the home of North America's tallest mountain, the 20,320-foot (6394-m) Denali.
  • Dalton Highway
  • Manley Hot Springs is located on Route 2 west of Fairbanks.
  • North Pole is famous for being the town that celebrates Christmas 365 days a year. Meet Santa Claus, mail postcard and letters from the North Pole post office, but select the special slot or box for special Santa cancellation.
Routes through Fairbanks
Manley Hot Springs ← Jct Dalton Hwy ← Fox ←  N  S  → North Pole → Delta Junction
END ←  N  S  → Denali N.P. → Anchorage (via )


This city travel guide to Fairbanks is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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