The Top 5 Reasons to Visit Fairbanks, Alaska Now
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At 65 degrees north latitude, the sky takes on a capricious life of its own—a canvas for the aurora borealis, the midnight sun and sunsets and sunrises that last forever. In Fairbanks, Alaska there are serious mountain ranges, pristine rivers and lakes, abundant wildlife and a certain poignant solitude that is found nowhere else on earth.
Source: Bill Wright/Explore Fairbanks
Locals embrace the natural world and have created a vibrant river city in the far north. Where else can you travel to such a remote locale and still enjoy all the amenities of a charming downtown, a thriving arts community, rich Alaska Native culture, authentic Alaskan activities and attractions and endless opportunities for exploration? These are the top five reasons why Fairbanks, Alaska should be on your bucket list.
1. THE CUISINE & COCKTAILS
Specializing in fresh Cuban and Latin cuisine featuring tapas, Cuban dishes, fish and seafood by Chef Rico—Jazz Bistro on 4th is located on 4th Avenue in Downtown Fairbanks, Alaska. Featured on Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” this award-winning restaurant serves delicious cuisine with a side of Cuban jazz and soul music entertainment. For your artisanal cocktail fix, we recommend trying the Malibu Sunrise or Flying Zambo—both concocted with watermelon rum.
Jazz Bistro on 4th in Fairbanks, Alaska
Serving delicious Cuban and Latino American cuisine, Jazz Bistro on 4th presents both classic dishes and creative takes on original specialties. Favorite dishes include Alaskan Salmon with honey, blackberry and strawberry glaze, Steak Tropical Pina—a spicy flank steak with pineapple, as well as Camarones with congri and maduros (sweet plantains).
Take the time to indulge your sweet tooth and enjoy one of many decadent desserts such as Tres Leche, a light cake with many air bubbles. Hungry yet?
2. THE ART
Discover Alaska Native cultures, natural wonders, diverse wildlife and Arctic dinosaurs—while exploring 2,000 years of Alaska art at University of Alaska Museum of the North. The museum's exhibits are the best introduction to Alaska’s diverse wildlife, people, and landscapes. The Gallery of Alaska has cultural and natural history gallery tours that covers Alaska’s five geographic regions through a sampling of the museum’s 2.5 million objects and artifacts.
In the Rose Berry Alaska Art Gallery, you can explore 2,000 years of Alaska art, from the traditional to the modern. Examine ancient ivory carvings and Alaska Native objects used for both ceremony and everyday life. See paintings, photographs, and sculptures. From the functional to the fantastic, each object reveals Alaska and Alaska’s artistic influence on the world.
The Ice Alaska World Ice Art Championships began in Fairbanks, Alaska in 1990 for artists to share ice sculpture experiences for the community. The tradition of the ice sculpting competitions began with the early celebrations of spring, involving ice thrones for the winter carnivals of the 1930s and providing an outdoor activity for local Alaskans to enjoy. Now the Ice Alaska Winter Carnival has evolved into a 6-week event full of amazing art pieces of over 100 competition sculptures and exhibition pieces and the ever-expanding playful ice attractions.
3. THE HOT SPRINGS
Chena Hot Springs Road dead-ends at Chena Hot Springs Resort, a world-class hot spring renowned for its outstanding outdoor rock lake, year-round ice museum, excellent northern lights viewing opportunities and focus on renewable geothermal energy. Chena’s recorded history dates to the early 1900’s, but there is evidence indigenous people used the hot springs as well.
People have been going to hot springs for centuries—some in search of the eternal fountain of youth and others searching for cures for whatever ails them. Let the resort's healing, mineral-rich outdoor rock lake relax your body and warm your soul. One hundred years ago, gold miners and early Alaskan pioneers rested their weary souls and bodies in natural outdoor hot springs. Today, you can carry on the tradition and soak away your own worldly worries at Chena Hot Springs.
4. THE FISHING
With bountiful freshwater rivers, streams and lakes, Interior Alaska provides opportunities for fishing enthusiasts either on guided tours or on your own. The Chena River is great for catching Arctic grayling and is easily accessible. The Richardson and Steese highways and nearby Chena Hot Springs Road offer a variety of ponds stocked with Arctic char and grayling, rainbow trout, and king and silver salmon in addition to natural stocks of northern pike and burbot.
Source: Explore Fairbanks
South Fairbanks offers Tanana Lakes Recreation Area and near the city of North Pole, you’ll find Chena Lake Recreation Area—both convenient places to wet your line, summer or winter. Many local lakes are great places for ice fishing and there are outfitters happy to take you to their favorite spot.
5. THE AURORA BOREALIS & MIDNIGHT SUN
When can I see the Aurora Borealis or Midnight Sun? During Aurora Season (August 21-April 21) in the Fairbanks region, the aurora borealis also known as the northern lights, almost always appears when the sky is relatively dark and clear. The Aurora Borealis Tracker correlates aurora forecast, weather conditions and time of day to determine aurora viewing possibilities in multiple locations.
During the Midnight Sun Season (April 22- August 20), Fairbanks experiences 24 hours of sunlight for seventy days from May 17 to July 27. The Midnight Sun Tracker calculates the number of daylight hours, also known as civil twilight, 365 days a year in multiple locations.
WHERE TO STAY IN FAIRBANKS, ALASKA
In the heart of downtown Fairbanks, the Bridgewater Hotel, Trademark Collection by Wyndham has quickly become a favorite lodging destination following their recent full renovation. As you enter this iconic Fairbanks hotel, you’ll be immersed in their newly designed lobby space and greeted with a warm and cordial welcome by reception Experience a boutique-style hotel with newly refurbished, contemporary guest rooms and so much more. The modern hotel is accessible to several Alaskan-style museums, gift shops, and antique stores. After shopping, take the river walk to the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center or visit the Historic Pioneer Park.
